How to Marry a Divorced Man

It may sometimes read like a parody, but this book is serious about its title--and its subtitle could be""By Any Means Necessary."" Once Fram had hit her mid-30s as a""senior executive at a media company"" and purchased a Manhattan apartment,""it was time for me to find a husband. I approached this mission...with a clear goal, strategy, and a lot of passion."" She picks her quarry (""given the paltry selection of marriage material out there, Divorced Men seemed to be the only option"") and speedily nails a fine specimen (but""his psychoconstipation from his earlier marriage rudely invaded our present, and future, together""). The rest of the book (that was just the first chapter) is designed to help potential brides of divorced men manage the emotional, financial and interpersonal issues that threaten that future. There's a chapter on managing early dates (ask the""Divorced?"" question on the first, then drop it 'til the fifth), and then an investigation of his probable emotional states--complete with repeated""Reeling and Dealing"" explanations of their causes, cheerleading for""FateMate"" seconds trying to reel him in (""He's gettable"") and""Antibrooding"" techniques. A chapter on sex is frank, funny, grim and expert. Discussions about his money, his""X,"" and his children are models of realpolitik:""Love can't always conquer the most obtrusive of inherited children, so you'll need to draw your own conclusions after giving it your best shot."" Victory does not always seem assured, and Fram gives hard-won advice that is grounded in practicality. Sandbagging the kids to preserve precious closet space may not be for everyone (""Tell them foldable clothes made from synthetic materials are all the rage""), but for Fram's FateMates, the end seems to justify the means.