Helpful Score: 69
The reviews on the back of this book, "A glittering, poisoned ice cube of a tale", "Good to the riveting end...." made me wonder if authors have to pay people to write these things. In my opinion, this book was none of those things -- the end couldn't come soon enough. The plot was predictable, the characters unbelievable and the writing tiresome. The theme of sexual frustration woven throughout the book made me wonder if the author was working through some of his own issues. Rather than being "juicy," as touted in the reviews, the sexual tension was just redundant and cumbersome. In my opinion, save your money and spare your time. Reading this book is several hours of your life you'll never get back.
Helpful Score: 36
Redundantly written. Has no historic value. (I know it is a novel). I was surprised that blizzards happen on Oct. 17 in Wisconsin and the ice is thick enough to support horses. Tsk. Tsk. Why Wisconsin was suppose to be so much bleaker than Chicago in winter is beyond me. I finished this book because I wanted to know what the ending was. This book is highly over-rated. It was given to me by a friend but was not really recommended. It was recommended to her. We are both still wondering why.
Helpful Score: 34
I bought this on a recommendation from a worker at Border's and I am so glad I did. This was unlike anything I have ever read in a novel. This story deals with all the different manifestations of love. A beautiful and complex story, with unexpected twists and turns to the very surprising end. Robert Goolrick is surely an author whose books should be sought out and read.
Helpful Score: 21
I was not a fan of this book and finished it only out of pure stubbornness. It is over written and redundant. The characters are contrived and contradictory. The story is unrelatable and unbelievable while at the same time being predicable. As other reviews have stated, I found the book cover to be misleading. I definitely would not recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 17
A Reliable Wife is another one of those hope versus despair stories. A father takes out his grief over his wife's infidelities and eventual death on his innocent son. The son comes to hate the father and runs away when he is 14.
Later, the father advertises for a wife. The woman who answers has her own agenda. She is at best a liar. All prospects look dark, except the father's regret, which leads him to seek forgiveness.
This was a hard story to like. I found it very difficult to read although it was very well written and told. While I recommend it, I would caution not to read it if you are feeling down.
Later, the father advertises for a wife. The woman who answers has her own agenda. She is at best a liar. All prospects look dark, except the father's regret, which leads him to seek forgiveness.
This was a hard story to like. I found it very difficult to read although it was very well written and told. While I recommend it, I would caution not to read it if you are feeling down.
