What do readers think of Listen to the Marriage by John Jay Osborn? Write your own review.

I enjoyed reading this quick read book..the whole book takes place in the office of a marriage counselor....It was interesting to hear how other marriages come together...but more...how they fall apart...While reading you can put yourself in their places and feel as if you are in the office with this love-torn couple. I found I felt empathy for both of them and wanted them to find happiness wherever that turned out to be...Quick and informative..a good book to read and also learn to communicate ....

With fewer than 200 pages, this book has only three characters. That is all that is needed to tell the story of a separated couple in counseling sessions trying to determine if divorce is inevitable. Their inability to discuss their feelings honestly has resulted in the disintegration of their marriage. Any reader who has been part of a dysfunctional relationship will relate to the emotional damage lack of communication can cause.

This slim novel is unusual as it takes place completely in a marital therapist's office. It's a compelling, realistic, and wise look at a marriage in trouble. I read it in one sitting due both to its brevity and quality.

As a long time admirer of John Jay Osborn, I found it interesting that this book is the author's own story. It is an interesting examination of how a married couple manages to put their fractured marriage back together with the help of a marriage counselor. Most telling for me was the way the counselor helped them learn to communicate with each other - to express their thoughts more carefully and avoid emotional outbursts. This is a very readable story, one that can be read in less than a day.

I was hesitant, but I ended up really liking this examination of a single marriage, within a single room, because as unique as Gretchen and Steve's marriage is, that is how universal it is. I started out feeling like a voyeur and ended up in the same state as the therapist, hoping those two crazy kids make it.

All of the "action" of the novel takes place outside of the immediate narrative, but all of the emotional "work" takes place in the marriage counselor's office. As a narrative conceit it works. Do you really need to see Bill and Gretchen on a date in order to see what kind of relationship it is? Do you really need to see Steve setting up a home for the children in order to see that he is trying to change? No, and that is because Osborn is a master craftsman, and can pack all of that into short, punchy chapters that make up the couple's therapy sessions. That we are privy to the therapist's internal dialogue, adds another layer of interest. We are not just learning about marriage, but about therapy too.

This book had a very theatrical feel, not in a movie sense, but in the sense that I could easily see it as a single-setting, one act play. If you like that kind of feeling and also like stories where character study is paramount, I would highly recommend.

Overall I enjoyed the book. It's quick read and the main characters deal with some common marital issues. I liked 'watching' the counseling sessions unfold, 'hearing' two people learning to really be open and talk to each other and the interactions with their counselor. Emphasis on the importance of communication in a relationship carries throughout the book. However, something about the tone occasionally put me a bit on edge.

I liked the fact that it was rather short as I think I would have gotten bored with it had it gone on for very much longer. The story of a couple being counseled for their failing marriage was interesting though. I was especially interested in the process of the marriage counselor and how she was able to get the couple to work out their problems. I thought, though, at times her "thoughts" seemed a little unprofessional and not really "nice". I could see how this could be an interesting discussion for a book club.

Interesting title with a concept which comes to light half way through the book. A marriage in trouble, not particularly interesting problems. Beautiful people with money and education. Poor communication skills, Issue which dooms many marriage. Husband cheats but wants to preserve the family and willing to do the work to make that happen. I liked that. But in general, wouldn't really recommend.