What do readers think of Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers? Write your own review.

Randy Susan Meyers "Accidents of Marriage" is an intense and often painful look at what happens in a relationship in which the couple has lost the ability to communicate. Ben and Maddy have been married for over 15 years and have 3 children between the ages of 14 and 6. At one time a close and sexual relationship, they hardly know each other any more. Ben is a rising young lawyer who loves the limelight and Maddy a wife and mother who sees their life spiraling out of control. In a riveting opening we watch horrified and helpless as Ben's need to be in charge boils over into a dangerous car battle between himself …more and another car with tragic consequences for their entire family.

The story is told in alternate chapters through Ben, Maddy and Emma, their 14 year old daughter. Slowly we begin to see the dynamics of their relationships with each other, their grandparents and siblings, colleagues and friends. The novel demands that we understand our responsibility to each other as well as to ourselves without letting our egos rule.

Meyers handles those dynamics well and manages to create believable, rounded characters trying to come to terms with who they are within a husband and wife relationship as well as in their family and their concept of who and what they are as individuals. All of which makes "Accidents of Marriage" a wonderful choice for a book group discussion. (less)

It does not take long to be drawn into the families dynamics. Family life with children can be very hectic. Randy Meyers has written this book, having the reader actually feel the emotions of each of the characters.

We find out how each family member deals with the stress of their abusive father and Maddy's accident and healing. This book was written so I could get into Maddy's mind, to feel her thinking, frustrations and exasperation.

The reader will see how parenting conditioning reflects on the children and adult children. Physical and verbal abuse not only affects the poor or uneducated.

Definitely a book club …more read to be discussed.

A very satisfying read. (less)

So much for expectations: I expected Randy Susan Meyers' latest book to be a run-of-the-bill novel about how an ordinary family is crippled by the father's poor anger management control. In other words, a "lesson" book.

Yes, in the very loosest sense, that's what Accidents of Marriage is about. But I'm pleased to say that it also includes the psychological acuity, beautifully-rendered insights and strong character development that causes it to soar to the top of its genre.

Accidents of Marriage will not win any literary awards. But not every book has to. There's something that's also valuable in books that tell a …more good story and make the reader want to turn pages well into the night. Accidents of Marriage is that kind of book. (less)

Families with an angry member can become very dysfunctional and everyone suffers. Written very well and I didn't want to stop reading. I now want to read other books Ms. Meyers has written.

No one wins in the story about this family Many things can happen in an instant that affects people in very devastating ways, and there is no way to reverse what has happened. I believe that Maddy did the right thing in the end, but my sadness is really for Emma, Gracie, and Caleb. Children can't always understand why some decisions are for the best.

The author did a great job presenting this story from start to finish. I feel like everyone should read this book. I'm glad that I had the opportunity.

I gave up food, TV and conversation once I started this book and now that I am finished Iam sorry it is over. Accidents of Marriage talks about the complex nature of marriage and family. emotional abuse by a family member can be just as destructive as physical abuse . This family deals with the repercussions of a car accident where the husband/dad has a case of road rage which leaves his wife, mother of 3 kids with a severe brain injury.

Compelling, disturbing, real (from personal experience and anguish), and impossible to put down - even though it brought up painful, tearful memories - in a way it was healing and affirmative. Emotional and verbal abuse takes a long suffering toll and everyone involved in a family where such occurs. I agree with several others who have reviewed - this is would be a great book club selection and lead to much discussion of the complexities of families and how anger, rage, depression, and personal experiences/perceptions can cause a never ending journey of pain - and yet growth and a levels of commitment - to all …more those involved. Very well-written and portrayed. (less)

Ben's boundless rage careens with Maddy's brain injury so that the top of the Illica marriage is blown off and the foundation of the family is compromised. Clearly, Meyers knows the world of emotional abuse and battered families and brings it into 20-20 vision. While ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE moves slowly in some moments and its editing could be tweaked slightly, the reader becomes invested in the characters. One wonders what happens to adolescent Emma who, underneath it all, is just a kid. It makes one realize that a functional, growing and thriving marriage is essential to raising emotionally healthy children.