Genres
Publication
Doubleday (2012), 416 pages
Description
Imagine being happily married for 28 years. You have three children, a lovely house and a husband who travels a lot - but even after all this time, you still love each other. Or: imagine being happily married for 17 years. You have one daughter, a lovely home and though your husband travels a lot, you still love each other passionately. Then one day you get a call that turns your world upside down: your husband is dead. You are devastated. You go to the funeral... And come face to face with his other widow. Another wife, another family. It can't be true. It must be a mistake. It has to be her fault - all of it. Or: is it?With the sharp and witty scalpel she used in The Mistress's Revenge, Tamar Cohen lays bare the raw emotions thart underpin so-called normal family life and explores the hearts of two women forced to re-evaluate everything they thought they knew.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member michelle_bcf
The War of the Wives brings us the story of Selina and Lottie, two women married to the same man. Simon spends a lot of time travelling, and some how he has managed to fool two women for many years – and at his funeral they come face to face.
The narrative jumps between the two women, as we switch
Of course, after the initial anger, they find themselves brought together, along with their children of various ages, and some handle this better than others. There are various strands to the story, including the reason behind Simon’s death, financial issues etc.
I have to admit there were times when I wondered just how much could happen to two women, and to me, the reasons behind Simon’s death were not needed, as it just seemed a little too much. I’m also not sure about what happens to Lottie, but that does make for an interesting ending. Despite this little criticism however, this book certainly kept me reading, and I enjoyed the sharp humour Tamar appears to have.
The narrative jumps between the two women, as we switch
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between their experiences, feelings and memories. It’s soon apparent that these are very different characters, and Simon has managed to live two very different lives with them.Of course, after the initial anger, they find themselves brought together, along with their children of various ages, and some handle this better than others. There are various strands to the story, including the reason behind Simon’s death, financial issues etc.
I have to admit there were times when I wondered just how much could happen to two women, and to me, the reasons behind Simon’s death were not needed, as it just seemed a little too much. I’m also not sure about what happens to Lottie, but that does make for an interesting ending. Despite this little criticism however, this book certainly kept me reading, and I enjoyed the sharp humour Tamar appears to have.
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LibraryThing member readingwithtea
"Simon now lives with his face to the wall. Every photo of him in the house is turned around so his nose is pressed against the cold plaster. Unable to see what's going on. Out of the picture. Ignored.
How he'd hate that."
Two wives. One husband. You can see how that might be awkward. Imagine being
At first I was not convinced by this at all; both women seemed so insubstantial, spoilt, self-indulgent, but Lynsey Dalladay at Transworld has been so generous with review copies that I thought I would carry on (I couldn’t face writing the email to Lynsey to say I was abandoning it) and around page 150 it really picked up and suddenly I was hooked. Both women became more "normal" although both were still well outside the range of normal humans I interact with every day, and once both women were set on finding out what had happened and how they had been concealed from one another for so many years, it became a lot more gripping.
Some of the best writing is actually nothing to do with the bizarre conflict situation; it's about the fear both women have of being left behind, of ageing, of not being perfect any more. Writing about the inherent distress of parenting teenagers, particularly in this age of technological openness and simultaneous concealment. When I was searching for a quote to top this review, I came across lots about ageing and teenagers, but actually not so many about the insidious betrayal at the heart of the book.
While I didn't expect the various twists and certainly got quite into the threatening darkness the novel takes on, I was unconvinced by the ending; the revelation was too brutal and sudden. There was a large cast of extraneous characters and a few too many diversions from the plot (e.g. a stalker in a cupboard committing vandalism). On the whole though, a gripping read worth making it through the lengthy set-up.
How he'd hate that."
Two wives. One husband. You can see how that might be awkward. Imagine being
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happily married for 28 years. You have three children, a lovely house and a husband who travels a lot - but even after all this time, you still love each other. Then one day you get a call that turns your world upside down: your husband is dead. You are devastated. You go to the funeral... and come face to face with his other widow. Another wife, another family. They never knew you existed, you never knew they existed. It can't be true. It must be a mistake. It has to be her fault - all of it. Or: is it? But then again, not technically wives any longer. Widows. Two widows.At first I was not convinced by this at all; both women seemed so insubstantial, spoilt, self-indulgent, but Lynsey Dalladay at Transworld has been so generous with review copies that I thought I would carry on (I couldn’t face writing the email to Lynsey to say I was abandoning it) and around page 150 it really picked up and suddenly I was hooked. Both women became more "normal" although both were still well outside the range of normal humans I interact with every day, and once both women were set on finding out what had happened and how they had been concealed from one another for so many years, it became a lot more gripping.
