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

I wanted to like this book, both because of the author's past successes and because of his personal connection to the topic. However, I found it to be tedious and somewhat unrealistic. The therapist was unprofessional and her thoughts and reactions seemed odd at times. It was nice to see the couple work things out and stay together, but that's the best thing I can say about the book. I wouldn't recommend it to my book club.

This was not a favorite of mine - It takes place solely in the office of the marriage counselor and was a bit slow moving for my taste. I did find it interesting that the counselor was able to understand how to help both Gretchen and Steve - and to move them back to a point where there was understanding. I finished the book feeling that the problems were becoming resolved.

I found "Listen to the Marriage" an interesting and informative book reminding us what communication really involves.

The story takes place in a marriage counselor's office with the exchange of thoughts, feelings and emotions between the separated husband and wife whether to remain married or divorce. There is an interesting concept of an out of place chair in the counselor's office,

My thought is that the book is definitely written in a male perspective. This would make a good book for a book club discussion group.

I really wanted to like this book. The concept was appealing to me since I've been in this couple's situation and I am a therapist. While much of the couple's interaction sounded true, I felt the therapist wasn't very well written or professional. In my mind she didn't have a sensitivity to either client and she said some rediculous things. I appreciated the processes Steve and Gretchen went through to get at the truth of what they wanted and felt. However this book read more like a clinical case study rather than a novel. There are much better versions of this story. I'm disappointed.

I am sad to have to provide this review as BookBrowse usually picks such good books that I like, but here goes:

I am quoting a lovely reading friend 's review when I start this review.

"Yikes....it takes a saint to read "Listen To A Marriage"....or a masochist.....not sure which.......NAILS ON A CHALKBOARD grueling patience!!!"

I am not a saint, or a masochist, or do I have the patience. I would only fully read this book if it was the last novel on earth. (as it was I read the first 100 pages and skimmed the last 100).

First, the book is misnamed. It should be called Talk About a Marriage... and talk, and talk, and talk. This book is mostly one big, long, confusing conversation.

There is absolutely nothing to like about the three characters: immature, whining are two adjectives that come to mind. Even the psychologist and her methods are very suspect to me. Now that does not always bother me but even the writing does not save this book.

There might be some lessons to learn from this 'story' about how to make a marriage better, but I am unable to understand them, if they are there.

If you've been in marriage/couples counseling this book will resonate with you. Makes clear that non-communication is deadly. I didn't understand the therapist's thoughts intruding into the story. That said....it was a very quick read. I stayed to the end to see if the issues were ever resolved.

John Jay Osborn states in the preface of Listen to the Marriage that his wife found "an amazing marriage counselor…" when their marriage was falling apart. Together they put the marriage back together. His novel is intended to help others save their marriages with counseling.

The book is set entirely in the counselor's office. Sandy, the shrink, narrates while Steve and Gretchen reveal their indiscretions, which of course includes sleeping with other people; multiple people on multiple occasions. Osborn's characters are selfish, childish and shallow and the story is so predictable. While it may have been a noble idea to want to enshrine talented marriage counselors, Osborn got buried in the couple's stale miseries instead. Perhaps non-fiction would have been a better vehicle convey how professional therapists use couch confessions to heal marriages.