The Triumph of Love Over Experience: A Memoir of Remarriage [Hardcover]

Wendy Swallow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 16, 2004

fter surviving divorce, Wendy Swallow had given up on love for good. A series of bad dates simply confirmed it-she did not need a man. She could be happy on her own. Then, when she wasn't looking, Charlie appeared. In a humorous, reflective voice, Swallow shares with us her honest, emotional journey of remarriage. Navigating the rubble of failed marriages-the blame, the embarrassment, the disrupted parenting-Wendy and Charlie aim to create a union unadulterated by the loss and pain of previous mistakes. But reality is often different than intention, and Swallow's memoir is poignant and engaging, as she traces the pitfalls and triumphs of remarriage.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

After writing Breaking Apart (2001), a book about her divorce and life as a single mom, Swallow finds herself in love and contemplating a second marriage. Charlie, who is in the process of getting divorced when she meets him, seems too good to be true, yet their relationship thrives, and they do decide to get married and merge their families. A meticulous woman, Swallow does research and discovers that very few remarriages with children survive, but they're determined to make theirs work. Through conversations with remarried friends and authorities on stepfamilies, they embark on a plan. It's refreshing that Swallow shares all the advice they received, then explains that theory and reality sometimes do not align. This is a fresh and personal account of two very special people determined to make their relationship work against the odds and not cause further distress to their four children. People who are thinking about remarriage will relate to their self-doubts and stress and relish the joy their hard work delivered. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"This is a fresh and personal account of two very special people determined to make their relationship work against the odds and not cause further distress to their four children."
-- Booklist (Booklist ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (June 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786868600
• ISBN-13: 978-0786868605
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,704,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Found Great Comfort in Swallow's story, June 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Triumph of Love Over Experience: A Memoir of Remarriage (Hardcover)

Wendy Swallow found a graceful way to say so eloquently all the pain, confusion, hesitancy, expectancy, delight, torment and eternal hope that those of us who have sadly left one marriage feel as we enter into another. Following on the heels of her first book, Breaking Apart, this new work completes the circle of loss, grief, and triumph in relationship. Swallow made me laugh and cry at the same time. A must read for all who have suffered the loss of a marriage and nuclear family to divorce -- and for those who are moving into new relationships or just growing into a new version of their life.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read before getting remarried, September 23, 2005

By 

Candice Armour (st. louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Triumph of Love Over Experience: A Memoir of Remarriage (Hardcover)

An excellent book for anyone considering getting married again or trying to blend two families. it gives you plenty to think about before taking on this challenging role.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars smart, helpful and honest, January 9, 2005

By 

Caitlin Kelly "fellow author" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Triumph of Love Over Experience: A Memoir of Remarriage (Hardcover)

The book is limited to one woman's specific experience, but Swallow writes really well and makes clear how many pitfalls await those who hope to remarry, especially those with kids. As a fellow midlife journalist divorcee, even with no kids, engaged to a divorce without kids, much of her story still rang true for me. I found many of her insights, experiences and ambivalence about remarrying compelling and sobering. She's candid about how strong she felt surviving her divorce and the identity she created as a single mother supporting her two sons, and how she really enjoyed it, even with its difficulties. She talks honestly about her ambivalence of taking on a whole new family and its culture and history, as well as grieving the loss of her reclaimed independence. There are no rosy-colored visions here, but a terrific, funny, honest story of one woman, two families and the many mixed feelings involved in going back into married life. I highly recommend it, and have already told several remarried, engaged and divorced friends it's worth reading.