The writing is good but the story is unfortunately unbelievable. The main theme of the book rests on her trusting her husband 100% and then feeling that she’s about to lose everything financially when he asks for a divorce. Really!!!Who would believe this claim given her wealth that she constantly refers to throughout the book. The family purchased two homes, one in NY and a vacation home on Martha’s Vineyard. These properties were purchased using funds from her trusts but she agreed to put the title of the homes under both names, her name and Jame’s, her husband, despite the fact that they had a prenup agreement that all assets gained during the marriage will be separate unless they agree to put both their names on it. The story then reads as if she is now forced (after he files for divorce) to sell both properties and divide the money equally because James is claiming that he wants his share and that Belle and the kids are about to lose everything financially. Without explanation James agrees to give her the homes after fighting for some time.It is clear to me that many issues came up during the divorce settlement conferences that made James let go of his property entitlements, like having to pay her lifetime spousal support (a right after being in a long term marriage of 10 years or longer). For someone who was making millions in salary each year, according to the book, spousal support, ordered by the court, could have been more than a million annually. She also had legal entitlement to his 401k earnings that were likely in tens of millions. Just like her agreeing to put his name on the deeds requiring both signatures, she, too, needed to officially opt out of his 401k earnings, which I doubt she did. James is obviously not a caring and compassionate person so he likely agreed to give away his rights to the properties if she waived lifetime spousal support and/or her rights to an equal share of his 401k earnings earned during the marriage. Not to mention that he was likely ordered by the court to pay child support for 100% timeshare to her, which given his earned income, must have been substantial. Unlike spousal support, child support can’t be waived.As for the children, it seems as if they spent most of their waking hours in boarding schools. During summertime and vacation times they had a lot of help (nannies) caring for the children. Thus, the burden of caring for the children is not what an average single woman experiences while going through a difficult divorce.I had a hard time relating to this story because it is the story of a highly privileged woman getting a divorce that likely applies to 0.1 % of the population. I felt her emotional pain was real and heartbreaking but did not believe at all that she was under financial stress as she claims. It would have been more heartfelt if she had described her emotional stress as the main theme of the book but I assume she needed a more dramatic storyline of “standing to lose everything financially” to get published.I finished the book wondering what was in the divorce settlement agreement to make the self-absorbed husband to forgo his property claims and also agree to having her publish her article in NY Times and later this book. I could be wrong but I believe the husband likely stood to lose a lot more financially if he did not agree to her terms (demands) in the final settlement agreement. Equally, it was important for her to publish her writing so she, too, did not press on getting more money from him (that she could have) in order to move on and start a writing career. A win-win situation for both parties, getting what they wanted out of the settlement.A divorce story of a rich couple, not truthfully disclosed by both parties, pretty much sums up my impression of this book. I hope the children are doing well and are not affected much by the publicity brought into their lives as both parents seem to be driven by their own desires instead of focusing on what is in the best interest of their children.I recall Opera promoting a memoir by James Frey: A Million Little Pieces. Based on her praise, I read the book and loved it. The book came out in 2003 and was exposed to be entirely fabricated in 2006. Nevertheless, James Frey told a compelling story but learning that it was a lie was disappointing to all who read the book and believed his story. Not sure if Strangers will resonate with the readers if the author never stood a chance to lose everything financially. The only thing she lost was a cheating husband who became an almost absent father after he filed for divorce and even tried to unsuccessfully walk away with most of family’s wealth. However, he quickly realized he was married to a VERY smart woman and gave up his ridiculous claims.
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