Radio comics Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey have returned to the publishing world with their newest release. Rick & Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage is a quick, easy to read collection of topics relevant to most couples. The forty-five chapters read like short humor pieces or columns. In this collection, the authors address such topics as: finding a mate, conflict, shopping, money and debt, respect, pregnancy, and grief and tragedy. They do this with the humor and style they have become known for. This is a pretty funny book.
That being said, the use of the word “guide” in the title should not be taken literally. While the book is funny, the advice is often not quite grounded in reality nor centered in the Word of God. It plays into the cultural stereotype that all wives blame their husbands for everything, thus belittling and devaluing the role and position of the husband as the head of the wife. While the Bible clearly teaches this position, Rick and Bubba do precious little to correct and teach their readers. There are other examples, but this is one of the most glaring.
If you want a decent laugh, I can recommend this book. If you are looking for guidance and advice for your marriage relationship, I think you should look elsewhere.
More information about Rick & Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage can be found at Thomas Nelson’s product page. I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program.
