Strangers by Belle Burden

The must-read memoir of the end of a marriage and the start of a personal revolution, based on the iconic ‘Modern Love’ essay in the New York Times and perfect for fans of Glennon Doyle.

‘A beautifully written eulogy for the loss of a relationship’ Joyce Carol Oates

How do we go on when a loved one betrays us?

On a chilly day in March of 2020, in the early days of the pandemic, Belle Burden’s husband of twenty years announced, with no prior warning, that he was leaving her. His decision shocked Belle to her core- she believed he was a happy man, a committed partner, and a devoted father to their three children. She thought he was a man who had settled into the life he had always wanted- a successful career, summers spent at their beloved home on Martha’s Vineyard, lots of tennis. Overnight, he transformed from her steady companion into a stranger.

As she pieces her life together in the wake of a loss she had never imagined coming, she finds she is much stronger than she ever expected. Exploring the transformation of a shy, quiet girl, nicknamed ‘Belle the Good’ to a powerful, brave, determined woman who has learned to use her voice to expose the patriarchal structures that have forced women to be discreet and compliant for far too long, Strangers is a must-read memoir of self-discovery.

About the Author: Belle Burden was born in New York City. She holds a BA from Harvard College and a law degree from NYU. Currently, she is a pro bono immigration lawyer specializing in juvenile cases.

15 Jan 2026
 

Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden ISBN 9781529936124