The Dependent: A Memoir of Marriage & The Military

by Danielle Daniel

The Dependent is a true story written by a military wife married to a paratrooper who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for fourteen years before his army career came to a crashing halt—a freak accident near Armed Forces Base Trenton left him paraplegic and their future in shards.

Danielle, a fiercely independent university student, meets Steve, an ambitious infantry private. Much of the first years of their marriage are spent apart, as Steve’s infantry unit is sent overseas for duty in Croatia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. With each tour of duty, the emotional distance between them intensifies. After four tours, Steve finally comes home to stay, but little changes: their marriage remains a difficult ménage-à-trois made up of a man, a woman, and the military.

In this deeply candid depiction of their marriage before and after a life-altering trauma, each chapter unveils an intimate portrait of marriage—one in which Danielle and Steve must navigate shifting roles and learn to co-exist in a space where the collateral damage of military service is absolute.

The Dependent is a brave and modern love story revealing immeasurable loss and grief and the journey to lasting hope and forgiveness.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

174 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2016

Reviews

[Scott Overton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dependent is a remarkably honest account of one woman’s journey through debilitating sorrow and anger to healing and hope. Daniel’s marriage to a man in the Canadian military faced enough strain from the long separations and the fear for her husband Steve’s life while he was deployed in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Then came the accident that left Steve paralyzed from the waist down. Her own unhappy upbringing had left her ill-equipped for marriage, and with a husband who epitomized the ideal soldier now unable to fulfil his life’s calling, Daniel slid into a dark pit of anger. Those who suffer from depression will welcome her story as evidence that they’re not alone in their struggles. But everyone will recognize some of their own human failings and life challenges in this well-written and insightful book. By Daniel’s account, it was a catharsis to write The Dependent. It was an act of bravery to release it into the world.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A candid account of a military marriage and the consequences of repeated deployments. A personal tragedy escalates the demise of an already rocky marriage. The turning point comes when the author accepts her own contribution to her unhappiness and the marriage breakdown and begins the work of healing herself.

[Huguette Larochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

i got this book at Bell park . Danielle Daniel was there selling her book.
really like the stories .a memoir .

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I picked up "The Dependent".
It's written from the perspective of a 
military wife.
Danielle makes you feel like she is your
 friend, telling you exactly what she went 
through when Steve was in active military duty. Then she gives great detail of what it was like dealing with the aftermath of 
Steve's accident,the ups and downs of 
going through emotions.

An honest example of how quickly our
 journey in life can change, from one path to another.

[Ella Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously raw portrayal of life's ups and downs.

Effortlessly weaving threads from her childhood, young adulthood, marriage, and present, Danielle Daniel's love story is unconventional and all the more romantic because of it.

I finished The Dependent over the course of two days, flying across the country, and found myself laughing and tearing up equally often, glancing up every now and again to see if anyone had noticed.

The characters are realistically complex, and relatable because of that. The author never shies away from showing the good, the bad, and the ugly in all of them, herself as the protagonist included.

Sudbury and Ottawa as settings come to life on the page, for those of us who know them, and for those who don't.

The Dependent is a poignant look at life and love that stuck with me long after.

[Jill MacKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I love memoirs, in all honesty, I knew nothing of what it's like to be a military wife. Yet Ms. Daniel's story resonated with me on many levels, allowing me to sympathize with her newly married self. I was unable to put this book down at several parts of the story (reading far too late into the night) through the beginning where we learn her husband's heartbreaking fate, through the middle, where I wasn't sure what the outcome would be for a couple who loved each other, and through the end where I cried and cried and then laughed, feeling, finally, the sense of peace that Ms. Daniel, I believe, felt as well. A fantastic read for memoir lovers, military family members, and lovers of powerful stories with powerful outcomes.

[Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Danielle Daniel's wonderful book in two days. The Dependent, published by Latitude 46 Publishing. Couldn't put it down. A beautifully written and poignant memoir. Danielle, you have a winner on so many counts! Congratulations on a stellar achievement!

Your story captivated me from start to finish. You are a gifted writer; your honesty, courage, and heart shine through on every page. So many people will be inspired by your journey, which you have so eloquently shared! Thank you!

Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in one sitting. It's a collection of essays about being a military wife, and other related incidents.

Danielle marries Steve, who served four tours with the military. He is then injured while doing a parachute jump in Canada and he becomes a paraplegic. This is a story of marriage, depression, love and grief.

It's a great read.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A courageously written memoir that will captivate readers with its raw honesty. I read the book in one day, I couldn't put it down. The love story takes us on a journey through the many painful sacrifices of military marriage including a life changing tragedy and finally to a place where love and healing prevails. A stunning memoir.

[Janice]

At the core of this memoir is a beautiful love story that survives many losses. A very candid story of a young couple who had the courage to step away, heal and remarry. Beautifully written. Loved it.