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Other Women
Fiona, an accomplished young artist, falls in love with Raymond. An older married man. Their haunted relationship evolves in a floating melange of restaurants and hotel rooms against the looming backdrop of their separate, anonymous cities. Although erotically charged, the affair is never consummated - yet the love Fiona feels intensifies into an obsession that continues to possess her long after Raymond leaves her. Along the way, at receptions and restaurant tables, at dinner parties and on trips, Fiona meets other men and women in relationships that are coming together or falling apart-friendships, marriages, love affairs - each offering their own version of love's nature. And, throughout, Raymond's wife Helen holds a central place. For Fiona, Helen herself is "the other woman" - mysterious, enviable and untouchable.
193 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 1995
2 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Lau
24 books79 followersEvelyn Lau was born July 2, 1971 in Vancouver, British Columbia to Chinese-Canadian parents, who intended for her to eventually become a doctor. Her parents' ambitions for her were wholly irreconcilable with her own; consequently, her home and school lives were desperately unhappy. In 1986 she ran away from her unbearable existence as a pariah in school and tyrannized daughter at home.
Lau began publishing poetry at the age of 12; her creative efforts helped her escape the pressure of home and school. In 1985, at age 14, Lau left home and spent the next several years living itinerantly in Vancouver as a homeless person, sleeping mainly in shelters, friends' homes and on the street and often supporting herself by selling her body to much older men.
Despite the chaos of her first two years' independence she submitted a great deal of poetry to journals and received some recognition. A diary she kept at the time was published in 1989 as Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid. The book was a critical and commercial success. Topics and individuals discussed in the book include some of Lau's various relationships with manipulative older men, the life and habits of a group of anarchists with whom she stayed immediately after leaving home, Lau's experiences with a couple from Boston who smuggled her into the United States, her abuse of various drugs, and her relationship with British Columbia's child support services. The film The Diary of Evelyn Lau (1993) starred Korean-Canadian actress Sandra Oh.
Lau had a well-publicized romantic relationship with University of Victoria creative writing professor and author W. P. Kinsella which led to the filing of a libel case against her[3]. She currently lives in Vancouver, where she freelances as a manuscript consultant in Simon Fraser University's Writing and Publishing Program. For invitations to poetry readings and festivals, the author may be contacted through Oolichan Books.
Lau began publishing poetry at the age of 12; her creative efforts helped her escape the pressure of home and school. In 1985, at age 14, Lau left home and spent the next several years living itinerantly in Vancouver as a homeless person, sleeping mainly in shelters, friends' homes and on the street and often supporting herself by selling her body to much older men.
Despite the chaos of her first two years' independence she submitted a great deal of poetry to journals and received some recognition. A diary she kept at the time was published in 1989 as Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid. The book was a critical and commercial success. Topics and individuals discussed in the book include some of Lau's various relationships with manipulative older men, the life and habits of a group of anarchists with whom she stayed immediately after leaving home, Lau's experiences with a couple from Boston who smuggled her into the United States, her abuse of various drugs, and her relationship with British Columbia's child support services. The film The Diary of Evelyn Lau (1993) starred Korean-Canadian actress Sandra Oh.
Lau had a well-publicized romantic relationship with University of Victoria creative writing professor and author W. P. Kinsella which led to the filing of a libel case against her[3]. She currently lives in Vancouver, where she freelances as a manuscript consultant in Simon Fraser University's Writing and Publishing Program. For invitations to poetry readings and festivals, the author may be contacted through Oolichan Books.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 23, 2015
Almost dull! It was missing something for me to find intriguing!
September 9, 2009
My caveat: I am aware of the author's difficult circumstances while growing up, and admire her successful career as a writer. Already she has overcome more obstacles and achieved more success than I have at twice her age.
There are things to admire in this book, such as the narrative style (mostly second-person) and the poetic descriptions of emotions and sensations. The plot doesn't unfold sequentially; seemingly told after the fact, the author carves off and examines wedges of the story, leaving it to the reader to knit together what happens. Near the end of the book, there's nothing left to carve, and the last twenty or so pages descend into a pastiche of imagery and loose association that suggests the protagonist's state of mind. At this point I was pushing myself just to finish the book, as the poetic language was gone, the writing seemed diminished, and the outcome was already established. Somewhere I had seen this book compared to Duras' "The Lover" but "Other Women" fails to achieve that level of greatness; both books are comparably excellent for the first two thirds, but in the final third "The Lover" pulls together for a satisfying, if unhappy, ending, while "Other Women" just ends, as if it had simply run out of pages.
In many ways this is a thought-provoking book. If I had time I would want to explore the unholy trinity of the narrator, her married lover and his wife. The title "Other Women" is rich with allusion and possibilities, both the obvious (mistrisses), in the way women look at themselves in the mirror (as someone other than who they appear to be), and many others. There's clearly something Electra going on here between the narrator and her emotionally distant, much older lover, and the narrator's desire to murder and usurp his wife (mother substitute).
The book reads to me like make-believe based loosely upon a reality... a seeming "this is what could have happened if" kind of story. There are moments that read so authentically that they must have really occurred in the author's life. Other parts read much like a fourteen year old's imaginings trying to rationalize the relationship and justify her lover's unavailability. I feel sorrow for the author, that at such a young age she had these experiences, and understand her need to get those images and feelings out and onto paper - that's why the first two thirds of the book seem so real. The last third seems much less authentic, or if authentic, then unrelated to the actual story.
What do I take away from this book? A new appreciation for how women think when they look at other women (and themselves). My acid test: will I keep this book and jealously guard it for my eyes only, share it with a trusted friend who will return it, or give it away? This book will be going to the thrift store. I can't even think of a friend I would want to give it to.
There are things to admire in this book, such as the narrative style (mostly second-person) and the poetic descriptions of emotions and sensations. The plot doesn't unfold sequentially; seemingly told after the fact, the author carves off and examines wedges of the story, leaving it to the reader to knit together what happens. Near the end of the book, there's nothing left to carve, and the last twenty or so pages descend into a pastiche of imagery and loose association that suggests the protagonist's state of mind. At this point I was pushing myself just to finish the book, as the poetic language was gone, the writing seemed diminished, and the outcome was already established. Somewhere I had seen this book compared to Duras' "The Lover" but "Other Women" fails to achieve that level of greatness; both books are comparably excellent for the first two thirds, but in the final third "The Lover" pulls together for a satisfying, if unhappy, ending, while "Other Women" just ends, as if it had simply run out of pages.
In many ways this is a thought-provoking book. If I had time I would want to explore the unholy trinity of the narrator, her married lover and his wife. The title "Other Women" is rich with allusion and possibilities, both the obvious (mistrisses), in the way women look at themselves in the mirror (as someone other than who they appear to be), and many others. There's clearly something Electra going on here between the narrator and her emotionally distant, much older lover, and the narrator's desire to murder and usurp his wife (mother substitute).
The book reads to me like make-believe based loosely upon a reality... a seeming "this is what could have happened if" kind of story. There are moments that read so authentically that they must have really occurred in the author's life. Other parts read much like a fourteen year old's imaginings trying to rationalize the relationship and justify her lover's unavailability. I feel sorrow for the author, that at such a young age she had these experiences, and understand her need to get those images and feelings out and onto paper - that's why the first two thirds of the book seem so real. The last third seems much less authentic, or if authentic, then unrelated to the actual story.
What do I take away from this book? A new appreciation for how women think when they look at other women (and themselves). My acid test: will I keep this book and jealously guard it for my eyes only, share it with a trusted friend who will return it, or give it away? This book will be going to the thrift store. I can't even think of a friend I would want to give it to.
February 2, 2011
Evelyn Lau's book Other Women is a difficult book to recommend whole-heartedly. Alternating between first and third person, it tells the story of an artist, Fiona, who is recovering from a 15-month affair with successful businessman, Raymond - twenty years her senior and married.
The problem with the book isn’t the story (what little story there is)- anyone who has ever had an obsessive relationship with the wrong person will certainly relate. The problem isn’t the prose- Lau can certainly write, although I would have to say that this story is over-written- nothing is stated simply, there’s a metaphor for every emotion. For me the problem is the characters. Raymond isn’t at all likeable; he comes across as narcissistic (and in fact Fiona actually says this of him) and although he once cautions Fiona that she mustn’t let him hurt her - he yanks her along a romantic trail of self-destruction and worse, Fiona isn’t the only affair he’s ever had. Fiona isn’t much more sympathetic. The whole novel is spent lamenting Raymond’s loss. Fiona drinks and compares every other man to Raymond- and all this for a relationship that is never even consummated.
Still, it was hard not to be swept along by Lau’s poetic prose - even though I could have cared less about the characters and their rather soggy affair.
The problem with the book isn’t the story (what little story there is)- anyone who has ever had an obsessive relationship with the wrong person will certainly relate. The problem isn’t the prose- Lau can certainly write, although I would have to say that this story is over-written- nothing is stated simply, there’s a metaphor for every emotion. For me the problem is the characters. Raymond isn’t at all likeable; he comes across as narcissistic (and in fact Fiona actually says this of him) and although he once cautions Fiona that she mustn’t let him hurt her - he yanks her along a romantic trail of self-destruction and worse, Fiona isn’t the only affair he’s ever had. Fiona isn’t much more sympathetic. The whole novel is spent lamenting Raymond’s loss. Fiona drinks and compares every other man to Raymond- and all this for a relationship that is never even consummated.
Still, it was hard not to be swept along by Lau’s poetic prose - even though I could have cared less about the characters and their rather soggy affair.
March 6, 2012
One of my favourite books of all time. I've read it at least a dozen times over...
June 30, 2023
"Their body parts made her think of movies she'd seen, movies about men who were obsessed with women, or vice versa, who stalked them and chopped them up when they could not have them whole. This made some sense to her now."
This was an amazing read. A woman obsessed with a married man and his wife despite him telling her from the beginning that he will not leave his wife for her. The use of different POV of narration (first, second, and third person) illustrate wonderfully just how much Fiona is losing her grip on her life and reality. Her art doesn't mean anything to her anymore, she sees him in every man, restaurant, and she sees his wife in every woman. She looks for him everywhere and has morbid fantasies about both of them all while considering his wife the *other* woman. Loved the psychology of this book!
This was an amazing read. A woman obsessed with a married man and his wife despite him telling her from the beginning that he will not leave his wife for her. The use of different POV of narration (first, second, and third person) illustrate wonderfully just how much Fiona is losing her grip on her life and reality. Her art doesn't mean anything to her anymore, she sees him in every man, restaurant, and she sees his wife in every woman. She looks for him everywhere and has morbid fantasies about both of them all while considering his wife the *other* woman. Loved the psychology of this book!
March 7, 2023
Mid tbh.
The prose was engaging and the imagery was vivid, but the plot felt disjointed and haphazard. Sometimes this can add to a book, but it just confused me here.
The emotion was really poignant at times. Our protagonist Fiona felt real but sort of one-dimensional. The book read overall as a one-note song.
Would recommend to neither my friends nor my enemies.
The prose was engaging and the imagery was vivid, but the plot felt disjointed and haphazard. Sometimes this can add to a book, but it just confused me here.
The emotion was really poignant at times. Our protagonist Fiona felt real but sort of one-dimensional. The book read overall as a one-note song.
Would recommend to neither my friends nor my enemies.
February 22, 2009
As strongly written as any of Lau's superb short fiction, but monotonous to an almost maddening degree. A good ten-page short story stretched to novel length.
November 19, 2010
the writing was good. the book is about obsession with a man she cannot have. it left me feeling a little empty.
April 8, 2021
Dam the internalised misogyny and racism w this one........disappointing:-/ some nice words here and there tho, like:
I experienced the guilty thrill people get from talking about someone behind their back, particularly someone to whom we have just been pleasant, even admiring. As a teenager I had often committed minor, and sometimes major, acts of betrayal. They were never planned, and seemed to rise out of a sudden access to a well of meanness inside myself that I was usually unaware of the rest of the time. (88-89)
I experienced the guilty thrill people get from talking about someone behind their back, particularly someone to whom we have just been pleasant, even admiring. As a teenager I had often committed minor, and sometimes major, acts of betrayal. They were never planned, and seemed to rise out of a sudden access to a well of meanness inside myself that I was usually unaware of the rest of the time. (88-89)
January 26, 2022
A novel that centers itself around the main lead Fiona who I found at most times un relatable and at times, infuriating to read about. There was no particular character development and at times the book did feel long winded. However, it was written well and the author did a good job in articulating the feelings of a women passionately in love.
October 25, 2017
mesmerizing. didn't want it to end.
April 4, 2021
Not bad. Not good.. a bit boring...
Made me wanna dress cute and go for a drink...
Made me wanna dress cute and go for a drink...
May 29, 2021
I think the author could have done much more to make this book more digestible. She repeats herself constantly. Her character's masochistic obsession truly made her character crazy and silly.
January 17, 2023
A woman in her twenties has an affair with a married man that ends before it begins.
June 3, 2022
It was a very chilling account of what it is like to be a "mistress" or the "other woman". The author writes beautifully, however, some things just felt icky and slightly off. Like the way the character describes men in comparison to women. I suppose this just further proves that author's point.
September 6, 2012
my favorite evelyn lau book.it's so sad, but so good.
January 18, 2023
I forgot if this was set in Vancouver or not, I think it wasn't. Basically a portrait of codependency.
July 31, 2011
Awesome Vancouver writer.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews