Scan barcode
kaleighcurran's review against another edition
2.25
My perception of the author is that she is kind of a mess as a person. Even though a lot of the book is describing her therapy sessions. The entire reading experience was akin to seeing a horrific car crash. Just awful, but you want to see what happens in the end. I also interpret the word “marriage” by definition to mean that you are faithfully committed to one person for the rest of your life, so “open marriage” to me is an oxymoron, but different strokes for different folks I suppose. This was a “window” book for me and definitely not a “mirror” book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
rachelkreadsbookz's review
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Infidelity
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I saw this as a Book of the Month selection, and was intrigued by the synopsis.
“More” is a memoir that chronicles author Molly Roden Winter’s time in an open marriage. The book highlights how and why her and her husband decided to open their marriage, the hurdles they had to face together as a couple, how the rest of her life was impacted by participating in an open marriage, and, most importantly, what Molly learned about herself.
This memoir goes beyond open marriage and really explores how relationships with other people helped to mold and define Molly’s perception of herself. Throughout the duration of the book, Molly is constantly putting in the difficult work to become the best version of herself, and learning who she wants to be. I think for a lot of people it is easy to define yourself in comparison to how you believe other people perceive you or how you believe other people want you to be. This memoir beautifully highlights the road to self love, and how things are not always simple. Humans are constantly growing and evolving, and just because today you feel one way, does not limit you to feel that way for the rest of your life. Molly is a wife, mother, daughter, and person just trying to find her way in the world, which I think anyone can relate to.
One element of Molly’s open marriage that really stuck out to me was how impeccable her’s and her husband’s communication was. They definitely had rough patches, and everything was not always perfect, but they always fought for each other and always strived to remain honest. This level of commitment and open communication is imperative for any relationship to survive, especially when facing something that could cause so much turmoil and jealousy.
I really enjoyed how this book was set up, because it felt like I was just hearing someone’s life story. There was emotion poured into every page, and so much self growth it made me cry for her. It almost feels like you are reading something that is made up, but it is not. This memoir is also a really easy read in how it is written. Once I started, I could not put it down, and I almost devoured the entire book in one sitting.
This was such an interesting book, because I love to read about human experiences that differ from my own. I definitely recommend this to anyone curious about one NYC woman’s experience with open marriage.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Thanks to Doubleday Books for the free copy of this book.
- I’m going to be honest, I’m torn about MORE: A MEMOIR OF OPEN MARRIAGE. On the one hand, I’m glad this book is out there, talking about alternative marriage and relationship structures, and how to think outside the norms we’ve been raised with. However, a lot of this book is practically a guide for how not to do nonmonogamy.
- Over half of this book is the author making a series of bad decisions and not really exploring why she wants to do this at all aside from her husband pushing it. Which, fine, I don’t expect someone to just jump perfectly into problem-free open marriage. But she does no research, no seeking out of poly spaces, people, or ideas (someone has to give her a copy of The Ethical Sl*t) and then she wonders why she’s repeatedly unhappy. Her husband is a jerk about a lot of it, too, I can’t even get into that here because he made me so mad.
- On the other hand, what a fabulous example of the benefits of therapy this book gives us!
- Also, I do feel bad being so judgy. This was her experience and she’s just relating it to us. I guess I’m glad this book exists - I feel like for mainstream publishers to put out books on this topic we have to get through the rich straight white people doing it badly memoirs first.
- I’m going to be honest, I’m torn about MORE: A MEMOIR OF OPEN MARRIAGE. On the one hand, I’m glad this book is out there, talking about alternative marriage and relationship structures, and how to think outside the norms we’ve been raised with. However, a lot of this book is practically a guide for how not to do nonmonogamy.
- Over half of this book is the author making a series of bad decisions and not really exploring why she wants to do this at all aside from her husband pushing it. Which, fine, I don’t expect someone to just jump perfectly into problem-free open marriage. But she does no research, no seeking out of poly spaces, people, or ideas (someone has to give her a copy of The Ethical Sl*t) and then she wonders why she’s repeatedly unhappy. Her husband is a jerk about a lot of it, too, I can’t even get into that here because he made me so mad.
- On the other hand, what a fabulous example of the benefits of therapy this book gives us!
- Also, I do feel bad being so judgy. This was her experience and she’s just relating it to us. I guess I’m glad this book exists - I feel like for mainstream publishers to put out books on this topic we have to get through the rich straight white people doing it badly memoirs first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Medical content
More...