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Beverly S. (Chesterton, IN)
Well written and a quick read
I previously read "The Murderer's Daughters" and I became a fan of Randy Susan Myers' writing. She did not disappoint with her newest novel, "Accidents of Marriage". The story portrays a family dealing with normal day to day issues for the most part. However the Father has major anger management issues which lead to emotional abuse against his wife. A car accident where he was at fault, leaves his wife near death. You will become part of the family's day to day lives, hoping they can all heal and mend the broken pieces of their family. I like the writing style and I can see that the author uses her job
…more experience to help create her characters. I hope you enjoy this book. (less)
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
…more 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. (less)"Accidents of Marriage" is an interesting view at the life of one family. Told from the alternating viewpoints of the wife, husband, and eldest child, the multiple voices worked in showing the situation from different perspectives.I enjoyed the novel, but found it a bit short of being truly great. When a husband's anger issues change his family forever, everyone involved must come to terms with the consequences.
I wish the character of the husband had been a bit more gray - instead, he was portrayed rather black and white as the "bad" one in the relationship. If he was more sympathetic as a character, the book
…more would have had a stronger impact. (less)I don't know that I would say this book was "good" but it certainly grabbed my attention and held it. The tension throughout the story was unsettling. The author does a fabulous job of portraying the family dynamics of a dysfunctional family that suffers a tragic, preventable accident that turns their lives upside down. Spousal abuse, alcohol and drug abuse and infidelity all contribute to the story. My heart ached for the three innocent children, especially Emma who was forced to become the family caretaker. I think this would be a good book club selection. The women in my book group would surely have a few
…more choice words in describing Ben! (less)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.
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.
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
…more 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. (less)I both loved and hated this book, I know that sounds impossible but it's the truth. The reason being is that it was a book I wanted to read, I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, this is the mark of a good book to me.
It was realistic maybe too realistic, I found myself crying in some passages as it reminded me of my childhood and the way my own father raged. To say it was painful to see your life in print would be an understatement. One of the most potent parts for me was when Emma's father knelt at her knees and said he was sorry, everyone wanted her to say something, to fix it, going so
…more far to say that forgiveness will make you feel better, but she couldn't/wouldn't. I know that feeling being the oldest you are there to make it all better for your siblings, the role of the protector. She is only fifteen and they wanted her to fix everything.
A powerfully written and a well thought out book depicting the struggle of a disabled parent living in an able body world. I know too well the embarrassment, my mother was disabled, how hard that is for a teenager to bear, as well as the parent to know they are the source of embarrassment.
I liked the way the author did not tidy it up for you, there is hope for the family but they have work to do that will take commitment and insight. (less)
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