The Senator's Wife
by Sue Miller
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Book Reviews of The Senator's Wife
Book Review: Inspired marketing
Summary: 2 Stars
The most inspired part of the process that led to this publication was not the writing, but rather the decision to market the book when the public clamored for a read devoted to national politics. I bought this book when my fascination with senators, their spouses, and their campaigns loomed foremost in my consciousness. I wish I had not bought it.
One of the women characters was more multidimensional though others were not as carefully drawn. I would have liked for more effort to be spent on the other, more potentially interesting of the two.
To me, the novel's crisis felt like a literary ploy to elicit a reaction from me too late in the book to cause me to recommend it. Only Miller's ardent followers should buy the paperback when it becomes available.
Book Review: Bittersweet story of two marriages
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a story of two women who live in adjoining townhouses and whose lives become intimately entwined. Meri is a fairly new bride who is just beginning to learn about marriage, while Delia is the long-suffering wife of a philandering senator. Meri has grown up with a cold, unemotional mother and she turns to Delia for nurturing and advice. Delia has kept up an unusual and tenuous relationship with her husband, much to the chagrin of her children. Author Sue Miller is a master of psychological drama and she describes the thoughts and emotions of her characters with unparalleled frankness and clarity. Unfortunately the ending negated many of the positive attributes of this book and just left me with an empty feeling, so I could only give it 3 stars.Book Review: What's Love Got to Do With It?
Summary: 4 Stars
What's love go to do with it? Pretty much everything in Sue Miller's fiction. Still, is that enough? Does it/should it triumph over betrayal? Can it be claimed even though heedless actions will hurt another person? I don't know that Miller answers these questions, but she explores them quite hauntingly.
I agree with another reviewer that this is not Miller's best book but it's still very good. There is no one who captures the detail of domestic lives in today's world better than Miller. We feel place, time, the tensions of having and raising children, the ups and downs of a marriage and betrayals both inside a marriage and out, and the wonder of what binds people together.
Definitely recommend.
Book Review: Ugh
Summary: 1 Stars
Pretty good explanation of why the American divorce rate is so high. Delia can't handle her husband's independence, talents, or success and subtly rejoices when he is rendered helplessly dependent and falls into her complete control. On the selfishness scale, Meri leaves Emma Bovary standing and stars in the most selfish sex scene I have ever had the misfortune to read. If the sort of thinking and behavior exhibited by both women (the men in this novel are cardboard cutouts) is typical, roll on the dawn of cloning so we can all quit pretending in loveless sterile marriages. Not to mention the insipid plot, dull descriptions and clunky dialog. One star is generous for this one.Book Review: Ho-Hum
Summary: 3 Stars
I have always had difficulty finishing Sue Miller's novels because of boredom (for lack of a better word). I hoped her newest would redeem her in my eyes, but, unfortunately, it was another boring novel. Her gift lies in her command of the English language, ability to use "big" words, and a fine writing technique. But, "The Senator's Wife" lacks any real "meat". As I read along I felt as if I were gliding on the surface; never able to get inside either woman and really know her. Hence, her character development was not thorough enough to engage my interest.
I did finish the book and must say the ending was the only part of the novel that sparked any interest.