Review: Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus by John Gray

In case you didn't realize... this is not the "normal" reading material for me. But lately, I've been lagging on what to read. Nothing sounds or looks good. The current books I've been attempting to read have been, well, meh. Then, in case you didn't know, I'm getting hitched in September. So the books that have been of the most interest to me lately are self-help/relationship books. hence, Men/Mars, Women/Venus. I just want to make sure that my #1 and I are fully prepared before we do this marriage thing.

So here's the first of many relationship/help books:

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

by John Gray

HarperCollins

$14.99

Barnes and Noble:

Once upon a time, Martians and Venusians met, fell in love, and had happy relationships together because they respected and accepted their differences. Then they came to Earth and amnesia set in: they forgot they were from different planets.

Using this metaphor to illustrate the commonly occurring conflicts between men and women, Dr. John Gray explains how these differences can come between the sexes and prohibit mutually fulfilling, loving relationships. Based on years of successful counseling of couples and individuals, he gives advice on how to counteract these differences in communication styles, emotional needs and modes of behavior to promote a greater understanding between individual partners.

Now available in its complete, unabridged form, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus is an invaluable tool for developing deeper and more satisfying relationships.

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I had high hopes for this book. It's been referenced by all different types of people for all different types of reasons. I've heard many praises about it. Unfortunately, I found it extremely annoying.
 
It was repetitive. Like, extremely repetitive. He'd tell a story or make a point at the beginning of a chapter, and every paragraph afterwards would be saying the same thing over and over and over again. I understand that it's probably his way to really drive home the point, and open it up so that if you didn't understand it in any of the first 7 paragraphs, then you have a chance on the other 20. But I just got so annoyed, really fast. I tried to push my way through the rest of the book (by this point, I was on chapter 4). But I could only get to chapter 6... and I only read his highlighted points for chapter 5 and 6.
 
Another reason I didn't like it was because I couldn't relate to it. He explains early on that when he says men(martians)/women(Venusians), it may not refer directly to you. And that you may be more Martian than Venusian (girl), or more Venusian than Martian (guy). But most of the time, I didn't fit anywhere. And when I did, it was mostly Martian. Though, I know that I used to be Venusian before I started listening to my brain more than my crazy feelings.
 
Maybe he changed views after chapter 6 and I'm missing out, but he seemed to tell guys to change more than he told girls. I don't like that. It seemed like he was telling guys to just do what your girl says, otherwise, your life will be hell. And I don't agree... to do whatever the woman wants, and not ask her to change or compromise because that's just the way she is... is so dumb. And it vaginizes men, making them weak. And men are the ones that fight for us in wars. I'd prefer them not to be weakened by compromise.
 
So anyway, I didn't like the book. I didn't finish it. I'm returning it to the library as soon as I can to exchange it for some other relationship-help books... I don't think I really like the way that sounds, "relationship-help" books. Maybe I'll call them... "relationship-strengthening" books.. or something.
 
Ratings:



1. Cover +1
2. Hooked: +0
3. Finished the book: +0
4. Overall Feeling: ugggh +0
5. Re-readability: +0
6. Suggest to others: +0
7. Lost time: +0
8. Readability: +1

2 out of 10. Wow, I really didn't like this book! Did anyone else enjoy or get something good out of this book?