WOW. That is intense, and amazing. Not at all what I expected from the Julie and Julia author - who will star in this movie?!

beautiful and all-too-human. The best (and most honest, I think) writers about sex and relationships always sound like the most awful of people on the page. I've always thought that Roth sounded like one of the most contemptible men on the planet. but, oh my god, I love his writing. Julie Powell seems much the same to me.

What a cunt! You both go on living a shameful lie, mistaking titillation for joy. You both sound miserable and the cause is being unable to focus on anything but trying something new (and your genitals). It is people like you, who write so candidly and unapologetically about the trashing of your vows, that diminish and defile the institution of marriage. You would do well to remember that shamelessness is not a virtue, it is just a way to alienate yourself from the degree to which you have been corrupted and defiled.

DCV, Just because she is being honest should't be a slide on being kind of a bitch. Just because you can admit to something does not make it ok. Honestly, she sucks but her husband sucks almost as much, if not more, for staying. It's sad to see how little self-respect some people have. If she really wanted to be honest she would do the right thing or admit to herself something is wrong and just end it. Anyone can talk about problems but not everyone can take the action.

If people didn't do bad things sometimes and write about them, then we'd only have really boring things to read. Also: now I kinda want to date a butcher.

I never understand the folks who call people "a bitch" on the comment board. For one, I thought it was well-written and reads as 'honest.' As for her adultery, the world is complicated and every relationship lives (and falls apart) by it's own rules. I, for one, thought it was a pleasure to read.

BR. How honest can something like this really be? I understand that she is not holding back so by you getting the "full" story you can say its honest but when you really think about it, all you can pull from this is that she is honest about living a lie and is for some strange reason is OK with that fact. How can she be honest with the reader when she can't even be honest with herself. If fact, after reading this, I'm convinced she is living such a lie I can only wonder how much she is holding back on.

The point is that if she can't even be honest with herself (the essay avoids any mention of responsibility or real remorse) then it would be naive to think that this is an honest account of her relationship. The difference between writing and emoting is self-awareness and the author seems to be lacking exactly this!

Wow. Those of you who judge Julie based on this book are no better than a flock of clucking hens. Sometimes, people hold on. And they redefine their relationship. And accept the other person's flaws, no matter how distasteful they are to the Gladys Kravitz's in the crowd. I respect Julie's honesty; her ability to be fully present in her life and in her husband's....thoe of you who would have every relationship be some Stepford ideal are delusional. Why should she have remorse? More to the point, why should she share that with you judgemental harpies? Whatever amends she and her husband made to each other are THEIRS. Just like their marriage. Not a choice you would have made? Fine. But you have no call to bat about the "c" word. Miserable wretches, you are.

And to think, I just wasted $3.50 and two hours renting that stupid movie and watching it with my wife. I am disgusted I helped fill this cunt's coffers. On behalf of married men everywhere, fuck you, Julie.

Why should she have remorse? Ummm because she broke her vows and made another person miserable. Save the moral relativism for your philosophy seminar, in the real world people pass judgments as a way of enforcing and promulgating social norms. KWN is delusional if she thinks this is an honest account of a relationship. the author is so far from honest that she can't even take a hard look at the pain and discord she is sowing. Anyone willing to share their misdeeds with others should take pains to acknowledge that fact that they were misdeeds! You act as though we should all be grateful that she has the courage to share - fuck that she should be ashamed of the things she is doing. It won't be too long before we are telling people not to be judgmental when they read stories about how awesome it feels to kill or rape. KWN is civilized to the point of being unable to pass judgment on the most egregious of immoral conduct!

It comes across this way yes. But there is no indication the author is aware of that. Indeed it is because she is so blase about the whole thing that it comes across in such a scathing way. I mean reread the last few lines - she seems content with her behavior.

I don't mind being knocked for being judgmental. Have we really reached a point where someone can do something so hurtful to other people and still be the victim? This should be in NO WAY an acceptable way to act. In fact the "friend" who supports her by hearing her problems isn't much of a friend when you think about it. If I ever pulled something like this I would want a friend to say stop this what the HELL are you doing end it or fix it. Have we all really become so sensitive that we can't take a good hard shot of reality once in a while?

