Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey

Journalist Florence Williams explores the science of "social pain" to understand why heartbreak hurts and why conventional wisdom about it is wrong. She tests her blood for genetic markers of grief, undergoes electrical shocks in a laboratory, and ventures to the wilderness in search of awe as an antidote to loneliness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2022
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Florence Williams, a journalist, finds herself unexpectedly navigating the dissolution of her twenty-five-year marriage, anticipating the pain it will bring. However, she is unprepared for the unexpected turn of events that leads her to the hospital, where she delves into the intricate world of our cells' response to loneliness. Determined to gain insight and develop personal strategies to heal, Williams embarks on a journey to the frontiers of the science of "social pain." She explores why heartbreak hurts so deeply and challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding it.

In her quest for understanding, Williams undergoes a series of unconventional experiments. She analyzes her blood for genetic markers of grief, subjects herself to electrical shocks in a laboratory while viewing pictures of her ex-partner, and ventures into the wilderness in search of awe as an antidote to loneliness. Through these experiences, she discovers that heartbreak is not just a physical sensation but a profound emotional response.

Heartbreak is a captivating blend of science and self-discovery that will revolutionize our understanding of loneliness, health, and the complexities of love. It offers readers of Wild and Lab Girl a profound exploration of these themes, challenging their perspectives and providing valuable insights into the human experience.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781324003489