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Daryl B. (Poolesville, MD)
Good quick read
I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be intriguing, especially Sandy. I would have liked to hear more about her life as the author gave us just enough on her to pique my curiosity. I think all marriages have their own issues and can benefit from learning better communication skills. So I would recommend this book to anyone that is married or in a long term relationship. It was not only entertaining but therapeutic. I loved the idea of the marriage being it's own entity. I found myself cheering for Gretchen and Steve. Good read!
Gale A. (Chico, CA)
Listen to the Marriage
I loved this book! It's a little different in that there are only four characters: the husband, the wife, the therapist, and, yes, the marriage. And the whole book takes place in the marriage counselor's office.
The husband and the wife were, to me, immediately likable. I wanted to hear their stories and I cared about how their problems were resolved.
Sandy, the counselor, was also likable and interesting. Hers is the only voice we hear aside from what was said out loud in the office.
Short chapters and lots of dialog make this a quick, snappy read. Good for people interested in character development. There is no plot other than the resolution of the marriage problems. But that's enough. You really do come to care for this couple and want to know if they can make it together.
Diane H. (Leawood, KS)
Totally Engrossing Read
This book captured my attention right from the first page. I felt like an interloper during the marriage counseling sessions of Gretchen and Steve There were times that I grew quite impatient with each one of them but I could also empathize with their struggle.The importance of honest communication in a marriage is highlighted amazingly well.
Having been a counselor, I could relate to many of the scenes in the book.
Start to finish, it is a great read
Shirley L. (Norco, LA)
An Interesting Approach
I am a Marriage Therapist and was intrigued as soon as I heard the premise of this book; the entire story takes place solely in the therapist's office. This is a slice of the life of a particular marriage and illuminates the inner psychological worlds of the husband and wife as well as that of the very clever therapist. There is little drama and heart racing plot twists in this book. The transformation of the parties is subtle, slow and inconsistent but absolutely amazing in its own soft way. Not a read for everyone. I loved it, raced through it and plan to immediately reread it more slowly and contemplatively.
Sarah H. (Arvada, CO)
Fiction Therapy
To hold a reader's interest and keep them engaged with such a simple premise takes skill. In reading the premise of the book, I thought it could either be really intimate and engaging or, really really boring. Osborn absolutely achieves the former, with characters you care about and themes you can relate to, and if in a relationship, can also apply to your own life. A very enjoyable read!
Bridget C., works in local library, Devon, PA
The Triangle
The story of a couple's journey to either end or save their marriage takes place entirely in their marriage counselor's office. Through her questions, she pushes each person to be honest about their own feelings while getting them to explore their partner's perspective. As they navigate the separation and subsequent issues (many associated with co-parenting), the couple slowly progresses. You find yourself both cheering for them to resolve their differences and also hoping that they forge new lives apart. Honest dialogue keeps the story moving. I would have liked a little more of the counselor's personal story. Overall, a thought provoking look at what it takes to keep a marriage together.
Michele N. (Bethesda, MD)
Listen to the Marriage
When I started reading Listen to the Marriage, I didn't plan to finish it in one sitting. But I found myself wanting to find out what happened. Would the couple repair their marriage or would they end up in divorce court? Told through the perspective of Sandy, their counselor, the book only deals with what happens during the sessions between Steve and Gretchen. Neither has much insight into their behaviors and contributions to the difficulties in their marriage. It's an interesting look into the dynamics of marriage counseling.
Marion C. (Peabody, MA)
Listen to the Marriage
LISTEN TO THE MARRIAGE is an intriguing story about Gretchen and Steve whose strained marriage prompts Gretchen to move out with their two young children. She rents an apartment, furnishes it and puts the children in childcare after school, and feels short of cash. Gretchen is not sure she wants a divorce so they attend marriage therapy with Sandy to see if their marriage can be saved. There is a third chair, unoccupied, in the room and both Gretchen and Steve wonder whom that chair is for. The chair is an old antique that does not match the general furniture in the room and causes a little disruption between the couple. Sandy tells them that is the marriage chair and to listen to it. Osborn writes a note to the reader, "My hope is that LISTEN TO THE MARRIAGE may change some marriages for the better." I felt that with an open mind this novel can do that by listening to the metaphor of the empty chair it could help a marriage. Osborn has written other novels of which "The Paper Chase" was written when he was a full-time student at Harvard Law School. A pleasant read.
