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Complete Idiot's Guide to Interfaith Relationships

Laurie Rozakis has written a number Complete Idiot's books, so for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Interfaith Relationships, she's well equipped to tackle a cumbersome topic and break it down into manageable, sensible bites. Rozakis smartly divides the book into two sections: the first helps readers figure out if they would be able to take on the challenge of an interfaith relationship, and the next gives readers strategies for making that relationship successful.

Some of the book's advice is embarrassingly obvious: when meeting your future Jewish in-laws for the first time, don't flaunt your crucifix or arrange to meet on Easter Sunday. Other times the advice is thoughtful and solid: never rush into religious conversions or rigidly insist that a spouse convert. Rozakis also discusses different nuptial traditions within a variety of religions, such as Catholicism, Hinduism, Unitarianism, and Islam. This kind of preparation is priceless, especially as couples seek to understand and incorporate traditions into a blended ceremony. After the wedding section, the author launches into explanations of how different religions view marital sex--offering a rather fascinating lesson in sexual traditions, even if you're not considering an interfaith marriage. As with any Complete Idiot's book, the voice is formulaic, and one always has the feeling the author was told to dumb down the language to make it more accessible. That said, this is still an excellent resource, with well-indexed topics, allowing for easy reference at any stage of an interfaith relationship, including the possibilities of divorce or parenthood. --Gail Hudson