[MarkedandHealed]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=munson%2C+laura&x=0&y=0

[MarkedandHealed]

I found this review interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3HH1YPV4KCWYH/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R3HH1YPV4KCWYH

Several points were just very interesting. Obviously this reviewer has no idea of MLC and it's trappings, but she does make some interesting notations.

[Mermaid]

What did you find interesting? I agree some things were strange; that she didn't get a job, check her finances, that she went on holiday to Italy despite their financial situation. She doesn't sound like she's getting independent, just detached from her reality.

[MarkedandHealed]

Where the reviewer said that she found it strange that in the face of her H spewing at her, she never lost her composure.

[Rollercoasterider]

I’m not sure if I will put this on Amazon or not, but here are my comments to the post linked by MarkedandHealed.

It's been about 48 hours and they say reviews can take up to 48 hours to post. Mine is still not showing.

She engages in tortured rationalizations and denial.

Denial? Her husband never moved from the home, did not file for divorce and she continued therapy. People who Stand for their marriage amidst crisis with information are not all in denial. Some are and they display a lot more panic or dismissal than Laura Munson.

He stays out all night, stands up her and the children, insults her repeatedly, yet she rationalizes his behavior as a transient crisis.

Given the outcome, it seems she was correct that it was a transient crisis. Given her description of his behaviours it is obvious to some that it was a crisis—though absurdly mild. Four months is a cake-walk!

It's clear to the reader that she is a spoiled, materialistic, pampered woman…

No, it’s clear to you and some others, not all readers. I too saw the writing as self-absorbed, but then it was a journal that needed to be cut by over 50% and tightened from there.

Oh, she does toy with the thought that she would contribute by freelancing magazine articles, as if all she would have to do is submit and the depressed publishing industry would reward.

She’s a published magazine writer. No, it won’t provide riches, but it can provide something.

What she does do is take a one month vacation with her daughter to Italy. She feels entitled to this even though no money is coming into the household.

The vacation was before her husband’s announcement and with his approval. Though I wish I had such available funds to follow my bliss, but there are ways to follow it without spending as she did.

She is totally incurious about her husband's whereabouts at all times of the night.

This is not true. Curiosity and not asking are not synonymous.

She never seems to try to get a handle on what the family finances are and how long the savings will last.

Not certain how well either of them had a handle, but she referenced that her husband said they had six months.

She gives no thought to what she might do for a living (grad school, perhaps)…

Above you already referenced her thought—magazine articles.

She does not take an appropriate effort to protect her children from her husband's shenanigans…

Appropriate is relative and an opinion. A four month start of a crisis, I wish most left behind spouses were so lucky. Her calm responses rather than reactivity protected her children from what could have become a worse crisis and from the ravages of a possible divorce.

She never consults a divorce lawyer, even though the husband is sure that he wants to move out.

Obviously he’s not sure since he doesn’t ever do it. He mentions wanting out of the marriage and yet divorce doesn’t seem to be a major or even minor focus for him. Laura could have seen a divorce attorney to find out what to do in a just-in-case situation. But such a thing was not necessary and for someone who wants to remain married it can be dangerous at that stage. Sometimes an attorney will convince a person to file for divorce even when the goal is to save the marriage…because some say it is better for your protection if you file and you may be able to slow the speed of the process.

She has managed to elevate putting up with abuse into some sort of virtue, for this woman is so controlled that she never once raises her voice in the face of his monstrous behavior.

Because poking the Monster is the solution. That would merely incite an argument and make the situation worse.

The lack of humanity is creepy and what is equally creepy is that is she actually manages to keep her grandiose vision of herself intact and undamaged.

Lack of humanity? Where? The book is poorly edited and not high literature, but showing unconditional Grace, Agape and Forgiveness as Laura did is an example of humanity, not a lack.

What kind of woman would even want a man who was capable of treating his family so dismissively? How did she endure this?

How, it was a four month cake-walk. Endurance is the people who Stand for their marriage amidst a few years of crisis. Laura got off easy. What kind of woman would want…the kind who loves her husband, believes he is in crisis and will get through, who believes in her vows… Laura is not some lone wolf.

There are way too many missing pieces to this poorly-written story. She annoyingly addresses the reader directly throughout the book.

Yes, I agree that it was poorly written and addressing the reader annoyed me too. I had yuck written all over the margins.

[Trustandlove]

I think you should put it up; I like how it takes the other review on point by point.

But that perhaps is because that other review made my hackles rise....

[onmyfeet]

We were in therapy; five different therapists over the years. I didn't like one of them because he said his method was to "just try to get the couple to communicate." W didn't like any of the other four.

I completely missed that W was about to give up on the fifth one after giving up on the other four. I figured that no one would ever give up on a family as beautiful as ours. I got that one completely wrong.

Because really, there are very, very few people who can look their children in the eye and say that they've tried EVERYTHING to save their marriage.

[Still]

We were in therapy; five different therapists over the years. I didn't like one of them because he said his method was to "just try to get the couple to communicate."

We chose a marriage counselor that was listed as a Christian therapist. I had hoped that she would use scriptural references and biblical principles as her basis. She did not. Never used any references and didn't seem to have any way of applying those principles. In the end she said, "If you stay married or divorce......" Honestly, everything she said after that is a blur. Divorce was never mentioned by either of us.....

[MarkedandHealed]

I have to say that I read the book finally and although I found it to be a bit pretentious at points, it was like ordering up a therapist. I just felt stronger, more centered, more sure of my position in standing, after reading it.

[Still]

Men in Midlife Crisis by Jim Conway (I refer to this book all the time.)

Your Husband's Midlife Crisis by Sally Conway

Crossing the Soul's River: A Rite of Passage for Men by William O. Roberts, Jr.

Not necessarily an MLC book, but I have really gained a great deal from:

How to Save Your Marriage Alone by Ed Wheat, MD