Why Did I Marry You Anyway? Overcoming the Myths That Hinder a Happy Marriage

Barbara Bartlein
Cumberland House Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9781581826326
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (12/07) 


My usual reaction to this kind of self-help book is somewhere along the lines of, “And exactly what does he/she thinks he/she knows about MY marriage?” More often than not, I either find them all too preachy or too simplistic to help me solve any particular problems I might have encountered in my personal life, so they end up in a book swap meeting or a book swap site. Ms. Bartlein’s “Why Did I Marry You Anyway?” seemed to be different from the very start and after I read it, I immediately found a permanent place for it in my collection.

My attention was first caught by title – “Why Did I Marry You Anyway?”  By the time I read the subtitle, “Overcoming the Myths That Hinder a Happy Marriage,” I was definitely intrigued. If you are married and if you are totally honest with yourself, I bet there were times in your life when you asked yourself the exact same question. There are moments when we are not so sure that we made the right decision or simply moments when we look at our beloved partner and have to wonder where in the world – or even the outer realm - did this particular behavior came from and what did the person in front of us do with our normally sweet husband and wife.

Ms. Bartlein cleverly touches on most common problem areas in a marriage; such as money, sex, children, annoying personal habits, in-laws, lack of shared interests and more. Offering tools for recognition of issues as well as the resolution of them, each chapter includes real-life examples, absolutely hilarious quotes and thought-provoking myths that could potentially harm your relationship. Unlike most other books, the examples and patterns listed by Ms. Bartlein definitely made me pay attention and I had to admit that – oh wonder of wonders! – I was not perfect and that I was actually guilty of several quite distinct behavioral patterns. Which ones? Well, I am definitely a stamp collector – but if you want to find out what that means in terms of marriage, you’ll have to get the book and read it for yourself. It is most probably NOT what you are imagining right now…

I found Barbara Bartlein’s “Why Did I Marry You Anyway?” a very informative and down-to-Earth guide to improving a marriage; and as such I would highly recommend it to anybody who sincerely desires a happy relationship with their spouse. Just leave it on the table and see how quickly he – or she – will react to the title… Joking aside, this is truly a keeper; and a book that might well improve other aspects of your life besides your marriage.

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