This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Ann Patchett

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Blending literature and memoir, Ann Patchett, author of State of Wonder and Bel Canto examines her deepest commitments: to writing, family, friends, dogs, books, and her husband in This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage. Together, these essays, previously published in The Atlantic, Harper, Vogue, and The Washington Post, form a resonant portrait of a life lived with loyalty and with love.

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage takes us into the very real world of Ann Patchett's life. Stretching from her childhood to the present day, from a disastrous early marriage to a later happy one, it covers a multitude of topics, including relationships with family and friends, and charts the hard work and joy of writing, and the unexpected thrill of opening a bookstore.

As she shares stories of the people, places, ideals, and art to which she has remained indelibly committed, Ann Patchett brings into focus the large experiences and small moments that have shaped her as a daughter, wife, and writer.

©2013 Ann Patchett (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

"Readable and candid, Patchett’s collection is a joyful celebration of life, love and the written word." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Reading Patchett is like spending time with a deeply perceptive longtime pal, or a new friend that one instantly connects with." (USA Today)

"[A] sparkling collection." (The New Yorker)

Entertaining, engrossing, and elucidative essays

This is the Story of a Happy Marriage is everything other reviewers have said, and more. It’s a wonderfully-written and varied collection of Ann Patchett’s essays, ranging from musings about how she considered joining the Los Angeles Police Dept. in order to write about it and how she is influenced by her father, a retired LAPD police captain, to her feelings about her dog Rose and Sister Nena, the nun that taught her to read and write, to the eloquent and moving account of caring for her grandmother during her progression into dementia.

I’ve read and enjoyed (with reservations) several of Patchett’s novels. Bel Canto was great but I hated the ending, and I liked State of Wonder, except for some of the more ludicrous plot points. I personally found this collection of essays much more engrossing than any of her novels that I’ve read. She can write about almost anything, revealing thoughts, emotions, and advice without becoming preachy and overbearing.

I was completely unaware of Lucy Grealy, Patchett’s long-term friendship with her, and the controversies arising from their relationship. I’m very tempted to read Patchett’s Truth and Beauty to delve into this further, and may do that after I’ve had some time to digest the essay from Grealy’s sister in The Guardian. I’m hoping that Patchett will further show, as she did in this collection, that there are often quite a few ways of viewing a situation, and one absolute truth does not always exist.

I do have to thank Ann Patchett for leading me to an epiphany. In “Love Sustained”, she writes about the long and painful decline of her grandmother Eva:

“My grandmother had spent her life taking care of other people, cooking their food, cleaning their houses. It was her proof that she was valuable in the world. Now I cleaned my grandmother's apartment, which hurt her every single time. My cleaning was an accusation, no matter how quietly I went about it.”

When I read “It was her proof that she was valuable in the world.”, I gained a much better understanding of my dear mother-in-law. She raised five children with lots of hard work and no time to herself. Now that she has too much time to herself, she is missing that visible proof that she is valuable in the world. I could see her so clearly in that one simple sentence. I’m grateful for this entertaining and elucidative collection of essays that was a pleasure to read, and even more so when read by the author in the audio version.

About a Lot More than Marriage

What did you love best about This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage?

To me, as a writer, this proved to be one of the most valuable books I've ever come across. While Ann Patchett's marriage to her husband plays a significant part in her story, it's actually an account of her lifelong commitment to writing. The detours and missteps she's taken along the way to a career in that field are in many ways analogous to the errors a married couple inevitably makes and her ultimate success as a novelist reminds one of the aging couple who have learned to tolerate either other's idiosyncrasies but aren't so entirely comfortable that they no longer have to work at it. A must read for any writer or would-be writer. In addition, readers who have enjoyed Ann Patchett's novels will find this book provides much insight into the author's personality and the process by which she comes to her fiction.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ann Patchett is the central character of this book. I liked that she was so revealing about herself.

What does Ann Patchett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I liked the way her voice reveals her character.

Good pearls of wisdom and insight

Enjoyable well-crafted essays that makes me wish Ann lived across the street. Love that she reads them herself; ultimately I like her novels even more.

Observation Awareness

After struggling with writing my whole life, Ann has exemplified beauty a gift of hope that I too can influence others. The stories and characters brought healing and understanding at a much needed time. I

I purchased Truth and Beauty: A Friendship and The Dutch House: A Novel both by Ann. Also purchased, sure to satisfy: Autobiography of a Face by Ann’s dear friend Lucy Greatly. Thank you Ann for your electrifying example of writing and life.

Revealing, dimensional, touching, and honest

As a new but firm fan of Ann Patchett—both her novels and her nonfiction—I was already expecting to enjoy this. And I was far from disappointed. From entertaining anecdotes and tantalizing details about her private life, to deeply rooted and practical wisdom for writers, artists, and people of all walks of life just trying to make their way through the world, Patchett's essays, collected in this book, are a gold mine. I think what draws me to her is her frank, unabashed way of looking at herself and her place in the world. She is not always likable. She is honest, and owns up to her mistakes and shortcomings, but in such a way that she helps you understand that we all fail sometimes, and our failures do not define our lives. She makes everything, every story and moment of mundane life, seem inspirational and worthy of note. Her reading may not be to everyone's taste, but I found it only enriched the experience—especially to hear her slightly suppressed Tennessean accent peeking through now and then. I will recommend this book again and again to Patchett fans, and anyone needing to hear a few kind, interesting stories.

Great Reading, Great Writer!

This is a great book of essays with very personal themes and much discussion of the author's relationships with family and friends. I had high expectations when this book of essays was recently published and I was not disappointed. The author's narration personalizes the entire book. I felt like she was speaking directly to me. This was further accentuated by the personal nature of the topics, strengthening the rapport between reader and author.

I would imagine these essays would interest even those readers unfamiliar with her novels, but for readers who are already fans these essays are particularly relevant since she discusses her craft and her working habits as well as her shift from the short story to the novel. For example, in one essay she talks about reading her manuscripts entirely out loud to a colleague before they are published. That will not surprise listeners to this audiobook since it is clear that her skills have been honed by much practice - she is a wonderful narrator.

I have been a fan of Ann Patchett for many years, and greatly appreciated the title essay of this collection when it was offered to Audible subscribers a few years ago. I also had experienced her narrating skills in her non-fiction book about her friendship with Lucy Grealy, TRUTH AND BEAUTY. I usually don't appreciate author-narrators but when they have such great skills they can really add to the personal essay read aloud - another example of this talent is Jonathan Franzen.

This book was a treat from beginning to end - everything about this collection was delightful and made me want more. I highly recommend it to essay fans, Patchett fans and those interested in the craft of writing.

fabulous

I've read many of Ann Patchett's novels but had not read her nonfiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Tender Real outstanding

This is my most recent favorites of Ann Patchett's books. I have a dog like Rose in my life. And she touches me in the same way. I can relate and I can grow from every page of this book. Thank you Ann for sharing these many parts of yourself and life. From fathers to floods to fears through failures and faith.

Wonderful essays and stories read by the author

I have loved many novels by Ann Patchett and purchased this audiobook as a Daily Deal without realizing it was a collection of shorter works, autobiographical essays that I loved hearing. An unexpected treasure trove of stories - thank you, Audible!

Outstanding

One of the best books I've ever read. Ann Patchett is the ultimate storyteller and her narration is excellent. The stories left me breathless, each one better than the last. I love this book.