Something New: Reflections on the Beginnings of a Marriage [Hardcover]

Amanda Beesley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2000

Three years ago, Amanda Beesley's wildest dream came true: the love of her life slipped a diamond ring on her finger and said the magic words. From the moment she utters the word "Yes," Amanda enters the world she began planning when she first put a white towel on her head as a child. Told in a warm, engaging voice, Something New takes readers from Amanda and Nicky Weinstock's engagement to their first anniversary. Her engagement ring bruises her finger: it must be an omen. The hunt for a wedding dress takes on the questlike importance of finding the significant other--at an upscale bridal boutique she feels like Cinderella; at a more downscale shop she's the ugly stepsister. While studying to be a bride, she unexpectedly fails Maid of Honor 101.

Never far from this bride's mind, however, is the recent news that her mother has Alzheimer's. The ever-present question for Amanda as she plans the big day is: "How can I become a wife when the one wife I've always known is disappearing in front of me?"

When the newlyweds move from city to country, and go from the bustle of planning a wedding to the solitude of planning a life, Amanda suddenly has plenty of time to reflect on how the subtle changes unsettle her--and often thrill her. The division of chores brings up gender issues, Nicky's frequent trips into the city leave Amanda surprisingly lonely, the dog adjusts to country living better than she does, and friends now seem mysteriously to come in pairs. She also finds some peace as she observes her father tending to her mother with immeasurable tenderness, patience, and love, causing her own ideas of what it is to be married to deepen and grow. Hers is a beautiful story--affecting and whimsical yet always sweetly inspiring.

When the newlyweds move from city to country, and go from the bustle of planning a wedding to the solitude of planning a life, Amanda suddenly has plenty of time to reflect on how the subtle changes unsettle her--and often thrill her. The division of chores brings up gender issues, Nicky's frequent trips into the city leave Amanda feeling isolated, the dog adjusts to country living better than she does, and friends now seem to come mysteriously in pairs. She also finds some peace as she observes her father tending to her mother with immeasurable tenderness, patience, and love, causing her own ideas of what it is to be married to deepen and grow. Hers is a beautiful story--affecting and whimsical yet always inspiring. -->

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In an attempt to move beyond familiar advice on the niceties of weddings, this former bride rolls up her sleeves and sets out to explain what it actually feels like to get married, not just how to organize a big party. Drawing from a column she wrote for Self magazine chronicling her engagement and first year of marriage, Beesley presents a nuanced portrait of the real experience behind the facade of the blushing bride. In her case, not only was this time in her life alternately thrilling and overwhelming, but she was also coping simultaneously with her mother's diagnosis of dementia, which came two days after her engagement. Writing almost as much about her changing relationship with her mother as about the transformations her wedding and new marriage have wrought, Beesley manages to balance the two without diminishing the significance of either or resorting to melodrama. It is a pleasure to watch her find the strength to deal with these major transitions with grace and humor. "As she is, my mother loves me, with all the immediacy and intensity she has now. And for my part, I love her more than ever, with everything I have." This is a poignant, heartfelt and often funny story about some of life's greatest challenges and rewards, and a perfect book for brides-to-be. (Jan.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This title takes the reader on a delightful journey through the engagement, wedding, and first year of marriage of the author, a columnist for Self magazine. Skillfully interwoven into this story of the rise of a new family is the decline of Beesley's mother's life due to Alzheimer's disease. Beesley's reflections show how she grows and refines her values during both wedding preparations and the early days of the marriage. It will have wide appeal, not only to brides and their mothers but also to women in all stages of life who are grappling with issues of aging parents, relationships among birth families, in-laws, and new families. Both humorous and sensitive, Something New is highly recommended for public libraries.
-Kay L. Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, MD
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1St Edition edition (January 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385499051
• ISBN-13: 978-0385499057
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,100,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So True!, February 14, 2000

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This review is from: Something New: Reflections on the Beginnings of a Marriage (Hardcover)

I heard about this book on accident and immediately purchased it after reading what it was about. I am in the first year of marriage & identified with so much of what Ms. Beesley was writing about. This was an excellent book and it gave me a great feeling to know that other women, in their first year of marriage, experience what I am now experiencing. I would buy this for all my single & married friends!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and honest, May 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Something New: Reflections on the Beginnings of a Marriage (Hardcover)

I was surprised at how accurate and candid this book was, complete with funny descriptions of the true feelings that come with getting married. I've already given my copy to my best friend, who's engaged and (like most of us) clueless about what's to come. The writer puts things beautifully and honestly, and once you open the book you can't put it down. The best book on the subject of marriage that I've ever read. Thank you, JR, for recommending it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars touching and funny, March 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Something New: Reflections on the Beginnings of a Marriage (Hardcover)

My maid of honor gave me this book the day before I got married, and I absolutely couldn't put it down. The author is hysterically funny about the honest ups and downs of getting married (so true! ) and she is a very sensitive and moving writer when it comes to her mother's illness with Alzheimers. This is the best and most honest book I've read about getting married, and I recommend it to anyone thinking of getting hitched. Don't be scared!