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Land of July: A Real Life Scandal of Sex & Social Media at a Connecticut High School
Winner of the Pen/Corvino Award for NonfictionRunner Up D. Earles Medal for First-Time Memoirists
On an ordinary January afternoon, a disturbing revelation about his wife hurls one man into a maelstrom of public humiliation and heartbreak, and eventually on a spree of run-ins with lawyers, judges, therapists, and law enforcement. Land of July tells the true story of a teacher/student sex scandal that not only shocked an entire school and small suburban community, but made national news. It’s a story filled with countless anecdotes about marriage, trust, infidelity, grief, and the desperate search for hope and family in the face of ruin. Practically ripped from the daily headlines, Land of July is as salacious as it is sobering. At its best, it’s a cautionary tale that might just inspire an awakening of morality; at its worst, it’s one man’s tumultuous journey to hell...and possibly back.
On an ordinary January afternoon, a disturbing revelation about his wife hurls one man into a maelstrom of public humiliation and heartbreak, and eventually on a spree of run-ins with lawyers, judges, therapists, and law enforcement. Land of July tells the true story of a teacher/student sex scandal that not only shocked an entire school and small suburban community, but made national news. It’s a story filled with countless anecdotes about marriage, trust, infidelity, grief, and the desperate search for hope and family in the face of ruin. Practically ripped from the daily headlines, Land of July is as salacious as it is sobering. At its best, it’s a cautionary tale that might just inspire an awakening of morality; at its worst, it’s one man’s tumultuous journey to hell...and possibly back.
- GenresNonfictionTrue Crime
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
100 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 19, 2020
We've all seen news accounts of teachers who have sex with students; well here's the story of one of them (Allison Marchese) as seen through the eyes of her husband. As you might expect, there is an amazing amount of negative energy in these pages.
Apparently we got the neutered version, as the author talks about exchanges like this: 'One agent told me he needed aspirin upon finishing the manuscript. 'Tone it down,' he told me. 'Tell your story, but lose the misery. No one wants to partake in that for a couple hundred pages.'
But then he admits, 'There's no denying that there's still a lot of venom in these pages - even after close to a dozen edits. I had zero interest in divorcing myself completely from my emotions and writing a 'just the facts' account of what occurred. Fuck that. After all, this is MY story, not hers.' And so we're left with this; a fascinating but exhausting read.
See GORGEOUS DISASTER by Owen LaFave for a less bitter account of a similar case.
Apparently we got the neutered version, as the author talks about exchanges like this: 'One agent told me he needed aspirin upon finishing the manuscript. 'Tone it down,' he told me. 'Tell your story, but lose the misery. No one wants to partake in that for a couple hundred pages.'
But then he admits, 'There's no denying that there's still a lot of venom in these pages - even after close to a dozen edits. I had zero interest in divorcing myself completely from my emotions and writing a 'just the facts' account of what occurred. Fuck that. After all, this is MY story, not hers.' And so we're left with this; a fascinating but exhausting read.
See GORGEOUS DISASTER by Owen LaFave for a less bitter account of a similar case.
April 6, 2024
I’ve never before read a memoir by someone so lacking in self-awareness. His story is interesting though.
October 21, 2020
No Excuses
There are no excuses on both sides. As a mom, I can't for the life of me excuse Allison for her behavior. On the other hand, with as angry and the actions of Mr. Matches IMMEDIATELY following him finding out I kinda see perhaps why she would do it. THIS IS NOT MEANING THAT WHAT HAPPENED IS ACCEPTABLE. But remember when he wrote a song for her right before he found out? It said that he was madly in love with her. Then, when he does discover what caused this, he instantly goes home and pins her against the wall with accusations and language to match. Where was any question, any doubt that his wife was possibly being unjustly accused? Nope, he goes home and starts screaming at her. Throughout the book, he brings up everything about her that he didnt like - the time she was on social media, the daily exercises she did, the way she dressed, ad nauseum. Maybe she was looking for attention from him, and all he did was complain. Like her wanting him to drive along side her while she ran, and he told her no. Hopefully he is over his bitterness by now. And maybe she learned a lesson the hard way.
There are no excuses on both sides. As a mom, I can't for the life of me excuse Allison for her behavior. On the other hand, with as angry and the actions of Mr. Matches IMMEDIATELY following him finding out I kinda see perhaps why she would do it. THIS IS NOT MEANING THAT WHAT HAPPENED IS ACCEPTABLE. But remember when he wrote a song for her right before he found out? It said that he was madly in love with her. Then, when he does discover what caused this, he instantly goes home and pins her against the wall with accusations and language to match. Where was any question, any doubt that his wife was possibly being unjustly accused? Nope, he goes home and starts screaming at her. Throughout the book, he brings up everything about her that he didnt like - the time she was on social media, the daily exercises she did, the way she dressed, ad nauseum. Maybe she was looking for attention from him, and all he did was complain. Like her wanting him to drive along side her while she ran, and he told her no. Hopefully he is over his bitterness by now. And maybe she learned a lesson the hard way.
February 1, 2019
What a study in personality disorder. Our family has wrangled with another type yet no less destructive. This book is raw but so is the suffering inflicted on Robert and his family. In this book Robert was angry, bitter and dumbfounded about how he got here. All of this is understandable. I read it in one night because I had to find out if he got beyond some of the angst.
Time helps, but something more profound needs to happen for anyone wronged. Forgiveness does not mean the crime is excused, but it does mean the person wronged releases the bitterness and anger because it is destroying their good parts and those they love the most. Forgiveness is not a light sentence for the perpetrator, but it does away with the life sentence for the one hurt. Living a life sentence of bitterness is just one more victory for the perpetrator. Robert, don't let her win. Letting it go opens up your future without all the baggage. We learned this when we dealt with this and it opened up great hope and new life.
Time helps, but something more profound needs to happen for anyone wronged. Forgiveness does not mean the crime is excused, but it does mean the person wronged releases the bitterness and anger because it is destroying their good parts and those they love the most. Forgiveness is not a light sentence for the perpetrator, but it does away with the life sentence for the one hurt. Living a life sentence of bitterness is just one more victory for the perpetrator. Robert, don't let her win. Letting it go opens up your future without all the baggage. We learned this when we dealt with this and it opened up great hope and new life.
May 30, 2020
This book started off so good! I was fascinated by the scandal, and witnessing the husband's reaction to it.
I mean, just how does one react to such horrific news??? Not only were you being cheated on, but your spouse was cheating with her students!? Performing oral sex on a kid under the school's roof!? Learning that your spouse is a pedophile.
Bit by bit, however, the husband became less of a sympathetic character. He admitted that his big mouth was an issue, which became obvious as it got him in more and more trouble with the police and at work.
Maybe the wife did have a point: he was kind of a jerk. And just as self-absorbed as she was, since he insisted on forcing his song-writing into each and every chapter. Ugh.
Too bad they couldn't make their marriage work, since they had so much in common.
I mean, just how does one react to such horrific news??? Not only were you being cheated on, but your spouse was cheating with her students!? Performing oral sex on a kid under the school's roof!? Learning that your spouse is a pedophile.
Bit by bit, however, the husband became less of a sympathetic character. He admitted that his big mouth was an issue, which became obvious as it got him in more and more trouble with the police and at work.
Maybe the wife did have a point: he was kind of a jerk. And just as self-absorbed as she was, since he insisted on forcing his song-writing into each and every chapter. Ugh.
Too bad they couldn't make their marriage work, since they had so much in common.
July 12, 2023
This novel was surprisingly poorly written for an English teacher, it seemed to be a plug for his unlaunched music career rather than recounting the experiences of the victims. His pent up anger and bitterness, albeit warranted and honest, provided relativity in a very raw sense. His verbose style and tendency to use overly complex language depicts a pompous nature about him. His repetitive tag lines and song lyrics were exhausting and took away from the chronicles.
February 4, 2019
Interesting story, but it felt very revenge motivated to me, which is part of my lower rating. Also, could definitely have lived without the song lyrics.
January 24, 2019
Listened to in audio format.
One January afternoon English teacher Robert Marchese was called urgently to the principals office. As the police arrived at the school, he was told his wife Allison, also a teacher at the school, had been suspended for having a relationship with a male student.
Back at home Allison admitted she had a 10 month "relationship" with a 14 year old boy. Then when that fizzled out she began another liaison with another child.
