review of MY LOVELY WIFE BY SAMANTHA DOWNING
MY LOVELY WIFE BY SAMANTHA DOWNING
I don't think my mouth has closed shut with awe yet. What a ride this story was. It had a little bit of everything for you, but it served thriller and mystery up until the last word. I was recommended this book by my sister who isn't as big a book junkie as myself so when she said I had to read it, well let's just say I'm glad I listened! Downing takes this story and you might be thinking "Oh I know how this will end!" and then she flips it on its head. Then when you think again, that you know how it will all end. FLIPS IT AGAIN. At many times this book moves quickly and slowly in an incredibly tasteful and beautiful way. You will be hooked by the end of the first chapter and by the middle you'll be dying to know how it all ends.
This book is told from the point of view of the husband, who is married to the enchanting Millicent and has two children. Overall they are a picture-perfect American family. "Tobias", however, is a man (very literally) without an identity, and relies on his Millicent for guidance and a lot of time reassurance. After almost two decades of marriage, the two feel a lull in their relationship. and what better way to fix that than starting to murder poor unexpecting women? The American dream! This story is so much more than just the murders. It's about the secrets and lies we hide from those we love. It's about marriage and parenthood and how mundane that can feel at times and what that can drive a person to do. What I really loved about what Downing did in this book was that she made characters that were complex and their motives could flip at any moment. "Tobias" is the type of man who can make a life-altering decision in a matter of seconds but is also riddled with guilt for hurting people. Or how the couple can communicate with ease and love (even from across the room) but then hide so many sinister details from each other. I found myself asking a number of times, are these characters evil?
Regardless, this is not a book you will find easy to put down. I enjoyed every gripping moment. The stand out quote for me seems to really explain the character of "Tobias" to me.
I had SO many questions that passed through my mind while reading this but I narrowed it down. So here are some questions to think about while you read this book!
Thanks for stopping in! Enjoy reading!
-MDB
This book is told from the point of view of the husband, who is married to the enchanting Millicent and has two children. Overall they are a picture-perfect American family. "Tobias", however, is a man (very literally) without an identity, and relies on his Millicent for guidance and a lot of time reassurance. After almost two decades of marriage, the two feel a lull in their relationship. and what better way to fix that than starting to murder poor unexpecting women? The American dream! This story is so much more than just the murders. It's about the secrets and lies we hide from those we love. It's about marriage and parenthood and how mundane that can feel at times and what that can drive a person to do. What I really loved about what Downing did in this book was that she made characters that were complex and their motives could flip at any moment. "Tobias" is the type of man who can make a life-altering decision in a matter of seconds but is also riddled with guilt for hurting people. Or how the couple can communicate with ease and love (even from across the room) but then hide so many sinister details from each other. I found myself asking a number of times, are these characters evil?
Regardless, this is not a book you will find easy to put down. I enjoyed every gripping moment. The stand out quote for me seems to really explain the character of "Tobias" to me.
"The world is filled with things I can't do and can't afford, from houses to cars to kitchen equipment, but this, this, is how we can be free. This is the one thing that is ours, that we control. Thanks to Millicent."
I had SO many questions that passed through my mind while reading this but I narrowed it down. So here are some questions to think about while you read this book!
- Do you think it is more about the thrill or the kill of "Tobias"? What about for Millicent?
- Do you think the couple is naive or selfish?
- Is "Tobias" scared of Millicent or loves her? Can you be both?
- The last line in the book, leaves the reader wonder, (no peeking) what do you think it means?
Thanks for stopping in! Enjoy reading!
-MDB
Comments
Post a Comment