What’s Missing From Belle Burden’s “Strangers”

Recommended by Maura

I haven’t pinpointed why I’m so invested in Burden’s story, but the book and this article have my full attention.

is it the extreme wealth (and seeming ignorance to it)? Glimpse into these social circles? Their marriage dynamic and the drama of its end? The “what if it happened to me” element?

And now with this journalism, am I tugged back in because I’m not so sympathetic anymore? Or curious about Burden’s motivation to author this in the first place?

A lot to still unpack.

Discussion Topics Starter Pack

4 months ago

Comments

even*cleveland

@evenclevelandMay 29, 2026

A great piece of journalism that def. complicates the story.

Maura

@maurafranaMay 29, 2026

Dare we say turns it on its head?

even*cleveland

@evenclevelandMay 29, 2026

Ha, yes! This is a book I was (and am) not interested in reading myself (not really a memoir person; I find it the most suspect genre), but the chatter around it has been fascinating to observe + I have been waiting for someone to dig in deeper, because the story as synopsized is such a fairy tale——it seemed obvious that there was more there not being told. So it was v. gratifying to read Jessica Winter's piece revealing a much fuller picture.

Maura

@maurafranaMay 30, 2026

Oh, interesting! I hadn’t thought of it as a fairy tale waiting to be unraveled. I could see that. Winter’s additions to the scope definitely changed my perspective on what had seemed a dire situation — which in reality seems couldn’t be further from the truth. I find myself wondering if it’s all relative to them — access to wealth that is — or if this had more to do with authorship goals.

Across Rec League

Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage

Abby Moore

“Currently reading and can’t put it down”

Lily

“R.S.V.P. to the April 28th book club with Belle Burden and Thessaly La Force at Nine Orchard to ask BB every burning question abt her divorce memoir Strangers. Hosted at Nine Orchard, naturally!”