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helpfulcat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
mandirigma's review
4.0
I feel like in the past few years, American women have suffered an onslaught of books telling us how we're doing everything -- marriage, child-rearing, careers, happiness, stress, etc. -- wrong and how women in [insert European country here] are doing it so much better, completely ignoring deeply ingrained cultural and political differences. We would all be so much happier if we did everything like French/Dutch/German women do things!
This book, thankfully, wasn't that. It also wasn't a guide on how to please your man, train your man, serve your man, etc. It wasn't even really a book of advice on how to actually be married, which I appreciated. It was part anthropological "study," part memoir of Piazza's first year of marriage, and how she and her new husband handle a sort of pre-diagnosis of muscular dystrophy.
Being that comparing American women to women of other countries seems to be a thing perpetuated by white women writers, I actually thought this book was more culturally sensitive than other pieces I'd read by other writers. It was mostly Piazza traveling around the world, talking to local women about how they made their marriages work, and then taking the best of that advice and applying what she could to her own life. Self-absorbed maybe, and there were moments where I wasn't sure how much of the true culture she was actually giving us, but her writing was not proscriptive or judgmental. It also wasn't hokey, cliche advice from obnoxious, know-it-all newlyweds that you see all over the internet these days. She hit on a lot of issues and anxieties that many of us women have these days -- maintaining an equal partnership, making time for self-care, keeping the lines of communication open -- bringing a lot of the old, traditional marriage advice to the 21st century. The last chapter actually does have some of that advice, and though the advice wasn't exactly new to me, it did line up with the most important things I've learned in the almost decade that I have been married so far.
I think a few folks here really didn't like that it was a memoir, but I think it served the format well. I didn't want to read another book telling me how I'm doing everything wrong by someone who had less experience but more statistics than I did. I was happy to find a conversation with a friend who shared a lot of the same anxieties that I did. All in all, it was a fun, refreshing read, and I found myself rooting for her and her new husband.
This book, thankfully, wasn't that. It also wasn't a guide on how to please your man, train your man, serve your man, etc. It wasn't even really a book of advice on how to actually be married, which I appreciated. It was part anthropological "study," part memoir of Piazza's first year of marriage, and how she and her new husband handle a sort of pre-diagnosis of muscular dystrophy.
Being that comparing American women to women of other countries seems to be a thing perpetuated by white women writers, I actually thought this book was more culturally sensitive than other pieces I'd read by other writers. It was mostly Piazza traveling around the world, talking to local women about how they made their marriages work, and then taking the best of that advice and applying what she could to her own life. Self-absorbed maybe, and there were moments where I wasn't sure how much of the true culture she was actually giving us, but her writing was not proscriptive or judgmental. It also wasn't hokey, cliche advice from obnoxious, know-it-all newlyweds that you see all over the internet these days. She hit on a lot of issues and anxieties that many of us women have these days -- maintaining an equal partnership, making time for self-care, keeping the lines of communication open -- bringing a lot of the old, traditional marriage advice to the 21st century. The last chapter actually does have some of that advice, and though the advice wasn't exactly new to me, it did line up with the most important things I've learned in the almost decade that I have been married so far.
I think a few folks here really didn't like that it was a memoir, but I think it served the format well. I didn't want to read another book telling me how I'm doing everything wrong by someone who had less experience but more statistics than I did. I was happy to find a conversation with a friend who shared a lot of the same anxieties that I did. All in all, it was a fun, refreshing read, and I found myself rooting for her and her new husband.
daidui's review
5.0
Read this book if you are getting married. This book completely changed my perspective on my upcoming wedding and who this married version of me will be. It helped me understand what being married really means and what this permanent partnership really means.
lurdesabruscato's review against another edition
3.0
Piazza, a travel writer, piggybacks off what she knows (traveling and asking questions) to figure out what she doesn't (how to be married). Part introspective and part global journalism, peppered with current studies and therapies, this is a sometimes cute/sometimes obvious perspective on what it is to commit to a lifetime with another person.
vll295's review against another edition
4.0
This book is about people and that is something I enjoy very much. I appreciated the different stories and the different situations that each person where in throughout the story. In this book, we get to meet alot of different people and understand what marriage means to them.
I think that book gives some tips and advice, as well as shares interesting insights about people lives. I appreciated the opportunity to read this book.
Disclaimer: I was awarded this book as part of the Blogging for Books. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.
I think that book gives some tips and advice, as well as shares interesting insights about people lives. I appreciated the opportunity to read this book.
Disclaimer: I was awarded this book as part of the Blogging for Books. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.
bmcprior's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable writing and chock-full of great advice! I also love that the author allows the reader a real view into the imperfections of her marriage.
jennog's review
5.0
This reminds me of Carrie Bradshaw’s column but more thoughtful and helpful because it is backed by research and talking to all kinds of people from all over the world. The quotes from other sources are poignant and insightful.
With a little bit of anthropology and a little bit of wit, I enjoyed reading this. She is relatable and honest.
The chapter I related to the most was Holland.
Nice stories to remind you how to treat your loved ones, especially your significant others. I appreciated her candor about marriage especially because I can’t find anyone who doesn’t talk about marriage in extremes. The last chapter was helpful and I plan on referring back to it when I feel at a loss.
With a little bit of anthropology and a little bit of wit, I enjoyed reading this. She is relatable and honest.
The chapter I related to the most was Holland.
Nice stories to remind you how to treat your loved ones, especially your significant others. I appreciated her candor about marriage especially because I can’t find anyone who doesn’t talk about marriage in extremes. The last chapter was helpful and I plan on referring back to it when I feel at a loss.
meghank73's review against another edition
4.0
I loved reading about different cultures and their approaches to marriage and long term relationships. Occasionally this dragged (I really don't care about all of her husband's cutesy nicknames for her) but I mostly enjoyed it!
marietimus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
deniser821's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book that is part memoir and part travelogue. The author is newly married and seeking guidance along her travels about 'how to be married." The beginning was a little sloggy and I almost DNF'd it because I thought this writer, newly married, couldn't possibly have anything to say. Yet, as I kept listening (Scribd audio), I found the counsel she received from women in other country's fascinating. I loved learning the different ways women in other cultures viewed marriage. Even though I recently celebrated 20 years of marriage, I still found the advice useful and I related to Ms. Piazza's search for advice on how to make her marriage last. It's something I remember seeking when I was a newly wed.