line_magnus's review against another edition
medium-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
1.0
On the whole, this is a decent book, but I really didn't enjoy reading it. The writing is crude for the sole purpose of being provocative, and the characters are all deeply unlikable. The narrator manages to be both misogynist and misandrist at the same time, in addition to being ableist, ageist, and fatphobic. She also makes weird generalisations about Scandinavians in general and Finland and the Finnish in particular. All of that may not be a reflection of the author's opinions, but it definitely made me hate the narrator and dislike the book as a whole.
wendoxford's review against another edition
5.0
What a great writer - descriptions that just had me squirming with delight! Really! The eponymous wife lying in bed "marinating" in her husband's smell...Thought it was just great from start to finish...Obviously going against the grain as lots of readers have hated it but I find their comments rather spurious.
sleepykrissy's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a common story, but Wolitzer delivers it with style. She has a unique ability to make her characters and narrative as vibrant and colorful as reality itself, possibly even more so. The book was a quick and easy read, but the wife will remain close to my heart and in my thoughts for a while yet.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
4.0
"Everyone needs a wife; even wives need wives. Wives tend, they hover. Their ears are twin sensitive instruments, satellites picking up the slightest scrape of dissatisfaction... We know just what to say to the men who for some reason have a great deal of trouble taking consistent care of themselves or anyone else." p 240
This is one of those books that brings issues of female identity, sexism, feminism, marriage, and regret so clearly to the forefront that it is bound to make people uncomfortable. I think that for people who find Joan's actions incomprehensible, or those who argue that things are now "so different" from the 1950s, they may want to dig a bit deeper. There were alot of bits in here that really resonated with me regarding marriage and women's roles; I think this will work well for book discussion, with the prediction that several of them will hate this, some will say it was good but they just didn't like the main character, the man will feel attacked, and a couple of people will say that they could have done with less sex.
This is one of those books that brings issues of female identity, sexism, feminism, marriage, and regret so clearly to the forefront that it is bound to make people uncomfortable. I think that for people who find Joan's actions incomprehensible, or those who argue that things are now "so different" from the 1950s, they may want to dig a bit deeper. There were alot of bits in here that really resonated with me regarding marriage and women's roles; I think this will work well for book discussion, with the prediction that several of them will hate this, some will say it was good but they just didn't like the main character, the man will feel attacked, and a couple of people will say that they could have done with less sex.
oliviahamilton's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
An enjoyable and quick read -- I listened to the audiobook (on 1.4x speed) narrated by Dawn Harvey, who did a good job except for a couple of distracting accents for minor characters.
I heard a lot about this book when the movie came out, but never got around to reading it until now. Although I vaguely (but, it turns out, correctly) remembered a plot description someone had given me ages ago, I still really enjoyed it as a character study and a review of the narrator's life in tandem with the life of her husband. Her life choices are so tied to the way she and women in general often see themselves as accessories to men. She's self-pitying but still likable, and the characters have realistic desires, patterns, and egos. Would recommend.
I heard a lot about this book when the movie came out, but never got around to reading it until now. Although I vaguely (but, it turns out, correctly) remembered a plot description someone had given me ages ago, I still really enjoyed it as a character study and a review of the narrator's life in tandem with the life of her husband. Her life choices are so tied to the way she and women in general often see themselves as accessories to men. She's self-pitying but still likable, and the characters have realistic desires, patterns, and egos. Would recommend.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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