Reviews

The Wife, by Meg Wolitzer

cnicoles6's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Really enjoyed this once I got into it. The beginning moves pretty slow, but I was thrilled to know I guessed the twist. Then it twisted again. I'll keep an eye out for more from this author

akiii's review

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

vibravo's review

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jasminezara's review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Some of the writing is really poignant, it was just a little slow paced to me. Interesting read though

piper_sh's review

4.0

3,5 stars

mona's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

3thingsaboutthisbook's review against another edition

4.0

📕God! Annoying Joe managed to die than letting Joan said the last word. He managed to die than facing the truth that he has no talent whatsoever and milked his wife’s talent as if it’s his own. Should I be okay with it just because he dedicates awards/ books to Joan? Hell no. Those were hers to begin with
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📗I could see how women would do this for their children. Giving up everything - their lives, passions and dreams... But come on ladies don’t do it for ‘husbands’ who would deserve any of it and demand more. I see how it can be more of a way to go in previous generations, but women these days should say enough before they wear themselves out
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📘Glenn Close’s Golden Globe speech - that’s all this book should lead you!

anderson65's review

2.0

Bitter voice of wife bemoaning unhappiness in her marriage to a professor/novelist. Unhappy story with attempts at black humor that are too stinging to be funny. Identify the reproachful wife with the jacket photo of the author even though the story's description of the wife doesn't fit. Do I want to read another title by this author? Should I give her a chance to redeem herself? Are all of her books so negative? Marital sacrifices??

In the end, husband was a weak man, a poor writer who used her voice and talent. She was a weak person in that she didn't want to try to become a writer without a man. His maleness gave her entree against unfair treatment. Her children knew. They always know.

annc98's review

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

bellaruffell's review against another edition

4.0

The Wife is a very compelling read. Joan is a college student in the 1950’s, and has a blooming talent for writing. Joe Castleman is one of her literature professors at Smith. They have an affair and end up married. Joan sees her own hopes of a writing career seep away while she cares for their two children, and nurtures Joe’s growing acclaim as an author

The story alternates between this current scene, and reflects back over various stages in their 40+ years of marriage, with Joan remembering Joe’s numerous affairs, her many sacrifices, and the bonds that remain between them. However, Joan adamantly states that she is not “a victim”, acknowledging that she realizes her own chosen role in this marriage, and the many junctures when she might have turned away, taken a different path.

This book is a fantastic insight into antiquated views on marriage and the effect this can have on women. Wolitzer is a fantastic writer who portrays her characters fantastically and really explores their growth. I found this a little slow at the beginning but I found my self very quickly invested.