Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

A Young Wife

3.56 of 5 stars 3.56 · rating details · 559 ratings · 217 reviews

Amsterdam, 1912.

When fifteen-year-old Minke Van Aisma travels to Amsterdam to care for the dying wife of a wealthy man, she has no idea what adventures await her. Within hours of his wife’s death, her employer proposes marriage, and within days the couple has set sail for the oil fields of Argentina. They settle in the rough coastal town of Comodoro Rivadavia, where Minke...more

Hardcover, 289 pages

Published June 14th 2011 by Simon & Schuster

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Wives

46th out of 153 books — 40 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 2,196)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jun 21, 2011 Flash Beagle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, 2011-reviews

Absorbing - well written - a story spanning 3 continents.
When 15-year-old Minke first glimpses her future husband, she knows he is older, wealthy, and that it is her older sister, not Minke, who is expecting to be hired to nurse his dying wife. However, Mr. Sander DeVries is persuasive - Minke is the one he thinks is most suitable - and in spite of her objections she ends up in a household not in harmony: the daughter is jealous of Minke and does not get along with DeVries, the brother is earnes...more

1 like · like · see review

May 17, 2013 Leah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: free-won

I really loved the story. I would give it a five, but I didn't like the raunchiness of the sex talk. It's not much and there's no real sex scene apart from the first time, but Minke's mother talks to her about it and there is talk between Sander and Minke of the beginning of their marriage. I'm not against talking about sex. I just didn't like some of the words used. Call me prude, but I am what I am.

I feel so bad for Minke. She's surrounded by such awful people. I'm surprised her husband's uncl...more

1 like · like · see review

May 13, 2011 Tara Chevrestt rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-release, arc, historical-fiction

I think this story has a good plot and wraps up well in the end, but I didn't like any of the characters. They were a very hard group to like. Seems everyone except the heroine, Minke, is nasty and cruel.

In the beginning, Minke is a "nurse" for an invalid, skeleton like woman addicted to morphine. The rest of the household consists of Sander, a man old enough to be her father that seems to care not a whit about his dying wife, a daughter that steals her mother's drugs and wishes her dead, and a...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 03, 2012 Caitlin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When Minke is 15, a distinguished older man in a yellow car arrives at her parents’ home looking for a girl to come to Amsterdam to nurse his ailing wife, Elisabeth. Minke’s time with Elisabeth in the attic of her lavish home is short, but the two form a bond as Elisabeth relates her travels to Argentina through sporadic opium-induced dreams. Then, suddenly and almost without warning, Elisabth passes away and Sander DeVries—the man who came to fetch Minke—proposes to Minke, hoping to secure a ne...more When Minke is 15, a distinguished older man in a yellow car arrives at her parents’ home looking for a girl to come to Amsterdam to nurse his ailing wife, Elisabeth. Minke’s time with Elisabeth in the attic of her lavish home is short, but the two form a bond as Elisabeth relates her travels to Argentina through sporadic opium-induced dreams. Then, suddenly and almost without warning, Elisabth passes away and Sander DeVries—the man who came to fetch Minke—proposes to Minke, hoping to secure a new wife less than three days after his last has died. At first scandalized, but later charmed by Sander and his promises of adventure and beauty in Argentina, Minke accepts and the two are married in the old way, breaking a ring in the company of her family. Minke and Sander board a ship for Comodoro Rivadavia, along with Sander’s business partner, Cassian, an enigmatic doctor charged with looking after Minke while Sander sees to his business ventures onboard. Minke’s life settles into a series of peaks and valleys. She falls deeply in love with Sander, enjoying their nights together and his passion. But Sander often leaves her alone and in the dark, about himself and their future. The nature of his business is murky, mixed up in oil, shipping, and morphine, and he shows streaks of jealousy and possessiveness as Minke befriends some of the men onboard. At her first sight of Argentina, Minke is disappointed by the barren, dirty town, its houses with walls of corrugated iron and dirt floors, but she soon embraces her new surroundings, befriending the wild gauchos who ride into town to trade, much to the dislike of her husband. Minke will soon find out that Sander is not the man she thought he was and will have to fight for a happy future for herself and her children.