Robert tells the story of the breakdown of his marriage to Allison. When Allison realised the marriage was over she called the police after a minor row and said Robert had attacked her. He was not allowed to return to the family home and could not see his two young children. At school one of Allison friends accused Robert of bullying her.
This certainly made compelling reading. I would definitely give the story telling five stars.
However Robert is an aspiring author who already had one published book. Don't get me wrong what Allison did was wrong, and I understand his anger and humiliation. I can't help but think he saw the book as a vanity project. He also felt the need to include song lyrics he had written to explain how he was feeling at the time. At the time of writing Robert and his children still lived in the same area. humiliated as he was, I can't help but think it was disloyal to write about the mother of his children.
Although I thought the story was excellent, because of my unease I can only give the book three stars.
One January afternoon English teacher Robert Marchese was called urgently to the principals office. As the police arrived at the school, he was told his wife Allison, also a teacher at the school, had been suspended for having a relationship with a male student.
Back at home Allison admitted she had a 10 month "relationship" with a 14 year old boy. Then when that fizzled out she began another liaison with another child.
Robert tells the story of the breakdown of his marriage to Allison. When Allison realised the marriage was over she called the police after a minor row and said Robert had attacked her. He was not allowed to return to the family home and could not see his two young children. At school one of Allison friends accused Robert of bullying her.
This certainly made compelling reading. I would definitely give the story telling five stars.
However Robert is an aspiring author who already had one published book. Don't get me wrong what Allison did was wrong, and I understand his anger and humiliation. I can't help but think he saw the book as a vanity project. He also felt the need to include song lyrics he had written to explain how he was feeling at the time. At the time of writing Robert and his children still lived in the same area. humiliated as he was, I can't help but think it was disloyal to write about the mother of his children.
Although I thought the story was excellent, because of my unease I can only give the book three stars.
August 30, 2019
Nothing like "Gorgeous Disaster"
If anyone remembers Debra LaFave, the first of the blonde "bombshell" teachers to make international headlines for her affair with a fourteen year old student then you may remember the book "Gorgeous Disaster". Written by her ex husband, Owen, it's a lurid account that takes potshots at her and her family. It's a terrible book. Robert Marchese's memoir is nothing like that. Instead it's a terrifically honest account at what his wife's similar crimes cost him and his kids. I loved reading the song lyrics and letters that flesh out his account of a damaged middle-aged woman who publicly self destructs. It avoids recounting the crimes in great detail unlike "GD" and deals more with the shockwaves that begin for the author on January seventh, 2015, the opening of this compelling book. Google is filled with photos and stories about Allison Marchese and I certainly spent time combing through them and the school's website as well. Best wishes to the author and his children.
If anyone remembers Debra LaFave, the first of the blonde "bombshell" teachers to make international headlines for her affair with a fourteen year old student then you may remember the book "Gorgeous Disaster". Written by her ex husband, Owen, it's a lurid account that takes potshots at her and her family. It's a terrible book. Robert Marchese's memoir is nothing like that. Instead it's a terrifically honest account at what his wife's similar crimes cost him and his kids. I loved reading the song lyrics and letters that flesh out his account of a damaged middle-aged woman who publicly self destructs. It avoids recounting the crimes in great detail unlike "GD" and deals more with the shockwaves that begin for the author on January seventh, 2015, the opening of this compelling book. Google is filled with photos and stories about Allison Marchese and I certainly spent time combing through them and the school's website as well. Best wishes to the author and his children.
January 26, 2025
A very interesting read. I grew up on the Madison town border and heard about this story when it broke.
Marchese is a good writer, but I think his writing can be a bit self-indulgent at times. There are a couple times in the book where he writes letters to his own emotions. It came off as a bit pretentious and I thought those sections could have been revised
Overall though, I liked the book and he did a great job of telling his story. How he was able to get through this, I will never understand.
Marchese is a good writer, but I think his writing can be a bit self-indulgent at times. There are a couple times in the book where he writes letters to his own emotions. It came off as a bit pretentious and I thought those sections could have been revised
Overall though, I liked the book and he did a great job of telling his story. How he was able to get through this, I will never understand.
May 7, 2024
I read this because I'm from Madison and this happened the year after my class graduated. I read it purely for the town gossip #noshame. I didn't like Robert's addition of songs - felt very narcissistic - and the way he explained how he treated Alison before the scandal broke showed me how they both seemed so incompatible, and also shed some light on his narcissism, a quality which spilled over into his classroom. Still a good read, though, especially if you're from Madison.
