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robi_locksley's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
One of the few cases where the movie is better. Though there are some changes made in the film that almost seem to be an inside joke with those who have read the book.
Joan's complaints about her husband and men in general, while entirely warrented and not anything I disagree with, are incredibly repetitive. Almost shallow in a strange way.
Her complaints about other women are just downright hateful. The internalized misogyny is frustrating, especially since it goes almost entirely unexamined.
There is an utterly bizarre disdain for Finland, its people, and its culture, that goes throughout the book.
The prose is largely good. It is sometimes beautiful. At other times it is very try-hard.
It wasn't a particularly enjoyable read, though it wasn't really bad either. As I said at the beginning, the film is probably the best way to experience this story
Joan's complaints about her husband and men in general, while entirely warrented and not anything I disagree with, are incredibly repetitive. Almost shallow in a strange way.
Her complaints about other women are just downright hateful. The internalized misogyny is frustrating, especially since it goes almost entirely unexamined.
There is an utterly bizarre disdain for Finland, its people, and its culture, that goes throughout the book.
The prose is largely good. It is sometimes beautiful. At other times it is very try-hard.
It wasn't a particularly enjoyable read, though it wasn't really bad either. As I said at the beginning, the film is probably the best way to experience this story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Xenophobia
cbbyles07's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Just finished “The Wife” by Meg Wolitzer. It’s a beautiful, literary journey through one woman’s life as the wife of a famous author. It’s also a feministic tale of navigating a male dominated world, in a historically slow-changing landscape toward gender equality. The writing is delicious and I highly recommend picking this one up if literary fiction is not your usual cup of tea. It may be the one to change your mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Antisemitism, Pregnancy, and War