THE ART OF BEING HAPPILY MARRIED

by Andre Maurois ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 14, 1956

These dialogues are predominantly light and popular in content, designed perhaps for the following that the writing in such volumes as Maurois' journal has created, with a sizable portion of the popular books-about-marriage market thrown in. Philippe and Marise, the principals, are made to act out a series of situations typical of the general concept of marriage as it progresses from courtship to the silver anniversary and these take place as part of a marriage course in a French university. But Americans will find everything pretty recognizable. As the playlets go, there are usually two versions of each- one showing the right way to handle things and the other showing the wrong. The art of skillful listening (in courtship as Marise asks Philippe about his future plans), facing realities after the honeymoon (the woman's tendency to view marriage as an all encompassing romance), outside friends (choosing those that match one's own desires for security, fidelity etc.), manners (mixing frank criticism with praise), infidelity (the process whereby it becomes a vicious circle)- these are among the object lessons. But reading about them produces no real concern or admiration. Philippe and Marise either do the right thing effortlessly or the wrong thing inevitably and seem to illustrate by their plays pleasant and unpleasant attitudes to adopt rather than to create within oneself. Nevertheless with the name and the subject matter this may be headed for a substantial sale.

Pub Date: Nov. 14, 1956

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1956

Categories: NONFICTION