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There are currently 62 member reviews
for Accidents of Marriage
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Barbara L. (Novato, CA)
Accidents of Marriage
As in real life, perspective is everything. This novel tells the story of a flawed family from the three main characters points of view, each one unique, individual and sometimes self-centered. Revolving around a terrible accident, this story reveals the ramifications of this event on each member of this family helping us understand each of their individual reactions to the main event.
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Kathleen W. (Appleton, WI)
Accidents of Marriage
This is a disturbing novel. I can't say that I "liked" it, but I can't stop thinking about it. Perhaps the situation and the dialogue struck a nerve with me and that is not always pleasant. We all yearn for second chances and forgiveness and we all hope that we will be noble in our suffering. By alternating the first person narrative among the three major characters, the author was able to convey the complexity of the issues and the strong pull of self. I strongly recommend this book for discussion groups and for people who do not require Hollywood endings from their novels.
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Betty T. (Warner Robins, GA)
Realistic Except for One Critical Element
This is the first book I have read by this author. The topic intrigued me as I have some experience with people with anger management issues. I liked the style of writing—easy to read, nice flow. The main characters were well-developed. Some of the supporting characters were less developed but still fairly well written. The alternating perspectives of Maddy, Ben, and Emma were easy to follow. You could easily get the sense of what each of these characters were having to deal with in the aftermath of the accident. Maddy was fighting for survival. Her frustration at not being able to function as she had was readily apparent. Ben had to deal with his guilt of causing the accident in the first place. Then his loyalties to his family were tested. Emma was a young teen girl forced to put her life on hold in order to care for her younger siblings. Her resentment was appropriate. The younger siblings Gracie and Caleb were well-portrayed, in my opinion. Then, of course, there were the meddling in-laws. I am not sure the interfaith marriage angle added much to the story. The part I had difficulty accepting was how Ben had such an anger management problem but then seemed to be "cured" by his guilt over the accident. Someone who can get as violent as him does not just suddenly start controlling his/her temper without help. Overall though, it was a good read.
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Jean G. (Rockford, IL)
Marriage Mayhem
This is not a happy or upbeat story as it concerns a family fraught with an overabundance of everyday problems, many brought on by a husband's drinking, anger, and ignorance in child rearing, coupled with a life changing event. The husband/father is truly not a likable person. It held my interest because the author was able to put the reader into the mind of the 3 major, fully developed characters by alternating chapters with each one of them as they navigated their life, keeping the reader fully involved. A few times i wanted the story to move along a little faster. My issue is with the medical facts and behavior that ran through a major part of the novel. I had doubts how believable and realistic the medical issues were that were portrayed. Although a major theme, that accuracy is probably secondary to the emotional trauma this creates for the family and how they progress through it. This book runs the gamut on discussion of the family dynamic, such as faithfulness, religious influence, and teen responsibility.
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Marge W Bonita Springs, FL
Accident of Marriage
After struggling through the first couple of chapters, I enjoyed reading this book. I think it would be lead to very good discussion as a Book Club selection. I liked the author's method of letting us into the thoughts of the three main characters.
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Rose N. (Saginaw, MI)
Accidents of Marriage
Accidents of Marriage tells the story of the Illica family, Ben, Maddy, Emma, Gracie and Caleb, before and after a tragic traffic accident severely injures wife and mother Maddy. It is a story of the troubled 'accident' of marriage between Ben and Maddy and the actual accident that changes the lives, not only of Maddy, but also of Ben and the children, especially fifteen-year-old Emma. The characters of Ben, Maddy and Emma are fully developed in alternating chapters devoted to each individually. We feel the anxiety, the anger, the worry, the hate, the love each experiences as Maddy begins the long road to recovery and Ben tries to conquer his moments of rage. Theirs is a fragile relationship which all are struggling to preserve.
Meyers' writing style is reminiscent of that of Anne Tyler in the way it paints a realistic portrait of a family confronted with real problems to which one can truly relate.
Book clubs would find much to discuss after reading and enjoying Accidents of Marriage.
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Elizabeth K. (Glenshaw, PA)
Accidents of Marriage
What constitutes verbal or emotional abuse? Can a person who is esteemed at his office be so different at home? The author makes the reader aware of what can happen when anger cannot be controlled. An entire family, and extended family, is shattered when the parents are involved in an accident that leaves Maddy, the wife, with brain damage. I felt her struggle as she tried to slowly cope and recover. A teenage daughter must bear the burden of home responsibility: a young son reverts to bed wetting. The burden falls on everyone. The husband must face and recognize his failings.
There are many topics to discuss in this book. It would be excellent for book clubs
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