Again, a relationship - whether marriage, civil union or something not codified by church or state - is the business of the two people involved. And I know she chose to bring it to light, but that is what artists DO. Your sanctimonious declarations about what is right or wrong when it comes to how two people define their relationship is fine IN YOUR LIFE. But don't think you have any right to sit in judgement. Glass houses and all, y'know?

Just keep your comments about my comments to yourself ok! I am an artist and so my comments and actions are not to be criticized. If you want to criticize something you are only allowed to criticize YOUR OWN LIFE! ****Good god where do people get such juvenile views of what is fair game for being judged? She isn't even accurate, no one gave Julie's husband the choice to help define the relationship - she just went out and cheated!

If you notice, her friend gives her advice and is there for support, and occasionally calls her on her bullshit, but DOES NOT JUDGE. That's what friends do. People who do this IRL usually are (deservedly) unhappy and are not the type of friend anyone wants anyway. Sure, you have the right to say something is immoral, but I also have the right to not let someone who does that be friends with me or any of my friends, and to let them know how little they care about you and how much they care about applying some arbitrary, inflexible moral standard to whatever situation is at hand. Notice the "moral police" commentors don't offer help or advice--just judgements.

Come on dr that is bullshit! A true friend is one who will point out that you are behaving badly and going off the rails. A true friend is a friend to your marriage and other commitments and will tell you that you are putting them in jeopardy and being selfish. In short, true friends show their worth in telling us what we don't want to hear.

No one's saying a friend should condone the actions; her friend was not a sycophant...she asked if there was any way it could turn out well. Can't be much clearer than that. But what's the point of berating them? Will your judgements and pressure to conform eventually lead to them changing their ways? Doubtfully, and even if they did, they'd probably resent you. At some point after you've said what you needed to say (repeatedly at times), you've just got to be their friend. Or, you abandon them because they're not living the way you want them to. And a friend who would abandon me is no friend at all.

Can't believe they got Amy Adams to play this chick. With that butter face, I'm thinking Roseanne would have worked.

@ his - I totally agree. You hit the nail on the head. She probably felt pressured to write her second book after the wild success of the first book. And she obviously threw her heart and soul into the writing of the book, but without much distance from the emotional events. Which means it's raw and painful, but doesn't yet have perspective. I wonder what happened to her marriage?!?

i think she's a hack. not worth reading, when there is so much good stuff out there.

Awful writer. Awful human being.

Wow. That sucked.

Well, monogamy is not right for everyone. Sounds like this couple probably started off monogamous the way most couples do, because it's what you're "supposed" to do and that it's the "only real/adult/viable/acceptable" option to have a committed, healthy relationship

Only it just ain't so.

This couple stepped outside of the monogamous default. Trouble is they aren't really communicating and negotiating about it, talking about what they each want and need. They're doing, and not talking, and it sounds stressful. Maybe needlessly so.

It might be helpful for them both to learn more about polyamory, a responsible, honest, consensual alternative to monogamy. This works for many people. And if it's done honestly and with good will, it's definitely less destructive than dishonesty or avoided communication.

Good resource on polyamory: https://xeromag.com/fvpoly.html

Wow. I hope the author reads these comments and figures out just how badly she's treating her "husband." It'd be interesting to read HIS words, and see how he feels about all this. The author makes a lot of assumptions about what he thinks or is thinking... is she really so egomaniacal that she thinks she knows what's in his mind? And, I will never buy that book. I'm with the fellows here... on behalf of married men everywhere, please go away and do not darken our doors again Julie.

Where? I don't see any.

Julie Powell is another example of why they created the word "cunt."

If that word offends you more than Julie's sexcapades, you need to reorder your priorities.

I was going to say, "Jesus. Thanks, Julie Powell, for rubbing our noses in it." But instead this was a harrowing look inside someone else's little piece of beautiful misery. It was uncomfortable to read, and probably nobody involved - Eric, D, or Julie Powell - deserves this kind of literary evisceration. But probably it was uncomfortable because it was honest.