The best relationship books are clear and informative. That makes them readable and that is what makes them sell. The genre of books dealing with how to get on with the strange half of the world population comprising the opposite gender is a source of unfailing interest. Information on the subject is valuable, if it is transparent.
In some countries people buy the bottled parts of rare animals believing that it will improve their sexual prowess. In Africa one can buy a cloudy potion in a recycled bottle. It is guaranteed to attract the opposite sex. In the West one can buy a book by an author with degrees from an American university. The book has roughly the same purpose as the potion. It offers a simple solution.
Writers of best sellers are experts at constructing texts that are pleasurable to read. Sentences are clear and simple, usually about sixteen words long. They are organized into paragraphs that state a single idea which is explicated and illustrated in interesting ways.
In the hands of a skilled academic issues within the fields of psychology, physiology and philosophy can become complicated Chinese puzzles. The same issues can be clarified by skilled writers so that mud seems to be purified into crystal clear streams of fast flowing mountain water. The ability to do this is said to be an indication of high intelligence.
In the hands of skilled writers banalities and truisms can be turned to good account if they can be dressed up in fresh metaphors and allusions to popular TV themes. They may be thought of as the raw materials of newly packaged texts, sparkling with clever phrases and images.
But there could also be some other interesting facts in the dusty cupboard of gender affairs. A classic novel written two centuries ago by Jane Austen could probably compete with the best relationship books because the narrative says almost all that there is to say on the subject. In one way or another pride and prejudice are woven into relationships. This is fascinatingly portrayed on screens in one film remake after another of the novel.
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