Few subjects (with the possible exception of sex) must have generated so many books and advice and they keep coming. Although I have to confess to reading little on marriage, of all the books I have read this is quite the best. Its provenance is the Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) stable in London, home and pioneer of the Alpha Course: indeed Nicky Lee, who co-authors the book with his wife Sila, used to run Alpha at HTB.
The Lees have now been running The Marriage Course at HTB for the last four years and already many couples have found their marriages enriched by it. The Marriage Book is the book which underpins the course, a seven week programme during which couples are guided through key topics such as the art of communication, resolving conflict, the power of forgiveness and good sex. Neither the book nor the course is preachy and there is no attempt to evangelise: however, it would take a very distant couple not to realise the Christian underpinnings. For instance, the subject and practice of praying together is given important treatment.
A major theme is communication and time together. How much do married couples need to hear that, with all today's distractions and pressures. Nicky Gumbel concludes in his forward to the book: "While reading this book, you may feel that the Lees' marriage is 'too good to be true', but having observed it for over twenty-four years, let me assure you that it is entirely true and that it inspires us to aim for the very best." At a time when marriage is under such attack, this book is timely and deserves to be on many bookshelves and pillows!
