The Oxford Book of Marriage

by Helge Rubinstein

Book Overview

For richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, virtually everyone at one time in his or her life utters the fateful words: "I do." Many of us live to regret these words, but as Charles Darwin noted in his journal: "There's many a happy slave." Now, in The Oxford Book of Marriage, Helge Rubinstein takes us "happy slaves" on a truly special tour--both richly intimate and at times wildly amusing--of the many faces of married life. It's all here:...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192141503
• ISBN13: 9780192141507
• Release Date: June 1990
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A fine anthology but missing a crucial dimension

This is a fine anthology of literary selections on various aspects of marriage. It is primarily positive about marriage but is not shy about presenting a whole host of complaints about it. Two of the interesting selections in the beginning are Darwin's and Kafka's in which they make a list of pros and cons in regard to it. There are wise words about various aspects of married life, including those which distinguish between youthful passionate marriages and the often more gentle companionships of old age. The selection of writers is wide, with a great emphasis on the British though there are generous citations from the master writer on the subject( who did less well in real life) Tolstoy. Quarreling and disagreement in marriage gets a chapter, as does divorce. The chapter on children and their effect on a Marriage has many insights, but is perhaps shorter than it should be. One element I found missing in the Anthology relates to the sanctity of marriage, of how Marriage ideally brings people to a higher spiritual level. There are few citations from religious sources, though one beautiful one from the Song of Songs. In the Jewish Tradition Marriage is considered an essential life- step, and there is a sense that the person has not fully lived without being married. This is a truly enjoyable anthology which I reread with great pleasure.

Oxford Book of Marriage Review

Anyone who enjoyes contemplating the joys and absurdities of married life would enjoy this book. It also makes an ideal wedding present for any couple that is somewhat intellectually inclined. It is a well-organized compilation of excerpts from literature through the ages, ancient to modern, all relating to the topic of marriage - from the comical to the sublime. Highly recommended.