The Mad Wife

It feels like your with main character very good glad I was able to get the book.

Thanks to Netgalley.com for the ARC of this book. I related to this book so much, even though it was about women in the 50s. That should tell you that even though times change, some things stay the same. I will read anything this author puts out as her last two books were great as well.

Such a powerful book about grief and healing and how brave women are every single day. Definitely recommend this book.

Breathtaking, immersive, and beyond special, The Mad Wife was a story that most women will be able to feel to the depths of their souls. Often overlooked, discouraged, or outright ignored, being female in our society comes with a whole host of dilemmas that men couldn’t possibly understand. Despite this, however, they often get to make judgements and decisions about our bodies and minds. It was this shiver-inducing theme that grabbed me and didn’t let go as I got to know Lulu and her family over the course of the novel. A 1950s housewife gradually losing her grip on her day-to-day life, I got swept up in her story in no time at all. After all, she was everything I could want in an unreliable narrator. Was she losing her mind? I couldn’t tell.In spite of how much I got sucked in by this book, I do have to warn you that it was initially more of a domestic drama than a tale of suspense. A definite slow burn without much tension at first, Lulu’s descent into madness was tempered by the in-depth character study and thought-provoking themes. But let me tell you, when I reached the jaw-dropping twist about 70% in, I found myself shouting “Wait, what?!” into the night. A shocking about-face that had me in tears, it rocked my world in the best possible way. I can’t say much more without spoiling the plot, but just know that it was impossible to predict before its perfectly timed reveal. I mean, I happen to know quite a bit about the topic behind the twist, and I still didn’t see it coming at all.All said and done, this book was not only an ode to The Bell Jar, but also so much more. Exploring motherhood, identity, and the societal expectations we face as women, it was as profound and incisive as it was poignant and unsettling. You see, while this book was set in the 1950s, the kinds of things that happened within these pages still take place, just in a slightly different manner. I mean, how often have you been told that “It’s all in your head?” by a doctor. For this reason alone, I believe this novel would be an excellent book club selection. After all, on top of the character-driven narrative, cliffhanger chapters, and dark, haunting secrets was a plot that was as unforgettable as it was compelling. Rating of 4.5 stars.

I found myself uncertain about the direction of the book for a significant portion of my reading experience. My feelings toward Lulu fluctuated; at times I appreciated her character, while at others, I felt pity for her or wanted to express frustration. One thing I am certain of is my gratitude for not being a housewife in the 1950s. After careful consideration, I settled on a rating of four stars.