This book has been compared to Gone Girl, and I see the similarity. I don't necessarily think it is better than Gone Girl however. They both read at a quick pace, there are twists & turns in the story, and the main characters are too flawed to actually like them.
I thought the characters in The Silent Wife were more pathetic than evil. I could not relate to Jodi on any level! She was like a 50's housewife - who happened to also be a part-time psychologist. Where was her motivation? She was obviously intelligent, but why was she so subservient to her womanizing husband?? She waited on him hand-and-foot, making oyster appetizers for him to munch on when he got home from work. I am surprised she didn't bring him his slippers when he walked in the door! She wouldn't marry him (Why??), but she let him support her all those years. She was afraid to leave him to himself (because who would take care of him if she went to a professional conference for a week?) but she lived with him for 20 years as he slept with who knows how many women. Ick! She was intelligent, pretty and had several good friends. I simply didn't understand her at all.
Todd was pampered by his wife, which may have been the problem. Maybe if she had stood up to him, instead of living in a state of denial - or really planned ignorance - he wouldn't have played around so much. Todd didn't even see how passive aggressive Jodi was! Clueless. He really thought that he could marry his best friend's daughter, have children (that he didn't really want) to pass on his seed, and sleep with Jodi on the side. Seriously, I can't say enough how pathetic they both were!
As I was nearing the end, I wasn't sure how it would end. I wasn't shocked by the ending though. I enjoyed the read, but I think Gone Girl was superior when it comes to the surprise twists and the, arguably, more interesting ending. I did think it was interesting that a psychologist could lead such an unsatisfying life. Physician heal thyself.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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