There are a few things which are unique about This Modern Love. Firstly, it was crowdsourced. Secondly, the idea: people sharing their personal stories of love and loss. It is full of letters, stories and photographs all put together by YouTuber Will Darbyshire. The submissions are deeply personal. They are sometimes beautiful and other times heartbreaking. A glimpse into other people’s love lives that we would never usually get to see. A unique book that is definitely worth a read.
This Modern Love is a unique crowdsourced book of letters, stories, and photographs about the state of modern romance by YouTuber Will Darbyshire.
‘Question 1. What would you say to your ex, without judgement?’
Seeking closure after a tough break-up, Will Darbyshire was driven to strike up an intimate conversation with his online audience. Posting a series of questions via his YouTube, Twitter and Instagram channels, Will asked his followers to share their innermost thoughts about their relationship experiences, in the form of hand-written letters, poems, photographs, and emails.
After 6 months and over 15,000 heartfelt submissions later, from over 100 countries, This Modern Love collects these letters together to form a compendium of 21st century love, structured into the beginning, middle and end of a relationship.
Tender, funny and cathartic, This Modern Love is a compelling portrait of individual desires, resentments and fears that reminds us that, whether we’re in or out of love, we’re not alone.
This Modern Love is available here.