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A Reliable Wife |  | Author: Robert Goolrick
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $2.08
as of 7/31/2010 12:13 CDT details
You Save: $12.87 (86%)
New (86) Used (317) Collectible (1) from $2.08
Seller: nl1
Rating:  531 reviews
Sales Rank: 190
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.3
ISBN: 1565129776
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9781565129771
ASIN: 1565129776
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9781565129771 | | • | Condition: New | | • | Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed |
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Product Description
Gift quality. Unable to ship to APO and FPO at this time.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 531
A Twisted story with twisted minds July 31, 2010
To
If all what your looking for in a book is entertainment get this book! If your looking for a happy ending with a joyful scene I would stay away from this book! If your looking for a clean read for the summer also stay away from this book!
This book is one of those books that you may or MAY not like it, there is really nothing in between.
The story is kinda depressing, the characters are depressed (they should be its a gothic read isn't it?) and are moved by their own pathetic desires, they use one another to get what they want and in the end none of them get what he was wanting for.
I found this book with its characters and its cold, wet depressing environment very similar to the book Frankenstein and that's normal considering that there both gothic tales. However unlike Frankenstein this book has lots and lots of sex. There is mention of sex in every chapter of this book (literally) which makes it kinda boring after a while.
The other thing that makes this book kinda boring for me was the EXCESSIVE repetitiveness in the first chapter! The narrator just keeps going on and on about Ralph's loneliness, the wrinkles in his face and back to his loneliness again! The book also keeps going on and on about Catharine's life before she met Ralph. I don't mind mentioning one thing more than once, or twice but to mention it over and over again just makes it old!
One more thing, the book's story is twisted and I'm not saying twisted like Agatha Christi style but twisted like getting lost in a maze where you keep going back to the same point you left every time much like the characters of this book who seems to me all lost in a maze trying to find their way out.
The Book Guide, the Q&A are kinda helpful in describing the characters and their motives. But you have to read them with an open mind and after you've finished reading the book to avoid spoilers.
If you don't care about the content of excessive sexuality and the cruelty of the world and the coldness of this character read this book otherwise I'll give this one a skip.
 Repetitive: could have made a good short story July 30, 2010
Maria Cruz (USA)
This is a quick read. It would be even quicker - a lot quicker - if all the repetitive parts were omitted. The author starts the repetition in the first chapter and never stops. The plot would be interesting enough for a short story, but I was quite bored with it as a novel, even though it's not much more than 200 pages.
I found the book to be extremely predictable after the first chapter, when Catherine does something surprising as the train reaches its stop. After that, the reader can guess every twist a mile away.
There is no character in this book to root for or care about.
A disappointing read. Don't believe the hype.
 would not give this book to my friends to read.... July 29, 2010
Melissa Spencer (Daphne, Alabama USA)
This book was not my favorite. I did finish it but really did not care for it at all. Did not like the story line did not care for the way writer lead you through the story
 Glad I read it before reading the reviews July 29, 2010
Lorelei (Texas)
I am glad I read the book before checking out the reviews. It is a piece of fiction, so the author is allowed to take whatever license he wishes, so, if some events are unbelievable, well, that's his prerogative. The basic story line I found interesting and it kept my attention. Some of it is predictable, but then, so are many other things in life and lore.
It is what it is July 29, 2010
E. Passineau (CT)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm not sure where some previous reviewers got the idea that this book was supposed to be high-class literature (perhaps because the author was viewed on NPR?). It is what the critics say "A thrilling, juicy read...a real page-turner." It has elements of a Gothic novel and classic literature mixed with a steamy, sometimes seedy plot. I read this book for my book club and we actually had a fairly long, intelligent discussion about people, their motivations, values, natures and tendencies to play the victim to their circumstances. If you read the book from that angle, you can potentially classify it as "literature." HOWEVER, this book is an enjoyable, quick read, definitely a page turner. I picked it up one rainy summer day and finished it in about four hours. It's a worth a read, but if you are looking for the meaning of life or to be blown away by some philosophical meaning, skip it. Is it the best book I've ever read? No. Would I recommend people read it? Absolutely! It is what it is.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 531
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