Listen to the Marriage

by John Jay Osborn

A riveting audiobook drama of marital therapyGretchen and Steve have been married for a long time. Living in San Francisco, recently separated, with two children and demanding jobs, theyve started going to a marriage counselor. Unfolding over the course of ten months and taking place entirely in the marriage counselors office, John Jay Osborns Listen to the Marriage is the story of a fractured couple in a moment of crisis, and of the person who tries to get them to see each other again. A searing look at the obstacles we put in our own way, as well as the forces that drive us apart (and those that bring us together), Listen to the Marriage is a poignant exploration of marriageheartbreaking and tender.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Psychology, Literary Fiction, Marriage, Novels

Audiobook

First published October 23, 2018

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yikes....it takes a saint to read “Listen To A Marriage”....or a masochist.....not sure which.......NAILS ON A CHALKBOARD grueling patience!!!
It’s draining and exhausting. Your emotions will be tested. You’ll pretty much hate every character at least once. Best way to avoid this situation that Steve and Gretchen are in....never get married!

All that said.....if you are willing to suffer a little — not be extremely miserable — but be a fly on the wall while Gretchen & Steve sit through their therapy sessions for this ENTIRE BOOK....there is an opportunity to examine things that work and don’t work
with couples, “HOW ARE YOU FEELING?”....especially after the shit hits the fan.
Notice the couples communication skills - when they have trouble hearing and acknowledging each other. Or when they become too ‘right’ about proper boundaries at the cost of self expression. Pride - ego - hurt - jealousy - anger- sadness - all of these get explored.

If you are a therapist yourself, you might be curious to see how Sandy ( marriage counselor), measures up to your standards. I’m not a therapist —but I’ve been a student of therapy different times in my life.
I was a little curious about author John Jay Osborn’s background, experience, and research into writing the character of Sandy.
I felt Sandy knew the basics — therapy 101....was a ‘fair’ therapist - but definitely not a great one.

Both Steve and Gretchen have had affairs - they are separated- and have children. When Steve asks Sandy what she thinks their chances are of he and Gretchen getting back together, she says “one in a thousand”.

Steve also asks, “how long have you been a marriage counselor?”
Sandy says, this isn’t going anywhere”.
PERSONALLY ....I THOUGHT IT WAS A FAIR QUESTION
but....
Steve says...."yes it is, I want to know something important. Are we here to make the divorce as peaceful as we can, or are we here to repair the relationship?”
Sandy says: “ those two goals aren’t mutually exclusive”.

As the reader.....you get to be the 4th person in the room! Have fun! You might want to grab a cup of coffee - or a stiff drink! Haha

Thank You Netgalley, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, and John Jay Osborn

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

Three characters. One therapists’ office. Four chairs. A marriage on the verge of divorce.

This is an intimate, powerful and eye-opening look into one couple struggling to fight for their marriage.

Gretchen and Steve are in marriage counselling with Dr. Sandy Hyland. Steve had an affair. Gretchen and Steve are separating and learning how to share custody of their young children. Steve wants to repair their marriage. Gretchen thinks she wants a divorce.

As the reader, I felt like the fourth person in the therapists office — a fly on the wall. It was intense — grief and anger flare. It was frustrating — the back and forth of their feelings and emotions. It was emotional and heart breaking — they laid their hearts on the line. I have a whole new respect for marriage counsellors after spending time with these characters in this setting.

I was both sympathetic and frustrated with each character at various points throughout the book. The frustrating repetition of ups and downs takes so much patience to overcome, which was the point of the narrative. The writing is great — simple and to the point — no unnecessary extra detail. Strong communication is a focal aspect throughout this book, which is no surprise.

The green chair in the room — this is where “the marriage” sits so it can be acknowledged — brilliant! A simple concept yet so extremely effective. Opened my eyes to a new way of working through issues.

Overall, this was an informative, entertaining and unique read. I enjoyed spending time with these characters and learning from them. Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy!

[Jennifer Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me - someone who is just starting the divorce process after 3 years of separation and several tries at marriage counseling - and being sad about it al - this was a very insightful and captivating read - tough at times - but I read about it right when it came out and knew I wasn’t ready to read it anytime sooner and this was the right time for me and I got something out of it

[Berengaria · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star
(original title: Listen To The Marriage)

I am going to be really mean and give this a 1 star. Not a 2, which I might normally have done, but the ultimate reader dis of a 1.

