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Gag Rule
Dolores Miller was living the American dream. She and her husband Lawrence lived in a small Southern California town with their two children. She was an elementary school teacher and Lawrence was a charismatic high school music teacher, but their idyllic life is suddenly disrupted when several high school girls accused Lawrence of making inappropriate sexual advances toward them and he is accused of being a sexual predator.The story focuses on Dolores, whose life is thrown completely out of her control. Like the passenger in a car driven straight into an embankment by its reckless driver, Dolores becomes little more than collateral damage. Despite her doubts about her husband's innocence, she is compelled to defend him in order to protect her family. She knows that he is a narcissistic man who loves the accolades and admiration of his young (especially female) students, but would he go so far as to seduce his teenage charges? Dolores takes us on an emotional whiplash of a ride as we feel her anguish and wonder whether Lawrence is guilty of being a sex offender or is he the victim of malicious teenage gossip.
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2016
4 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Edward A. Dreyfus
20 books67 followersBefore turning to writing fiction, I was a practicing clinical psychologist for fifty-plus years. I have been privileged to enter the lives of countless people as their psychotherapist. Their lives and struggles revealed profound truths about the human condition. Many of the stories I heard in my practice have provided themes for my books. Often a common issue rather than a particular individual stimulated the stories.
Everyone has a story to be told. Usually, we get so caught up in living our lives that we fail to see the extraordinary embedded in the ordinary. We look at our life as just putting one foot in front of the other, trying the best we can to live our lives in a meaningful, productive way. For some of us, the task is merely to survive in the world in which we find ourselves. Sometimes it takes an outsider to tell the story.
As a psychologist, I have tried to help people make sense of their life experiences, come to terms with their inner demons, cope with tragedy, and find greater fulfillment. As a writer, I try to tell their story in a way that might help others find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.
A recurrent theme in my writing is the exploration of the light and dark sides inherent in all of us. I hope to encourage people to embrace both sides, learn to integrate them, and thereby experience a greater sense of wholeness and fulfillment.
More than once, their stories resonated with my own life and helped me to gain clarity and perspective. I am profoundly grateful for the insights provided by those who trusted me with their stories and permitted me to join them on their journey of self-discovery.
I have been married to my wife, Barbara, for almost forty years, have three grown children, five grandchildren, and two pooches named Charlie and Benji. My hobbies include vegan cooking, photography, woodworking, and physical fitness. I am active in nonprofit agencies that serve children, youth, and families. All profits from the sales of my books go to these charities.
Find out more at http://www.edwarddreyfusbooks.com
Everyone has a story to be told. Usually, we get so caught up in living our lives that we fail to see the extraordinary embedded in the ordinary. We look at our life as just putting one foot in front of the other, trying the best we can to live our lives in a meaningful, productive way. For some of us, the task is merely to survive in the world in which we find ourselves. Sometimes it takes an outsider to tell the story.
As a psychologist, I have tried to help people make sense of their life experiences, come to terms with their inner demons, cope with tragedy, and find greater fulfillment. As a writer, I try to tell their story in a way that might help others find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.
A recurrent theme in my writing is the exploration of the light and dark sides inherent in all of us. I hope to encourage people to embrace both sides, learn to integrate them, and thereby experience a greater sense of wholeness and fulfillment.
More than once, their stories resonated with my own life and helped me to gain clarity and perspective. I am profoundly grateful for the insights provided by those who trusted me with their stories and permitted me to join them on their journey of self-discovery.
I have been married to my wife, Barbara, for almost forty years, have three grown children, five grandchildren, and two pooches named Charlie and Benji. My hobbies include vegan cooking, photography, woodworking, and physical fitness. I am active in nonprofit agencies that serve children, youth, and families. All profits from the sales of my books go to these charities.
Find out more at http://www.edwarddreyfusbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 8, 2018
Lawrence and Delores Miller, appear to have the perfect life. Married, with two young girls, both are teachers – she as an elementary grade school teacher, and he as a music teacher for the high school. Adjusting to a different town as a new parent hasn’t been easy for Delores, especially as Lawrence’s career begins to rise. Known around town as the ‘Music Man’, Lawrence works long hours with his students, is rarely home and when he is, is too caught up in his own needs to be of much help around the house. When Lawrence is accused of molesting his students, Delores is shocked, and her world is turned upside down. As the trial progresses, she finds herself questioning the man she loves and the life they’ve led. Edward Dreyfus presents immaculately well-drawn characters in this emotionally charged drama. The reader is immediately sucked in to these fascinating individual’s lives, and like a car-wreck, unable to look away as the destruction unfolds. Cleverly plotted, wonderfully paced, and with just enough suspense to keep reader’s captivated, GAG RULE is a brilliant portrayal of one man’s collateral damage.
