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kipahni's review against another edition
4.0
Deep. Not something I could read very quick, every sentence to be weighed in the heart and mind.
Having had cancer I totally identified with the last chapter on death (my version of the book being the not new edition)
Death being a way of wanting you to appriciate and love your spouse with a deeper passion because of the constant reminder of the mortality of the other person and oneself. As my favorite song from Death Cab for Cutie says "Love is watching someone die... So who is gonna watch you die?"
Having had cancer I totally identified with the last chapter on death (my version of the book being the not new edition)
Death being a way of wanting you to appriciate and love your spouse with a deeper passion because of the constant reminder of the mortality of the other person and oneself. As my favorite song from Death Cab for Cutie says "Love is watching someone die... So who is gonna watch you die?"
parker_shea's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. You have not read a book on marriage (but so much more than just marriage!) until you’ve read this.
single_star101's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book that is read over a very long time. The words are beautiful however need to be thought about to be appreciated.
natebrantly's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I agree with parts of the assessments of both previous reviews. This book is not a marriage 'how-to', which I appreciate since there are an abundance of books of that style. This book is more of a reflection and meditation of the author on the deep meaning and symbolism of marriage than a guide on how to enhance a marriage relationship. This strikes me as a fantastic approach. The book is generally not too prescriptive.
I also agree with the other previous review in that this book was not what I was expecting and that it reads like the author's, Mike Mason's, spruced up journal of reflections on marriage. Some of the ideas also struck me as overly dramatic, and I often found the writing to be excessively flowery and obtuse. I am used to more technical writing that is more direct and precise, so I largely found the author's writing style to not be my personal taste. The book also contains many philosophical musings, but these are mostly not accompanied by the rigor and precision of academic philosophy. This is an interesting and unique book on marriage.
I also agree with the other previous review in that this book was not what I was expecting and that it reads like the author's, Mike Mason's, spruced up journal of reflections on marriage. Some of the ideas also struck me as overly dramatic, and I often found the writing to be excessively flowery and obtuse. I am used to more technical writing that is more direct and precise, so I largely found the author's writing style to not be my personal taste. The book also contains many philosophical musings, but these are mostly not accompanied by the rigor and precision of academic philosophy. This is an interesting and unique book on marriage.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Sexual content
kdeeter's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best book on marriage I have ever read. It might also be a contender for the best book I have ever read, full stop. I don't know why it doesn't get the attention it deserves.
If you're looking for a how-to on marriage, look somewhere else. Look to just about any other marriage book, actually, because in my experience they are all more or less the same. But this one stands alone.
Instead of a simplistic guide to harmonious marital living, Mason offers profound reflections on the very nature of marriage, covering topics such as vows, intimacy, submission, death, and oneness.
My advice to married couples would be two-fold: read this book together, and read it slowly. Gaze at the mystery that is marriage; meditate on it, savor it, internalize it, and learn to see the beauty of loving your spouse as your own flesh and blood.
If you're looking for a how-to on marriage, look somewhere else. Look to just about any other marriage book, actually, because in my experience they are all more or less the same. But this one stands alone.
Instead of a simplistic guide to harmonious marital living, Mason offers profound reflections on the very nature of marriage, covering topics such as vows, intimacy, submission, death, and oneness.
My advice to married couples would be two-fold: read this book together, and read it slowly. Gaze at the mystery that is marriage; meditate on it, savor it, internalize it, and learn to see the beauty of loving your spouse as your own flesh and blood.
marlisenicole's review against another edition
3.0
This book is not what I expected. The theology is questionable. I'm not a marriage expert but I'm sure that some of his ideas are very exaggerated and overly dramatic. It reads more like someone's journal - someone who never intended to marry but has found himself married and afraid of what he's done. Apparently, this is close to the truth of it. The author planned to become a monk and got married instead.
Personally, I have not struggled with so many of the intense feelings of loss he seems to accompany with marriage. I've been married over 17 years and have never encountered most of what he writes about. It almost feels like he's writing a poetic tragedy rather than a book on marriage.
It's interesting, in its own unique way.
Personally, I have not struggled with so many of the intense feelings of loss he seems to accompany with marriage. I've been married over 17 years and have never encountered most of what he writes about. It almost feels like he's writing a poetic tragedy rather than a book on marriage.
It's interesting, in its own unique way.
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