The Ninth Wife: A Novel
Release date: 2011 / 474 pages
Synopsis (from the back cover): Bess Gray is a thirty-five-year-old folklorist and and amateur martial artist living in Washington D.C. Just as she’s about to give up all hope of marriage, she meets Rory, a charming Irish musician, and they fall in love. But Rory is a man with a secret, which he confesses to Bess when he asks for her hand: He’s been married eight times before…
First Sentence: “‘Pick a partner,’ says Bess’s karate teacher, ‘and get a tombstone’.”
Review: Although I had one reservation that I will share near the end of this review, overall The Ninth Wife was an enjoyable, character-driven read that approached the subject of “romance” from a thoughtful and well-balanced perspective.
The premise of the novel is introduced by the title: Bess Grey has fallen in love with a man who, at forty-five, has been married eight times. I’ll admit, since I avoid reading plot summaries, I thought the title may have referred to a polygamous situation – and I’m so enjoying Sister Wives, I had to give this novel a try. Bess will not be Rory’s ninth wife simultaneously, but she embarks on a journey of self-awareness that explores the nature of love, relationships, and identity that is enjoyable to read and refreshingly realistic. This is not a typical romance – Bess and Rory bug each other at times and make mistakes throughout their burgeoning relationship. For example, Rory proposes to Bess prior to his disclosure of his matrimonial history. And then Bess decides to track down her predecessors without first telling Rory.
However, the characters are very likeable and the narration is structured in a unique and compelling manner. The perspective alternates chapters between Bess and Rory, and Rory’s are filled with flashbacks, so the reader gets to know each of Rory’s former wives before Bess does. This sets up the central conflict of the novel as well – how much does a person’s past define and influence the present? Rory believes his past choices affect his future choices very little, while Bess believes the past determines the present and even the future.
Witnessing each character’s journey of self-awareness is enjoyable and the pages do fly by. However, here lies my reservation: I truly believe most pleasure fiction should be fewer than 350 pages in length. I know many, many popular authors violate this recommendation successfully, but unless a book is exceptionally literary, 300 – 350 pages is about right in my opinion. So, while I did enjoy The Ninth Wife, I believe it exceeded its optimal length by about 100 pages.
Interested in winning a free copy? Drop me a comment below and I will choose a lucky winner by the weekend!
Interested in more information? Check out Book Club Girl on June 7th and the other stops on the tour:
Tuesday, May 10th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Wednesday, May 11th: Acting Balanced
Tuesday, May 17th: The Bodacious Pen
Wednesday, May 18th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Thursday, May 19th: Raging Bibliomania
Monday, May 23rd: Colloquium
Tuesday, May 24th: Good Girl Gone Redneck
Friday, May 27th: Books Like Breathing
Tuesday, May 31st: Book Club Classics!
Wednesday, June 1st: Reading Through Life
Thursday, June 2nd: Rundpinne
a 9th wife??? if he’s older…say over 50…maybe because he’s gotten all his oats out of his system..any younger and i’d run!
I would have run if he had three or four wives.
Taking into account the guy’s age, those marriages must have been very short. I would still like to read the book though.
I’d like to give it a try. Please count me in on this giveaway:)
~Renee~
Wow! Married 8 times, I sure don’t think I would give Rory a try. But it sounds like an interesting book and I’d like to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
Sounds like a wonderful read! Also, since I read so quickly – really, really quickly – I’m much more ok with a pleasure read being over 400 pages! Makes it much more affordable as a pastime!
I just have to find out about the man who has been married so many times. How intriging. Thanks for sharing with us.
8 times – would wonder the reasons for the divorces and the former wives!!!
I am a retired junior college professor. Believe it or not, I had a woman student who had been married eight times (seven different men) twice to the same person. I had a hard enough time finding one husband — can’t imagine seven different men. Please enter me in the drawing. This must be a great read!
I would love to read this book, sounds very interesting. Count me in. Thanks,
These characters sounds very believable to me – I know WAY to many people who keep important info from their significant others. Crazy, but true.
Thanks for being on the tour!
I’d love to read this.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Now I think I would have second thoughts if some guy told me he had been married that many times.
This sounds interesting. Would like to read it.
Prior to reading reviews of this book I, too, thought it was about polygamy. When I discovered the potential groom, Rory, had been married 8 times already, I though Bess was nuts to even consider marrying him. So her journey and the fact that she’s considering marrying him at all intrigues me a lot!
I really enjoyed your review and, despite the size of this book, I’d love to be entered in your giveaway!
Thanks!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
The reviews on this book have been so positive and have made me excited to read this. I can’t wait.
hootow1978 at gmail dot com
This sounds like an interesting read! I’d like to try it! Thank you!
Please count me in…your review makes the book sound intriguing. I do enjoy character-driven novels. Thanks!
I’ve seen this on several blogs. It sounds very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!
I like the alternating perspective style. Also, it would be interesting to read about Rory’s former wives. If I’m enjoying a book, I don’t want it to end. But, that being said, I’m always looking forward to deciding on my next read.
I thought that this book seemed a bit long, but I still feel drawn to it. Please count me in. Thank you!
I would love to win a copy of this book
hawkes(at)citlink.net
Please include me.
I think I may be past the entry date – but if not, I’d love for a chance to win this book!
~Hira~
Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
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