Why? I'll tell you...

What this really is, is a theatre play. And as a play, and with the right director, it has the potential to be fairly good.

Unfortunately, it hasn't been done as a play, but as a novel.

A dialogue heavy novel with virtually no plot, just the arguing of a couple headed for divorce, their strangely present/not present therapist with floaty background problems and a mysterious empty chair. (Sound like a stage play yet?)

As a novel, it's shockingly underdeveloped, and what's more, commits that cardinal sin of literature - it is B.O.R.I.N.G.

From other reviews, it seems that people who have been through divorces themselves found it riveting... so perhaps that's the genuine flaw with this work and not anything I've mentioned above.

You've had to have been there. Been a divorcee. If you aren't one of that number, you'll probably think these characters are simply jerks bitching for pages about dumb stuff and being utterly irrational. Which, besides being underdeveloped and boring, is another reason to give it a low rating.

If you have to have personally had a specific experience before you can understand/appreciate a work, then the author hasn't done their job very well, now have they? (It's a Divorce Thang, you wouldn't understand)

I DNFed at around page 120 and threw it on the pile to go back to the free library.

Summary: If you're divorced or heading that way, this might be for you. If you're not...skip.

One odd note about translation...
In the English original, the wife's name is Gretchen. In the German translation, her name is Charlotte. Figure that one out.

[Tooter · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars. I so wanted to love this book but I just couldn't. It's probably just me because there are a lot of 5 star ratings for this book.

[Melissa Stebbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book GRIPPED ME. When I started reading I just couldn’t put it down.
This book follows the marriage counseling sessions of two successful-on-paper adults as they navigate marriage and love post-betrayal. What I loved about this book was that it was all told through the marriage counselor’s perspective. Everything that “happened” in this book, happened through the eyes of Sandy, the therapist. What made this book so engaging to read, for me, was this interesting narrative tool that Sandy’s perspective held. On one hand, she was like the author of their story, redirecting where they went and how their relationship would develop. On the other hand, Sandy was simply the reader of their narrative and reading the novel was like getting to be in the head of somebody reading Steve and Gretchen’s story. I liked that we didn’t get a lot of Sandy’s background as we read. In fact, I wish we got even less. Rather, what I enjoyed most about this book was how well done the experimental narrative structure was and how it kept me invested in these characters. I wouldn’t have been so into the story if it was from Steve or Gretchen’s perspective, but Sandy’s position made it fascinating and had my brain circling with ideas about how much control we have over narratives/what kind of control author’s have over narratives. How much of themselves gets thrown into a book, even if they are trying to hold it back? How do narratives mix with complex human emotions and ideas? I think this book would actually be a really interesting read in a college course on narrative theory.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like to delve into something different now and then you can’t go wrong with this book. It was a really fascinating insight into the intricate dance between a husband and wife and their marriage therapist.

Based wholly in the therapist’s rooms the narrator is the therapist and it switches from first to third person. It flows well, we get to hear the counsellor speak to the couple but then also see her inner thoughts. Which are often brutally honest.

The couple, separated and at first seemingly in therapy for different reasons are very different characters and personalities. The therapist guides and pushes their boundaries into honesty, painful places and challenges what they believe themselves to be.

It’s a book that will appeal to those that like character driven “people watching” styles of novel. Like me. I’m a voyeur into the lives and minds of others. I will say I think those who have been or are married might relate to the topics and issues a touch more than some. I certainly could relate to many aspects.

The outcome is unknown. Will they reconcile? Divorce? Do crazy things? Will the therapist help them? Does she have her own agenda. Watch the characters unfold.

I enjoyed this book which I think will be a Marmite book. You’ll either really like it or not. It was an easy read for me and despite the whole book being set in one room it just works. 4 stars from me.

Many thanks to the publisher for my copy from NetGalley. All review opinions are my own and totally unbiased.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Listen to the Marriage” (2018) by award winning author John Jay Osborn: a professional couple from San Francisco, Gretchen and Steve, explore the problems, difficulties and challenges that led to their marital separation. This exceptionally written novel of observational narrative takes place in the office of a highly skilled marital therapist. It is apparent how quickly and easily marriage can be side tracked and derailed: as new ideas, methods and options are presented in dealing with marital conflict.

