The Paper Wife

by Linda Spalding

At the heart of Linda Spalding's haunting new novel is the relationship between two young women, Kate and Lily. It's the sixties and they have known each other half their lives. Closer than sisters, they have chosen each other. But at university their friendship is tested when Lily betrays her friend in the face of passion. Confronted with the pain of disloyalty, and the need to resolve her own desires, she runs away to Mexico only to find herself entangled in a series of sinister events she can hardly comprehend.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction

238 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Linda Spalding, Kansas-born Canadian fiction and nonfiction writer, often explores world cultures and the clash between contemporary life and traditional beliefs. Born in Topeka, she lived in Mexico and Hawaii before moving to Toronto, Ontario in 1982.

Spalding's work has been honoured numerous times. Her non-fiction work, The Follow, was shortlisted for the Trillium Book Award and the Writers' Trust Non-Fiction Prize and she has since received the Harbourfront Festival Prize for her contribution to the Canadian literary community.

Her novel, The Purchase, won the 2012 Governor General's Literary Award.

She has two daughters and is currently married to novelist Michael Ondaatje. Linda, her daughter Esta, and Michael are also on the editorial board of the Canadian literary magazine, Brick.

Reviews

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever disagreed more on the reviews of a book than I do on this one. Only a smattering of Goodreads reviews, many 1 and 2 star ratings. Just proves again that my taste is very different from the general public's. I LOVED this book. 6 stars. Devoured it on vacation. Evocative, charged, suspenseful, unique, breathtaking prose. The plot is deftly handled, keeps you guessing till the last page, and I wasn't disappointed. I kept wondering how Spalding would get herself out of the plot she had built so carefully to a point where it almost implodes, then she gently reels it back in and ends on a perfect note (don't want to give it away). Not many writers can do that. I had read her Daughters of Captain Cook years ago and loved the writing, but this is a novel I will read again and again for the settings, the characters, and the heart wrenching story. Spalding's an acrobat on paper.

[sacha kenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most beautifully written books i read as a teen

[Bethanyi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first part of the book quite a lot. Odd, rushed ending though.

[Kayleigh Ackerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audio book.

I enjoyed the story itself, but I found the writing style made reading it feel a little repetitive. For example, when Mei Ling feels an emotion it is usually referred to as 'her dragon'. I understand the meaning of this phrase and its relevance to the story, but feel it didn't need to be used every time.

When English is used in the book, this is portrayed as "---". In the audio book, this is read as someone muttering so that you can't understand them, which i do think gives some level of understanding of how it feels to not understand the conversations around you. However in the print version this wouldn't have served that purpose. I think the lack of understanding could have been portrayed in a more effective manner. This irritated me.

Overall, I didn't struggle to finish the book, but wouldn't be keen to recommend it.

[Elise White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I felt like it gave a good view of a young girl from China in the 1920s immigrating to America - touching on the many dark truths, possibilities, and possible outcomes, in order to introduce reality, but at the same time, telling a story of love and hope.
I have been to current day Chinatown in SF, explored the sadness of Angel Island in the SF Bay, and have even been to the top of the campanile on the UC Berkeley campus (a meaningful emblem in the story), so I could literally envision some of the places described. Angel Island, particularly, has not changed. The buildings have been left to deteriorate since the immigration center closed. So it is a very meaningful and melancholy place to explore, imagining the pain and hope that has gone there.

[Kate Power · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It portrays a strong female character who overcomes adversity and it's also comforting and sweet in its depiction of family life. So why only 2 stars ?

The ending is WEIRD. Like here's the climax we've all been waiting for and the problem just resolves it's self ? No struggle? No conflict? It's basically "and everything worked out and they all lived happily ever after." If the end had made more sense and hadn't been rushed I would have given this a 3 star rating.

[Jenn Coggin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time grasping what the moral or theme of this book was. It just felt like a really sad story, filled with bad decisions, no matter what the main character decided. No redeemable characters as far as I could tell. Definitely missed the point of this one.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a whirlwind of horrible things happen to this woman and she is kind and people are kind to her - I liked that part. Some parts felt like we were just skimming along the surface of the story without digging in. Really didn't like the last part of the book.

[Viveka Sra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a courageous young woman who makes a new life in a new land, written in a very comforting manner. The writer conveys the trying circumstances in a simple manner which keeps one hooked to the story.

[Jordyn Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting but emotionless. For a journey so perilous the author rarely lets us know how our characters are feeling. It’s fact after fact and I was left wondering WHY characters would do certain things because we have no insight into their thoughts.

[MJK · Rating 1 out of 5]

I painfully stayed with the first half of the book and then read the last chapter. I just couldn't get into it. I get the relationship between the two friends, but the complicated man in their life and the adventures to Mexico make the story difficult to embrace.

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at a thrift shop many years ago and it’s sat on the shelf since. I really enjoyed the first part of the book, about the girls developing friendship, and I appreciate the beautiful writing, however overall it didn’t fully resonate with me.

[Joanna]

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I felt like I travelled from China to San Francisco. The writing is nicely done. I highly recommend this book.

[Ddejesus]

Interesting glimpse into Chinese migration in the early 20th century

[Ann Visser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting info regarding the immigration of Asian culture to America. A bit of a reach with respect to certain events.

[Sheryl Chasse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read! Kept my attention!

[Roberta Matz · Rating 4 out of 5]

good historical fiction about Chinese immigrants

[Jenni Crowley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forced myself to power through. Very slow. Uncomfortable.

[Janet Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This my neighborhood Book Club book for March. I enjoyed reading. I did not know much about the Chinese immigration to USA and did not know about this practice. The characters were believable, the history disturbing. I was pleased that the lies set at the beginning were revealed and forgiven. A story of life struggles, cultural disparity, and strength.

[Debbie Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see that the book got only two stars but I'm not sure how. I don't agree with that rating and found it very entertaining and a very enjoyable read. It may be because I listened to it rather than read it but either way I feel it's definitely worth your time.

Wonderful novel. It follows the journey of a young Chinese girl who, through a twist of fate, is married off to a Chinese American Merchant she's never met. Immediately following the wedding she must leave her family behind in China and travel with her new husband and step son to the United States. Upon arrival she is transported to San Francisco's Angel Island where she will be processed through immigration in order to start her new life. Unsure of what the gods have in store for her, she presses on.

This novel takes place in the early 1900s and is full of joy and sadness. The author develops the characters in such a way that you can't help but feel that you know each of them personally. Mei-ling became so close to my heart that I found myself looking forward to my long commute just to find out what twists her life had taken that day.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life's journey is never neat and tidy and this book demonstrates this fact. I enjoyed the plot and, because of my Mexican background, I could relate to much of the Spanish vocabulary and the rich descriptions. Perhaps if a reader is not familiar with Mexico and its language, the story would not have the same meaning. I could understand the point of view of each of the main characters, and their actions throughout the book suited the personalities that had been created.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at a used book store. The story was evocative and the characters were deep. The writing is beautiful, and somehow if almost feels like. Light read,but without becoming too heavy,it pulls you in.

[Jessica Banker · Rating 4 out of 5]

this story is strange but keeps you reading... a journey across borders and the emotional trauma of a child who was to carry a child and wish it unborn until it discovered love

[Parvati Cisneros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you intrigued..

[Sharen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling and mysterious.

[Julie]

Memorable

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished it but it really wasn't all that interesting. Too many places where the author "invites" readers to make assumptions, fill-in-the-blanks with their own knowledge. I had nothing to fill.

[Rob Stainton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off great. Gave up half way.

[Cathy Whalen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Good read, well written.