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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.
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
…more 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. (less)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
…more this book. It would be excellent for book clubs (less)
Freya H. (Phoenix, AZ)
Accidents of Marriage
This well-written story may resonate with more families than many of us might care to think about. The characters, good, bad and sad, are well developed. You are drawn in to their lives from the first page and, while the ending may not be perfect, it feels like true life. This may be a good Book Club choice since many topics, from spousal abuse to trauma rehab to children's issues, to friendship, and to parent involvement in their adult children's lives, are all there for discussion.
Colleen L. (Casco, ME)
Realistic and true to life..
This is a very realistic book. Maddy is a working mother of three children who handles the preponderance of child rearing, house work and bill paying. Her husband is a Public Defender with anger issues. Maddy is always unsure of Ben's moods when he gets home and the home revolves around these moods. One rainy day when Maddy is traveling with her husband, an accident occurs and Maddy suffers a very serious accident. The world changes dramatically for the entire family after that.
Try as I might, I found it difficult to like or respect her husband but my heart went out to Maddy and her children, especially Emma. I
…more thought the book was well written because the story felt 'real' and could actually be happening in hundreds of American homes today. I think the author reminds us that spousal abuse isn't just physical but can be equally devastating when it is emotionally driven. Some people may not be satisfied with the ending but I found it true to life.
I found the story engaging and insightful. I also believe the author delivered an important message about spousal abuse. I think this book is a valuable read & would recommend this book to anyone looking to read about complex, family situations. (less)I am still reeling after finishing this novel called Accidents of Marriage. My heart is aching for the family torn and shredded. I read the book today. Yup – beginning to end. I couldn't seem to stop myself from reading it. The anguish and pain of the main characters as evidenced by their separate chapters describing differing scenes in the book resonated with me.
Ben, Maddy and their three children live in Boston. They are both professional people with jobs that show the worse of society. However it is clear that Ben's temper and lack of control is causing problems for his family. Problems he cannot see because
…more he is the center of his world and it is all about him. Due to a number of things that happened there was an accident: one that would change their world.
The rage of Ben overwhelmed me and yet, I did not see it for the problem it was until later in the book, perhaps because Maddy did such a good job of moderating his temper. I guess I too was vacillating. The book highlights emotional abuse. It highlights how a family can slug its way through horrid situations to find a resolution. It highlights how words can cause more damage than can ever be repaired.
Oh, and I so didn't like Vanessa (Maddy's sister). (less)This was a solid 3-star book for me. I liked it, but wanted more. Liane Moriarity, one of my new favorite authors for her wit and willingness to tackle difficult subject matter, endorsed this book as "one of those rare novels that is both unputdownable and unforgettable." At no point did I want to abandon the book, but I don't expect this story to stick with me over time. Not surprisingly, however, this book resonated strongly with my mother and I read it at her recommendation. About two years ago, our family dealt with the impact of an unexpected accident that also led to an injury similar to Maddy's and it was
…more my mother who was the initial sole caregiver in that situation. To this day, the effects of that accident can still be felt in our family. I suspect it was the middle that was so emotionally touching for my mother - as it was for me: that excruciating time of "not knowing" while Maddy was in the hospital and then Maddy's unpredictable behavior after her initial return home. Unfortunately, the husband's pattern of verbal abuse, and the reaction of the family, didn't seem as convincing (or important) to me and I think that was supposed to be the meat of the story. (less)I found the book slightly hard to get into until about half-way through, finding the writing a little tedious. However, I started it late afternoon and finished it around 2:00 a.m., so it certainly held my interest. I think it would offer a very good discussion for book clubs.
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