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This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage
by
The New York Times bestselling author of State of Wonder, Run, and Bel Canto creates a resonant portrait of a life in this collection of writings on love, friendship, work, and art.
"The tricky thing about being a writer, or about being any kind of artist, is that in addition to making art you also have to make a living." Bringing her narrative gifts to bear on her own life ...more
"The tricky thing about being a writer, or about being any kind of artist, is that in addition to making art you also have to make a living." Bringing her narrative gifts to bear on her own life ...more
Audiobook
Published
November 5th 2013
by HarperAudio
(first published December 11th 2011)
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Start your review of This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

O Ann Patchett, how I adore thee. This is a marvelous collection of essays from one of my favorite writers, most of which I had never read before.
Before becoming a bestselling novelist, Patchett made a living by writing articles for various magazines, including Seventeen, Vogue, Gourmet, Outside and The New York Times Magazine. Over the years, she stacked up a significant pile of essays, and a friend recently nudged her into putting her favorites into a collection. Pieces date from the 1990s up ...more
Before becoming a bestselling novelist, Patchett made a living by writing articles for various magazines, including Seventeen, Vogue, Gourmet, Outside and The New York Times Magazine. Over the years, she stacked up a significant pile of essays, and a friend recently nudged her into putting her favorites into a collection. Pieces date from the 1990s up ...more

Nov 13, 2020
Danielle
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reese-witherspoon-bookclub
This was not what I expected. Rather than one story, it’s a compilation of essays and life experiences. Some stories were amazingly compelling and others just kinda boring. This is a right down the middle for me.❤️📚

Apr 12, 2015
Glenn Sumi
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
favorites
This is the story of a happy reader.
Ann Patchett is best known as a novelist (Bel Canto, State Of Wonder). But as she proves here and in her memoir Truth & Beauty , she’s also a brilliant non-fiction writer: sharply observant, warm, intelligent. She’s incapable of writing an awkward or dishonest sentence.
The title of this book is named after one of the essays, about her long-simmering but in the end inevitable and absolutely correct decision to marry her husband Karl, after a disastrous earl ...more
Ann Patchett is best known as a novelist (Bel Canto, State Of Wonder). But as she proves here and in her memoir Truth & Beauty , she’s also a brilliant non-fiction writer: sharply observant, warm, intelligent. She’s incapable of writing an awkward or dishonest sentence.
The title of this book is named after one of the essays, about her long-simmering but in the end inevitable and absolutely correct decision to marry her husband Karl, after a disastrous earl ...more

Disclaimer: after meeting Ann Patchett, I am head over heels. I've loved her writing since Bel Canto, but I've gained a new level of appreciation for her since hearing her speak. She is charming, gracious, and witty. Reading her essays is like spending more time with her, and I can't get enough. I found so many things that I relate to in these essays, and a few areas where we are different enough that I gained a new sense of perspective.
...more

May 15, 2019
Cathrine ☯️
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone
Recommended to Cathrine ☯️ by:
Karen's review
I laughed, I cried, I pondered. I ended up feeling like my heart expanded. Read by the author in a warm, engaging, candid manner, in my opinion an audio book on my walks doesn't get better than this.
...more

I suspect the praise for this book comes from one (or both) of two camps:
1. Women who have read and loved Patchett's novels and are die-hard fangirls.
2. Women who desperately dream of being writers and are at that stage where they inhale any advice from any published writer that might tell them how to do it.
Sexist? Perhaps. Maybe there are men who love her work. I just doubt there are many of them.
I picked up this book because I heard a Fresh Air interview with Patchett in which she describe ...more
1. Women who have read and loved Patchett's novels and are die-hard fangirls.
2. Women who desperately dream of being writers and are at that stage where they inhale any advice from any published writer that might tell them how to do it.
Sexist? Perhaps. Maybe there are men who love her work. I just doubt there are many of them.
I picked up this book because I heard a Fresh Air interview with Patchett in which she describe ...more

Many people ask me how I select the books I read. Sometimes they've been recommended by someone else whose preferences are similar to mine, or I've read enthusiastic reviews about them. In other cases, I've been intrigued by the title or even the cover. (Never underestimate the power of a stroll through a bookstore when you can find one.) But quite often, I choose books written by authors whose books I've come to love. There is a growing list of authors I'm constantly looking up on Amazon to see
...more

Since “State of Wonder” is one of my absolute favorite books, I of course had to read this new book of essays. It did not disappoint; her way with words makes me feel all happy and fulfilled. She writes with candor, humor, and warmth, and she is oh so perceptive and wise.
One essay, called The Getaway Car, which I had read as a Kindle single and loved, is about writing. It grabs you and keeps you glued to the page as if it were fiction. I love the history of this essay title: She worked as a wait ...more
One essay, called The Getaway Car, which I had read as a Kindle single and loved, is about writing. It grabs you and keeps you glued to the page as if it were fiction. I love the history of this essay title: She worked as a wait ...more

I've something of a curiosity about what makes writers tick, from where do they get their inspiration. Like Anna Quindlen, Ann Patchett not only writes tremendous fiction, she gets an A+ for her non-fiction as well. These are her personal experiences. It was great getting to know her, as I think she'd make a great friend.
This is not just the story of a happy marriage. It also covers her very unhappy first marriage, her mother's marriages, and her father the cop (the latter two being major storyl ...more
This is not just the story of a happy marriage. It also covers her very unhappy first marriage, her mother's marriages, and her father the cop (the latter two being major storyl ...more

The title is a tad misleading. This is a compilation of various articles the author has written over the years for various publications. The first few were about her experiences on becoming an author. I'm not an author, nor do I have plans to become one, but I enjoyed the conversational tone and the insights into a profession I know little about.
The remaining essays are on a variety of subjects and the author can be quite funny and self-deprecating. Nor does she leave out the unflattering storie ...more
The remaining essays are on a variety of subjects and the author can be quite funny and self-deprecating. Nor does she leave out the unflattering storie ...more

This is OFFICIALLY my favorite Ann Patchett book!!!!! (I put "OFFICIALLY" in BIG print thus making my statement really official!)
I am actually surprised that I liked this book as much as I did. I am not a short story, essay, article type of gal. I like novels - novellas are fine but I'm not a short story or article reader. Having said that, Ann Patchett may have changed things for me because as I mentioned, I loved this book i.e. collection of articles/essays. I love how she blended the events ...more
I am actually surprised that I liked this book as much as I did. I am not a short story, essay, article type of gal. I like novels - novellas are fine but I'm not a short story or article reader. Having said that, Ann Patchett may have changed things for me because as I mentioned, I loved this book i.e. collection of articles/essays. I love how she blended the events ...more

How is it possible that Ann Patchett and I are not BFFs? Reading this book of essays was like catching up with a girlfriend over a glass of wine and several pounds of cheese. My intention was to read this sparingly, interspersed between other books like a palate cleanser, but instead I kept saying, "I'll just read one more...". Ann (I feel like we should be on first name basis at this point) has certainly lived a life. I loved the story of her bid to get into the police academy - not only becaus
...more

This is a collection of mostly prior magazine articles that Ann Patchett had done during her lifetime. She tells us from the beginning. How fun... To collect your life essays... then gather them... (Work out the details), to create a book. Perfect for this established author.
The title story is simply one story, ( a touching story), but not the overall theme.
From the start, we read about Ann's years of working for Seventeen Magazine. She also did freelance work... And submitted essays to other ...more
The title story is simply one story, ( a touching story), but not the overall theme.
From the start, we read about Ann's years of working for Seventeen Magazine. She also did freelance work... And submitted essays to other ...more

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage is an anthology of short stories and essays by one my favorite authors, Ann Patchett. There are articles that were published in Vogue, Seventeen, Harper's Bazaar, Gourmet, the Times, and the New York Times. These delightful short stories, basically vignettes from the life of Ann Patchett were so engaging. All of these were delightful essays that link many of her books to her life experiences but I have to say that the essay that was closest to my heart was
...more

I loved this book. So many different essays here and after reading them I think I know a lot more about Anne Patchett. I had to think about my rating on this one. Anytime I read anything by this author I always compare the book to Bel Canto, which is an amazing book and one of my favorites. But I must stop doing this. This book was so different and you just can't compare the two. I think my favorite story, which is was hard to choose one, was regarding the police academy. The wonderful thing abo
...more

Wonderful four-star collection that gets five stars because of the essay "The Getaway Car" (a must read for all writers out there). This book made me want to read all of Ann Patchett's previous works, especially "Truth and Beauty" and "State of Wonder". I'm also dying to visit her famous Parnassus bookstore in Nashville.
...more

Oct 24, 2020
Jenny (Reading Envy)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jenny (Reading Envy) by:
Scott Danielson
Posting about this is a little like time traveling because I heard about it from a podcast guest on an episode nobody has heard yet (upcoming) but I went and listened right away. The collection of essays spans quite a few years, including one that came from when Patchett's book was the freshman read at Clemson and was a huge controversy; that's just down the road from me. I loved hearing Patchett's thoughts on writing, family, and friendship. Her voice sounds so much like Laura Linney! And it's
...more

Jul 26, 2013
Julie Ehlers
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone except for tiresome snobs who think Ann Patchett is beneath them
While I was reading this, I was already anticipating giving the book five stars, with four stars based on the book's merits and one star based on the fact that I'm kind of obsessed with Ann Patchett and want to be her friend. However, by the time I got to the title essay, I'd decided the book deserved five stars regardless of my slightly demented feelings toward its author. After all, I'd already read one of the book's long-form essays, "The Getaway Car," in electronic form and gave it five star
...more

More than halfway through this collection of essays I begin to think that one of the most important characteristics for a successful memoirist must be good humor. Patchett wrote most of this collection of nonfiction essays earlier in her career for different publications. She supplemented those with a couple longer, deeper pieces written later: “The Getaway Car” and “This is the Story of a Happy Marriage,” “Dog Without End,” and “The Mercies,” all stories about the great loves in her life.
Toget ...more
Toget ...more

Aug 30, 2013
Sarah Beth
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
harpercollins-advance-reader-copies
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from HarperCollins.
I've read one of Ann Patchett's novels, Bel Canto, and her first memoir, Truth and Beauty, and know her to be someone capable of both smart and beautiful writing, so I was naturally excited for the chance to read her latest memoir, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. The title led me to believe that this would largely focus on her marital relationship, but instead this is a very personal look at the mainstays of Patchett's life ...more
I've read one of Ann Patchett's novels, Bel Canto, and her first memoir, Truth and Beauty, and know her to be someone capable of both smart and beautiful writing, so I was naturally excited for the chance to read her latest memoir, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. The title led me to believe that this would largely focus on her marital relationship, but instead this is a very personal look at the mainstays of Patchett's life ...more

Nov 23, 2013
Cher
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobook,
memoir-bio
4 stars - It was great. I loved it.
Much like with her fiction, in this memoir-ish collection of essays, Ann Patchett has a truly lovely way with words. The book starts off with a heavy focus on writing and being an author. While that is not a career I am particularly interested in, I still found those essays to be interesting. From there, however, the book branches off into much more fascinating topics, primarily relationship dynamics of all kinds.
Prior to reading this I did not know that she w ...more
Much like with her fiction, in this memoir-ish collection of essays, Ann Patchett has a truly lovely way with words. The book starts off with a heavy focus on writing and being an author. While that is not a career I am particularly interested in, I still found those essays to be interesting. From there, however, the book branches off into much more fascinating topics, primarily relationship dynamics of all kinds.
Prior to reading this I did not know that she w ...more

(This really shouldn't have been a shock to me, given two of my GR friends extolling its virtues, but)
I have not really been a avid Ann Patchett "fan" per se, but I liked the three novels of hers I've read so far (her first, The Patron Saint of Liars, Run and her most recent State of Wonder) and thought I'd give this collection of essays a try. Let's just say I can now say after reading This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage that I am unquestionably a fan, and plan to read all of her back catalo ...more
I have not really been a avid Ann Patchett "fan" per se, but I liked the three novels of hers I've read so far (her first, The Patron Saint of Liars, Run and her most recent State of Wonder) and thought I'd give this collection of essays a try. Let's just say I can now say after reading This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage that I am unquestionably a fan, and plan to read all of her back catalo ...more

Already a huge Patchett fan, after reading these essays I want to get in my car, drive to Parnassus Books and convince her that we should be great friends. And, yes, I know it's a little creepy, but that's how much I love her non-fiction voice. These essays cover the gamut, from books to friendship, to relationships and religion -- all my favorite topics. She inspired me to add some titles to my to-read and reminded me why I fell in love with her in the first place.
Just a fine, fine read. ...more
Just a fine, fine read. ...more

Dec 27, 2016
Nusrah Javed
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction-read
These are the kind of essays I love to read. I have left this book with an even deeper love for Patchett! Highly recommended

This is the sixth Ann Patchett book that I have read, and the second one that is nonfiction. She has an extraordinary gift for writing both fiction and nonfiction, and is, quite simply, my favorite author living today. I feel like she writes only for me, which I know is ridiculously silly, but feels like the truth when I'm devouring the words nonetheless.
"This is the Story of a Happy Marriage" is a compilation of personal essays written by Ann over many years, spanning various subjects, includi ...more
"This is the Story of a Happy Marriage" is a compilation of personal essays written by Ann over many years, spanning various subjects, includi ...more

3.5 I have read Ann Patchett's books for a long time now, long enough that I can see her improving in her craft, book by book. This grouping of essays cover a wide range of subjects that she has written throughout the years.
So interesting how she started her writing career and how she approaches her writing now, the care she puts into her research. Very informative Marriage, her Catholic faith, RV travel, and of course her dog Rosie. Loved how she talked about her dog, can tell she is madly in ...more
So interesting how she started her writing career and how she approaches her writing now, the care she puts into her research. Very informative Marriage, her Catholic faith, RV travel, and of course her dog Rosie. Loved how she talked about her dog, can tell she is madly in ...more

I've realised after reading this that a book of essays is just not my cup of tea. State of Wonder, Bel Canto and The Magician's Assistant are among my favourite books. I didn't really care for Truth and Beauty..... maybe it's just non-fiction by Patchett that I'm not wild about. I found myself flipping to the end of each essay to see where it was published because I was more interested in the audience than the story itself. The Wall tells the story of Patchett applying to the LAPD (her Dad was a
...more

Jan 22, 2018
Trish
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
short-story
Sometimes love does not have the most honorable beginnings, and the endings, the endings will break you in half. It's everything in between we live for.
This was my first encounter with Ann Patchett and her writing and I must say I'm thoroughly impressed. In reading this collection I've realized that there are so many authors whose works I love but whom I do not know at all. The only other book I can think of that provided such a window into the author's soul was Jeannette Walls's The Glass Castl ...more
This was my first encounter with Ann Patchett and her writing and I must say I'm thoroughly impressed. In reading this collection I've realized that there are so many authors whose works I love but whom I do not know at all. The only other book I can think of that provided such a window into the author's soul was Jeannette Walls's The Glass Castl ...more

This collection of essays was my first encounter with Ann Patchett and I am absolutely delighted. The texts are of various length and character, some are articles, other lectures, all strongly autobiographical - and so very readable. A perfect complement for anyone who loves her novels. But apparently also a great introduction to a new author whom I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to approach. The hesitation - might be due to the hype - since, as any contrarian knows only too well, many good
...more

I didn’t realize when I first picked up this book that it’s a collection of essays; I thought instead that it was a memoir. But I didn’t mind — I like both genres. And, as it turns out, the essays are mostly autobiographical, so I learned a lot about Patchett’s life by reading them. Patchett is a good writer, and I liked all of the essays, some more than others, of course. The most memorable one for me wasn’t the title essay, although that was very good, but “The Bookstore Strikes Back,” about o
...more
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Play Book Tag: Review - This Is the Story of Happy Marriage - 5 stars | 3 | 13 | Jan 11, 2021 06:55PM | |
Play Book Tag: This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage - Ann Patchett, 4 Stars | 3 | 24 | Jul 26, 2016 06:03AM | |
2017 Reading Chal...: This is the Story of a Happy Marriage, by Ann Patchett | 1 | 19 | May 25, 2015 02:42PM | |
Schlafly Global B...: Ann Patchett | 2 | 13 | Dec 11, 2014 10:33AM | |
Schlafly Global B...: December 2014 Book Choice | 1 | 13 | Aug 23, 2014 02:31PM |
Patchett was born in Los Angeles, California. Her mother is the novelist Jeanne Ray.
She moved to Nashville, Tennessee when she was six, where she continues to live. Patchett said she loves her home in Nashville with her doctor husband and dog. If asked if she could go any place, that place would always be home. "Home is ...the stable window that opens out into the imagination."
Patchett attended hi ...more
She moved to Nashville, Tennessee when she was six, where she continues to live. Patchett said she loves her home in Nashville with her doctor husband and dog. If asked if she could go any place, that place would always be home. "Home is ...the stable window that opens out into the imagination."
Patchett attended hi ...more
Articles featuring this book
The word “essays” may bring up memories of tedious composition classes, but today’s collections are anything but dull. Whether it’s...
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“People seem able to love their dogs with an unabashed acceptance that they rarely demonstrate with family or friends. The dogs do not disappoint them, or if they do, the owners manage to forget about it quickly. I want to learn to love people like this, the way I love my dog, with pride and enthusiasm and a complete amnesia for faults. In short, to love others the way my dog loves me.”
—
60 likes
“Sometimes love does not have the most honorable beginnings, and the endings, the endings will break you in half. It’s everything in between we live for.”
—
50 likes
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