Author: Randy Susan Meyers
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: 2nd September 2014
Pages: 368
Book Source: Atria Books & NetGalley
Synopsis: Accidents of Marriage explores a topic rarely shown in fiction: the
destruction left in the wake of spouse’s verbal fury. Ben never meant to hurt
Maddy. He never imagined his recklessness would lead to tragedy.
Maddy is a
social worker trying to balance her career and three children. Years ago, she
fell in love with Ben, a public defender, drawn to his fiery passion, but now
he’s lashing out at her during his periodic verbal furies. She vacillates
between tiptoeing around him and asserting herself for the sake of their kids –
which works to keep a fragile peace – until the rainy day when they’re together
in the car and Ben’s volatile temper gets the best of him, leaving Maddy in the
hospital fighting for her life.
Randy
Susan Meyers takes us inside the hearts and minds of her characters,
alternating among the perspectives of Maddy, Ben, and their fourteen-year-old
daughter. Accidents of Marriage is a provocative and stunning novel that will
resonate deeply with women from all walks of life, ultimately revealing the
challenges of family, faith, and forgiveness.
ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE explores a topic rarely shown in fiction: the
damaging effects of a spouse’s emotional abuse.
Accidents of Marriage is tense and raw and real. It's a
beautifully rendered, insightful look at a family in crisis.
Told from the multiple perspectives of parents Maddy and Ben and
the eldest of their three children, 14 year old Emma, Accidents of Marriage covers the harsh
realities and ripple effect of a family living with verbal and emotional
abuse. Ben's anger and volatility are scary, his temper flares unpredictably, he throws things, he rages, his family tiptoe around on eggshells. When a car accident leaves Maddy with a
devastating traumatic brain injury, this family's world shatters.
The aftermath of the accident is powerful and so real it's emotionally harrowing being in Maddy's head.
My heart broke for Emma ... thrust into the role of caring for her younger siblings, the lack of emotional and physical support was heart wrenching. I
felt like the 'adults' in the story failed her. No child should have to
cope with that kind of pressure.
Randy Susan Meyers writes with such sensitivity. My take ... clarity can come from the most unexpected sources. Love is not enough. It takes acceptance
of responsibility and hard work to rebuild trust, to heal ... on both sides.
I thought Accidents of Marriage had a very realistic and
satisfying ending.
My first Randy Susan Meyers read and I can't recommend it highly enough. Now to hunt down her other novels.
Connect with Randy Susan Meyers
I am looking forward to this one, your review gives me an insight to what I might expect. Waiting till I can buy it in paperback!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your thoughts Kathryn, it's the type of emotional read I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy.
DeleteI have a copy of this one for review but I've been nervous about reading it because I think it will be an emotional reading experience. I remember that feeling of having to walk on eggshells around someone when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Accidents of Marriage does a good job of portraying this family and their struggles.
I think it's a pretty 'fair' portrayal Christina. That walking on egg shells feeling was pretty deja vu for me too, I lived 10 years in an emotionally abusive marriage before it escalated to physical. I'm so glad I read this one, hope you feel that way too.
DeleteIt sounds like a good read, but I tend to get too emotional when reading things like this, but if I see it around I will definitely take a look
ReplyDeleteHope you decide to give it a go, emotional but so worth the heartache!
DeleteLately, books like this one have been catching my eye. Something about marriage in crisis books - I love the emotions they make me feel. I just finished a really good one - After I Do.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this book because I've added it to my list!! Thanks for posting about it and solidifying that I need to read it.
Hope you get to it soon Brandie, the emotion really hits home. And thanks, 'll check out After I Do, sounds like my type of read.
DeleteWow wow wow!! This sounds AMAZING!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGet to it right now Julie lol ...
DeleteI have this one on Sparky, and really need to move it up on the list! Heck with the review books...LOL.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, why not? This book is the kind of story that I've lived, in actuality, through the clients I assisted over the years...and also more up close and personally. Thanks for sharing!
Can't wait to see what you think Laurel-Rain. I'm pretty sure you'll love it. I had 10 years 'up close & personal' ... the emotion really hit home.
DeleteI jsut read Nise's review and added it to my wish list. Looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteNise and I were on the same page with this one, the author totally 'gets' it!!
DeleteI've seen some good reviews of this one but was a little nervous because I'm not a big fan of "feels" reads. You make it sound like it's definitely worth braving! I'm glad to hear that the ending is satisfying. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete