Strangers

A Memoir of Marriage

De: Belle Burden

Narrado por: Belle Burden

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Burden’s searing, probing memoir explores . . . what she learned about intimacy and her own spirit.”—People​​

“A beautifully written instant classic. Strangers is gripping and heartbreaking and a must-read for every wife—and husband.”—Graydon Carter

“Asks us to examine life’s most perplexing questions: Can we see the invisible fault lines in a marriage or truly know the people closest to us?”—Lori Gottlieb

It was a great love story, one for the ages. The speed of our beginning and the speed of our ending felt like matching bookends. They both came out of nowhere. He wanted it, he wanted me. And then he didn’t.

In March 2020, Belle Burden was safe and secure with her family at their house on Martha’s Vineyard, navigating the early days of the pandemic together—building fires in the late afternoons, drinking whisky sours, making roast chicken. Then, with no warning or explanation, her husband of twenty years announced that he was leaving her. Overnight, her caring, steady partner became a man she hardly recognized. He exited his life with her like an actor shrugging off a costume.

In Strangers, Burden revisits her marriage, searching for clues that her husband was not who she always thought he was. As she examines her relationship through a new lens, she reckons with her own family history and the lessons she intuited about how a woman is expected to behave in the face of betrayal. Through all of it, she is transformed. The discreet, compliant woman she once was—someone nicknamed “Belle the Good”—gives way to someone braver, someone determined to use her voice.

With unflinching honesty and profound grace, Burden charts a path through heartbreak to show the power of a woman who refuses to give up on love. Strangers is a stunning, deeply moving, compulsively readable memoir heralding the arrival of a thrilling new literary talent.

Poignant perfection

Beautifully written and read, this memoir is both heartbreaking and uplifting. It is the first time I have finished an audible book within a day, and it is the first time an audiobook has made me cry- multiple times. It is multilayered, introspective, and full circle. I am so happy Belle found herself and her voice. It is a beautiful story.

Beautiful Memoir! Remarkable grace and honesty.

Belle Burden writes with remarkable grace and honesty in this memoir about her marriage and it almost instant dissolution. Her perspective is honest and balanced--she seeks to tell the truth without bitterness. The prose is elegant and deeply felt. Burden proves herself a skilled writer. A moving read that stays with you. Would give six stars if it were possible. Stay well Belle.

Author’s honesty & authenticity.

I love the public shaming. May he go straight to hell where no one will ever care or remember him

I get it…so meaningful.

Didn’t expect I would be interested. Was so enthralled. Resonated with me in term of time, place and stage. Thank you, Belle.

Fantastic book

This book was everything! Don’t think about it, just read it. You won’t regret it