Some of the best writing is actually nothing to do with the bizarre conflict situation; it's about the fear both women have of being left behind, of ageing, of not being perfect any more. Writing about the inherent distress of parenting teenagers, particularly in this age of technological openness and simultaneous concealment. When I was searching for a quote to top this review, I came across lots about ageing and teenagers, but actually not so many about the insidious betrayal at the heart of the book.
While I didn't expect the various twists and certainly got quite into the threatening darkness the novel takes on, I was unconvinced by the ending; the revelation was too brutal and sudden. There was a large cast of extraneous characters and a few too many diversions from the plot (e.g. a stalker in a cupboard committing vandalism). On the whole though, a gripping read worth making it through the lengthy set-up.
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LibraryThing member breakbeat
Really enjoyed this book - the premise of deception & secrets was enough to draw me in but the twists and turns never stopped coming, even down to the last chapter I was still surprised and didn't see it coming. The only bit I didn't like was the epilogue which I found a bit wet and silly.
LibraryThing member Karen-uk
This was my first book by Tamar Cohen and I very much enjoyed it. I loved the style of writing -it's sharp, perceptive and witty and the characters were just so real. I was hooked from the very start and it was a book that I couldn't put down.
Selina has been married to Simon for 28 years, they have
To find out that you've been deceived by your husband for nearly the whole of your married life - after having his children, supporting his career and building a life together can only be devastating. We experience every emotion of both Selina and Lottie and that of their children, including denial and anger.
There is also an element of danger running through the story, Simon appeared to have some shady business partners who are seeking recompense and the two families are in the firing line.
The story is narrated in turn by each wife so you get to see both views. All the characters are so well written, you can't help but feel involved in their lives. Of the two wives, I preferred the character of Selina. Although she appears to be a high maintenance wife and has a sometimes unpleasant superior attitude, she shows herself to be more of a coper whereas Lottie comes across as being rather scatterbrained and helpless who retreats rather than face up to life.
I wasn't sure about the epilogue - this was a little contrived for me but this doesn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book and I'm looking forward to reading The Mistress's Revenge which is also on my bookshelf.
Selina has been married to Simon for 28 years, they have
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3 children and an expensive lifestyle with money seemingly in abundance. Lottie has been married to Simon for 17 years, they have one child, they live in a small flat, are struggling for money but appear to be happy. However, when Simon is found dead, in suspicious circumstances, the worlds of the two families collide and they are left to deal with the consequences.To find out that you've been deceived by your husband for nearly the whole of your married life - after having his children, supporting his career and building a life together can only be devastating. We experience every emotion of both Selina and Lottie and that of their children, including denial and anger.
There is also an element of danger running through the story, Simon appeared to have some shady business partners who are seeking recompense and the two families are in the firing line.
The story is narrated in turn by each wife so you get to see both views. All the characters are so well written, you can't help but feel involved in their lives. Of the two wives, I preferred the character of Selina. Although she appears to be a high maintenance wife and has a sometimes unpleasant superior attitude, she shows herself to be more of a coper whereas Lottie comes across as being rather scatterbrained and helpless who retreats rather than face up to life.
I wasn't sure about the epilogue - this was a little contrived for me but this doesn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book and I'm looking forward to reading The Mistress's Revenge which is also on my bookshelf.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
Told from the perspectives of two women, Tamar Cohen's War of the Wives is a story of love, loss and devastating betrayal.
Selina Busfield is devastated when her husband's body is found in the Thames River, especially as Simon was supposed to be working in Dubai and not due home until the next day.
Lottie is stunned when she receives a phone call from an old colleague offering her condolences on the death of her husband. Lottie is confused, as far as she knows Simon, her husband of 17 years and the father of her teenage daughter, is in Dubai, working, but when she fails to reach him and as more details come to light, a shocking truth dawns.
Simon has been living a double life, he was two wives, two families... and their worlds about to collide.
It is a plot ripped from the tabloid headlines - a man with two families, each oblivious to the other, whose shocking secret is revealed after his death, devastating those left behind. Cohen allows the new widows to tell the story as they struggle with their grief and the chaos of the aftermath.
Selena and Lottie are opposites in temperament, lifestyle and looks, both however are crushed by hurt in the wake of Simon's betrayal. Trying to hang on to a thread of loyalty to the man each believed was their loving husband, they blame each other, and themselves, for the untenable situation they have found themselves in. I feel like Cohen portrayed the emotions of both women well, I believed in their bitterness, their self doubt, their grief and their rivalry. I also liked the way in which Cohen involved the young adult children in the story, their anger, distress and confusion felt real.
Additional complications arise when it becomes clear that in order to finance his double life, Simon had become involved in something unsavoury. I'm not sure though that this thread really adds much to the story except to act as a distraction.
