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A Box of Darkness

A Box of Darkness
The Story of a Marriage
by Sally Ryder Brady
Published in USA Feb 2011,
256 pages.

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Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Judith G. (Ewa Beach, HI)
Surprises and more surprises
Beginning with a 'forgotten' cache of ashes it was apparent how the book would end. But the in-between was fascinating reading. How a marriage of such long-standing could survive the secrets and trials...one can only wonder. Sally Brady walks a fine line interspersing poignancy and humor. I couldn't wait to finish the book.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Priscilla B. (Marietta, GA)
If you like Memoirs
You will enjoy A Box of Darkness. It is a well written story, the first half a bit better than the latter. It is a love story that began in 1956. It is not too "mushy" or painfully introspective.

I enjoyed the family photographs that were included. Although their lives were VERY different, her writing style reminded me of Jeanette Walls (The Glass Castle) and perhaps J.R. Moringer (The Tender Bar).

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Nan G. (Mazomanie, WI)
The Inner Life of a Marriage
For many years, one of the themes of my reading life has been the many forms that relationships take in our lives: mothers and children, brothers and sisters, lover and lover, men and women, friends and friends. A Box of Darkness will take its place among those already on my shelf with its painfully honest look inside a marriage that was never quite what it may have seemed to those outside it and as Sally Brady reveals, ultimately a surprise even to herself. Well worth reading and sharing.

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Barbara F. (Saint Louis, MO)
A Missed Opportunity
This book is a clear example of the carnage and delusion that surrounds alcoholism. Homosexual and indeed many forms of sexual acting out is very common when men or women are in the throes of active addiction. There are consequences for behavior and Sally missed her opportunity to give her husband the possibility to change by constantly enabling his loving relationship with the bottle and make no mistake he was having an affair with the bottle. She should have left, gotten help for herself and her family allowing him to understand that it was action that was needed not co-dependency.
The writing itself was good but she remained a victim to the end and it was tiresome for me. I only hope other women see this as an example of what not to do in these very circumstances.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Hydee F. (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Amazing memoir.
This book left me awash in emotions. I could not stop reading the back, and looking at the photos, trying to grasp the reality that Sally Brady was so honest and transparent in this memoir. Her account of a long and complex marriage was touching, and real, and affected me greatly. I love this book and am now searching for some of her other works.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Carolyn F. (San Carlos, CA)
A BOX OF DARKNESS
This is a beautifully written book that resonated with me on so many levels. By the end of the book I felt as if I had spent an extended period of time with a beloved friend. Brady takes us on a roller-coaster ride of emotions seems, to me, to be brutally honest.
I loved the quote from which the title of the book is taken. I would recommend this book to people who like memoirs. I think it would make for an excellent book group discussion because there are a couple of big issues to explore.
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