The Wife's Tale in Q&A with Lori Lansens

Jun 22, 2009 Christine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: canadian-so-called-canada

Another lovely, strange story from one of my favourite authors. I liked the way the narrative and subject began so heavily and lightened (somewhat) as the novel progressed, mirroring Mary's experience. I liked Mary a lot, and even though not all of the questions get answered by the end of the tale, I liked that it was really a story about HER all the way through. I also liked that, while it was a story about Mary's (re?)awakening, and (re?)birth, it was not about weightloss. The focus was on her ...more

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Mar 02, 2010 RNOCEAN rated it it was amazing

On the eve of their silver anniversary, Mary Gooch is waiting for her husband, Jimmy — still every inch the handsome star athlete he was in high school — to come home. As night turns to day, it becomes frighteningly clear to Mary that he is gone. Through the years, disappointment and worry have brought Mary’s life to a standstill, and she has let her universe shrink to the well-worn path from the bedroom to the refrigerator. But her husband’s disappearance startles her out of her inertia, and sh ...more

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Apr 07, 2010 Kathy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-authors

Even after reading and loving The Girls, one of my favorite novels in which I learned that conjoined twins were indeed relevant to my life, I admit I wondered at the relevance of a 300 pound woman. Well, shame on me for ever doubting that Mary Gooch in The Wife's Tale: A Novel would have a story with which I could connect. Reflections, self and wordly discoveries, transformations--of course we relate. Lori Lansens is a master at taking what appears to be a somewhat extreme character(s) and provi ...more

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Apr 03, 2010 Ellenh rated it really liked it

Lori Lansens tells Mary Goochs' story of abandonment by her husband on the eve of their 25th wedding anniversary and her self discovery trip as she goes off looking for her Jimmy.
I was hooked, reading about Mary's initial inertia, & self loathing as she ate her way through her day, only to finally be able to do overcome it and to follow the clues to find her handsome husband. The innocence & inner strength of Mary come out as strangers help her & befriend her.
I enjoyed the writing, it was hones ...more

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Sep 30, 2009 Kathy (Bermudaonion) rated it it was amazing

Mary Brody has battled her weight all of her life, except for one year of high school when she had an intestinal parasite. The slimmer Mary has more self confidence, gets a part-time job and begins a romance with Jimmy Gooch. When Mary discovers she’s pregnant, they decide to get married.

Mary goes into the marriage with a lie eating away at her conscience which causes her to eat everything in sight, so she gains all of her weight back, plus more. She is embarrassed by her weight, but doesn’t see Mary Brody has battled her weight all of her life, except for one year of high school when she had an intestinal parasite. The slimmer Mary has more self confidence, gets a part-time job and begins a romance with Jimmy Gooch. When Mary discovers she’s pregnant, they decide to get married.

Mary goes into the marriage with a lie eating away at her conscience which causes her to eat everything in sight, so she gains all of her weight back, plus more. She is embarrassed by her weight, but doesn’t seem to be able to do anything about it. She and Gooch are getting ready to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and something happens that causes Mary to re-evaluate her life, face her fears and discover a strength she never knew she had.

I struggled writing a synopsis of The Wife’s Tale, by Lori Lansens, because I didn’t want to give too much of the story away. I went into this book with no expectations, because I knew nothing about it, and I’d never read any of Lansens’ work before, and I absolutely loved it! This will definitely be one of my favorite books of the year (even though it won’t be published until February 10, 2010).

Mary and Gooch are planning their anniversary celebration at the beginning of the book and their past is filled in as needed. The reader learns about their relationship and their life in their small Canadian town, which Mary had rarely left.

The story is told through a third person narrator from Mary’s point of view. Mary is a fabulous character who I could really relate to, even though I don’t have any of the problems she does. I think we all share some of the insecurities and self doubt she has, though. Mary is such a good person, but hides behind her weight and doesn’t really let anyone know her.

The Wife’s Tale was my first experience with Lori Lansens’ work and I just loved her writing style and hated for the book to end. I read this book quickly because I was so engrossed in the story. I plan to look for Lansens’ other books, and if they’re as good as this one, she will become one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend this book! ...more

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Feb 06, 2010 Miriam rated it really liked it

It took me a few tries to get into this one, but once I did, I found that I really enjoyed the writing and the character. I was rooting for Mary when she took her quest into her own hands and went on her search. I think she is a woman that many can identify with.

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Feb 09, 2010 Georgiann Hennelly rated it really liked it

Mary Gooch is waiting for her husband Jimmy to come home from work.As night turns to day , it becomes clear to Mary that he is gone.Through the years disappointment and worry have led Mary to eat. But her husbands disappearance is a wake up call and she begins a desperate search to find him. She boards a plane for the first time in her life and flies to California to find him. So used to hiding from the world, she finds the bright sun and broad vista,s of California cause her to look up. She fin ...more

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Mar 23, 2010 Ruthie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Lansen is a great writer, but it is so hard to top "The Girls". Characters in this novel were not as loveable, or as engaging. Too many unresolved storylines, too many odd, unnecessary characters (prayer group?) etc. I finished with a million questions. It feels like Lansen dreamed up a character, and a beginning to her novel, but could not find a compelling ending. ...more

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