A review by margardenlady
Private Life by Jane Smiley

4.0

Margaret's story is one that circles around the ways we see ourselves as compared to the way others see us. There is, if you think about it, a fundamental difference between the two for every one of us. Margaret's self image and her husband Andrew's self image may be at opposite ends of the spectrum, but they both inform us in novel ways about the dichotomy. The story is set at the beginning of the 20th century - and reminisces about the Civil War, and engages at a distance in both WWI and WWII, My enduring question is: How do I become the person I would like to be? Will my intentions be perceived as I intend? It emphasizes the platinum rule: Do unto others as they would have you do unto them, not as you would have them do unto you.