A review by bellaruffell
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
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.
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.