Real Marriage

The Truth About Sex, Friendship, and Life Together

By: Mark Driscoll, Grace Driscoll

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert, William Dufris

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Inspirational Nonfiction, 2013

Pastor Mark Driscoll and his wife, Grace, talk about sex and marriage in down-to-earth terms, hitting issues other Christian books won't. While a wonderful wedding day is important, it's the last day of marriage that really counts. Will the last day of your marriage come prematurely through divorce? Will it be filled with regrets as you sit at the funeral of your spouse? Or, by God's grace, will the last day be a time to rejoice in the life you lived together? Pastor Mark Driscoll and his wife, Grace, want you to finish well on the last day. They share private and painful issues that damaged their own marriage - including his introduction to pornography in elementary school and her abuse as a teenager at the hands of a boyfriend - and how they overcame them to experience healing and joy with each other again. Together they tackle the tough issues, such as:

• Should I confess my pre-marital sexual sin to my spouse?
• Is it okay to have a "work husband/wife"
• Can I say no to sex when I really do have a headache?
• What does the Bible say about masturbation and oral sex?

From fun date night tips to the most tricky "can we do that?" sex questions, Mark and Grace share practical help and hope with people just like them - who entered marriage a complete mess - or who are planning to be married someday and want to avoid some sticky pitfalls.

©2012 eChristian, Inc. (P)2012 eChristian, Inc.

Such a Guide

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would encourage any married couple more so Christian couples to listen because the mistakes/shortfalls discussed were and still is being made today and this is a good guide to not make the same mistakes

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like both parties, however I prefer Grace since I could identify with some of what she's been through as a Christian Wife and mother

What about Tavia Gilbert and William Dufris ’s performance did you like?

I would have enjoyed the book much more if all the female parts were narrated by Tavia. It caused a bit of confusion while listening some of the time.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Real Marriage?

Communication is at the heart of any sccessfull union.Be it spiritual or physical

Excelent Book if you can get past reader's voice

Very helpful to our marriage. Helps you open up with your spouse on tough topics that you don't want to hurt feelings on. Just wish the reader didn't sound like such a joke. Made funny inflections with his voice that kinda had my husband and I rolling our eyes. But still worth the credit.

Great for any marriage

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely, and I have recommended it. It covers a vast array of the aspects of married life. I think this book along with Love and Respect cover most of the areas that couples struggle in.

What other book might you compare Real Marriage to and why?

Love and Respect, because it is also based on biblical marriage.

Which character – as performed by Tavia Gilbert and William Dufris – was your favorite?

They were both good.

What did you learn from Real Marriage that you would use in your daily life?

Oh my gosh, I learned so much. I've used what I've learned to talk to other people and to help them in their marriage struggles.

Excellent advice for couples

What made the experience of listening to Real Marriage the most enjoyable?

This book is real, the advice is real and it stimulates openness and conversation.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not applicable, it is a reference book

Which scene was your favorite?

Not applicable, it is a reference book

What did you learn from Real Marriage that you would use in your daily life?

To listen and try to understand where the other person is coming from. To deal with past hurts and not to ignore them

Married couples need more like this

Im a fan of the Driscolls and have to say that this one was done well. My wife and I picked this up to see if it could improve out marriage, and the material provided is great. I can see this helping great relationships (and the almost divorced) to have a better relationship. Check it out!

Needed more female perspective

The husband covered great topics, have great advice, and openly discussed normal marital issues but I wanted to hear more from the wife. The husband dominated the book and I'd say 70% of the input came from him and 30% from his wife.

Straightforward, honest talk to husbands & wives!

Would you consider the audio edition of Real Marriage to be better than the print version?

Because I like to listen to books in the car and when I work out.

What did you like best about this story?

Very honest talk to husbands and wives about God's design for marriage.

What does Tavia Gilbert and William Dufris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voice of the husband and wife to really engage in what is being said.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think and want to improve.

Any additional comments?

Good, engaging listen!

A great marriage book!

This book was full of great marriage advice, good reminders, and great questions for creating or building a stronger marriage relationship. I highly recommend it. I have read and listened to many books on marriage. This referenced a couple that I have read before, but definitely good points to make and good reminders. I appreciate that he went into sex topics more deeply and referenced Song of Solomon in depth. Many of his points were backed by science or statistics that were current in 2012. Many of the statistics have only gotten worse since, but it was still staggering even then.

Overall, a great listen and practical book.

Where does Real Marriage rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the better and more important titles.

What did you like best about this story?

This book had practical application and use for my marriage. The aspect of what friendship should look like in marriage, and the importance of being friends is the best point of the book.

What about Tavia Gilbert and William Dufris ’s performance did you like?

It was excellent to hear both read, almost like a back and forth. The narration was excellent.

With God all things are possible.

Where does Real Marriage rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Highly recommended.

Great book for couples who truly want to build a strong marriage. It is not enough to be a Christian and assume that your life and marriage are going to be flawless. Mark and Grace share their personal trials of the problems they encountered and how God brought them through it into a stronger marriage.

Autumn