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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
From page one, the voice in How To Be a Good Wife draws you in. Told from Marta's point of view, this enthralling phycological thriller has you guessing at the truth, the turns of the story changing what you think is the 'real truth' as the chapters fly by. Commonly readers complain about the endings to such books, but Emma Chapman brilliantly tied up the story without dragging out the last chapters. Pleasantly surprised, I recommend this new writer as one to follow!
Bin nicht reingekommen, irgendwie ist die Protagonistin zu doof.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Marta has always been a good wife. That is what her husband and every one she meets says to her. Lately Marta has been experiencing visions. Visions of events that Marta has no memory of. She is wondering if they are real. She decides to stop taking the medication that her husband is giving her. This is when Marta’s life changes forever.
This is one of those books that will leave you on a love/hate relationship with it. It will mess with your mind and maybe leaving you wanting more. I did have a love/hate relationship with this book. The reason is because while I liked the mind tricks this book played on me, especially when it came to who Marta really is. In addition to whether what was happening to her was real or just “a reality that her husband wanted her to believe.”
Ms. Chapman has done a good job with making me dislike Marta’s husband and family. They all seemed so clinical and cold. Thus I could not figure out why Marta stayed. I mean I understand staying because it is all Marta knows but her husband seems to want to keep Marta drugged up like “Valley of the Dolls.” How to be a Good Wife is a decent first book from new author, Emma Chapman.
This is one of those books that will leave you on a love/hate relationship with it. It will mess with your mind and maybe leaving you wanting more. I did have a love/hate relationship with this book. The reason is because while I liked the mind tricks this book played on me, especially when it came to who Marta really is. In addition to whether what was happening to her was real or just “a reality that her husband wanted her to believe.”
Ms. Chapman has done a good job with making me dislike Marta’s husband and family. They all seemed so clinical and cold. Thus I could not figure out why Marta stayed. I mean I understand staying because it is all Marta knows but her husband seems to want to keep Marta drugged up like “Valley of the Dolls.” How to be a Good Wife is a decent first book from new author, Emma Chapman.
Gripping, psychological mystery-adjacent novel. Not sure every bit of it hung together, and there were a few "why are you doing that!" moments, but, still, well constructed.
DNF at chapter 5. I'm sure it's a slow build that leads to something pretty cool but the writing is just too dry for me right now. I only have it in me for page turners, not push myself through-ers.
I almost added this to my "discontinued" list of books, as well, I couldn't relate to the main character and it felt slow going. As someone who has not been through middle age, or empty nest syndrome, or house wifery activities... I couldn't relate to the stalemate of Marta's life. However, the novel got more interesting as she started seeing a young woman in various states of emaciation all around her house. As things continued, it was easy to pick up that the girl she was seeing was an early version of herself.
Add to this a really creepy discovery of her life before her marriage and the story gets real interesting real fast (about midway through the book). However, it also gets more frustrating as the escape she needs and the way you can envision it to obviously take place never happens. It's so easy to read and think, "girl, just get yourself to a police station or the internet or something, as obviously what you're doing isn't going to work in your favor."
As far as the subject of this book goes, "Room" by Emmna Donaghue was much better. The worth of this novel does come in the form of Marta going through empty nest syndrome and trying to sort through her thoughts, feelings and memories.
Add to this a really creepy discovery of her life before her marriage and the story gets real interesting real fast (about midway through the book). However, it also gets more frustrating as the escape she needs and the way you can envision it to obviously take place never happens. It's so easy to read and think, "girl, just get yourself to a police station or the internet or something, as obviously what you're doing isn't going to work in your favor."
As far as the subject of this book goes, "Room" by Emmna Donaghue was much better. The worth of this novel does come in the form of Marta going through empty nest syndrome and trying to sort through her thoughts, feelings and memories.
A really nice, creepy mystery that I barely put down after I started. The writer did a great job with the setting and atmosphere and I felt extremely anxious, scared and frustrated along with Marta. Especially when nobody would listen to her near the end.
The only reason it doesn't have 5 stars is that I could see the vague non answer ending coming from miles away. I get that it's interesting and creates discussion but I feel like an ending that actually gave at least somewhat of an answer would have been more satisfying.
The only reason it doesn't have 5 stars is that I could see the vague non answer ending coming from miles away. I get that it's interesting and creates discussion but I feel like an ending that actually gave at least somewhat of an answer would have been more satisfying.