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A review by tessa_talks_books
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
4.0
What's it about (in a nutshell):
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is a creepy psychological thriller about perception versus reality.
My thoughts:
This novel grabbed my attention on page 1, and it didn't let it go. I finished it days ago, and I am still thinking about it. There are four narrators: the groom's two adult daughters, Rachel and Tully, his young bride, Heather, and one narrator that is unnamed until the end. Each has a clear, unique voice that never once confused me as they transitioned from one to another. But, here's the rub - everything else is up to you, the reader, to decide. Here are some aspects I am still considering:
It is a story that is deceptively subtle…or is it?
It is a story told by four unreliable narrators…or is it?
It is a story about lies and deceptions…or is it?
It is a story that is a slow-burn thriller from start to finish…or is it?
It is a story where good prevailed…or is it?
Characters:
Rachel is the youngest daughter of the groom, Stephen, and Stephen's old wife, Pam. She owns a bakery and is plagued by demons that have impacted her ability to make meaningful relationships.
Tully is the oldest daughter of the groom and his old wife. She is a stay-at-home mom who has a problem. She is a kleptomaniac and has been since she was a child.
Stephen is the groom in the story. He is a successful heart surgeon in his sixties. He divorced his wife, Pamela, who has dementia, to marry a woman younger than his daughters.
Heather is the younger wife and is half Stephen's age. She's an interior decorator and feels like she has a problem with alcohol.
Pam is Stephen's old wife. She has dementia and lives at a facility that can give her specialized care.
What I Wish:
I wish I could find a discussion group for this book because there is a lot to talk about. Other than that, I wish that all females hadn't been victims and all males weren't their saviors. I would rather have seen a mixed balance of this in terms of gender roles.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you like an original reality versus perception story that will have you looking for fellow readers to discuss it, The Younger Wife is the perfect novel for you.
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is a creepy psychological thriller about perception versus reality.
My thoughts:
This novel grabbed my attention on page 1, and it didn't let it go. I finished it days ago, and I am still thinking about it. There are four narrators: the groom's two adult daughters, Rachel and Tully, his young bride, Heather, and one narrator that is unnamed until the end. Each has a clear, unique voice that never once confused me as they transitioned from one to another. But, here's the rub - everything else is up to you, the reader, to decide. Here are some aspects I am still considering:
It is a story that is deceptively subtle…or is it?
It is a story told by four unreliable narrators…or is it?
It is a story about lies and deceptions…or is it?
It is a story that is a slow-burn thriller from start to finish…or is it?
It is a story where good prevailed…or is it?
Characters:
Rachel is the youngest daughter of the groom, Stephen, and Stephen's old wife, Pam. She owns a bakery and is plagued by demons that have impacted her ability to make meaningful relationships.
Tully is the oldest daughter of the groom and his old wife. She is a stay-at-home mom who has a problem. She is a kleptomaniac and has been since she was a child.
Stephen is the groom in the story. He is a successful heart surgeon in his sixties. He divorced his wife, Pamela, who has dementia, to marry a woman younger than his daughters.
Heather is the younger wife and is half Stephen's age. She's an interior decorator and feels like she has a problem with alcohol.
Pam is Stephen's old wife. She has dementia and lives at a facility that can give her specialized care.
What I Wish:
I wish I could find a discussion group for this book because there is a lot to talk about. Other than that, I wish that all females hadn't been victims and all males weren't their saviors. I would rather have seen a mixed balance of this in terms of gender roles.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you like an original reality versus perception story that will have you looking for fellow readers to discuss it, The Younger Wife is the perfect novel for you.