~ Kris Miller, TopShelf Reviews
~ Kris Miller, TopShelf Reviews
August 28, 2016
This is a slightly odd book to review since the synopsis is essentially the conclusion. Which is also the opening chapter. Just to make things even more bizarre the story could exist easily without those first and last chapters because the story in between is what you're really reading. What am I talking about? Well despite it sounding like a legal drama (especially with that title and cover art) this is really a story of something far more every day.
The story comes for Dolores, it is about her life. We look back to her childhood, we see her marriage, and her family grow and change. Unfortunately the focus of the story is Lawrence. We all know a Lawrence, we probably know a few in fact, and they influence our lives to various degrees. This book highlights the impact of such a character when they are family; a parent, spouse, sibling, or even a child. So who is Lawrence? A manipulative, immature, narcissist. Not just in occasional moments; he's not trying to get a good deal, or having a bad day and withdrawing, or thinking he looks good in a new suit and feeling a bit cocky. He's someone who lives this constantly. Someone who doesn't know any alternative, it's a way of life and he sees nothing wrong with it (in himself anyway). You know the kind of person - everything is about them. If you do know more than one person like it there's a good chance they dislike each other. And if they don't they become truly unbearable when together - feeding off each other and becoming more obnoxious.
And in their shadow is a Dolores. A spouse who gets uprooted and moved for Lawrence's career. A spouse who has to nurse the wounds of someone not making Lawrence the star of every moment. A spouse who is set to live in Lawrence's shadow no matter what. And that is the story of this book. Dolores seeing her husband more clearly than before. Slowly realising what kind of man he is. It culminates in the court case the book is purportedly about - we know the case will come due to the opening chapter, the rest of the book charts the events that lead up to it. We see them with the benefit of hindsight.
Dreyfus cleverly keeps the facts a little murky. We see and know some things definitively, but others leave just a hint of ambiguity. The writing style is fairly breezy for such a serious plot, and that allows these question marks to hang over certain incidents. Do we know everything or do we know very little? It's like watching a replay of a car crash happening in slow motion, but the entire journey not just the moment of impact - your knowledge of what is coming makes it easy to spot little mistakes that build into bigger problems miles down the road.
I must confess I was expecting a denser story, but it is a fairly light read. The chapters pass with ease and nothing gets too heavy. We don't dwell on huge character exposition but Dreyfus manages to sneak key details in giving them more depth than you might expect for the brevity of the writing. The style of writing managed to work well for the book. Like I say, it's fairly light, especially for such a serious topic. Not lighthearted, just simple. It makes the topic accessible and relatable. Dreyfus offers a very good insight into life with someone like Lawrence. It's very easy to feel sorry for their families, but we tend to find some way to not think about them at all.
Like many indie books this has a number of typos, continuity errors, etc. And like most they become more prolific towards the end, but mostly they're easy to read over. The story carries you along as a decent pace so you autocorrect most very simply and they don't detract from your reading. Overall a good book. It wasn't what I expected, but I think those differences make for a stronger, more unique book. It's the kind of book that's easy to recommend, and we all know someone who should definitely read it.
I received my copy through First Reads.
The story comes for Dolores, it is about her life. We look back to her childhood, we see her marriage, and her family grow and change. Unfortunately the focus of the story is Lawrence. We all know a Lawrence, we probably know a few in fact, and they influence our lives to various degrees. This book highlights the impact of such a character when they are family; a parent, spouse, sibling, or even a child. So who is Lawrence? A manipulative, immature, narcissist. Not just in occasional moments; he's not trying to get a good deal, or having a bad day and withdrawing, or thinking he looks good in a new suit and feeling a bit cocky. He's someone who lives this constantly. Someone who doesn't know any alternative, it's a way of life and he sees nothing wrong with it (in himself anyway). You know the kind of person - everything is about them. If you do know more than one person like it there's a good chance they dislike each other. And if they don't they become truly unbearable when together - feeding off each other and becoming more obnoxious.
And in their shadow is a Dolores. A spouse who gets uprooted and moved for Lawrence's career. A spouse who has to nurse the wounds of someone not making Lawrence the star of every moment. A spouse who is set to live in Lawrence's shadow no matter what. And that is the story of this book. Dolores seeing her husband more clearly than before. Slowly realising what kind of man he is. It culminates in the court case the book is purportedly about - we know the case will come due to the opening chapter, the rest of the book charts the events that lead up to it. We see them with the benefit of hindsight.
Dreyfus cleverly keeps the facts a little murky. We see and know some things definitively, but others leave just a hint of ambiguity. The writing style is fairly breezy for such a serious plot, and that allows these question marks to hang over certain incidents. Do we know everything or do we know very little? It's like watching a replay of a car crash happening in slow motion, but the entire journey not just the moment of impact - your knowledge of what is coming makes it easy to spot little mistakes that build into bigger problems miles down the road.
I must confess I was expecting a denser story, but it is a fairly light read. The chapters pass with ease and nothing gets too heavy. We don't dwell on huge character exposition but Dreyfus manages to sneak key details in giving them more depth than you might expect for the brevity of the writing. The style of writing managed to work well for the book. Like I say, it's fairly light, especially for such a serious topic. Not lighthearted, just simple. It makes the topic accessible and relatable. Dreyfus offers a very good insight into life with someone like Lawrence. It's very easy to feel sorry for their families, but we tend to find some way to not think about them at all.
Like many indie books this has a number of typos, continuity errors, etc. And like most they become more prolific towards the end, but mostly they're easy to read over. The story carries you along as a decent pace so you autocorrect most very simply and they don't detract from your reading. Overall a good book. It wasn't what I expected, but I think those differences make for a stronger, more unique book. It's the kind of book that's easy to recommend, and we all know someone who should definitely read it.
I received my copy through First Reads.
January 20, 2021
"Gag Rule" (2016, 2017) by Edward A Dreyfus is essentially a Lifetime movie in literature form. It features Delores Miller, a mousy elementary teacher and mother of two married to Lawrence, a self-centered, arrogant music teacher who faces a criminal trial for allegedly engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with his female high school students. The story itself is interesting enough but the author’s tendency to switch character perspective multiple times mid-scene drove me crazy. Still, the novel, including Daniela Acitelli’s narration, did hold my interest. Recommended.
December 26, 2017
Good read
The book is very well written, especially since it is based on possible true stories, which have a disturbing subject matter to them.
The book is very well written, especially since it is based on possible true stories, which have a disturbing subject matter to them.
March 13, 2016
I can say for sure that this book struck a few emotions in me. The biggest one being sadness for the children. When I say this, I mean beyond the couple’s two children. The students suffered in more ways than one. From the very beginning you can distinguish the moments where Lawrence really does have a degree of self-importance. His selfishness is seen from the first chapter when he makes the decision that he and his wife would move far away to take jobs in a new town and state. He feels like this is his moment to shine and nothing can get to him, like any true narcissist. Delores allowed her own feelings to be put aside on many occasions with in the first few chapters. You can see how it was that she overlooked so much. Perhaps she felt that if she looked away, it wasn’t real.
Throughout the story there are moments where it unfolds through different characters. I think this is good because it doesn’t give you the opportunity to just view it through one character. Lawrence really did believe in his own mind that he wasn’t doing so much wrong. He was there for a good time and to be these kids’ friends and in turn they worshipped him. He wasn’t happy unless everyone loved him or praised him. That became more apparent whenever he felt Delores wasn’t bowing down to him and kissing his feet as well. That partially feeds her self-doubt and self-worth. She feels in some points that if she just does what he asks that it will make it better. In doing that, she becomes a victim as well.
I’ll be honest; there are moments where I was infuriated by the both of them. Lawrence clearly was in the wrong. He did things he shouldn’t have, and put himself out there for his own self gain and self-worth. He was a predator, and fed off of all the different emotions that his actions caused. He was inappropriate with so many of the girls. He allowed himself to appear ignorant in how teenagers used social media or their social groups in negative ways. Honestly, as an adult I think that if a teacher does not know these kinds of things, and then they’re not fit for their job. He played every person around him. It wasn’t until closer to the end where I really saw the truth in who and what he was. Delores’ reflections on her own actions and her feelings with the trial after the death of Natalie is what makes the reality of that so much more. She realizes that she had fault as well. She didn’t question things as much as she should have, or stupid up more to her husband. That was frustrating and maddening for me. As an educator and a parent, she should have stood up more.
In the end the with the trial being over and things supposedly going back to normal, she sees her own past coming back to haunt her. From the abuse that was dished out from her father to them and also being approached by a teacher during her teenage years. She had to figure out how to choose to be different and break the cycle in many ways.
