In Wrongful Pursuit of Mr. Right - Meghan Daum

It's as if these characters have begun to absorb Behrendt and Tuccillo's overarching point, which is that it's better to be alone (possibly even forever) than stuck in a bad relationship. "My only job is to be as happy as I can be about my life . . . and to lead as full and eventful a life as I can," Tuccillo writes.

That's a pretty revolutionary statement in a society so deeply rooted in monogamous couplehood and nuclear families. And therein lies the undercurrent of radicalism beneath the bright pink jacket and quippy one-liners. He's Just Not That Into You is dark at times, and it may be this startling honesty, this overdue recognition of the unfairness of life and the mysterious, illogical ways of the heart, that draws so many women to the book. "I think some of those people who are single and ready to have love in their lives are going to get cancer and die," admits Tuccillo, "or get hit by a car, or just never find love with a good man and maybe just settle." (Behrendt on this issue: "I believe life is a speedy and awesome gift, so don't waste the pretty.")

[click on the heading to read the essay]