The War of the Wives - Tamar Cohen

‘What’s the worst that can happen when the worst that can happen has already happened?’

Two women who have both been married - one for twenty-eight years with three children, the other for seventeen years with one daughter - to the same man who travels a lot, suddenly come face to face with each other for thefirst time at his funeral. There they learn of the existence of each other, and the novel follows their thoughts and behaviour as they both experience the feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, each of which are the titles of the five parts of this story. 

The two wives, Selina and Lottie, narrate the story alternately throughout. Selina and Lottie are vastly different women in terms of their lifestyles and outlooks, but inside, they have shared concerns and have both been deeply hurt. Somehow they must now learn to deal with each other.

This is a thoroughly entertaining and compelling read, at times droll and darkly humorous, at others deeply emotional and tragic. It is a very witty novel with a deliciously exciting starting point, which immediately arouses curiosity in the reader as to what will happen next. The author deftly unpicks the seams of these two seemingly contented families to expose the secrets, hurt and confusion underneath, and portrays two distinctive women who are forced to confront the same harsh reality and re-examine their pasts in a new light. The use of the two first-person viewpoints allows us to get right to the heart of everything that happens, making for a memorable and intimate story.

Published by Doubleday on 19th July 2012.

Reviewed for We Love This Book website and magazine, who kindly sent on a proof copy.