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There are currently 62 member reviews
for Accidents of Marriage
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Anna R. (Oak Ridge, TN)
Great Story
Accident of Marriage is a story that grabs you on page one and doesn't let you go until the last word. The writing was excellent, the story and the characters believable. It makes you realize that life and change in a heartbeat. Sometimes I wanted to yell at some of the characters to say "do you realize what you are doing to your family?"
The book ended just the way it should. Nothing was tied up with a pretty bow and that was okay. I will recommend this book to my book group.
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Judy M. (East Haven, CT)
Accidents of Marriage
I received this book as I was leaving for vacation, and upon the 1st chapter decided it would be a great vacation read. To my surprise--it was much better than just a vacation novel.
I loved the characters, and the way the author injected so many thoughtful topics, effortlessly. At first---just the religion component, without the emphasis on religion per say, but the ability to think about religion at large was refreshing to me.
Moving on through the family dynamics due to what happened to Maddy was done in such a way that I felt like I was a part of the family
I loved this book all the way through to the ending, which had a few possibilities, and surprisingly did not have me specifically rooting for one ending over another.
I highly recommend this book to book clubs, as it has many topics of conversation, and in general as a well written, complex yet easy to follow novel.
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Vy A. (Munds Park,, AZ)
Accidents of Marriage A Novel
Told in three viewpoints (husband, wife, teen daughter) the reader is drawn into their heads and hearts as they deal with difficult issues such as spousal-abuse, infidelity, brain injury and the recovery process. Minor characters are also well-developed in the family dynamics including siblings and grandparents. This would make a good discussion book as it explores universal themes of love, forgiveness and accountability. I highly recommend it.
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Gail G. (Northbrook, IL)
Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers
I can't say I enjoyed reading this book but I could not stop myself from having deep feelings for the characters in the it.--especially Emma who was called upon to grow up and take on too many responsibilities. Of course I felt very emotional about what happened to Maddy--no question about that. All the characters had good reason to be in the plot some not as important as others but each believable and and necessary contributors to the action. Even Zelda foreshadowed Mandy's ability to say things she never was able to in the past. I could not atop reading because it was important for me to learn the fate of the characters and to learn what happens to this family. Every family member needs someone or something. The problem is how to find out what that need is and to fulfill it truthfully and not hide behind false words to be honest even if you hurt a loved one is arriving at maturity in your life and making your relationships grounded in reality and able to survive all the problems which attack it in daily living and build a life together not on one dominant behavior over another.
Maddy summed up her life with Ben by saying she didn' t have an accident of life but an accident of marriage.
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Susan R. (Julian, NC)
Was this marriage an accident waiting to happen?
This novel is the story of a marriage and a family in trouble. The husband has severe anger management problems and the wife has learned to compensate by not upsetting him and by taking a few pills when needed to get through her days. His anger causes a car accident that results in catastrophic brain injury to her. The accident bring the family dysfunction out of the shadows of their lives and shows how Ben's anger not only affected Maddy but also their three children. The novel is well told and the characters are very well developed. I felt like I knew them and I laughed and cried with them. This is the first book that I've read by this author and I plan to read her previous books based on my enjoyment of this book.
I think that this would be a great book for a book club to read and discuss. There are so many areas that could be discussed - the parent's reactions to the accidents, the children's reactions, and ultimately how Ben and Maddy handle their lives after the accident.
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Darcy C. (San Diego, CA)
Can a Family Suvive Dad's Stupidity and Remorse?
There are 3 voices in this book. Mom, Dad and Daughter. I felt it undemanding to discern each narrator. I was able to get to know each persona. Dad has everything-down-pat, The Tiger by The Tail, the world is his oyster, until .... he really wonks up his marriage. The Mom pays the price of Dad's error and I really felt for her with her recovery. What would I do in this situation? Could I love this man who maimed me? The daughter reminded us, the readers, that kids ALWAYS know more than we think they know. I believe the author's exceptional descriptions and word-work made me completely feel the waves of revulsion as they were occurring within the Mom's head. The myriad of emotions the author took me through reminded me why I love reading! I felt like the author dropped me subliminally into this family and I was the silent observer of all of the mayhem, renewal and restructuring of how each player in this family's dysfunction. Yet, there was still love….. but could it heal this family? This book will surely be a hit when it comes out! The book was pitch-perfect. A very-worthwhile and thoughtful read. 5 Stars all the way across!
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Beth T. (Savannah, GA)
Touching, Compelling
I found "Accidents of Marriage" be a fascinating, touching, and thought-provoking study of consequences. A compelling story line, well-drawn characters, believable dialog, and good pacing. I cared about the characters and what happened to them and was sad to come to the end of the story. Should be an excellent choice for book clubs.