I liked War of The Wives, the characters in particular were interesting, and it was a quick read but I didn't find it particularly gripping.
Selina Busfield is devastated when her husband's body is found in the Thames River, especially as Simon was supposed to be working in Dubai and not due home until the next day.
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The police suspect suicide, but Selina is convinced her husband would simply not be capable of such a selfish act and, after twenty eight years of marriage and three children, she is certain she knows him better than anyone.Lottie is stunned when she receives a phone call from an old colleague offering her condolences on the death of her husband. Lottie is confused, as far as she knows Simon, her husband of 17 years and the father of her teenage daughter, is in Dubai, working, but when she fails to reach him and as more details come to light, a shocking truth dawns.
Simon has been living a double life, he was two wives, two families... and their worlds about to collide.
It is a plot ripped from the tabloid headlines - a man with two families, each oblivious to the other, whose shocking secret is revealed after his death, devastating those left behind. Cohen allows the new widows to tell the story as they struggle with their grief and the chaos of the aftermath.
Selena and Lottie are opposites in temperament, lifestyle and looks, both however are crushed by hurt in the wake of Simon's betrayal. Trying to hang on to a thread of loyalty to the man each believed was their loving husband, they blame each other, and themselves, for the untenable situation they have found themselves in. I feel like Cohen portrayed the emotions of both women well, I believed in their bitterness, their self doubt, their grief and their rivalry. I also liked the way in which Cohen involved the young adult children in the story, their anger, distress and confusion felt real.
Additional complications arise when it becomes clear that in order to finance his double life, Simon had become involved in something unsavoury. I'm not sure though that this thread really adds much to the story except to act as a distraction.
I liked War of The Wives, the characters in particular were interesting, and it was a quick read but I didn't find it particularly gripping.
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LibraryThing member SilversReviews
My deepest sympathies, Mrs. Busfield. What? I am Mrs Busfield. Everyone was confused, but the cat was out of the bag.
Mr. Simon Busfield had two lives and two wives, and he was the only one who knew. Well only he and his accountant and his financial advisor, but definitely not the
Despite the serious situations in the book, THE WAR OF THE WIVES is entertaining and humorous. Once you think the surprises are over, another one pops up.
WAR OF THE WIVES moves back and forth between Selina and Lottie's life telling how Simon managed to lie and cheat and remain married to both women at the same time without their knowing it. He must have been some major organizer to pull that off.
I enjoyed WAR OF THE WIVES even though some parts were a bit hard to believe. I actually didn't like the two wives, Selina and Lottie. They both were self-centered and if you ask me a bit naive. How could they not know? Their children were a bit odd as well.
If you need a light, entertaining read, I suggest reading WAR OF THE WIVES. The ending was heartwarming and one that had yet another surprise. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Mr. Simon Busfield had two lives and two wives, and he was the only one who knew. Well only he and his accountant and his financial advisor, but definitely not the
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two women he claimed to be in love with and married to...one for 28 years and one for 17 years.Despite the serious situations in the book, THE WAR OF THE WIVES is entertaining and humorous. Once you think the surprises are over, another one pops up.
WAR OF THE WIVES moves back and forth between Selina and Lottie's life telling how Simon managed to lie and cheat and remain married to both women at the same time without their knowing it. He must have been some major organizer to pull that off.
I enjoyed WAR OF THE WIVES even though some parts were a bit hard to believe. I actually didn't like the two wives, Selina and Lottie. They both were self-centered and if you ask me a bit naive. How could they not know? Their children were a bit odd as well.
If you need a light, entertaining read, I suggest reading WAR OF THE WIVES. The ending was heartwarming and one that had yet another surprise. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member jbarr5
War of the Wives
Simon leaves two wives when he dies. Selina is poised and has 3 children and runs the family home married for 28 years.
Lottie lives with a teen in the city, married for 17 years. They are both married to Simon and he's now dead.
Book follows both up til the point where they learn of
Find this hard to believe, that it even happened, the law allowed him to marry to 2 different people...
Crazy what they must do, together....
Simon leaves two wives when he dies. Selina is poised and has 3 children and runs the family home married for 28 years.
Lottie lives with a teen in the city, married for 17 years. They are both married to Simon and he's now dead.
Book follows both up til the point where they learn of
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the will and how things are going to be for each of them....Find this hard to believe, that it even happened, the law allowed him to marry to 2 different people...
Crazy what they must do, together....