August 30, 2018
Pedophiles in our schools!
This book deserved a 5 star rating. I can't imagine this happening
to my son or daughter. Robert did exceptionally well, all things considered. I believe the school handled this poorly. He never should have been arrested. Why was this woman in jail? My heart goes out to the children and father.
This book deserved a 5 star rating. I can't imagine this happening
to my son or daughter. Robert did exceptionally well, all things considered. I believe the school handled this poorly. He never should have been arrested. Why was this woman in jail? My heart goes out to the children and father.
March 19, 2020
What a difficult read ;-(
I hope writing this story was therapeutic for Mr. Marchese . This is a candid look at the impact on his family when his wife is found to be sexually inappropriate with two of her students . The story takes you on such an emotional rollercoaster ride ….I can't imagine living through this .
September 10, 2018
Poignant and Surreal
I knew nothing about this book before buying it on a whim, but it was f**king epic! Excellent work. Having been in a relationship with a Borderline in the past, I was stunned by the accuracy.
I knew nothing about this book before buying it on a whim, but it was f**king epic! Excellent work. Having been in a relationship with a Borderline in the past, I was stunned by the accuracy.
February 4, 2019
Very Hard-hitting
At the beginning I felt I was there with the writer; however, was more interested in further reading of how things progressed. I'd recommend for the author, "Science of Survival" by L Ron Hubbard to explain his wife's actions and mentality.
At the beginning I felt I was there with the writer; however, was more interested in further reading of how things progressed. I'd recommend for the author, "Science of Survival" by L Ron Hubbard to explain his wife's actions and mentality.
March 5, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. Hard to imagine being in that horrible situation. I mean for the author.. well written, great sense of humor, especially during his most difficult, unimaginable situation. Really a good read!
January 6, 2019
An absolute page Turner!
Don't know how I found this book. Some mixed review, but it piqued my interest. Once I started reading it, hard to put down.
Don't know how I found this book. Some mixed review, but it piqued my interest. Once I started reading it, hard to put down.
June 21, 2019
3.5 stars
February 25, 2020
Intriguing
Skipped a few pages of lyrics cause I couldn't wait to see where the story was headed. Over all a good read.
Skipped a few pages of lyrics cause I couldn't wait to see where the story was headed. Over all a good read.
March 21, 2020
Betrayal at it’s worst!!
Gut wrenching...absolute self-care from a narcissist. Moving on with life and letting go. True story of betrayal and renewals... Fantastic read!
Gut wrenching...absolute self-care from a narcissist. Moving on with life and letting go. True story of betrayal and renewals... Fantastic read!
January 4, 2023
Interesting story, but it felt very revenge motivated to me, which is part of my lower rating. Also, could definitely have lived without the song lyrics.
September 18, 2023
It was a memoir. Too long. I fell asleep reading.
August 20, 2025
I love being from Madison and knowing every teacher he’s talking about
July 16, 2024
“I’ve heard of running from your problems, but not dancing from them.”
A review I had seen on goodreads described the book as a fascinating but exhausting read. I couldn’t agree more.
The author’s memoir tells his story when one day he was a modern civilian happily married with children and a great teaching career to the next having that all turned upside down when he discovers his wife had been doing naughty things to 2 high school boys at the school they both teach at.
Trying to painfully read through the ‘poor me’ elements, I can understand why so many agents told Mr. Marchese to tone it down. However, once you get past that, it’s a very wild story which made me cringe, sympathise, and feel the internal rage for the author for everything some of his work colleagues, the justice system, and especially his wife had put him through.
A review I had seen on goodreads described the book as a fascinating but exhausting read. I couldn’t agree more.
The author’s memoir tells his story when one day he was a modern civilian happily married with children and a great teaching career to the next having that all turned upside down when he discovers his wife had been doing naughty things to 2 high school boys at the school they both teach at.
Trying to painfully read through the ‘poor me’ elements, I can understand why so many agents told Mr. Marchese to tone it down. However, once you get past that, it’s a very wild story which made me cringe, sympathise, and feel the internal rage for the author for everything some of his work colleagues, the justice system, and especially his wife had put him through.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews