When I think of this book I am reminded of my favorite Shrek Movie quote…
Shrek: Ogres are like onions.
Donkey: They stink?
Shrek: Yes. No.
Donkey: Oh, they make you cry.
Shrek: No.
Donkey: Oh, you leave em out in the sun, they get all brown, start sproutin’ little white hairs.
Shrek: NO. Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.
Donkey: Oh, you both have layers. Oh. You know, not everybody like onions.
Okay, so here is my reasons for joining two worlds that otherwise do not have anything in common – A Reliable Wife has layers too — lots and lots of layers. Just when you think you have figured it all out – there is another unexpected layer.
Such things make for exciting books. Certainly while reading, I felt like I was privy to the craziest bit of gossip – She did what? He knew? He forgave her? Seriously? It was a rollercoaster ride of scandal and absolution as layer upon layer was revealed.
So, just as not everybody like onions, not everybody likes books about layers. This makes recommending the book a little challenging. If you are looking for suspense and thrills – I don’t think the book delivers. On the other hand if you like a book that explores the evolution of human nature, the development of higher ambitions, and the ability of some to forgive and others to implode because they cannot – then this is a great book.
Finally, I think the book title is wonderful fun because what appears to be ironic actually holds some truth in the end. Again – it’s all about the layers…
Let me know what you think and as always – happy reading!
8busyfeet 
Hmm… I thought the sex in it/the mystery made it thrilling. I didn’t find the “big secret” all that thrilling, but I felt like the book constantly flowed between being meaningful and being trashy cliche. Not sure if it achieved either, but I’m glad I read it.
I did think how the characters changed over time was very well done… I felt like Catherine was a completely different person at the end.
Great quotes as well…
“She had spent her years believing that they would come, in time. She believed that an angel would come down from heaven and bless her with riches as she had been blessed with beauty. She believed in the miraculous. Or she had, until she reached an age when, all of a sudden, she realized that the life she was living was, in fact, her life. The clay of her being, so long infinitely malleable, had been formed, hardened into what now seemed a palpable, unchanging object, a shell she inhabited. It shocked her then. It shocked her now, like a slap in the face.”
Also thought the constant battle between being content with your meager existence vs. wanting a better life was interesting.
Kind of interesting how the subject of love is never touched on. Only lust.
Anyway, I’ll stop taking up space on your comments section 😛
That smile is supposed to be a face with a tongue stuck out >.<