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LibraryThing member kbranfield
4.5 stars
War of the Wives is a very intriguing and riveting novel about two women who discover they were both married to the same man at the same time. While the premise of the story seems improbable, Tamar Cohen is simply brilliant at creating an entirely plausible scenario for the long lasting
Selina Busfield has been married to Simon for twenty-eight years and they enjoy a lavish, privileged lifestyle. They have three children who range in age from late teens to their early twenties with only the youngest living at home. Selina is pampered and self-indulgent with a bit of a superior attitude. She is happy with her mostly long distance marriage and readily admits she is stingy with her affection to her husband and children. Selina is naturally stunned to discover that Simon has been living a double life, but she absolves him of all blame for falling for the second Mrs. Busfield, whom she fully believes is a nothing but a money-grubbing husband stealer.
Although Lottie has been married to Simon for seventeen years, she is completely unaware of his other family. She is nothing like Selina and their marriage is also very different from the one he has with Selina. Lottie is laid back, a bit of a spendthrift and unconcerned about their financial future. Although he is only around part of the time, Simon is a very hands on and doting father to their teenage daughter. Lottie is shocked to learn of Simon's death and she cannot fathom why his funeral has been planned without her input. Needless to say, her appearance at the service brings the whole sordid mess out into the open and leaves both women struggling to understand Simon's betrayal.
The differences between Selina and Lottie don't end with their appearances and lifestyles. They each cope with Simon's death in completely opposite ways. Selina remains organized and she faces the problems that arise head on whereas Lottie completely falls apart. Strangely enough, neither woman blames Simon for their current situation and as a result, Selina and Lottie's relationship is incredibly antagonistic. However, the women do find themselves turning to one another as unexpected information is revealed, but their truce is fragile and easily broken.
The circumstances surrounding Simon's death are rather perplexing and remain a mystery for much of the novel. Was his death a tragic accident? Did he commit suicide? Or is there a far more sinister reason for his untimely death? As more of his secrets come to light, each of these scenarios is conceivable, and when the answer is finally revealed, I immediately wanted to re-read the novel to see what, if any, clues I might have missed.
War of the Wives is a very compelling novel that is incredibly engrossing. Lottie and Selina are interesting characters that, while sympathetic, are not always easy to like. The plot is unique with numerous twists and turns and Tamar Cohen brings the story to an absolutely jaw-dropping and stunning conclusion. The remaining loose ends are wrapped up with a lovely epilogue that is quite heartwarming. All in all, it is a delightful gem of a story that I highly recommend.
War of the Wives is a very intriguing and riveting novel about two women who discover they were both married to the same man at the same time. While the premise of the story seems improbable, Tamar Cohen is simply brilliant at creating an entirely plausible scenario for the long lasting
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deception.Selina Busfield has been married to Simon for twenty-eight years and they enjoy a lavish, privileged lifestyle. They have three children who range in age from late teens to their early twenties with only the youngest living at home. Selina is pampered and self-indulgent with a bit of a superior attitude. She is happy with her mostly long distance marriage and readily admits she is stingy with her affection to her husband and children. Selina is naturally stunned to discover that Simon has been living a double life, but she absolves him of all blame for falling for the second Mrs. Busfield, whom she fully believes is a nothing but a money-grubbing husband stealer.
Although Lottie has been married to Simon for seventeen years, she is completely unaware of his other family. She is nothing like Selina and their marriage is also very different from the one he has with Selina. Lottie is laid back, a bit of a spendthrift and unconcerned about their financial future. Although he is only around part of the time, Simon is a very hands on and doting father to their teenage daughter. Lottie is shocked to learn of Simon's death and she cannot fathom why his funeral has been planned without her input. Needless to say, her appearance at the service brings the whole sordid mess out into the open and leaves both women struggling to understand Simon's betrayal.
The differences between Selina and Lottie don't end with their appearances and lifestyles. They each cope with Simon's death in completely opposite ways. Selina remains organized and she faces the problems that arise head on whereas Lottie completely falls apart. Strangely enough, neither woman blames Simon for their current situation and as a result, Selina and Lottie's relationship is incredibly antagonistic. However, the women do find themselves turning to one another as unexpected information is revealed, but their truce is fragile and easily broken.
The circumstances surrounding Simon's death are rather perplexing and remain a mystery for much of the novel. Was his death a tragic accident? Did he commit suicide? Or is there a far more sinister reason for his untimely death? As more of his secrets come to light, each of these scenarios is conceivable, and when the answer is finally revealed, I immediately wanted to re-read the novel to see what, if any, clues I might have missed.
War of the Wives is a very compelling novel that is incredibly engrossing. Lottie and Selina are interesting characters that, while sympathetic, are not always easy to like. The plot is unique with numerous twists and turns and Tamar Cohen brings the story to an absolutely jaw-dropping and stunning conclusion. The remaining loose ends are wrapped up with a lovely epilogue that is quite heartwarming. All in all, it is a delightful gem of a story that I highly recommend.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012
ISBN
0857520350 / 9780857520357