A debut novel about the intertwining lives of college faculty wives.
Nestled among Manhattan University's faculty housing, there is a... read full description
Nestled among Manhattan University's faculty housing, there is a... read full description
reviews
Jan 05, 2012
Shweta's Book Journal
rated it: 
Manhattan University's housing facility's garden is the common link which connect the 4 protagonists who have been through heartbreak , abuse , career satisfactions and troubled relationships. These women get a new goal in life when the Dean decides to get rid of this garden midst of much protest. Just when they think it could be a part of the beautification of the campus thing , they realize that the dean's motives might not be as plain as they seem upfront.
This is pure chick lit. H More...
This is pure chick lit. H More...
Aug 11, 2011
Sam
rated it: 
I love academic novels, so I tried this one out. It was ok. The writing reasonably good, and the story is reasonably interesting.
But the characters are quite flat and generally unimaginatively created -- they're not 1 dimensional, but they're only 2 dimensional.
For example, Mary used to be a Pulitzer prize winning writer, but now she's a deferential (abused) housewife; Hannah used to be a fashion model but now she's an aspiring artist.
The male characters are even more generically flat. Jack u More...
But the characters are quite flat and generally unimaginatively created -- they're not 1 dimensional, but they're only 2 dimensional.
For example, Mary used to be a Pulitzer prize winning writer, but now she's a deferential (abused) housewife; Hannah used to be a fashion model but now she's an aspiring artist.
The male characters are even more generically flat. Jack u More...
Jun 20, 2011
Jane
rated it: 
Women in abusive relationships find courage and make changes for the better. Women help each other. It’s a feel-good ending.
STORY BRIEF:
Four women live in faculty housing at (fictional) Manhattan University. In the middle of the housing complex is a garden they enjoy. The History Dept. Dean wants to replace the garden with a parking lot. These women met in the garden and now take steps to try to stop the construction. Each woman has a relationship problem described below. More...
STORY BRIEF:
Four women live in faculty housing at (fictional) Manhattan University. In the middle of the housing complex is a garden they enjoy. The History Dept. Dean wants to replace the garden with a parking lot. These women met in the garden and now take steps to try to stop the construction. Each woman has a relationship problem described below. More...
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Mar 22, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
Four seemingly different women's lives intersect against the backdrop of the fictional university "Manhattan U," clearly modeled after my alma mater NYU. I found myself feeling empathy for some of the characters more than others, but in the end it was heartwarming to see each one of them overcome some kind of individual obstacle as they united to fight a cause bigger than any of them. In the end, the reader comes to a realization that the four women, despite their contrasting ages, p
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Oct 09, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
This is the debut novel by this author which can always be a scary thing for both the author as well as the reader. It was a very quick read...but covered many issues that have faced women for years...infidelity, childrearing issues, and mental/physical abuse. The fact that each woman in the book was experiencing one of these helped them form the unlikely bond they formed while going to the garden retreat near them. Not only did they find new friends, they each shared in the common goal to sa
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Feb 13, 2010
Shonda
rated it:
The Professors’ Wives’ Club takes place on the fictitious campus of Manhattan University. The reader is introduced to four women, in different stages of their lives, who meet and eventually form a treasured friendship. First there’s Mary. She’s married to Jack, the dean of Manhattan U and is also an English professor. She visits the garden as an escape from Jack’s verbal and physical abuse. Next is Sofia. She’s mother to Gracie and soon gives birth to Edgar. She’s wife to Tom, an English Profess
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Sep 03, 2010
Phoebe
rated it:
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Oct 14, 2008
Darlene
rated it: 
I had seen a few good reviews for this novel and I was anxious to read it. I was not disappointed in the least -it is a fantastic debut novel by Joanne Rendell. I read it in two sittings and that's only because life got in the way on the first one. This novel grabbed me from the first chapter and it's not often a novel can do that.
For me, this book was a wonderful testament to the power of the friendship women share. The story revolves around four women: Sofia, Mary, Ashleigh, and H More...
For me, this book was a wonderful testament to the power of the friendship women share. The story revolves around four women: Sofia, Mary, Ashleigh, and H More...
Sep 15, 2008
Michele
rated it:
Friendship Garden
This is the story of four women with a common goal--saving the garden adjacent to the university housing where they live from demolition by the evil, self-serving Dean Havemeyer. Three of the four meet for the first time in the garden, and their relationship/s become tied with an intriguing subplot about Edgar Allan Poe. I'd say this story is primarily character-driven and I found it hard to put down.
Mary is the tragic, beaten wife of the evil Dean Havemeyer. More...
This is the story of four women with a common goal--saving the garden adjacent to the university housing where they live from demolition by the evil, self-serving Dean Havemeyer. Three of the four meet for the first time in the garden, and their relationship/s become tied with an intriguing subplot about Edgar Allan Poe. I'd say this story is primarily character-driven and I found it hard to put down.
Mary is the tragic, beaten wife of the evil Dean Havemeyer. More...
Jul 23, 2010
Ashley
rated it:
Cute, chick lit read; would be perfect for the beach.
"The Professors' Wives' Club" tells the story of four women who become friends. Obviosuly, thier husbands are all professors at Manhattan U (modeled after NYU). Sofia is a stay-at-home mom who used to be a Hollywood agent, Hannah is a former model turned art student, Ashleigh is an attorney with a secret relationship, and Mary is trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband, dean of Manhattan U.
They mee More...
"The Professors' Wives' Club" tells the story of four women who become friends. Obviosuly, thier husbands are all professors at Manhattan U (modeled after NYU). Sofia is a stay-at-home mom who used to be a Hollywood agent, Hannah is a former model turned art student, Ashleigh is an attorney with a secret relationship, and Mary is trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband, dean of Manhattan U.
They mee More...
Jul 19, 2010
Crystal
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book...the fact that each chapter was a different wife's story kept me glued...I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter to see which storyline i was going to read...at first it was puzzling as to why the women said some british terms and phrases since they're all new yorkers but when i realized the author was british it made sense...i loved this book and i couldn't believe i hadn't read it when i bought it OVER A YEAR AGO!!!
Jan 23, 2009
Anna
rated it: 
Some people seem to think this book was great. Maybe because I had heard good things about the book, I had my expectations higher set for it. It was a total waste of time. I usually try to finish books I start. If I hadn't been reading this for a group, I doubt I would have read past the first chapter. I know, harsh right?
Nov 08, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
I enjoyed reading The Professor's Wives' Club. The character's were somewhat likable. I just don't understand how anyone would put up with someone like Jack, especially Mary, a Pulitzer prizewinning, professor's wife. I guess everyone has their reasons for staying...
On to the food:
"Sofia pulled the leg of lamb from the oven. The air filled with the scent of orange, white wine, and rosemary as the marinade sizzled and gleamed. Although she was sweating from the heat, too brown More...
On to the food:
"Sofia pulled the leg of lamb from the oven. The air filled with the scent of orange, white wine, and rosemary as the marinade sizzled and gleamed. Although she was sweating from the heat, too brown More...
Dec 19, 2009
Courtney
rated it:
This was a well-written, fun book to read. Four women are involved with men who work at a NY college. They eventually connect with each other and share their joys and heartaches. I liked everyone's stories and found their situations to be realistic. I also loved that the book was immersed in the world of academia. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Jun 30, 2009
Susan
rated it:
A great read for the airplane, but not very involved. I wanted this to be a series, even; it felt like too much was attempted in a rather short piece, where each character really deserved her own story. Instead, I got little nibbles at insight in a fairly trite, predictable work.
Aug 13, 2010
Joanne
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Though I am a sucker for fiction in academic settings, I couldn't make it past the third chapter. Too much one-dimensional characterization.
Mar 06, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
A fun, quick read with great characters, a scary villain and a literary mystery mixed with a bit of art. What more could you ask for?
Jul 28, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Book Club Pick - A good, fast, summer read. I liked the characters - they were realistic and likeable. There was a bit of mystery to the whole thing and despite the hokey, happy ending, I enjoyed reading it.
Mar 09, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
A really good, quick, quirky and adult Nancy Drew-like book. A good combination of pathos, humor, reality, and hope.
Jan 10, 2011
Pam
rated it:
guilty pleasure. lame, predictable, feel like i need to read something literary & difficult to get the taste out of my mouth.
May 11, 2010
Calwriter8966
rated it:
nice easy read to clear my head after reading a couple of serious books
Oct 30, 2009
Patan
rated it:
This was okay, A much better book with same kind of dynamics is Saving Graces by Patricia Rice.
Jun 04, 2009
Kim
rated it:
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