“Once I figured out what I was going to do with my life, I was definitely going to get a dog. Maybe I’d get a rescue. I liked the idea of an older dog that was already broken in and just needed a loving home. The irony was, that wasn’t too different from how I was feeling about myself.” The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank Published June 11th, 2013 - Goodreads Rating: 3.67 I want to start out by staying that I probably enjoyed this story WAY more than I probably should have. Maybe it was scenes in the therapist office, or maybe it was the idea of the main character, Les, finally gaining her independence and enjoying life the way she wanted. Regardless of the small, random reasons I enjoyed this book, I am absolutely thrilled I picked it up. The Last Original Wife follows, Les, the wife to Wes of 30 years. Written as a point-of-view (POV), the reader has the pleasure (or displeasure in some scenes) of peering into the mind of Both Les and Wes. The story starts with Les attending a therapy session. We learn later in the chapter, she is there as some sort of condition placed upon Wes in an effort to save their marriage. As a therapist in training, I naturally found these scenes in the book to be the most fascinating, as well as the most entertaining. As the reader we have the advantaged of reading not only Les' response to her therapist and the therapists response, but we have the satisfaction of hearing the inner monologue of Les. Some of her reactions to the therapist within her inner monologue we down right hysterical! “As we did every New Year's Eve we made ridiculous resolutions that no one would keep, and quietly we all wondered what the coming year would hold, each of us praying for our own private miracles. Good health. Better health. A marriage for this child, a good job for another. This hopefulness was something hardwired into our psyches, that a new year might mean some monumental something wonderful could happen to bring us happiness at a level we had never known. A new year was a chance to start over. Maybe even, just maybe, there would be peace on earth for one entire day.” As the story progresses you become enmeshed into Les and Wes' marriage. You begin to formulate an understanding of how 30 years of marriage is full of twists and turns and choices; choices that ultimately determined the survivability of time. Now, as a female reader, I could not help but side with Les, and maybe thats how the author intended the story to sway you. The further you become enmeshed into the marriage, learning all the faults and disappointing errors made by both characters (but more so Wes) you begin to root for Les to leave this bad situation. Les go through several life changing and soul searching moments that truly warm your heart, but also invoke a sense of sadness due to the all years wasted. By the end of the story, Les has become a brand new, empowered women who is not suppressed by societal views of women. I won't go into further detail as I do not want to spoil anything for future readers :] Reasons to read this book: - Its fun, light, and quick read. - The story is dynamic between Les and Wes, which offer excitement between each chapter (POV's switch each chapter). - The story truly has some outrageously funny parts. - Looking for something new to read outside your normal genre. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Happy reading! Author - BobbiI'm a metalhead who happens to love spongebob and vampires.
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Author - BobbiI'm a metalhead who happens to love spongebob and vampires. Author - SamanthaAn over caffeinated feminist who loves dogs and glitter. Archives |