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62nd out of 75 books
—
34 voters
The Woman Who Wouldn't
by
Gene Wilder
The beloved actor and screenwriter’s second novel, set in 1903, stars a young concert violinist named Jeremy Webb, who one day goes from accomplished adagios with the Cleveland Orchestra to having a complete breakdown on stage. If he hadn’t poured a glass of water down the throat of a tuba, maybe he wouldn’t have been sent to a health resort in Badenweiler, Germany. But it...more
Hardcover, 167 pages
Published
March 4th 2008
by St. Martin's Press
(first published 2008)
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I said of My French Whore that it was a "silly, sappy, love story. But Wilder infuses it with enough wit and heart that it is enjoyable regardless." That can be said of this work as well. Kirkus calls it a "A sweet, adult fable." Wilder has a certain minimalist style; a straightforwardness that matches the brevity of his stories. But there is also a sense of humor; what PW calls "whimsically romantic." This second novel has a happier ending but it still has the poignancy and the sense of the pow...more
Another slim, hyper-romantic novella from Gene Wilder, it's a wistful reverie about broken people who make each other whole again. In his depiction of a couple in love dealing with the woman's critical illness, I couldn't help imagining that Wilder taking ownership of his experience with Gilda Radner, setting it in a more romantic time and place and revising certain crucial details. It reads like a happy daydream, but not a particularly engrossing one. I enjoyed Wilder's earlier My French Whore...more
This book happens to be the first book I've ever read by Gene Wilder, who I absolutely love as an actor. However, as a writer, I don't think writing is quite his forte.
It did have some tender, tragic moments, and I think that somewhere underneath the storyline, Wilder was trying to impart some of his own strong emotions and perhaps a basic message of hope and love.
Otherwise, while I do not think the book was bad, exactly, it certainly wasn't what I was expecting from a wonderful comedian such...more
It did have some tender, tragic moments, and I think that somewhere underneath the storyline, Wilder was trying to impart some of his own strong emotions and perhaps a basic message of hope and love.
Otherwise, while I do not think the book was bad, exactly, it certainly wasn't what I was expecting from a wonderful comedian such...more
I never knew that Gene Wilder was an author! I wanted to see what a man who played the unforgettable Willy Wonka could come up with. I wasn't disappointed. This short novel was exactly what I would imagine a love story by Gene Wilder would be.
Jeremy Webb is a concert violinist in 1903. He has a nervous breakdown during a concert by pounding his fist on only the black keys of a piano and giving a tuba a drink of water. He is wrestled out of the concert hall by security guards and sent to a psych...more
Jeremy Webb is a concert violinist in 1903. He has a nervous breakdown during a concert by pounding his fist on only the black keys of a piano and giving a tuba a drink of water. He is wrestled out of the concert hall by security guards and sent to a psych...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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When I picked it up, this was NOT the story I expected to read. I am VERY surprised that none of the reviews I read so far mentioned Gilda Radner, but then I didn't read ALL of the reviews, and mybe folks just don't know the story. I mention her here because THIS story is exactly what I think he would have wanted to happen with her, and flies in the face of what DID happen. The book carries REAL emotion about life, love and loss, and gives a good deal of insight into a very tragic time in one ma...more
Just started....slow but promising. Okay. Now I finished. It was slow, but entertaining. Very similar to the tastes of, ironically, many of Gene Wilder's earlier films. Amusing and sweet, yet not anywhere near laugh out loud funny. Wilder's attempts at pontificating about life's often elusive and, contradictory towards the ones in this book, enchanting mysteries of life, however fall sadly flat. in summation I am willing to admit that nonetheless this is a nice romp and favorably slim novel and...more
Short, sweet story about a concert violinist who goes a little crazy and finds love in a German health/mental recovery spa. I finished reading this novel the same that I started it, and I only recently realized that Gene Wilder (yes, that Gene Wilder from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) wrote fiction. I applaud you, Gene Wilder.
P.S. I did find a few typographical errors in my copy of this book, but not enough to really bother me while I was reading it. Just a heads up for spelling/gramma...more
P.S. I did find a few typographical errors in my copy of this book, but not enough to really bother me while I was reading it. Just a heads up for spelling/gramma...more
The only bad thing that I can be say about this short novel is that it's a bit too touching, a bit too sweet, a bit too poignant and a bit too optimistic about the human condition. But that isn't so bad now is it? Reading it is a bit like being around the couple in your life/circle of friends who are perpetually in love/affectionate/sweet to each other. If those people piss you off, this is not the book for you. If you hang out with them and feel a bit hopeful and romantic and uplifted, then I t...more
We all know Gene Wilder is a gifted comic actor, but it turns out he's a pretty darn good writer of... well, OK, it's kinda sappy fiction, but it's it's very sweet and rewarding. This is an extra short novel... I basically read it in a couple of hours, and I'm a pretty ploddingly slow reader. It's the story of concert violinist Jeremy Spencer Webb, who is sent to a "health resort" in the Black Forest of Germany after losing it on stage, tearing up a fellow violinist's sheet music, pounding on th...more
May 07, 2008
Yorick
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
romantics, who like historical novels, Gene Wilder fans, sentimentals,
Gene Wilder's short novel (176 pages) The Woman Who Wouldn't is an amusing and tender tale about a musician who has a break down during a concert and subsequently goes to a sanatorium in Badenweiler, Germany. The story takes place in 1903, includes visits with Anton Chekhov who is there dying of consumption.
Without writing any spoilers, I can only say that the book has a lovely sentimental touch. Some may indeed find it ultimately too sweet, but it pleased me and made me cry. Interestingly enoug...more
Without writing any spoilers, I can only say that the book has a lovely sentimental touch. Some may indeed find it ultimately too sweet, but it pleased me and made me cry. Interestingly enoug...more
I thought this was a delightful book! Written about a classical violinist who went crazy during a concerto performance with a major orchestra. In the middle of the concert he put his violin down, ripped up the first violinist's music, poured water into the bell of the tuba, and pounded on the black keys of the piano. The orchestra sent him to a health spa in Germany where he meets a quarky little woman and falls in love.
I'm coming a big fan of Wilders writing. Perfect for summer reading!
I'm coming a big fan of Wilders writing. Perfect for summer reading!
My primary experience with Gene Wilder is not as an author but as an actor, as I suspect is the case for many people. This book was surprisingly not what I expected, and I could not have been more pleased. I anticipated a short, humorous novela (which I would have enjoyed, too), but instead found a tender, simple tale of an unexpected relationship. My husband and I listened to this as read by the author on audiobook, and we both very much enjoyed it.
Very short chapters, absolutely tiny. Jeremy is hopelessly in love with a woman who hardly acknowledges that he exists.
This was really enjoyable. I got the feeling that some of Gene's writing was based on personal experience. The setting is the end of the 19th century in Germany in what might be considered a sanatorium (long term hospital/resort). I really liked the title character, Clara, and her self-confidence. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to ask for it.
This was really enjoyable. I got the feeling that some of Gene's writing was based on personal experience. The setting is the end of the 19th century in Germany in what might be considered a sanatorium (long term hospital/resort). I really liked the title character, Clara, and her self-confidence. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to ask for it.
Sep 02, 2011
Stacie Koroly
added it
Possibly the worst book I have ever read. It's almost as if the publisher lost a bet to Wilder and had to publish this book. The woman who wouldn't not only did but fairly sooner rather than later. Wilder has much more talent than I will ever possess but I know terrible writing when I see it.
Luckily the book was super short otherwise I would have stopped. I'm actually mad at myself for buying and reading it.
Luckily the book was super short otherwise I would have stopped. I'm actually mad at myself for buying and reading it.
I think that the best thing about this book was its length. It was short. It was also maudlin, ridiculous, fantastical, and hard to swallow. Wilder's "heroine" has less depth than a tortilla. She is simply a beautiful, delicate and damaged flower in need of rescue by a man. His "hero" is an egotistical, self-serving, supposedly-charming, musician. Neither of the two is particularly engaging. Of course they fall in "love," (an emotion that also seems simplistic and without character) and [SPOILER...more
After reading his first novel "My French Whore", which i highly recommend if you haven't already, I instantly became a fan of his work. This can only be described as a light hearted novella of tenderness and love. But don't let the sappy angle fool you. Wilder is a skillful and whimsical author and he will have you unconsciously smiling like a fool!
The corners of my mouth hardly ever came down... :)
The corners of my mouth hardly ever came down... :)
Gene Wilder writes in such a simple and sweet way - it's almost as endearing as he is. This is a lovely tale set in the mid 19th century about a man who's gone a bit coo-coo and is sent to a spa retreat in Europe to recover. It's there that he meets Clara who appears to be one tough customer... Such a lovely book from beginning to end. A quick read that made me sigh. (And shed a little tear or two.)
Poignant. Spare prose. Seemingly a 'what if things had turned out differently' type of story. I found myself thinking how I would feel if I were in the heroine's shoes, and wondered if this inspiration was the thrust of the book: to honor the memory of one for whom the story ended far less happily.
This book reminded me that we need to love while we can with all we have.
I will definitely read the next book by Wilder when I come across it.
This book reminded me that we need to love while we can with all we have.
I will definitely read the next book by Wilder when I come across it.
Jan 25, 2011
Julie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Gene Wilder fans or fans of quirky light fiction
Quirky, funny, sweet, surprising... this book fits its author perfectly. It's a very quick, light read. I really, really want to get the audio version so I can hear Gene Wilder read it. There were parts where I could practically hear him in my head already.
Also, I wondered a bit if he chose some of the subject matter based on personal experiences.
Also, I wondered a bit if he chose some of the subject matter based on personal experiences.
I was completely unaware that Gene Wilder was also an author and I unexpectedly found this book at a book store. I put off reading the book for a while, wondering if it would be my "type" of book to read. I eventually began to read it not having any prior knowledge of Gene Wilder as an author or any expectations. And it was surprisingly refreshing, filled with wit, a humourous sexual tension and more humour (not that it was a comedic book). After reading this book, I would definitely read anothe...more
Great story. well maybe just very good, but maybe a little close to home for me right now. the only part i hated was that it made me cry at work. at least i was in a dark corner. Romantic, funny, sensitive and well read, I was waiting, no dreading the ending... and well, you will have to read (or listen) to it.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
In honesty I'd give this 2 1/2 stars. I love Gene Wilder, so I was willing to give it a try. I read it in one sitting, in little over an hour, and I don't want that hour back. The story was interesting, but the characters were ultimately hollow. I knew nothing real about them, and I didn't care what happened to them!
Reading one Wilder book was enough, as this story was very similar to "My French Whore." I practically could have predicted what was going to happen based on how the other book turned out. Worth a glance to read the totally lame sex scene - even worse was that I listened to Gene Wilder read it!
I don't get it.
Even though I always knew that Gene Wilder was kinda kooky. That's cool and all, but hearing his voice read this--knowing he's the author, no less--is positively creepy-painful. But you can't turn it off, because it's grossly fascinating. Like watching old people make out.
Even though I always knew that Gene Wilder was kinda kooky. That's cool and all, but hearing his voice read this--knowing he's the author, no less--is positively creepy-painful. But you can't turn it off, because it's grossly fascinating. Like watching old people make out.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I like the walk the stacks at my library just to see what jumps out at me. On one of my recent walks I spotted The Woman Who Wouldn't by Gene Wilder. I stopped mid step, thinking, Gene Wilder writes books? I opened the cover to read the back flap and sure enough there was Gene Wilder, actor and author.
The Woman Who Wouldn't is a novella about an unlikely romance at a sanitarium at the turn of the last century. A concert violinist goes to Germany to recover from a nervous breakdown. While there h...more
The Woman Who Wouldn't is a novella about an unlikely romance at a sanitarium at the turn of the last century. A concert violinist goes to Germany to recover from a nervous breakdown. While there h...more
really a short story, with no extras in the obvious plot. BUT his use of simplicity and subtle irony, as well as the Anton Chekhov character are just wonderful! Wish it had ended sadly, instead of happily, but it only took about an hour to read, so I didn't feel like my time was wasted.
A slight, inconsequential, but sort of sweet love story between a concert violinist recovering from a mental breakdown and a cancer patient. It's set in 1903, with Anton Chekov as a minor character serving no real purpose. The writing is in other ways less than felicitous.
I guess when you're a famous actor you get to be published even if the book is slightly better than reading a comic book. Wilder maybe meant his book to be wholly anachronistic, but I suspect he simply is too famous to be edited properly. His story takes place in 1903 and is laden with objects and language that smacks of the 21st century. Sports jackets. Medical procedures as advanced as in our own time. Really. Do your homework if you want to write an historical novel.
Perhaps I missed the poin...more
Perhaps I missed the poin...more
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Gene Wilder is an American Emmy Award-winning and twice Academy Award-nominated stage and screen actor, director and screenwriter.
Wilder began his career on stage, making his screen debut in the film Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. His first major role was as Leo Bloom in the 1968 film, The Producers. This was the first in a series of prolific collaborations with writer/director Mel Brooks, including 19...more
More about Gene Wilder...
Wilder began his career on stage, making his screen debut in the film Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. His first major role was as Leo Bloom in the 1968 film, The Producers. This was the first in a series of prolific collaborations with writer/director Mel Brooks, including 19...more
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