A Beautiful, Terrible Thing

A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal

By: Jen Waite

Narrated by: Jen Waite

Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

A woman discovers her marriage is built on an illusion in this harrowing and ultimately inspiring memoir.

“Be forewarned: You won’t sleep until you finish the last page.” (Caroline Leavitt, author of Cruel Beautiful World)

One night. One email. Two realities.

Before: Jen Waite has met the partner of her dreams. A handsome, loving man who becomes part of her family, evolving into her husband, her best friend, and the father of her infant daughter.

After: A disturbing email sparks suspicion, leading to an investigation of who this man really is and what was really happening in their marriage.

In alternating Before and After chapters, Waite obsessively analyzes her relationship, trying to find a single moment form the past five years that isn't part of the long con of lies and manipulation. Instead, she finds more lies, infidelity, and betrayal than she could have imagined.

With the pacing and twists of a psychological thriller, A Beautiful, Terrible Thing looks at how a fairy tale can become a nightmare and what happens when “it could never happen to me” actually does.

©2017 Jen Waite (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Waite has a knack for showing the ways that cognitive dissonance can chart pathways in the mind that cause emotional confusion to obscure rational thought.” (Meghan Daum, New York Times Book Review)

“[Waite's] memoir is a great source of strength.” (Hello Giggles)

“Heartbreaking and riveting.” (Bustle)

"Like Big Little Lies, A Beautiful Terrible Thing is a startling reminder that fairy tales aren't real. A master class in suspenseful storytelling, Jen Waite recounts the lies, betrayals, and infidelity she endured with unrestrained honesty and deft candor. I couldn't turn away." (Jillian Lauren, New York Times best-selling author of Some Girls: My Life in a Harem and Everything You Ever Wanted)

Interesting memoir - reads like a psych thriller

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I did find the listening to be time well-spent. I had heard about this book on a podcast, and I was very interested in the story. I found myself looking forward to my commutes to listen to more and unravel the events of the past that lead up to the present.

What other book might you compare A Beautiful, Terrible Thing to and why?

This book reminds me of true crime books where you read that the couple seemed so wonderful and happy together, and then something terrible happens. Jen is lucky that she was able to get out when she did for the safety of herself and her daughter, as her husband was very unstable.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jen Waite’s performances?

As a narrator, Jen wasn't great, though I think it was more impactful to hear the story told in her own voice. I wouldn't want to listen to her as a narrator for others, but for this book it made sense and I was able to put aside some of her timing and pacing issues and enjoy the book.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I wouldn't go see in the the theater since I don't love depressing movies. But I would watch it at home - it would make an interesting movie.

Any additional comments?

The podcast that I heard about this book on had framed it as a woman married to a psychopath. So though the whole book I kept thinking 'I'm not sure if he's a psychopath?' and that kind of influenced how I was thinking about the book. I also found that the author tended to downplay her obvious privilege - she leaned on her parents to support her and her daughter (literally) and there were times when she would describe something that I thought was kind of ridiculous for an adult. But overall it was an interesting book and made my commute more entertaining.

Could.not.stop.listening!

An amazingly powerful book I couldn’t stop listening too. The story is heart breaking but also vindicating. Well written. Highly recommend.

Wow

Impossible to put down. The author/narrator does such an excellent job of using her voice to convey the emotions going on and personality changes as story goes back and forth. Loved this book!

An incredible story.

I went through a similar situation and wish I had a book like this one to help with the recovery. Even men have experienced this. I loved the before and after switching.

Captivating at first, lost interest in the middle

Intriguing at first, but really struggled through the end. Found the main character too weak.

It's okay....

The book is okay. I would listen to it to fall asleep. It's actually perfect for falling asleep to.

Somewhat Entertaining

The story was somewhat interesting. It did, however, become a lot less so when the author diagnoses the ex-husband as a sociopath. I definitely could have done without this section, as it made the author seem sophomoric. Excuse me? You're surprised that a gorgeous bartender from a latino culture was unfaithful? Regardless of the fact that the author came across as very unsophisticated and somewhat entitled, the book was entertaining.

one woman's experience being married to a sociopat

I think the author could have discussed the idea of codependency a bit more as she found herself lost in her relationship, and how shattered she was by the loss of it. I think many people experience the loss of marriage without experiencing those symptoms which I would deem extreme and part of a codependent cycle. I dunno, of course I felt for the author but I also felt a bit "cmon honey gather yourself here" because of how poorly she took the breakup.

Relatable story for so man6

Such a beautifully written story of so much tragedy that can happen to any one of us. Have happened to many of us, And so hard to identify when it's happening. I felt so much compassion for Jen. I was able to finally understand what I felt with my ex husband. I felt like I was going insane with his lies and doubting myself until I couldn't stand it any longer. This story finally answered so many questions that I had buried so long ago. No doubt we all come out so much stronger in the long run.

performers vocal fry makes the book unlistenable

Struggled to finish.


That voice...awful.

Will not buy another by this performer.
The vocal fry is just hard to listen too.