When I heard that Aziz Ansari was coming out with a book, I placed a hold in my library catalog IMMEDIATELY.
And then I waited FOREVER. I heard during the wait that Modern Romance was not a memoir but an exploration of love and social media. I was intrigued. I mean, there was no way I was not going to read this book. I love me some Aziz, particularly because I love his interpretation of Tom Haverford. So in honor of this auspicious character, Tom Haverford is going to be a guest star of this review.
Modern Romance is a sociological exploration of love in the 21st century, with the influence of social media and the Internet on dating as we know it today. Ansari teams up with sociologist Eric Klinenberg to discuss the various phenomena and run a series of surveys and tests to see what sort of quantitative data he can provide for understanding romance today. Sounds like a drag, right?
Wrong. Ansari’s wry delivery and engagement with the subject make this a fascinating read. One of the most fascinating parts of the book comes from the global perspectives that he and Klinenberg provide. They go to Paris, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro to understand how love and romance work through social media. Though the most interesting aspect for me was romance in Qatar. The way social media helps young adults meet each other under a socially acceptable guise was really intriguing. I didn’t realize how much social media has played a part in people’s dating lives the last ten years or so, but the findings showed how much romantic life today has changed.
Ansari talks about good and bad online manners, and there are some hilarious and cringeworthy stories to go along with them.
I highly recommend this book, and I think that if you are at all interested in technology, humor, or social phenomena, you will appreciate this book. I also want Aziz Ansari to write ALL the things.
Do you think if I throw him my money it’ll happen?