In reality, the scenarios in this book come to light every day. There are too many people who don’t say something, or victims who believe that things are their fault. Situations like these can become so much worse.
Over all, it was a good read. For me, the emotions were a little rough through the trial part. Mr. Dreyfus did great job of telling the story from a few different sides. You get the sense of the whole rounded story. The only criticism I have is that the reality of what Delores went through as a child and student should have been stated closer to the beginning.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout the story there are moments where it unfolds through different characters. I think this is good because it doesn’t give you the opportunity to just view it through one character. Lawrence really did believe in his own mind that he wasn’t doing so much wrong. He was there for a good time and to be these kids’ friends and in turn they worshipped him. He wasn’t happy unless everyone loved him or praised him. That became more apparent whenever he felt Delores wasn’t bowing down to him and kissing his feet as well. That partially feeds her self-doubt and self-worth. She feels in some points that if she just does what he asks that it will make it better. In doing that, she becomes a victim as well.
I’ll be honest; there are moments where I was infuriated by the both of them. Lawrence clearly was in the wrong. He did things he shouldn’t have, and put himself out there for his own self gain and self-worth. He was a predator, and fed off of all the different emotions that his actions caused. He was inappropriate with so many of the girls. He allowed himself to appear ignorant in how teenagers used social media or their social groups in negative ways. Honestly, as an adult I think that if a teacher does not know these kinds of things, and then they’re not fit for their job. He played every person around him. It wasn’t until closer to the end where I really saw the truth in who and what he was. Delores’ reflections on her own actions and her feelings with the trial after the death of Natalie is what makes the reality of that so much more. She realizes that she had fault as well. She didn’t question things as much as she should have, or stupid up more to her husband. That was frustrating and maddening for me. As an educator and a parent, she should have stood up more.
In the end the with the trial being over and things supposedly going back to normal, she sees her own past coming back to haunt her. From the abuse that was dished out from her father to them and also being approached by a teacher during her teenage years. She had to figure out how to choose to be different and break the cycle in many ways.
In reality, the scenarios in this book come to light every day. There are too many people who don’t say something, or victims who believe that things are their fault. Situations like these can become so much worse.
Over all, it was a good read. For me, the emotions were a little rough through the trial part. Mr. Dreyfus did great job of telling the story from a few different sides. You get the sense of the whole rounded story. The only criticism I have is that the reality of what Delores went through as a child and student should have been stated closer to the beginning.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2016
Dolores has a perfect life: nice husband, home, two children. They are both teachers and their lives seem ideal only until husband Lawrence is accused of being a sexual predator - and then everything changes.
Gag Rule is about this process and these changes, and focuses on how Dolores' world is turned upside down. Based on real-life circumstances (which have been fictionalized here), Gag Rule comes across as riveting and engrossing perhaps because of these foundations in reality, which discuss silences either self-imposed or dictated by the outside world.
As events progress, Dolores finds more than her perception of her husband and their lives in jeopardy. Also at issue is who she has become in the course of a satisfied marriage that has seemed a dream come true.
It should be mentioned that there's no surprise about the outcome of Lawrence's guilt or innocence. This is provided in the very first chapter, which should indicate that the actual process is not really about Lawrence's actions, but their impact on his wife. It's also about Dolores' choices, which have framed (and too often limited) not just her role in their relationship, but her entire personality.
Many of these psychological insights are set up in that initial chapter, but its how Dolores works through the tumultuous processes of change in her life that really makes Gag Rule shine. Dreyfus is at his best when depicting the stark contrasts of this seemingly-idyllic life.
Under his hand, Gag Rule becomes not a novel of legal process, as might be anticipated; but a story of how marital experiences diverge and how narcissism leads to disaster on all sides. It's not just about guilt or innocence: it's about the psychology of unraveling and rebirth. Gag Rule is driven by change and self-realization and is a powerful recommendation for readers who would move beyond the prospect of a sexual predator in a marriage to examine the underlying influences and subtle cycles of abuse.
Gag Rule is about this process and these changes, and focuses on how Dolores' world is turned upside down. Based on real-life circumstances (which have been fictionalized here), Gag Rule comes across as riveting and engrossing perhaps because of these foundations in reality, which discuss silences either self-imposed or dictated by the outside world.
As events progress, Dolores finds more than her perception of her husband and their lives in jeopardy. Also at issue is who she has become in the course of a satisfied marriage that has seemed a dream come true.
