His Lovely Wife by elizabeth dewberry

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

DNF. This particular book seemed to be targeted at those "ladies who lunch, in Paris, with nothing better to do" than to engage in rather far-fetched fantasies. The main character was constantly daydreaming about having conversations with the late (may she rest in peace) Princess Diana and also trying to plot a secret affair with a paparazzi photographer.

The entire story was confined to just a few days, but the scenes, even the ones that were not really crucial, seemed to drag on interminably. It just didn't hold my interest at all. It was not the kind of book that I would enjoy reading.

Oh, and I must not forget to add that this was yet another one of the deeply discounted books from the Borders "going out of business sale". The attractive cover and the mention of Princess Di initially caught my attention and lured me in, but unfortunately, the content failed to live up to my expectations.

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RoronoaNoLover

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I did not like this book at all.

From the very beginning, it failed to capture my attention. The plot seemed rather dull and uninteresting, lacking any real excitement or twists. The characters were not well-developed either, making it difficult for me to form any sort of connection with them.

The writing style was also a major turn-off. It was too simplistic and lacked the depth and elegance that I look for in a good book. There were no beautiful descriptions or profound insights that would make me stop and think.

Overall, this book was a complete disappointment. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.

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Nifty2

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I was truly intrigued when I first came across this novel as a DearReader.com Fiction Book Club selection earlier this year. That initial interest led me to purchase a copy with the intention of finishing it. I then decided to choose it as the pick for my offline Book Club to read for our September meeting. We finally met on Friday night to discuss the book. By general consensus, this isn't going to be remembered as one of our all-time favorites.

This is by no means a plot-driven book. So, let's call this a synopsis of the premise. Ellen Baxter is a lost woman. Raised by a widowed former Miss Alabama who firmly believed that physical beauty is the only crucial quality a woman can possess and that if she can't use that to find and keep a man, she's nobody. Ellen married an older, widowed physicist, Lawrence Baxter, when she was just out of college. Now, at thirty-six, she seems to have no identity other than being "the lovely wife" of her Nobel-laureate husband. Her stepson is already an adult, and she has no real occupation apart from some occasional charity work. Ellen and Lawrence are in Paris for a physics conference in late August, 1997, and are staying at the Ritz on the weekend when Princess Diana, a guest at the same hotel, dies in a car crash not far away. The accident brings Ellen into contact with a photographer who was at the scene and prompts a great deal of reflection on her own life and connections to Diana's over a few days.

It's not exactly a character-driven book either. Much of the book consists of an internal monologue, and it really doesn't lead to much resolution. Stylistically, this appealed to me as it reminded me of my own style of expression at times, with lots of backtracking and tangents. However, if you don't particularly care for Ellen's voice, it could become quite irksome.

Honestly, the book isn't really "driven" by much of anything. Nothing truly significant happens, and there's not much of a payoff. It's more meditative than anything else, but it doesn't seem that Ellen really grows much from her reflections and actions. She appears to be still in the same place at the end. I feel that a reader who has endured times of psychic crisis, depression, or her own "lost" periods might have more patience and sympathy for Ellen, and this was one of the reasons the book intrigued me. But the lack of any real sense of progress, resolution, or even hope for the character was frustrating. I think it's a book that could inspire the reader to engage in some serious self-reflection on her own life, though, if she's open to it.

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vanplayer

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Disappointing! The first book I read that sings me to sleep. That's how horrible it is. I had such high hopes for this book. I thought it would be an exciting adventure that would keep me on the edge of my seat. But instead, it was so boring that I could hardly stay awake. The plot was predictable, the characters were flat, and the writing was dull. I felt like I was reading a textbook rather than a novel. I'm really disappointed that I wasted my time on this book. I would not recommend it to anyone.

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Anime_Veteran96

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Frankly, my perception of the book underwent a significant change after delving into the details of the author's marriages and affairs.

Previously, I had a certain level of appreciation for the book, but it was rather one-dimensional. However, as I learned about the author's personal life, it added a new layer of depth and complexity to the work.

The real life context provided a framework within which I could better understand the emotions, motivations, and themes explored in the book. It made the characters and their experiences more relatable and human.

For example, certain passages that I had initially found puzzling now made perfect sense in light of the author's personal struggles and relationships. It was as if a veil had been lifted, and I could see the book in a whole new light.

In conclusion, learning about the author's marriages and affairs enhanced my enjoyment and understanding of the book, making it a more meaningful and engaging read.

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DigiTheMelon

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I had the distinct feeling that I was inhabiting the mind of an individual with ADD. The characters in this story were so self-absorbed that they failed to hold my interest in the slightest.

I found myself skimming through the last three-fourths of the text, desperately hoping that the narrative would take a turn for the better.

It was truly a disappointment, as I had initially expected something more engaging and thought-provoking.

The lack of depth and development in the characters made it difficult for me to form any sort of connection with them.

Perhaps if the author had spent more time fleshing out their personalities and motives, the story would have been more captivating.

As it stands, however, it remains a forgettable piece that failed to leave any lasting impression on me.

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Janette1212

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

This novel is truly a feminism trainwreck. I'm being rather generous by giving it two stars. There were indeed some parts that were quite intriguing, to the extent that I simply couldn't tear my eyes away, much like one can't look away from a trainwreck. And perhaps there were a few nice themes scattered throughout. However, it all just seemed to fall apart completely at the end, again, just like a trainwreck.

Otherwise, those 3 hours of my life are gone forever, and I'll never be able to get them back. It's a real pity because the potential was there, but it just didn't quite come together in the end.

I had high hopes for this novel, especially given its feminist undertones, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. It's a shame because it could have been so much more.

Maybe with a bit more refinement and a stronger conclusion, this novel could have been a real winner. As it stands, though, it's just a bit of a disappointment.

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Oreki_Ouzen

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I have a deep affection for the story of Princess Diana.

She was a remarkable figure who captured the hearts of people around the world. Her beauty, grace, and kindness made her an icon.

The way she dedicated herself to various charities and causes was truly inspiring.

Despite facing many challenges and difficulties in her personal life, she always managed to maintain a positive attitude and a smile on her face.

The story of Princess Diana is not just about a princess, but about a woman who made a difference in the lives of many.

It is a story that will continue to be told and remembered for generations to come.

GREAT!

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His Lovely Wife

elizabeth dewberry

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