A Young Wife is compelling, partially as it’s based on the true story of the author’s maternal grandmother. It’s the second book I’ve read this year that tells of women’s struggles to carve out better lives for themselves and their children in male-dominated societies. (More on the first here.) Minke’s voice is honest and clear and Lewis weaves a beautiful narrative. Some elements are a bit expected, but in general the story is fact-paced and engrossing. I could have done without Minke’s secondary love interest and found Cassian inconsistent, sometimes acting in sinister capacities for Sander and sometimes proving Minke’s ally. But these niggling points aside, it struck me that while Minke’s story is a coming-of-age tale, it’s also about a woman learning to understand a man and the progression of their relationship. We see Sander through Minke’s eyes and though there are clues that he’s duplicitous, we always have Minke’s understanding and also her love for him, especially in the first portion of the book. As their story unfolds, we see what Minke thought was a love story dissolve into a tragedy. But with this dissolution, Minke learns about herself and grows up. She is, after all, a very young wife.

Would I recommend? I enjoyed this book and read it quickly. It has many elements that I am drawn to: a strong female narrator, a historical basis, and travel to exotic locales. Though a few plot points didn’t come together for me, A Young Wife is emotionally honest a worth a look for fans of historical fiction and romance.

For more of my reviews, visit yearofmagicalreading.wordpress.com(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 23, 2013 Niko Ramsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-through-work, fiction, read-in-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. For the most part, this was an enjoyable read- enough so that I would have no problem reading any of Pam Lewis’ other works, though from what I understand by reading the back blurb, are not historical fiction. That’s a bummer, because she has an eye for detail that really submerses her readers into turn of the century Argentina, New York, and Amsterdam.

When the story opens, we meet a very young Minke as she is about to embark on the first of her travels to become a nurse to a wealthy man’s ailin...more For the most part, this was an enjoyable read- enough so that I would have no problem reading any of Pam Lewis’ other works, though from what I understand by reading the back blurb, are not historical fiction. That’s a bummer, because she has an eye for detail that really submerses her readers into turn of the century Argentina, New York, and Amsterdam.

When the story opens, we meet a very young Minke as she is about to embark on the first of her travels to become a nurse to a wealthy man’s ailing wife. From there, it’s little time before the plot shoots off, as the wife dies maybe a chapter later (under suspicious circumstances that aren’t resolved until much later,) and Minke finds herself engaged to the master of the house himself and on the way to Argentina.

In Argentina, life progresses as one would expect: she finds her footing as a new wife, explores her surroundings, and ultimately has a son who is kidnapped. Up until this point, I was happily along for the ride, but here’s where it started losing its five star rating. After the kidnapping of her son (which is blamed on Minke’s male friend, whom her husband was jealous of and therefore shot and killed- or so you’re led to believe,) the family business starts going downhill and Minke and her husband are forced to relocate themselves and the rest of their family to New York City in search of work. Minke has another child, her sister is having an affair with her husband, and Minke’s only friend is her husband’s best friend (who it is now revealed is also his uncle!) who she forgives for not saying, “oh, by the way, I totally knew your sister was banging your husband. My bad.”

But that’s not all! Minke, tired of dealing with her husband’s stupidity and philandering ways, gets some lady balls and finds herself a job and board for her and her daughter. She cuts contact with her sister and her husband (easier said than done, because they bump into each other a few more times,) and pretty much only hangs around with the uncle-friend when she’s not being pestered by the other household servants who work with her. While flipping through a newspaper one day, Minke catches sight of the old neighbors (the ones who ruined her family business, pretty much,) and surprise! There’s her stolen kid.

Now, granted, I understand that in order for closure to happen in this novel, the son had to be found. However, the way the book ended, it seemed to me like Lewis knew what she wanted to happen, but lost sight of how to get there in the very end. I won’t ruin everything for you, but basically the reclaiming of the kid did not seem plausible- particularly the vapid, sideswiped way she described the whole civil suit between Minke and the neighbors over who really had a right to the son (who the husband had sold to them, surprise! And even bigger surprise, her sister knew about it!) For reasons that aren’t really explained, Minke decides she’s going back to Argentina (which, granted, she talked about going back to look for her son, but hey, he was down the street the whole time.) And the thing that bugged me the most? Lewis wanted to have one of those nice, tie-up-all-the-ends epilogues, but she forgot one major part: she does not tell us what happens to uncle-friend Cassian. We hear all about Minke’s nephew-step-son going to a good school, but not about her best friend who helped her get back (in a possibly illegal manner, or does kidnapping from kidnappers cancel out?).

All in all, I’m left with mixed feelings. I want to give the first half of this book 5 stars, and the last half a passable 3. It’s a light read, but it could have done with some more thinking.
(less)

like · see review

Oct 20, 2011 Kristen Scheidel rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was...pleasant. It was an easy and quick read with a satisfying ending. The book opens with a young Dutch girl, Minke, being selected to go and care for a rich distant relative. She nurses her cousin but she ultimately dies under strange circumstances, and the poor womans husband proposes to Minke immediatly after. The tail follows her adventure after their marriage.

Lewis's writing keeps you reading, painting detailed but uncomplicated settings - allowing the reader to feel the mood of...more

like · see review

Jul 07, 2011 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, own

I received an Advance Reader’s Edition of A Young Wife, by Pam Lewis, through a Goodreads giveaway. From the moment I began reading, I was completely engrossed. While mostly a serious read, it was also a quick read and very entertaining.

Minke van Aisma, 15 years old, is chosen by an older wealthy man to travel to Amsterdam to care for his dying wife. The day his wife dies, Sander DeVries proposed marriage to Minke within days they sail to Argentina. Minke doesn’t really know her husband’s busine...more I received an Advance Reader’s Edition of A Young Wife, by Pam Lewis, through a Goodreads giveaway. From the moment I began reading, I was completely engrossed. While mostly a serious read, it was also a quick read and very entertaining.

Minke van Aisma, 15 years old, is chosen by an older wealthy man to travel to Amsterdam to care for his dying wife. The day his wife dies, Sander DeVries proposed marriage to Minke within days they sail to Argentina. Minke doesn’t really know her husband’s business details, but she believes he is a merchant and will open a store when they reach Comodoro Rivadavia. Minke is completely in love with her husband, even after his true colors begin to show.

Shortly after reaching Argentina, Minke discovers that she is pregnant. She loves being a mother to their son Zef, and is excited when she learns that she is pregnant again. Her husband does not seem to share her enthusiasm. Soon, Minke’s sister Fenna arrives from the Netherlands, very unexpectedly, but it turns out that Sander has sent for her, claiming she is to help Minke with Zef. On one of her daily trips to the beach, riders appear and kidnap Zef before her very eyes. Inquiries are made, but with no results. Sander claims to get a confession out of a young man, one of Minke’s only friends, and kills him. He must leave Argentina immediately. He and Fenna go to New York, to find work and set up a house. Minke is too advanced in her pregnancy to travel, so remains behind with Sander’s physician uncle, Cassain.

After Elly is born and is old enough to travel, the three go to New York. Terribly excited to see her beloved husband, Minke is left disappointed at her frosty reunion. Knowing something to be amiss, she soon discovers exactly what. Conditions not what she expected, she is forced to find a job. With the help of her employers, she unravels the mystery of what happened to her first child, Zef.

In the acknowledgements, Pam Lewis explains that this book is loosely based on the events of her grandmother’s life, who was also born in the Netherlands, moved to Comodoro Rivadavia, and subsequently New York. There is no other information provided about the similarities between the lives of Minke and her grandmother, but I would be interested to know more. While the story was also a coming of age story for Minke and about how she found her own strength and independance, the personal cost was also quite high. (However, Minke was only in her 20s at the end of the book, with plenty of time for a lifetime of happiness.) I can only hope that the grandmother’s life began on a happier note.

I enjoyed the story and the writing style. There were also a few emotional scenes, but I felt that these could have been improved with more in depth character development. There were also characters that I would be interested to know more about, but as that information was not necessary to the plot, I understand why it was left out. Also, I felt that the end was a bit abrupt. I will assume that Minke has a happy ending, (not that the book ended unhappily, quite the opposite), but a bit more confirmation of that would have been nice as well.

Overall, A Young Wife, is a book I very much enjoyed. It actually reminded me a bit of Honolulu, by Alan Brennert, in that it was about a young wife coming to America with a less than ideal family situation. Anyway, full of adventure, a bit of mystery and romance, A Young Wife held me captivated.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jun 08, 2011 Paul Pessolano rated it 4 of 5 stars

“A Young Wife” by Pam Lewis, published by Simon and Schuster.

Category – Fiction/Literature

Pam Lewis has written two splendid mysteries, “Speak Softly, She Can Hear” and “Perfect Family”. For “A Young Wife” she has loosely based the story on the life of her maternal grandmother.

The story begins in the Netherlands, and a young girl, Minke van Aism, is chosen over her sister, Fenna, by Sander DeVries to be a nurse to his dying wife Elizabeth.

Minke becomes an integral part of the DeVries household a...more

like · see review

Jul 14, 2011 Tori rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

this was definitely an interesting book. When I started it, I loved it! The author, Pam Lewis, wrote this novel based on the life of her grandmother. It begins with Minke as a young girl in Amsterdam in 1912, who is sent to take care of a dying woman. Immediately after the woman dies, the husband takes Minke as his wife, and they go to Argentina. Eventually they go to New York as immigrants. I really enjoyed picturing life during this period, and can imagine how difficult it must have been for p...more

like · see review

Jun 08, 2011 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Now, this is a book that really had just about everything that you could want in a novel: murder, adultery, drugs, gambling, three different continents, love, marriage – and yet it is based on a true story. I really hope that 90% of what unfolds in the book actually didn’t happen. If they did – the woman the main character is based on must have been one tough woman.

There are very few novels that make me want to call in sick to work in order to finish, and "A Young Wife" was one of them. I actua...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 20, 2011 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this for Book of the Month Club as a pre-publication read and recommend it. It's due out in 7/11, so keep an eye out for it. I was unfamiliar with this author, but plan to read her previous books. This is the tale of a 14-year-old Dutch girl who is married off to an older man, whom her family declares is a "good catch." She has no idea what she is getting into. Although the coming of age story has been told many times, Ms. Lewis introduces us to Minke and the genre feels refreshed. She gr...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 27, 2012 Alicia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-books-read, 2012-reviews

Wow, I was pleasantly surprised by this book! From page one, I was hooked on Minke’s story. She was only 15 years old when she was sent to Sander’s to care for his wife, yet she cared for her with such grace and maturity and then she married Sander after his wife died. After the birth of her first child, Minke seemed to blossom even more. She was meant to be a mother and would do anything for her children, even if her husband wouldn’t.

Her son Zef went missing, and Minke was heartbroken. She knew...more

like · see review

Jun 12, 2011 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

A Young wife, was a spendid read. I found myself captivated and pulled into the authors account of her grandmothers troubling journey through growing up and the theft in so many ways of her innocents. The story unfolds in the beginning of a young girl cousin to Sanders wife asked to come live with them to take care of said wife as she lays dying. Upon the womans death Minke, the young wife in said book is thrown into a whorlwind of life.

Marrying, living, loving and finally being betrayed by fami...more

like · see review

Jun 15, 2011 Patty Marion rated it 3 of 5 stars

I received Pam Lewis’ novel, A Young Wife, as a First Read. Lewis writes so well and the story is engaging. I was a couple of steps ahead of the main character Minke van Aisma throughout the book –but then she was only 15 years old (and I am not). Minke, a compassionate and devoted caretaker for her employer’s dying wife, is horrified when he proposes marriage on the same day his wife dies, but she gets over it pretty quickly and is swept into what she believes will be a wonderful life with a we...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 04, 2011 Susan Highland rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes triumph over hardship.

Recommended to Susan by: I won this book on Goodreads!

I love this book! The cover is amazing! I took it with me to a doctor's appointment, and the receptionist said she wants to decorate a room around it! It's embossed, and quite expensive looking for a paperback!

Now for the inside! So far, it's a book you don't want to stop reading! I've been busy lately, and I've had to set it aside, but I'll resume today and tomorrow. The style of writing is easy to read, and the author has woven a mix of interesting characters together.

Stay tuned!

OK! I couldn't...more

like · see review

Jun 14, 2011 R.J. Gonzales rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Phew! Finished this book just in time to get the review out on the release date! (Received an ARC from the ever-so wonderful GoodReads and Simon & Schuster.)

WOW! I never knew such an inventive story of great emotions could be crafted and based loosely on the life of a family member. Everyone's family tells of great stories that should be shared so that people can understand how their family got to where they are now and the places they originated from. Pam Lewis has crafted a vivid and wonde...more

like · see review

Jun 07, 2011 Heidi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-books-i-ve-won

I was so fortunate to be selected to receive this book through Goodreads First Reads program. I received the Advanced Reader's Edition of the book. The publication date of A Young Wife will be June 14.

Minke is just fifteen years old when she is hired to care for Elisabeth van Aisma, a wealthy woman who is dying. The arrangement is made between her parents, who live in a small town in the Netherlands, and Elisabeth's husband Sander. Once naive Minke meets Sander her life will never be the same.

A...more I was so fortunate to be selected to receive this book through Goodreads First Reads program. I received the Advanced Reader's Edition of the book. The publication date of A Young Wife will be June 14.

Minke is just fifteen years old when she is hired to care for Elisabeth van Aisma, a wealthy woman who is dying. The arrangement is made between her parents, who live in a small town in the Netherlands, and Elisabeth's husband Sander. Once naive Minke meets Sander her life will never be the same.

After Elisabeth's death, Sander proposes marriage to Minke. Despite their age difference and the questionable circumstances of Elisabeth's death, Minke agrees. Very shortly thereafter, the two set sail for Comodoro Rivadavia. Although she loves Sander, Minke learns eventually that her husband has many secrets. These secrets ultimately tear her life apart, causing her to lose her first-born son Zef in a mysterious kidnapping and uproot their lives.

I find this review a bit difficult to write because I don't want to reveal any spoilers and the plot contains a lot of twists and turns which will keep you guessing at which characters can be trusted and where the story will take you. I couldn't stop turning the pages, wanting to find out what happens next.

Minke is an endearing character who you will want to root for. When we are first introduced to her she is quite naive, but she has great spirit and a quiet strength which develops even more as she moves from one adventure to the next. As we read of Minke's adventures, from Amsterdam to Comodoro Rivadavia to New York City, we are there with her - breathing in the crisp sea air on the Frisia as it crosses the ocean, feeling the ground shake beneath our feet as the gauchos gallop across the pampas, fearing the watchers at Ellis Island will turn you away and your long journey will have been for naught. I found A Young Wife to be a very enjoyable read, one that I could barely put down. This is a book that I definitely will be recommending.
(less)

like · see review

Jun 05, 2011 Susan Highland rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone who likes triumph over hardship.

like · see review

Apr 11, 2012 Andrea rated it 3 of 5 stars

a 15 year old girlin holland in the 1920s is chosen to be a caregiver to a cousin's ill wife. She leaves her home and tends to the woman. When the woman dies, the man asks her to marry him and travel to Argentina. He plans to open a store and sell goods.

She travels to Argentina. They live in a new town on the ocean. She has a baby and comes to love the man. Her sister is sent by her mother to help with the baby. One day, her son is kidnapped. She cannot find him anywhere. Her husband convinces...more

like · see review

Jun 24, 2011 Nora rated it 4 of 5 stars

Young Minke van Aisma is sent to Amsterdam at the turn of the 20th century to care for a dying relative, Elisabeth. Within days of Elisabeth's death, her husband Sander abruptly proposes to Minke. To escape a life of drudgery in the Netherlands, Minke marries Sander and goes with him to Argentina. At first her life in Comodoro seems lovely, but Sander's business starts to go sour. When Minke's son is kidnapped on the eve of their departure to New York, Minke has to make a choice between followin...more

like · see review

Sep 16, 2011 Eric Wright rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: local-library, historical-fiction

A Young Wife is a well written book that takes in into the early decade of the twentieth century in Holland, Argentina and New York. For that alone it is worth reading. The story follows a young woman, Minke, sent to Amsterdam to care for the dying wife of a relative. Upon her death the husband, Sander, proposes to her through her parents and within one day or two sails for a booming frontier town in the pampas of Argentina.

Why the sudden departure? What is Sander realling selling? How does opi...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 04, 2011 Eshita rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, physically-owned, favorites, arcs, historical

I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaway and I'm glad I entered to win it because I honestly wouldn't have gone out of my way to find this book, which would have sucked since I loved it.

I don't want to give too much away, so here's a general overview: The book centers around Minke, a 15 girl from a poor family. She is quickly married off to a wealthy man and joins him on his journey to Argentina. There, she makes a few friends and becomes a mother. Soon after, she is forced to leave b...more

like · see review

Aug 11, 2011 Misty Wright rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I got this book as a Goodreads first-reads giveaway. I loved it. This book follows the main character Minke over three continents. She starts out as a young girl, hired to nurse a sick woman. When the woman dies, the husband seeks her hand in marriage. She agrees and begins a journey of a lifetime, taking her across the ocean to Argentina. There is encounters some rough times and begins to see the true nature of her husband. After a horrible event, she travels to America, determined to change he...more

like · see review

Jun 21, 2011 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

From the very start, this instantly became one of my favorite books. The main character, Minke, had so many obstacles to overcome at such a young age that it seemed an impossible feat, although somewhere in the back of my mind I knew she would emerge victorious. I don't want to give too much of the plot away and ruin a great read, but there were several times throughout the book in which I felt my heart breaking for poor Minke. However, I knew that all would be revealed once the time was right....more

like · see review

Jun 25, 2011 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, 2011, adult-fiction, historical-fiction

This is another book that I won through the FirstReads program and definitely a great read! In the Netherlands in 1912, at the age of 15, Minke is taken from her family to work as a nurse to a wealthy older man's dying wife. After she dies, he proposes to her and after Minke marries him, they sail to Argentina, where he's talked about the two of them starting up a new life in this soon-to-be prosperous place. It's a hard life there, and only a few years later, Minke finds herself following her h...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 11, 2012 Wanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-books, audio

This is the story of a fifteen-year-old girl (Minka) who was sent to Amsterdam to care for the dying wife of an older, wealthy man, Sander DeVries. Within days of the wife, Minka is married to Sanders and sailing to Argentina.

Their son, Zef, is kidnapped when he is very young. Minka is devastated. Also, circumstances require Sander to immigrate to New York at once. Minka stays in Argentian to wait the arrival of their new baby, then follow Sanders to America, and abandoning her search for Zef.

Th...more

like · see review

Jun 15, 2011 Barbara Ell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, written-reviews, historical-fiction, romance

I received this book as a goodreads First Read giveaway.

This is based on the life of the author's grandmother. The trials and tribulations of a mere girl from Denmark traveling to Argentina as a wife then on to New York City. I really felt sorry for the girl. She was a giver and most of the people she lived with and encountered were takers. It is surprising that she could rise above it all and not be drawn down into the gutters. She is very naive, but a 14/15 year old is expected to be. Luckily...more

like · see review

Jul 03, 2011 Jessie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: general-fiction

I won this book here on goodreads free from the giveaways.

This book was alright. I cannot say I loved it or even really liked it but it was interesting, nontheless. Historically, it seems well done. Fairly accurate of lifestyles. Minke's life is one most any modern woman could sympathize with. Very down to earth for a novel.

I had a hard time getting into the chatacters. With the exception on Minke (the main role) that characters do not seem well written. Nor are most of them likable. Especially...more

like · see review

Jul 03, 2011 Judi/Judith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, books-i-want-to-read-more-than-once, excellent-fictionalized-history

A Young Wife is a fascinating read from the first page to the last. The story is based on the author's grandmother's life, starting in Holland in 1912, and what an interesting life it was. Minke is a 15 year old Dutch girl who was hired by her distant cousin to nurse his wife during her last days. When she comes to their great house in Amsterdam, she finds that she has a sympathetic connection to Elizabeth, the dying wife. The wife dies and immediately Sander, Elizabeth's husband, hurriedly asks...more A Young Wife is a fascinating read from the first page to the last. The story is based on the author's grandmother's life, starting in Holland in 1912, and what an interesting life it was. Minke is a 15 year old Dutch girl who was hired by her distant cousin to nurse his wife during her last days. When she comes to their great house in Amsterdam, she finds that she has a sympathetic connection to Elizabeth, the dying wife. The wife dies and immediately Sander, Elizabeth's husband, hurriedly asks Minke to marry him. Circumstances with his work require him to leave Holland immediately and he wants to take Minke with him. After careful consideration Minke agrees and is looking forward to life in what she thinks is a progressive town in Argentina. When she arrives, with her husband, the town is desolate and truly a new frontier that is barely livable. As the story unfolds, things just don't add up with her husband who is shrouded in mystery of his "profession". The secrets start to unfold and she has a glimpse into the real personality of the man she married. After her firstborn is kidnapped and while she is pregnant with her second child, she follows her husband to New York City where she sees her husband for the despicable human that he is. She gathers all her strength to make plans to set out on her own, with her new baby, to find her first born son. She is hired as a seamstress and laundress by a well to do family and through this new adventure, circumstances bring out answers to the question of what happened to her baby son.

Throughout the novel there are lots of interesting characters, some despicable, interwoven into her life helping to bring this young girl into her adulthood where she is filled with strength against unspeakable odds. It is a great story and the amount of action that the author has brought with simple language, to the 289 pages is amazing. This novel is definitely at the top of really good novels I have read in 2011. I will now be checking out some of her other books now.(less)

like · see review

Jun 18, 2011 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-to-read

4 star book here. There was some heartwrenching parts, keep me on the edge of my seat parts, and then the could not go to bed until I knew how it all ended - part. I won this book and am very glad that I did, not knowing if this is a book that my library will purchase. The book itself has a lot of whirlwind action, all taking place within about three years. Minke is summoned to nurse a sick distant relative - who dies not long after. Within days she is married to her boss (the husband of the dec...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 73 74 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (10)

More editions...

Genres

Historical Fiction

10 users

New York

3 users

Adult Fiction

3 users

Contemporary

2 users

Adult

2 users

Literary Fiction

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Pam Lewis

I was a city girl, born in Burbank California to a pair of ambitious parents who moved the family every few years as my father sought greater responsibilities in the then-bourgeoning aviation industry. We finally settled in New York City long enough for me to attend high school. I was shy, too tall too soon, and only excelled at school when I finally set my sights on Stanford University and squeak...more I was a city girl, born in Burbank California to a pair of ambitious parents who moved the family every few years as my father sought greater responsibilities in the then-bourgeoning aviation industry.  We finally settled in New York City long enough for me to attend high school. I was shy, too tall too soon, and only excelled at school when I finally set my sights on Stanford University and squeaked in on so-so grades.

I married immediately after college, and went to work as a programmer until the birth of my sons Lukas and Joshua Casey, who are now well into their adulthoods.  While they grew I worked at a motley assortment of jobs including Welcome Wagon lady, treasurer to a small corporation, reporter, freelance writer and swim instructor. When more serious money was required, I put my head down, gritted my teeth and wrote marketing copy for insurance companies in which the objective was to make readers see their diminishing health and retirement benefits as a welcome change. For this I apologize. As an antidote, I wrote fiction furiously every morning, more as pleasure and therapy than with an eye to publication, which, at that point in my life, seemed unlikely. On the cusp of my 59th year, however, Speak Softly, She Can Hear was taken by Simon and Schuster, then Perfect Family and now, with the publication of A Young Wife, a third.

A Young Wife is something of a departure from my earlier books. It’s a more sweeping story, told on a grander scale than the others. It also has some of its roots in family history.

During our many moves, my California grandmother’s rare visits were highlights. She told me stories of a disaster at sea, a burning ship, circling sharks and a husband’s heroism. She spoke of her life as a very young bride in a place called Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. She recalled handsome gauchos who rode into town on fabulous horses decked in turquoise and silver, and of their thunderous races down the dusty main street.

I had many questions. Why had she and her husband gone there? Who was this husband? Why did my mother refuse to speak of him, not even to give me his name?

Much later in my life, I learned that at age fifteen my grandmother was hired to tend a dying relative in the home of my then thirty-five-year old grandfather, that he took her to South America to start a store there, and that he ultimately abandoned her in New York City with four young daughters and few skills. Most astonishingly, that she continued to love him until she died.

This scant but rich information was a rare gift for a fiction writer. The exotic settings, the passion, and his devastating betrayal became the bones on which to build a story. I was glad not to know everything—virtually nothing of my grandfather—so that my imagination was free to make up the rest.

I’ve been luckier in love than my grandmother. I live in eastern Connecticut with my husband, Rob Funk. When I met him he was leading hikes and trekking groups all over the world. I joined him on these and then became one of his co-leaders, taking groups as far away as Bhutan and as near as the California desert. To him I owe the constancy of my life as well as my appreciation and knowledge of the outdoors.(less)

More about Pam Lewis...

Books by Pam Lewis

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About A Young Wife

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: A Young Wife
avg rating	preview: A Young Wife Goodreads rating: 3.56 (559 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10286085-a-young-wife?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347775377l/10286085.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10286085-a-young-wife?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]A Young Wife by Pam Lewis[/url]

A Young Wife

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website