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br3nda 's review for:
Well Behaved Wives
by Amy Sue Nathan
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this book. I often enjoy reading books about women and their real lives in the decade I was born. It makes me think about how it was for my mom and grandmothers at that time. These kind of stories make me grateful for what I, and both my daughters, have easier although I’m not naive to know that there is still inequalities for women in this era still.
I only rated this 3.5 stars because I felt it took too long to gain movement. It was halfway through the book when it became a story I “couldn’t put down”. I frequently skipped over the Lillian thoughts because much of it was repetitive although I understand that the author was trying to show Lillian’s self-reflection and growth and understanding. It was just a bit too stale at a point.
I was surprised by Peter and Shirley, which was probably intended, and was very pleased to see they were not who they appeared to be.
I wish that Ruth had a bit more chutzpah (she had it there but didn’t let it out enough) at the beginning and didn’t let her new husband make so many decisions for her but I realize that was part of her growth.
I enjoyed the epilogue. It was great to see where everyone was… except I don’t recall anything mentioned about Asher or Leon. And I get why there was no future info on Carrie but I still missed her life update. Maybe that is a whole other story? 🙂
I would recommend this book for others to read. It would be a great book club selection… so much to discuss! And it would be a great book for younger generations of women to see how far we’ve come but understanding how much there still is left to do.
“Lillian wished she could go back, but she could only change the future, not the past.”
I only rated this 3.5 stars because I felt it took too long to gain movement. It was halfway through the book when it became a story I “couldn’t put down”. I frequently skipped over the Lillian thoughts because much of it was repetitive although I understand that the author was trying to show Lillian’s self-reflection and growth and understanding. It was just a bit too stale at a point.
I was surprised by Peter and Shirley, which was probably intended, and was very pleased to see they were not who they appeared to be.
I wish that Ruth had a bit more chutzpah (she had it there but didn’t let it out enough) at the beginning and didn’t let her new husband make so many decisions for her but I realize that was part of her growth.
I enjoyed the epilogue. It was great to see where everyone was… except I don’t recall anything mentioned about Asher or Leon. And I get why there was no future info on Carrie but I still missed her life update. Maybe that is a whole other story? 🙂
I would recommend this book for others to read. It would be a great book club selection… so much to discuss! And it would be a great book for younger generations of women to see how far we’ve come but understanding how much there still is left to do.
“Lillian wished she could go back, but she could only change the future, not the past.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent