Marriageology

The Art and Science of Staying Together

By: Belinda Luscombe

Narrated by: Belinda Luscombe

A smart and concise guide to staying together that draws on scientific findings, expert advice, and years in the marital trenches to explain why marriage is better for your health, your finances, your kids, and your happiness

Like you, probably, Belinda Luscombe would rather have had her eyes put out than read a book about marriage; they all seemed full of advice that was obvious, useless, or bad. Plus, they were boring. But after covering the relationship beat for Time magazine for 10 years, she realized there was a surprisingly upbeat and little-known story to tell about the benefits of staying together for the long haul. Casting a witty, candid, and probing eye on the latest behavioral science, Luscombe has written a fresh and persuasive report on the state of our unions, how they’ve changed from the marriages of our parents’ era, and what those changes mean for the happiness of this most intimate and important of our relationships.

In Marriageology, Luscombe examines the six major fault lines that can fracture contemporary marriages, also known as the F-words: familiarity, fighting, finances, family, fooling around, and finding help. She presents facts, debunks myths, and provides a fascinating mix of research, anecdotes, and wisdom from a wide range of approaches - from how properly dividing up chores can result in a better sex life to the benefits of fighting with your spouse (though not in the car) to whether or not to tell your partner that you lost $70,000. (The last one is from firsthand experience.) Marriageology offers simple, actionable, maybe even borderline fun techniques and tips to try, whether the relationship in question is about to conk out or just needs a little grease and an oil change. The best news of all is that sticking together is easier than it looks.

Praise for Marriageology

“Drawn from what she learned covering the relationship beat for Time, Luscombe’s how-not-to-split-up manual is witty and wise.” (People)

“People are still getting married, and this book is here to help.... A warm and companionable volume.... [Luscombe has a] wry touch, a gift for scene-setting, and an endearingly even temper.” (The New Yorker)

“Few things are more important than the quality of our relationships—and especially the one we build with our life partners. Belinda Luscombe has written a smart and funny book to help anyone work toward a stronger and more fulfilling marriage.” (Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and founder of LeanIn and OptionB)

©2019 Belinda Luscombe (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“I’d recommend this book to anyone who is married. Or thinking of getting married. Or knows anyone who is married. Or who is simply interested in getting along with other human beings. Belinda Luscombe combines science, memoir, and sharp wit in this fascinating and useful book. She takes on myths about everything from soul mates to finance to going to bed angry (her advice: Do it!). Skip the gravy boat and give this as a gift to all your engaged friends.” (A. J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically)

“If I could talk about marriage to my wife with the intelligence and humor that Belinda Luscombe does in this book, I’d be having a lot more sex.” (Joel Stein, author of Man Made)

“This little book is absolutely delightful. Belinda Luscombe combines what she’s learned in ten years of covering relationships for Time, plus behavioral science, research, and real-life stories, to reveal a recipe to enrich your health, finances, kids, and happiness: Marriage! Marriageology is a funny, smart book full of hope and suggestions and surprising discoveries (‘fight with your spouse but not in the car’). This is not just for us marrieds but for anyone getting married, thinking about getting married, getting remarried, or raising people who are going to get married.” (Jen Hatmaker, best-selling author of Of Mess and Moxie and host of the For the Love podcast)

Will recommend

This book is very good. It pulls information from many sources and it’s one that I will recommend to my clients.

It is all here.

Awesome book! I will recommend it to my married friends. A lot of can be learned.

Thoughtful, reasonable, funny, helpful

Lascombe has both a great sense of humour and the ability to be honest, frank, and accurate. She advises and recounts; she does not hector or deride.

Great to listen

Easily understood all the ideas presented and there are actionable steps to improve one's marriage.

Exactly what we needed!

My husband and I both absolutely love this book!!! We hope many other marriages will benefit from it as much as ours have!

Fun and informative

This book had me laughing while learning. Not the most exciting subject, but the author sprinkles it with humor throughout.
Spot on conclusions.

Add to your marriage book list

Good narration. Easy listen. Not a ton of fluff. Good information. Add this book to your marriage advice books.

Easy to grasp and put into practice right away!

Really good information- delivered well! This was a great book for us. Belinda’s narration was engaging, nice and humorous. There are lots of timely advice that is easy to grasp and put into practice right away. Thank you!

Great Coverage of Major Marital Issues

The author provides great additional authors and resources to review after listening to the book. Each chapter is very digestible. I love that she pokes fun at herself which helps as well.

Clear frank and funny

This book sheds light on a reality of relationships. Ebb and flow and look for what’s right in your relationships and things come back around better. It’s nice to have your people in this life. Nurture them the best you can.