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lazer57'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
Compelling, but a bit predictable
marieintheraw's review
3.0
Not a book for everyone as the writer's voice is unique; it took sometime to get into the writing making the beginning of this feel sluggish. The big reveal was obvious very early on, but I did enjoy the build up to it as you could tell where it was headed.
laurenslutsky's review
3.0
Would give 3.5 stars. Enjoyed reading this book - not that much actually happens, but like the female perspective in it.
shockman's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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
3.25
melashton's review
reflective
medium-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
4.0
jlaier's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
cristelle_snyman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
carolrinke's review
3.0
I started out loving this, found it to be very page turning and readable, then near the end I felt let down. It just didn't feel satisfying to get to the long hinted at secret and right after the reveal everything is tied up in a big, convenient bow.
This book begins with Joan Castleman deciding to leave her husband Joe onboard a flight headed to Helsinki where Joe will be honored with a major literary prize. Joan has spent her life subjugating her own literary talents to help prop up Joe’s career as a novelist, and now at 64, hurtling to Finland, she’s tired of it.
Wollitzer had some terrific descriptions and language. It was a pleasure to read her writing, but parts of the plot just fell flat for me. I would probably go 3.5 stars for THE WIFE, but a 4, not so much for me.
This book begins with Joan Castleman deciding to leave her husband Joe onboard a flight headed to Helsinki where Joe will be honored with a major literary prize. Joan has spent her life subjugating her own literary talents to help prop up Joe’s career as a novelist, and now at 64, hurtling to Finland, she’s tired of it.
Wollitzer had some terrific descriptions and language. It was a pleasure to read her writing, but parts of the plot just fell flat for me. I would probably go 3.5 stars for THE WIFE, but a 4, not so much for me.
pbraue13's review
4.0
In Meg Wolitzer's "The Wife," brevity becomes the soul of brilliance. This compact yet profoundly resonant novel proves that great things truly do come in small packages. At just a few hundred pages, "The Wife" manages to pack an emotional wallop that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's heart and mind.
Wolitzer's prose is as elegant as it is economical, each word carefully chosen to convey maximum impact. From the very first page, she draws the reader into the world of Joan and Joe Castleman with a quiet intensity that is both mesmerizing and unsettling. As the layers of their marriage are slowly peeled away, revealing the hidden truths and unspoken desires that lie beneath, the narrative gathers momentum like a quiet storm on the horizon.
What is most striking about "The Wife" is its ability to deftly navigate the complexities of human relationships with a subtlety and nuance that is nothing short of breathtaking. Through the lens of Joan's perspective, Wolitzer explores the intricate dance of power, privilege, and sacrifice that defines the dynamic between husband and wife, artist and muse.
But perhaps what is most remarkable about "The Wife" is its sheer emotional potency. Despite its slim size, the novel packs a punch that reverberates long after the final page has been turned. Wolitzer's characters are so vividly drawn, so achingly real, that it is impossible not to feel their joys and sorrows as if they were your own.
In the end, "The Wife" is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling – a reminder that sometimes, it is not the length of the tale that matters, but the depth of its impact. With its exquisite prose, richly drawn characters, and thought-provoking themes, "The Wife" is a literary gem that shines brightly in the firmament of contemporary fiction. It is a novel that lingers in the mind, haunting and illuminating in equal measure, long after the final page has been turned.
4.5/5 stars
Wolitzer's prose is as elegant as it is economical, each word carefully chosen to convey maximum impact. From the very first page, she draws the reader into the world of Joan and Joe Castleman with a quiet intensity that is both mesmerizing and unsettling. As the layers of their marriage are slowly peeled away, revealing the hidden truths and unspoken desires that lie beneath, the narrative gathers momentum like a quiet storm on the horizon.
What is most striking about "The Wife" is its ability to deftly navigate the complexities of human relationships with a subtlety and nuance that is nothing short of breathtaking. Through the lens of Joan's perspective, Wolitzer explores the intricate dance of power, privilege, and sacrifice that defines the dynamic between husband and wife, artist and muse.
But perhaps what is most remarkable about "The Wife" is its sheer emotional potency. Despite its slim size, the novel packs a punch that reverberates long after the final page has been turned. Wolitzer's characters are so vividly drawn, so achingly real, that it is impossible not to feel their joys and sorrows as if they were your own.
In the end, "The Wife" is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling – a reminder that sometimes, it is not the length of the tale that matters, but the depth of its impact. With its exquisite prose, richly drawn characters, and thought-provoking themes, "The Wife" is a literary gem that shines brightly in the firmament of contemporary fiction. It is a novel that lingers in the mind, haunting and illuminating in equal measure, long after the final page has been turned.
4.5/5 stars