- Hardcover: 368 pages
- Publisher: William Morrow (June 11, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0062132466
- ISBN-13: 978-0062132468
Leslie Anne Greene Carter is the last original wife among her husband's
group of cronies. They've all traded in their first wives-the
middle-aged women they long ago promised to love and cherish 'til death
did them part-for riper peaches: younger . . . blonder . . . more
enhanced models.
Leslie is proud of her status and the longevity of her marriage. Sure the spark isn't quite as bright and sometimes takes a little longer to flame. And it wouldn't be too much to ask if her husband paid just an itty bit more attention to her desires. But there's something to be said for a comfortable and deeply familiar relationship. Or at least she thinks until the day, out golfing with her husband and his friends, she slips into a manhole. And nobody realizes that she's gone.
That one misstep opens Leslie's eyes to the sham her perfect life has become. No longer will she be invisible. No longer will she accept being taken for granted. With the healing powers of South Carolina's lush white beaches, candy-colored sunsets, and fiesty and funny residents, Leslie is going to transform herself and reclaim the strong, vibrant, sexy woman she was meant to be.
The Last Original Wife is classic Dorothea Benton Frank: an intoxicating tale of friendship and love that is as refreshing as a soothing breeze across a golden lowcountry marsh and as invigorating as a dip in cool, salty waters on a sizzling South Carolina summer day.
Leslie is proud of her status and the longevity of her marriage. Sure the spark isn't quite as bright and sometimes takes a little longer to flame. And it wouldn't be too much to ask if her husband paid just an itty bit more attention to her desires. But there's something to be said for a comfortable and deeply familiar relationship. Or at least she thinks until the day, out golfing with her husband and his friends, she slips into a manhole. And nobody realizes that she's gone.
That one misstep opens Leslie's eyes to the sham her perfect life has become. No longer will she be invisible. No longer will she accept being taken for granted. With the healing powers of South Carolina's lush white beaches, candy-colored sunsets, and fiesty and funny residents, Leslie is going to transform herself and reclaim the strong, vibrant, sexy woman she was meant to be.
The Last Original Wife is classic Dorothea Benton Frank: an intoxicating tale of friendship and love that is as refreshing as a soothing breeze across a golden lowcountry marsh and as invigorating as a dip in cool, salty waters on a sizzling South Carolina summer day.
About the author . . .
New York Times bestseller Dorothea Benton Frank was born and raised on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. She resides in the New York area with her husband.
Reader review . . .
Les and Wes: sounds like a cute couple. But among their friends, Leslie is the last original wife. All the other husbands have traded up(?) to Barbies (new, young wives). But Wesley is the least likely to do the trade-in; he needs his wife. He needs her to cook, clean, do his laundry......Leslie is beginning to think Wesley may be taking her for granted, and it can't be more obvious when she falls into a manhole and it takes him 45 minutes to notice she's not with him.
Alternating between Leslie and Wesley, the story is told as they are talking to their therapists. Leslie begins as a doormat, the wife and mother who never says no and who takes care of everyone. But as the story unfolds, she finds her spine and embraces life for the first time. Wesley is a spoiled rotten control freak who never notices his wife until she's gone. Watching him get his comeuppance is one of the great joys of this novel. And of course, this novel would not have been complete without the Barbies. Any woman who has ever watched the middle-aged husbands of her social group bring in the silicone sisters will love what happens at the wedding reception.
Another great aspect of this novel was learning about Josephine Pinckney. I had never heard of this Southern writer until now, so her novels are now on my "To-Read" list.
I want to move to Charleston; I want to move to Sullivan's Island; if I can't have a brother like Harlan, I at least want him for a friend. I even want a dog like Miss JP, and I'm not even a dog person! I don't, however, want a ham sandwich-making ghost......
5 stars
Alternating between Leslie and Wesley, the story is told as they are talking to their therapists. Leslie begins as a doormat, the wife and mother who never says no and who takes care of everyone. But as the story unfolds, she finds her spine and embraces life for the first time. Wesley is a spoiled rotten control freak who never notices his wife until she's gone. Watching him get his comeuppance is one of the great joys of this novel. And of course, this novel would not have been complete without the Barbies. Any woman who has ever watched the middle-aged husbands of her social group bring in the silicone sisters will love what happens at the wedding reception.
Another great aspect of this novel was learning about Josephine Pinckney. I had never heard of this Southern writer until now, so her novels are now on my "To-Read" list.
I want to move to Charleston; I want to move to Sullivan's Island; if I can't have a brother like Harlan, I at least want him for a friend. I even want a dog like Miss JP, and I'm not even a dog person! I don't, however, want a ham sandwich-making ghost......
5 stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Cozy Mystery book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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