We've had this book since our pre-marital counseling classes at church. But we'd never read it. Stupid since it turned out to be a very good book with great insights.
The basic premise of the book is that each person has a "love language" or a way the they speak love to others and best receive other's love. Some people need verbal praise and affirmation of love. Some people respond best to gifts. Some people show their love by preforming acts of service for their loved one. The issue is that most couple's primary "love language" is not the same. So it is a poor use of time and energy to show love to our spouse in a way that means little to them.
It is also a great book not only for improving a couple's relationship, but for learning more efficient ways to connect and communicate love to anyone around us; children, friends, parents, co-workers, etc. I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it!
It's the story of a family, brother, sister and mother, who find themselves fallen on hard times after the death of their patriarch. They are country folk not acquainted with the big city of London or the more sinister ways of the wider world. They find their only relative, the dead father's brother, and thence begins the story.
The family is separated and taken advantage of in various situations. And while brother and sister work hard to do right and make the best of things, the stupid mother must be endured. She reminds me very much of Jane Austen's Mrs. Bennet; heart in the right place perhaps, but nevertheless ridiculous and the character that makes things harder than they need be.
There are travels, love affairs, intrigue, murder, sickness, bankruptcy, but in the end lessons learned and true friends. Take heart and plunge into this book knowing that the last 100 pages will make it worth it! Although there is much more that makes it worth it. Who doesn't love a villain by the name of Wackford Squeers or heroes by the name of the brothers Cheerable?
