Book to Movie (3): Sleeping With the Enemy

I'm pretty careful about what I watch, sifting out anything with the F-word or sex scenes, etc. But one weekend in college I was alone, and the movie Sleeping With The Enemy came on. The title sounded pretty risque, but I noticed Julia Roberts was in it, and since it was on TV it was edited down to a PG version. I intended to give it 5 minutes, but was hooked immediately, jaw on the floor the whole time. Now, years later, I decided to read the book:


Sara Gray fell in love with Martin Burney in what seemed like a fairy-tale romance. He was charming, knew all the right things to say, and everything seemed perfect. But on her honeymoon he hit her, and before she knew it, it had become a cycle. After each 'episode', he gives her a gift, and apologizes profusely...but she knows it'll just happen again. Carefully she plans an escape in faking her own death, knowing it's her one shot. Carefully, she changes her name, only takes jobs where she gets cash, and wears a wig. But she can't relax yet - somehow, Martin will find out. And when he does, he'll come and kill her.

After a summary like that, I'm sure you're wondering why I even read it. I have a relative who has been in a very similar relationship with an-ex husband, making it seem so very real. It was a bit much - the movie is over in an hour and half, but the book continues on for quite a bit longer than that. But Nancy Price has a way with words, and as she writes about the emotional turmoil in each of the character's minds, it's as if she's been through it all herself. While the story was incredibly stressful to read, it hit the nail on the head with all aspects of an abusive man and his constant desire to control and manipulate. If you know someone who always dates these kind of men, this may be the perfect book for them to read, and perhaps Price's complete understanding of the situation will help them leave before it's too late.
It had plenty of swearing, sexual tension, and she comments frequently on her sex life with Martin prior to his hitting her - how it was different. A very adult book, please be cautious in recommending it, particularly to women who may have been abused and are trying to heal.
While the writing was excellent, an A- for the most part, I'm going to grade the book overall as a B-.


Sleeping With The Enemy, 1991
starring Julia Roberts

The plot is nearly dead-on with the book, with only a few minor changes. I liked the movie better, hands down. While the book was well written, the movie made the plot simpler and easier, without too many details that weren't important. I also liked the ending better, it seemed slightly more hopeful in a release-your-breath-you've-been-holding way.
Graded a B.