A review by jlrmac
Private Life by Jane Smiley

2.0

It started slowly but I kept expecting it to get better. It never redeemed itself for me. Interesting time frame from late 1880's through WWII. The formal tone used by the reader was fitting for the time, but it sure made Andrew to be on the autistic/aspergers syndrome spectrum. He was very observant, detail-oriented, logical, cold, self-absorbed, righteous. Margaret let herself be talked into marrying Andrew being the dutiful wife. (She did have a materially comfortable life, however.) It was an interesting twist to keep wondering if Andrew was fully delusional or if he actually perceived truths. But I really didn't care and only finished this story because it was Jane Smiley, and surely it had to have more meaning for me. It didn't. The hanging she witnessed at age 5 didn't resonate for me or wrap up the story.