The Senator's Wife
by Sue Miller
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Book Reviews of The Senator's Wife
Book Review: A favorite book
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely loved this book and did not think that Delia was anything like Hillary Clinton, who a number of reviewers likened her too. This is a story about two very different women Delia, who stands by her man despite the fact that he constantly cheats on her and even with her daughter's friend. I believe Delia was foolish but for those years that she had her husband (the Senator) she seemed to be at her happiest. Would I do as she did, not in a New York minute but to each his own. I would have loved to know more about Meri's background and the fact that she was unable to fully love her son Asa. I saw her as a damaged woman; she obviously had an unhappy childhood and her ability to parent was hampered by that. Does that heppen often, I believe it does but it is not spoken about. I thought the characters in the book were portrayed wonderfully and I swallowed it up in two days. I would highly recommend the book to any thinking woman.Book Review: A good ending but hardly worth the trouble
Summary: 2 Stars
The idea for the book is promising. I kept expecting a layered relationship between the two women--Meri and Delia--but that never happens, not even at the end. In fact, none of the relationships satisfies because the characters are so shallow and one-dimensional. We never find out WHY they feel what they feel, why Delia loves her callous, philandering husband,Tom, why Meri plays games with Tom, why and how Meri loves her own husband, and why--when she confronts common difficulties with handling her baby after birth--she does not, simply, ask a doctor's or a therapist's advice. So much is unknown and thoughtlessly sloppy in this book. We are given endless details about the interiors of houses--the furniture, the walls, the kitchens and the meals cooked in them, the interminable eating and drinking and horsing around--but we are never invited into the more significant "houses," the feelings and the souls of the characters.
S. Spilka
Book Review: "I did it for love", she said.... Unsatisfying Ending Ruins Book
Summary: 2 Stars
Source for the quote above? Hint: not the wife, nor her philandering husband.
I finished listening to this book on CD this afternoon and I've been thinking about it since, and not in a warm fuzzy way.
I was truly disappointed that in the end, Meri expressed no remorse for her part in the wreakage of two elderly lives. She in fact comes across as nearly psychopathic in her narcissism. Throughout the book she lies to those around her and acts in ways that are self-serving.
What is the author's point in providing this ending? Yes, I understand the perspective re: the husband, a philandering husband will never change his ways, even at the age of 70.
But what is her point re: Meri??? That narcissitic people can serve themselves without consequence?
That's the message I got out of it.
But why would Sue Miller want to leave us with such an unsatisfying message?
Book Review: Can we give a 'minus' star?
Summary: 1 Stars
We have seen a dreary number of photo-ops with loyal wife standing by recently-exposed cheating political figure husband. I thought perhaps this book might give some insight into the mind of a woman who suffers such humiliation yet stays the course. Wrong. If anything, Delia Naughton, the title's character, leaves us even more puzzled. The senator himself has clearly lost his moral compass, not only cheating regularly on his wife, but then using her shamelessly during his next political campaign. And she even recognizes he's doing it. Don't read this book if you expect any rationale or perspective about women willing to wear a "Kick me, Hurt me" sign on their backs. I think I only finished it because it was kind of like watching a train wreck. The characters are people you hope never to have for neighbors and there was no moral to the story. This book should come with a Tammy Wynette recording of "Stand by Your Man."Book Review: Good read - troubling ending
Summary: 3 Stars
This was a very entertaining and quick read. The book is well written, it drew me in, and I just had to finish it. The book is thought-provoking and touches on many relationship issues and women's issues. The characters are far from perfect, or politically correct, with weaknesses galore, which is what makes this an interesting story. On the negative side, I would have liked to have Meri's character better developed to understand her better. I also had trouble with the ending. The final betrayal scene was shocking - I understand Tom's motives, but not Meri's. Why would she do this? Out of love for whom? And Meri comes out of this mess pretty much unscathed which I have a problem with. In the end, Meri's life seems so perfect, seems like she worked out whatever challenges and problems marriage has to offer, which to me, is unrealistic given her character. Overall, I would still recommend the book.