By the time Gretchen and Steve arrived at Sandy’s counselling office in Fillmore, they were in serious trouble. Steve had already made some drastic changes to become a better husband and father after the discovery of his affair with another woman. A respected businessman and partner in a private equity firm, Steve was a wise, serious and thoughtful man-- and with two small children he desperately wanted to avoid divorce.
Gretchen, a recently tenured professor of English at the University of San Francisco was enjoying an intense, passionate and retaliatory affair with Bill, a married English professor who taught at UCLA. Clearly, her great love for Bill could never last, though she couldn’t entertain that line of reasoning nor give much thought to the difficulties of being a divorced single parent. Steve had also invaded Gretchen’s privacy snooping on her computer and spent $1,500 dollars to obtain a detailed report on Gretchen’s new lover. According to Sandy, this was a normal reaction of a husband who wanted to save his marriage, and asked Steve to share what he had learned from the report.

It was interesting how Sandy challenged Steve and Gretchen on their misguided reasoning and failure to communicate effectively. Throughout the book Gretchen seemed unaware and clueless about Steve, the changes he had made and how desirable he was to other women, including a friend of hers. Marital affairs are only a symptom of larger problems between couples, and blaming one another is rarely productive. Osborne weaves psychological suspense into the story at every turn, as readers wonder if Steve and Gretchen will work together to save their marriage or file for divorce. **With thanks and appreciation to Macmillian via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times, Listen to the Marriage reminded me of In Treatment, the HBO series starring Gabriel Byrne, in which most of the action takes place within the therapist's office. But here we have an in depth analysis of only one couple, Gretchen and Steve, who as the book begins are already living separately. Sandy, their counselor, has issues of her own which are revealed to the reader, but also surprisingly at times to her clients. To someone not versed in therapy or who has never had this experience, it can be a daunting, mysterious process, one in which progress may or may not be made mostly through incremental steps. I have never read such a detailed account of struggle and pain, and found it heavy going at times, but then, isn't that an essential ingredient of therapy. The writing is beautiful, and the experience, rewarding.

[Lorri Steinbacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in prepub. Pub date October 2, 2018.

I was hesitant, but I ended up really liking this examination of a single marriage, within a single room, because as unique as Gretchen and Steve's marriage is, that is how universal it is. I started out feeling like a voyeur and ended up in the same state as the therapist, hoping those two crazy kids make it.

All of the "action" of the novel takers place outside of the immediate narrative, all of the emotional "work" takes place in the marriage counselor's office. As a narrative conceit it works. Do you really need to see Bill and Gretchen on a date in order to see what kind of relationship it is? Do you really need to see Steve setting up a home for the children in order to see that he is trying to change? No, and that is because Osborn is a master craftsman, and can pack all of that into the couple's therapy sessions. That we are privy to the therapist's internal dialogue, adds another layer of interest. WE are not just learning about marriage, but about therapy too.

This book had a very theatrical feel, not in a movie sense, but in the sense that I could easily see it as a single-setting, one act play. If you like that kind of feeling and also like stories where character study is paramount, I would highly recommend.

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in the idea of this novel when I first started it - a couple who has separated going to marriage therapy. But then the same scene kept repeating with not a lot of change or forward momentum. I kept expecting the therapist to snap or reveal something about her own life, to give me some reason for continuing, but I was let down in the end. Maybe as a short story it could have worked, or maybe with more showing instead of telling (since everything has already happened by the time they discuss it in the office) or if there had been more to actually figure out from what wasn't being said... now those directions could have been interesting!

Thanks to the publisher for providing access to this title; it comes out October 2, 2018. I must have sprung on it early because it was my anniversary.

[Celia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am quoting my lovely reading friend 's review when I start this review.

"Yikes....it takes a saint to read “Listen To A Marriage”....or a masochist.....not sure which.......NAILS ON A CHALKBOARD grueling patience!!!"

I am not a saint, or a masochist, or do I have the patience. I would only fully read this book if it was the last one on earth. (as it was I read the first 100 pages and skimmed the last 100).

First, the book is misnamed. It should be called Talk About a Marriage... and talk, and talk, and talk. This book is mostly one big, long, confusing conversation.

There is absolutely nothing to like about the three characters: immature, whining are two adjectives that come to mind. Even the psychologist and her methods are very suspect in my mind. Now that does not always bother me but even the writing does not save this book.

There might be some lessons to learn from this book about how to make a marriage better, but I am unable to understand them, if they are there.

2 stars

Postscript: OK, I did see the emphasis on good communication being important in marriage. I know I do need to add something nice about this book. (Lesson from Mom: if you cannot say anything nice, do not say anything at all.)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can a marriage withstand? When do you throw in the towel? How do you fix what is broken? How do you get to the place where it is safe to start over?
I hesitated to read this book after seeing reviews that said it was "slow moving". I however did not find this to be the case. In my opinion Listen to the Marriage was a character study. One that was admittedly at times uncomfortable. It had me squirming in my seat while Sandy the counselor proceeded to lead the conversation in directions that had this reader questioning her motives. You would have thought I was in her office chair my problems laid bare before her. Yet I have to say that the story arc intrigued me. I felt like I was able to identify with both of the main characters despite finding Gretchen a little whiny. This is a testament to Osborn's writing. I really appreciate how he treated the marriage as if it were a character unto itself and had us consider not what is best for this spouse or that spouse but for the union. Overall, Listen to the Marriage is a very strong book that I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates three dimensional characters and honest depictions of our individual failures.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

" η κατανόηση, η αποδοχή, η συγχώρεση και, το κυριότερο, η αγάπη δεν κάνουν ποτέ λάθος." (Από το οπισθόφυλλο του βιβλίου)

Θα πω κάτι κλισέ για αυτό το βιβλίο αλλά βαθιά ουσιαστικό: οι ανθρώπινες σχέσεις μπορεί να αποδειχθούν δύσκολο κεφάλαιο και μεγάλη πρόκληση, όμως η αληθινή αγάπη μπορεί να αποτελέσει πολύτιμο σύμβουλο και βοηθό, ανεξάρτητα από το αν το ζευγάρι θα παραμείνει μαζί ή όχι.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

So what did I think? I think I may need counseling after reading this book! Taking place over a period of 10 months and solely in a counselor’s office we read about a marriage that is falling apart and a counselor who attempts to make the couple see their true selves. Frankly I was annoyed with this childish young couple, their conversation , whining, finger pointing, and affairs. I just had no sympathy for them. Sandy, the counselor, was a bit too bizarre for me and she’s the one that I felt needed therapy! Ok so this book was very strange and I was not fond of the writing, but I had to see how the story played out. I received this copy from Goodreads. (Are all counselors like a Sandy? Story was told from her perspective)

[Tuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

(listen to the marriage - read in german translation) ich fand dieses sehr realistische protokoll einer paartherapie sehr interessant und gut zu lesen. die therapeutin als dialog-übersetzerin, und die ehe als eigenes „wesen“, das bei der therapie auf einem sessel dazu platz nimmt - interessante ansätze, gut ausgeführt. empfehlenswert, insbesondere wenn man sich für psychologie und beziehungen interessiert.

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
“I honestly don’t know, I’d like him to suffer but he seems to be immune to suffering. He seems to always land on his feet.”

Listen to the Marriage made me realize I would make a terrible therapist, I was so fed up with their issues. You can see all the problems from the outside, of course it’s entirely different when you’re in it. This is the story of Gretchen and Steve, their marriage has fallen apart and it isn’t for any one reason, it never is. Sometimes Sandy, the marriage counselor, drove me nuts. She’s meant to be the calm, maintain the gravity but people don’t really love to open up to walls. I know, they’re adults, we are all meant to be very mature when dissecting our mistakes, seeing the obstructions we place in our own lives, but old hurts, old behaviors are hard to conquer. Steve and Gretchen betray each other with affairs, they want to give up and yet both are still clinging. Gretchen feels nothing ever really lands on Steve, nothing affects him as it does her. Take their children, for example, he certainly treats them as if he is babysitting when it’s his turn (that is a very common complaint women have, at least my generation). Naturally the children are pawns, happens in so many separations and divorces, which makes it a step in the right direction they are in therapy.

Gretchen isn’t perfect, Steve is sort of on a cliff and she seems undecided, do I want him, do I want to end it. She is wounded, and she wants him to feel pain too, it shouldn’t be easy for him to just be forgiven and he gets his marriage and family as is. Who the heck wants to be the victim all the time? She holds the power, though, and he is trying, he does want to change. Steve hasn’t really ever had a chance, nor a reason, to be a better more involved father. This is a chance for him to be present, and when it begins to work she gets scared.

How many marriages could be saved if people could learn to understand their own behavior patterns and each others? It’s a lot of humble pie partners have to swallow, a lot of wrongs each person must own to get past all the wreckage. Is it possible for Steve and Gretchen to remain together, or if it ends, to do so without destroying their children and each other?

I was admittedly sick and tired of the couple, I know there is an important lesson here, learning to listen to my spouse’s needs, not simply my own. Fair is a hilarious word in marriage as much as in life. When exactly has fair ever played into anything? Most of us figure out early on tit for tat gets you nowhere, there is aways fall out. A balanced marriage isn’t an easy thing, both partners have to be willing and present. Even when we ‘know thyself’ and understand why we do what we do, we are creatures of habit and it’s hard to break old ways. When you try to, sometimes your wife/husband won’t let you, because they have seen you as being one way for so long that it’s hard from them to trust the new you, or give you room to grow. Gretchen does that with Steve as much as he belittles her as a person.

Women often feel furious their husband isn’t helping enough as a father all the while refusing to let him take the reins. We often want it done our way, not his. The other side of the coin, what to do if your partner isn’t interested much in parenting? Therapy can’t always fix everyone, some people just aren’t willing. Luckily that’s not the case with Steve and Gretchen, both equally screwing up their family and yet both still wanting it to work, maybe.

If you want to play therapist, this is for you. Taking place in office visits, Sandy guides Steve and Gretchen through marital counseling. I wanted to divorce them both at times, but I also understood each side. Are we all this difficult, self-righteous and self-centered? It’s so hard to see ourselves, isn’t it? We all have our own level of ridiculous.

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

[Alison Hardtmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up off of my local library's New Books shelf based on the cover art and the concept -- that this is a novel set in a marriage counselor's office and centers on a single, troubled marriage. And, as happens most of the time when I chose a book this way, the experience of reading this book was decidedly mixed.

Gretchen and Steve are separated, contemplating divorce. Steve's a high powered executive and Gretchen is a university professor. They have two kids. Steve had an affair and Gretchen feels he can't be trusted. Over an extended length of time they meet weekly with Sandy, a somewhat unconventional therapist. In the right hands, this could have been a fascinating character study and a look at what it means to move toward divorce, but the author sticks to the surfaces of his characters. Steve reforms immediately, becoming a dedicated father and thoughtful partner all at once. The entire tension of the novel rests on whether or not Gretchen can forgive Steve enough to move back in with him. They're rich and privileged, in ways that reduce the potential tension of the story -- when Gretchen worries about money, Steve hands her a check for two hundred thousand dollars, childcare is easy with Steve's parents always willing and available.

Still, it's interesting to eavesdrop on marriage therapy, even if I'm not convinced that the therapist's methods were based on any actual therapeutical practices. I did move from being very interested into wishing the sessions were less repetitive, less rehashing of familiar ground. And the writing was straight-forward, with an old-fashioned feel to it that made the novel feel like it could have been set anytime in the past fifty years.

[Borce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but the writing (nearly all dialogue) felt inauthentic. To me, and maybe it's just me, it didn't sound or feel like how people speak & have conversations. It read like a poorly written sitcom, looking for dramatic plot points. There is a lot of whining, yes, and complaining, and some character growth (also interesting is how the author decided to make the man less emotionally intuitive than the female, but I guess that's the stereotype). The story does get repetitive; Gretchen is the main culprit with her confusion throughout nearly the entire book. I also noticed some hypocrisy with her (Gretchen) around seeing other people and who gets to know what about their own personal life, but I'm not a marriage counselor or a psychologist, so what do I know?

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this from the “Just In” library shelf last week. I loved the title and the cute, little size of the book. Then it showed up on NPR’s book concierge so I was doubly interested! And I was not disappointed. This book reads like the Esther Perel podcast (or, like, any interview with her). I absolutely loved it.

[Estee · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Steve had an investment. Gretchen had an option. They had so much to learn about how to speak about love, Sandy thought. But they were trying."

I have always thought that it would be so interesting to be a therapist and to be able to help people learn to listen and communicate. I like to watch relationship boot camp shows and am a big Esther Perel fan. This book was right up my alley.

This novel is about Gretchen and Steve and their weekly visits to the marriage therapist. There were some details about Sandy, the therapist's life, but not much...and maybe they weren't necessary. I thought that the story between Sandy and her mother or Sandy's own marriage would take a bigger part in the book.

Overall this book was interesting to me, but maybe because the subject matter was interesting. It read easily, but almost clinically at times. I felt like it was missing some emotion at times, but perhaps that is because it was trying to be objective and present both sides of the marriage equally.

I thought this was an interesting look into a relationship and how people communicate.

"Not quite, Gretchen. I'm not going to tell you what your marriage is saying," Sandy said. "you're going to tell me what your marriage is saying. I'm just going to teach you to listen to it."

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this ARC.

I have to be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book since I thought it would be boring about a separated couple and their marriage counselor in one room, taking place over a period of 10 months. It was interesting to say the least and the animosity of this couple with each other. Gretchen was the angry and aggressive one especially with Sandy, the marriage counselor, always challenging her but in the end she softened up a bit.

About the green chair on the cover, it was a marriage chair, which to me was ridiculous.

Of course, the end was predictable to say the least.

A quick read. Read in 2 days.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book begins as a great concept, listening to the sessions during marriage counseling as a "fly on the wall." However, it soon becomes tedious and repetitive. I feel that this might have been improved if it were extended to the actual experiences that the couple had as they made their way through the sessions, but it actually felt claustrophobic to me. Characters were mentioned and dropped with no development, including those involved with the therapist, which never would have occurred in real life encounters.

I found this novel had great potential, but failed to make the final leap and left me bored.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book to read about working as full participants in making a marriage work. However I have a few ethical challenges with the book particularly with Sandy the counsellor.

[Kaeleigh Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW amazing - a huge story in one little room!

[Satomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through marriage counseling sessions, we see how this separated couple goes through crisis. Honestly I do not understand how they were able to go out with someone else other than their partners, but the reasoning was quite interesting and how they consider and accept the partners adultery.

I received an ARC copy form the NetGalley and this is my sincere review.
I enjoyed reading someone else’s problem.

[auserlesenes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandy Hyland ist eine Therapeutin mit unorthodoxen Methoden, die sich auf die Eheberatung spezialisiert hat. Und einmal mehr hat sie es mit einer harten Nuss zu tun: Charlotte und Steve, beide Mitte 30, haben sich getrennt, nachdem er seine Frau mehrfach betrogen und sie sich Trost bei Bill, einem Kollegen von ihr, gesucht hat. Die Dozentin an einer Uni und der Teilhaber einer Firma wollen sich jedoch helfen lassen, um eine Scheidung vielleicht doch noch zu verhindern. Sie haben zwei kleine Kinder, Chris und Liz, und noch Gefühle füreinander. Einmal wöchentlich treffen sich sie daher bei Sandy, um an ihrer Ehe zu arbeiten. Doch Sandy macht wenig Hoffnung. Die Therapeutin sagt, die Chance, die Ehe zu retten, stehe höchstens 1:1000. Ob es dennoch gelingen wird?

„Liebe ist die beste Therapie“ von John Jay Osborn ist ein ungewöhnlicher Roman.

Meine Meinung:
Der Roman besteht aus 31 recht kurzen Kapiteln. Erzählt wird aus der Sicht der Therapeutin. Die Geschichte spielt sich komplett in dem Therapiezimmer ab, einem Raum in Kalifornien. Dieser Aufbau funktioniert gut.

Der Schreibstil ist schnörkellos, aber angenehm. Er ist geprägt von viel wörtlicher Rede, wodurch sich der Roman schnell lesen lässt. Der Einstieg in die Geschichte ist sehr abrupt. Das bereitete mir aber keine Schwierigkeiten.

Die Protagonisten sind Menschen mit Ecken und Kanten. Nicht nur Steve und Charlotte sind Charaktere, die immer mal wieder Fehler machen. Auch die Paartherapeutin hat Probleme. Dadurch wirken die Personen durchaus realitätsnah. Ich habe gerne verfolgt, wie sich die getrennten Eheleute persönlich weiterentwickeln und Einsicht in ihr Verhalten erlangen.

Obwohl es um Themen wie Liebe, Ehe, Betrug, Verletzungen und Vertrauen geht, kommt der Roman ohne Kitsch und zu viel Drama aus. Er hat sogar einen eher nüchternen Grundton.

Bei rund 30 Terminen arbeitet das Paar zusammen mit der Therapeutin seine Probleme auf. Zwar drehen sich die Gespräche zum Teil um dieselben Punkte. Trotzdem kommt beim Lesen keine Langeweile auf, denn es gibt immer wieder überraschende Momente. Bis zum Schluss bleibt die Spannung gewahrt, ob und wie sich die beiden Ehepartner noch einmal annähern können.

Gut gefallen hat mir, dass es viel um psychologische Mechanismen und Einblicke in das Verhalten von Menschen gibt. Zwar habe ich gewisse Zweifel, was die Seriosität und Authentizität der Therapiemethoden angeht. Das hat das Lesevergnügen allerdings nur geringfügig geschmälert.

Den deutschen Titel finde ich ein wenig irreführend und nicht so treffend wie das amerikanische Original („Listen to the marriage“). Auch die sehr reduzierte, kühle Covergestaltung kann mich nicht begeistern. Allerdings passt das gewählte Motiv inhaltlich ganz gut.

Mein Fazit:
„Liebe ist die beste Therapie“ von John Jay Osborn ist ein sehr kurzweiliger, unterhaltsamer Roman, der mir schöne Lesestunden beschert hat. Empfehlenswert besonders für alle, die einmal eine etwas andere Liebesgeschichte lesen möchten.

[Jill Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I read a novel and wonder why the novelist chose to write that story, using those characters. That was my first thought after finishing John Jay Osborn's new book, "Listen to the Marriage". The story is that of three people - two unhappily married and the third the marriage counselor they've hired to help them - and a room with four chairs. Three of the chairs are the same in color and style, while the fourth is totally different. The three people sit in the three same chairs, while their broken and beaten marriage sits in the fourth.

John Jay Osborn is the author of "The Paper Chase" and another book about lawyers. This book, while also about people, is as much about an institution - marriage - as his previous books were about an institution - the law. The two protagonists - Steve and Gretchen - have reached the end of their young marriage. They're working with a good therapist - Sandy - who is doubtful whether she can "save this marriage". Both husband and wife have been unfaithful and have grown apart. Winding up together is really pretty doubtful and maybe this particular example of the institution of marriage SHOULD come apart.

The scenes in the book all take place in Sandy's office. She's a pretty quick witted therapist and her sessions with Steve and Gretchen are interesting. There's obviously not much action in the book, and what there is takes place outside Sandy's office and is described during the therapy sessions.

So after reading this slightly baffling book, I was left asking the question I alluded to in my first paragraph. Why this story and those characters. There has to be a back story about Osborn's creating and writing this book and I'd love to know what it is.

[Abc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi ha affascinato tantissimo questa lettura! La storia si svolge tutta in una stanza, che è lo studio di Sandy, terapeuta di coppia. La coppia che sta cercando di ricostruire è quella formata da Gretchen e Steve che si sono separati dopo due figli.
L'introspezione la fa da padrona in questo romanzo in cui si sviscerano tutte le emozioni che entrano in gioco in un rapporto di coppia. Ogni situazione viene analizzata e approfondita per togliere tutte le sovrastrutture dietro le quali è facile nascondersi. Con l'aiuto della terapeuta questa coppia arriverà a parlarsi davvero mettendo a nudo la propria anima.
Mi ha fatto sorridere il fatto che Gretchen venga presentata come la più perspicace rispetto al marito e questo inizialmente mi ha fatto credere che il romanzo fosse scritto da una donna e invece...sorpresa! L'ha scritto un uomo! Che evidentemente è consapevole che le donne sono sempre un passo avanti :)

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is this book, exactly? It’s kind of like listening to one of Ester Perel’s podcast episodes of “Where Should We Begin?” A marriage has exploded due to infidelity and lack of honesty. They come to this counselor’s office. It all takes place in the office, and is primarily dialogue. And I guess that’s the limitation of this book: the story isn’t rich enough. If an amazing book about the story of a marriage on the brink (The Department of Speculation, by Jenny Offill, comes to mind) is a 5 course meal of your favorite kind of food at a really exciting new restaurant, then this book is more like a candy bar you like. Enjoyable, not terribly nutritious or special, but just fine.