It should be mentioned that there's no surprise about the outcome of Lawrence's guilt or innocence. This is provided in the very first chapter, which should indicate that the actual process is not really about Lawrence's actions, but their impact on his wife. It's also about Dolores' choices, which have framed (and too often limited) not just her role in their relationship, but her entire personality.
Many of these psychological insights are set up in that initial chapter, but its how Dolores works through the tumultuous processes of change in her life that really makes Gag Rule shine. Dreyfus is at his best when depicting the stark contrasts of this seemingly-idyllic life.
Under his hand, Gag Rule becomes not a novel of legal process, as might be anticipated; but a story of how marital experiences diverge and how narcissism leads to disaster on all sides. It's not just about guilt or innocence: it's about the psychology of unraveling and rebirth. Gag Rule is driven by change and self-realization and is a powerful recommendation for readers who would move beyond the prospect of a sexual predator in a marriage to examine the underlying influences and subtle cycles of abuse.
April 16, 2016
Gag Rule follows the lives of Dolores and Lawrence as they slowly build to inevitable disaster. In the first chapter we see that Lawrence, a high school music teacher, is in court, fighting allegations of sexual misconduct and Dolores is on the sidelines wondering what the truth may actually be. The story jumps back two years, and you see how the relationship slowly moves toward such an unthinkable situation, with one partner facing serious charges and the other emotionally drained and unsure of her husband’s true character.
I liked that the story started in such a way, it left me searching through every action of Lawrence to see if I could predict either his innocence or guilt. It gave the story a bit of mystery and helped keep me curious about the lives of the characters.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked that the story started in such a way, it left me searching through every action of Lawrence to see if I could predict either his innocence or guilt. It gave the story a bit of mystery and helped keep me curious about the lives of the characters.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2016
husband is a music teacher that is acussed of a crime against female students where he teaches. his wife is also a teacher and mother of 2 girls. her husband starts to not pay attention to her and is always late with practicing with his students at school and she is home wondering why he spends no time with her or their children...what s a wife to think when her husband is charged with such a crime than convicted of it....a well written book and keeps you wondering as you are reading if he is really guilty of the charges that he is charged with. the start of the book explains that he is tried and convicted than the rest of the book is about two years before that it keeps you guessing. well worth reading....
June 7, 2016
* I won this book through goodreads giveaways *
What a novel! Dreyfus is able to take the reader on a journey of what it means to respect yourself. Dolores Miller appears to have a wonderful life: loving husband, a job she loves and a baby on the way. The saying you don't know what goes on behind closed doors, is true about Miller's life. Living with a husband who is a narcissist, she comes to realise the abusive power he has over her. I only wish the ending offered a little more in exploring Dolores! I don't want to spoil it for readers, but it is such an interesting experience peering into how one can lose their identity and strength when in a relationship.
What a novel! Dreyfus is able to take the reader on a journey of what it means to respect yourself. Dolores Miller appears to have a wonderful life: loving husband, a job she loves and a baby on the way. The saying you don't know what goes on behind closed doors, is true about Miller's life. Living with a husband who is a narcissist, she comes to realise the abusive power he has over her. I only wish the ending offered a little more in exploring Dolores! I don't want to spoil it for readers, but it is such an interesting experience peering into how one can lose their identity and strength when in a relationship.
July 29, 2016
Revealing, insightful portrait of narcissism, abuse and the people who enable abuse to continue.
This is an absorbing and psychologically realistic portrait of the charismatic, self-serving ways in which narcissistic men are able to charm and then abuse the people (particularly the women) in their lives. Dr. Dreyfus has depicted an insightful and all too common "partnership" between a narcissistic man with an insatiable appetite for adoration and the women who allow themselves to be used and abused to feed that appetite.
This is an absorbing and psychologically realistic portrait of the charismatic, self-serving ways in which narcissistic men are able to charm and then abuse the people (particularly the women) in their lives. Dr. Dreyfus has depicted an insightful and all too common "partnership" between a narcissistic man with an insatiable appetite for adoration and the women who allow themselves to be used and abused to feed that appetite.
September 25, 2016
Gag Rule is a thought provoking read. Author Edward Dreyfus, creates a powerful story about how our actions enable the thoughts and actions of others. I could feel for both the main characters in very different ways. Social media is such a powerful tool for both harm and good. It keeps you thinking well beyond the ending.
July 13, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought that Lawrence was very self-centered but wasn't sure he did what he was accused of. I kept changing my mind on this. Good book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews