Title: Wife 22
Author: Melanie Gideon
First published December 12, 2008
380 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780345527950 (ISBN10: 034552795X)
Rating: 3.51
Overview
Fans of relatable and humorous women’s fiction will adore Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon. Alice Buckle is a busy wife and mother who feels like she’s losing herself in the monotony of her everyday life.
When she signs up for an anonymous online study about marriage, she finds herself assigned a pseudonym (Wife 22) and a caseworker (Researcher 101). Suddenly, Alice is answering personal questions about her marriage and life that she never thought she’d share with a stranger.
As her correspondence with Researcher 101 becomes more intimate, Alice must decide if she’s ready to face the truths about her marriage and her own desires. Wife 22 is a witty and heartfelt exploration of the complexities of love and the power of self-discovery.
About the Author
Melanie Gideon is a talented writer who has achieved great success with her work. Her most popular book, The Slippery Year: A Meditation on Happily Ever After, is a memoir that has earned a spot on the New York Times bestseller list.
In addition to this, she has also written several novels, including Wife 22, Valley of the Moon, and Did I Say You Could Go. Her writing has been translated into over thirty languages, making it accessible to a wide range of readers around the world. Melanie currently resides in the Bay Area, where she continues to create compelling stories and inspire others with her work.
Editoral Review
Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon is a literary work that explores the complexities of modern relationships through the lens of technology. Gideon’s witty and insightful writing style will delight readers as she interweaves themes of love, marriage, and identity with a relatable cast of characters in a contemporary setting.
The novel follows Alice Buckle, a mother of two and part-time drama teacher, who is struggling to reignite the passion in her 20-year marriage. When she receives an email invitation to participate in a online marriage survey, Alice signs up under the pseudonym Wife 22, sparking a series of anonymous conversations with Researcher 101.
As she opens up to the stranger about her deepest fears and desires, Alice’s marriage is put to the test in unexpected ways. Gideon’s skillful plotting creates a well-executed story that balances humor and heartbreak.
Her characters are genuine, with strengths and flaws that will resonate with readers. Alice is a relatable protagonist, whose flawed and vulnerable nature elicits both sympathy and admiration.
Gideon sets up the novel with an intriguing premise, which she cleverly uses to keep the reader engaged throughout the story. Moreover, by incorporating social media and email into the narrative, Gideon captures the essence of modern society and the complex nature of relationships in the digital age.
The novel also explores themes of identity and self-discovery in a humorous and refreshing way. Alice’s quest for self-discovery is relatable for readers who have struggled with their own sense of identity.
In addition, Gideon touches on the topic of aging and mortality, delving into the fear and anxieties that are common among middle-aged adults. However, the book has its limitations.
While the author does a wonderful job of creating a relatable protagonist, some of the supporting characters are underdeveloped, and their storylines feel incomplete. Additionally, the ending feels rushed, and some of the plot twists may feel predictable.
Despite these shortcomings, Wife 22 is a well-written novel that offers fresh insight into the challenges of contemporary relationships. Gideon’s writing is refreshingly honest, and her portrayal of Alice is both touching and inspiring.
The book is an enjoyable read that will appeal to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with a dash of humor and heart.
In conclusion, Wife 22 is a captivating read with a relatable protagonist and engaging plot.
It is a novel that combines humor and heartbreak effortlessly, leading readers on a journey of self-discovery that is both touching and thought-provoking. I would rate this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read.
