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Marriages
Owen—married to one woman, tempted by another, unprepared for the emotional demands of his mysterious lover.
Morgan—the too trusting wife who never learned.
Joanie—Morgan's freewheeling sister, an experimenter with drugs, sex, and men—including her sister's husband.
The woman—the nameless lover, sensual and passionate, who had much to teach and more to give.
Magruder—the hitchhiker who saw a love affair brewing and went along for the ride.
Morgan—the too trusting wife who never learned.
Joanie—Morgan's freewheeling sister, an experimenter with drugs, sex, and men—including her sister's husband.
The woman—the nameless lover, sensual and passionate, who had much to teach and more to give.
Magruder—the hitchhiker who saw a love affair brewing and went along for the ride.
- GenresHorror
260 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
1 person is currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Peter Straub
260 books4,194 followersPeter Straub was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Gordon Anthony Straub and Elvena (Nilsestuen) Straub.
Straub read voraciously from an early age, but his literary interests did not please his parents; his father hoped that he would grow up to be a professional athlete, while his mother wanted him to be a Lutheran minister. He attended Milwaukee Country Day School on a scholarship, and, during his time there, began writing.
Straub earned an honors BA in English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1965, and an MA at Columbia University a year later. He briefly taught English at Milwaukee Country Day, then moved to Dublin, Ireland, in 1969 to work on a PhD, and to start writing professionally
After mixed success with two attempts at literary mainstream novels in the mid-1970s ("Marriages" and "Under Venus"), Straub dabbled in the supernatural for the first time with "Julia" (1975). He then wrote "If You Could See Me Now" (1977), and came to widespread public attention with his fifth novel, "Ghost Story" (1979), which was a critical success and was later adapted into a 1981 film. Several horror novels followed, with growing success, including "The Talisman" and "Black House", two fantasy-horror collaborations with Straub's long-time friend and fellow author Stephen King.
In addition to his many novels, he published several works of poetry during his lifetime.
In 1966, Straub married Susan Bitker.They had two children; their daughter, Emma Straub, is also a novelist. The family lived in Dublin from 1969 to 1972, in London from 1972 to 1979, and in the New York City area from 1979 onwards.
Straub died on September 4, 2022, aged 79, from complications of a broken hip. At the time of his death, he and his wife lived in Brooklyn (New York City).
Straub read voraciously from an early age, but his literary interests did not please his parents; his father hoped that he would grow up to be a professional athlete, while his mother wanted him to be a Lutheran minister. He attended Milwaukee Country Day School on a scholarship, and, during his time there, began writing.
Straub earned an honors BA in English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1965, and an MA at Columbia University a year later. He briefly taught English at Milwaukee Country Day, then moved to Dublin, Ireland, in 1969 to work on a PhD, and to start writing professionally
After mixed success with two attempts at literary mainstream novels in the mid-1970s ("Marriages" and "Under Venus"), Straub dabbled in the supernatural for the first time with "Julia" (1975). He then wrote "If You Could See Me Now" (1977), and came to widespread public attention with his fifth novel, "Ghost Story" (1979), which was a critical success and was later adapted into a 1981 film. Several horror novels followed, with growing success, including "The Talisman" and "Black House", two fantasy-horror collaborations with Straub's long-time friend and fellow author Stephen King.
In addition to his many novels, he published several works of poetry during his lifetime.
In 1966, Straub married Susan Bitker.They had two children; their daughter, Emma Straub, is also a novelist. The family lived in Dublin from 1969 to 1972, in London from 1972 to 1979, and in the New York City area from 1979 onwards.
Straub died on September 4, 2022, aged 79, from complications of a broken hip. At the time of his death, he and his wife lived in Brooklyn (New York City).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 31, 2018
This book is not without reputation. Known for being written in the days before Peter Straub turned to horror, most folks know it — if they know of it at all — as a shoddy, awkward first novel.
I am happy to report I quite enjoyed this strange, pretentious little piece of ‘70s literary fiction. It is not without error, but one thing is apparent: Straub had writing talent from the start. Written in only his late twenties, Marriages carries the weight and gravitas of a much older writer. And while the subject matter — an extramarital affair, the random comings-and-goings of the upper class — isn’t too similar to what Straub would produce only a handful of years later (at least, he would not again focus an entire novel on such social issues), this novel does feature the author’s trademark insidious sense that something is . . . off, not quite right. This is a downer of a book, with a rather weak resolution — things aren’t tied up neatly, and I think that was the point. Marriages seems to want to be a reflection of life and longing in the 1970s. And that’s enough.
And while this story does show Straub’s early, fierce talent, it is not without its weaknesses. The writer tries and sometimes fails at writing a non-linear story: at times I was able to keep up, other times I had no clue where the hell in the narrative I was, or why I should care. And the characters themselves feel almost developed enough, though they are lacking . . . especially “The Woman,” she who the main character cheats on his wife with. I wanted to get to know her, but alas.
Marriages is not the dumpster fire many readers (and the author himself!) make it out to be. Is it a misfire? Maybe partially . . . but I enjoyed it. Like all Straub fiction it’s challenging and sure to get stuck in the reader’s head. And I can’t help wondering what would have been had Straub continued on this career trajectory.
I am happy to report I quite enjoyed this strange, pretentious little piece of ‘70s literary fiction. It is not without error, but one thing is apparent: Straub had writing talent from the start. Written in only his late twenties, Marriages carries the weight and gravitas of a much older writer. And while the subject matter — an extramarital affair, the random comings-and-goings of the upper class — isn’t too similar to what Straub would produce only a handful of years later (at least, he would not again focus an entire novel on such social issues), this novel does feature the author’s trademark insidious sense that something is . . . off, not quite right. This is a downer of a book, with a rather weak resolution — things aren’t tied up neatly, and I think that was the point. Marriages seems to want to be a reflection of life and longing in the 1970s. And that’s enough.
And while this story does show Straub’s early, fierce talent, it is not without its weaknesses. The writer tries and sometimes fails at writing a non-linear story: at times I was able to keep up, other times I had no clue where the hell in the narrative I was, or why I should care. And the characters themselves feel almost developed enough, though they are lacking . . . especially “The Woman,” she who the main character cheats on his wife with. I wanted to get to know her, but alas.
Marriages is not the dumpster fire many readers (and the author himself!) make it out to be. Is it a misfire? Maybe partially . . . but I enjoyed it. Like all Straub fiction it’s challenging and sure to get stuck in the reader’s head. And I can’t help wondering what would have been had Straub continued on this career trajectory.
April 30, 2021
Wow, this is not what I was expecting from my first stand alone Straub. Clearly I chose a random one to start w/ but I frequently read authors in order of publication, so started here. This is not horror, not that amazing but I still found myself drawn to the adventures of the Joanie, Morgan, Owen and Magruder. Don't even get me started on The Woman - she doesn't even get a name! Wild, recommended for fans of Straub but only if you're looking to read all of his stuff.
July 2, 2014
Since I don't think anybody has written a review of this for Goodreads, I figured maybe I should, although I don't have too much to say. I enjoy Straub's prose style. While this is pre-horror, mainstream literature stuff, we see a lot of the constructions, wit, and insightful writing typical of Straub. It's never boring to me, and Straub cares about his characters. While Owen's philandering and adultery in themselves are reprehensible, Straub writes him, the woman, Joanie, and Morgan in a way that we do care and empathize for all of them.
I'm hoping to read Straub's works chronologically from here (save for the handful I've already read), so I look forward to seeing how he'll develop over the course of his career. Side note--I'm not sure which edition the cover shown on Goodreads is, but it's hilariously silly. There are no children and no creepy dolls in this book. There is nothing creepy about it at all. It is not horror or suspense, so what's up with that anyway?
I'm hoping to read Straub's works chronologically from here (save for the handful I've already read), so I look forward to seeing how he'll develop over the course of his career. Side note--I'm not sure which edition the cover shown on Goodreads is, but it's hilariously silly. There are no children and no creepy dolls in this book. There is nothing creepy about it at all. It is not horror or suspense, so what's up with that anyway?
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews