Ex-Wife

by Ursula Parrott
Ex-Wife cover
Good Books rating 4.12
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  • ID: 393
  • Added: 2025-09-10
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
literaryreview.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-01
compelling 4.00

The novel 'Ex-Wife' is a gripping and intense exploration of a woman's journey through grief and self-discovery. The author's vivid descriptions and emotional depth make it a compelling read, though some may find the pacing uneven.

In 'Ex-Wife', the author delves deep into the psyche of a woman grappling with loss and the complexities of modern relationships. The narrative is raw and unflinching, offering a poignant look at human resilience. The prose is beautifully crafted, drawing readers into the protagonist's world. However, the pacing can feel uneven at times, which might detract from the overall flow. Despite this, the emotional depth and vivid descriptions make it a memorable and thought-provoking read. The themes of love, loss, and self-discovery are handled with sensitivity and nuance, making it a book that will resonate with many readers.

Quick quotes

    The author's prose is both poetic and raw, capturing the essence of grief and longing with remarkable clarity.

    The pacing can feel uneven at times, which might detract from the overall flow.

    The themes of love, loss, and self-discovery are handled with sensitivity and nuance.

oldpaper.uglyporcelaincat.com · Unknown · 2024-05-20
moving 4.50

Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott is a poignant exploration of a woman navigating the complexities of divorce and societal expectations in the 1920s. The novel's raw depiction of Patricia's struggles with love, loss, and self-discovery resonates deeply, offering a timeless commentary on the emotional turmoil of personal upheaval.

Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott is a compelling novel that delves into the life of Patricia, a woman caught between the remnants of her marriage and the uncertain future ahead. The story is set in the 1920s, a time of significant social change, and captures the essence of a woman's journey through heartache and self-discovery. Patricia's experiences with alcohol, casual relationships, and the struggle to find meaning in a changing world are portrayed with striking honesty. The novel's exploration of themes like divorce, societal expectations, and personal resilience makes it a timeless piece that resonates with anyone who has faced similar challenges. The author's personal experiences add a layer of authenticity to the narrative, making it a deeply moving and relatable read.

Quick quotes

    He grew tired of me; hunted about for reasons to justify his weariness; and found them.

    There is a sentence on the book’s first page that I outlined in black ink: “He grew tired of me;” it reads, “hunted about for reasons to justify his weariness; and found them.

    The box that I have drawn around these words is a frame, I suppose; the kind that you find around a mirror.

readersretreat2017.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2023-06-20
engaging 4.50

Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott is a whip-smart tale of marriage, relationships, and women's independence set in 1920s New York. The story follows Patricia, a young woman navigating the complexities of modern marriage and personal freedom, offering a vivid portrayal of the Jazz Age.

Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott captures the essence of the Jazz Age, focusing on themes of marriage, relationships, and women's independence. The narrative revolves around Patricia, who reflects on her tumultuous marriage to Peter and her journey towards self-discovery. Patricia's experiences highlight the challenges of balancing modern ideals with traditional norms, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist. The book is rich with vivid descriptions of 1920s New York, from the exuberant nightlife to the evolving social landscape for women. Patricia's friendships with Lucia, Nathaniel, Kenneth, and Bill add depth to her story, showcasing the support and complexities of her new life as an ex-wife. The novel is a poignant exploration of personal growth and the search for independence in a rapidly changing world.

Quick quotes

    Peter ordered enough double Scotch and soda all at once to last the afternoon. A little of the fog filtered in. I could remember the smell of the fog; the smoky fragrance of Scotch; the lights glancing off little bottles of Schweppes, all across the table; Peter’s deep voice saying gay things about how pretty I was, and what fun we would have, and the strange places to which we would travel someday soon when we had money- Moscow and Buenos Aires, and Budapest and China.

    That feeling of running, of having been running endlessly, so that I was breathless, yet must go on running forever, seemed to sum up my life. Running through days of posing as an efficient young business woman, through nights of posing as a sophisticated young woman about town. Running from the memory of Peter, toward something or nothing, it did not matter which.

    Ex-wife Grade A, I was. Sex-appeal, dresses well, looks young, dances lightly, can make wisecracks, and is self-supporting. Lets a man talk. Does not gold-dig, except for another round of liqueurs after dinner. Never passes out or gets raucous, or gets sick. Not susceptible to the “I want you, I want you, I want you” attitude, but likely to succumb to “pity me, my life is lonely”- once with any man.

theparisreview.org · Unknown · 2023-04-21
fascinating 3.50

Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott is a dark and brutal novel that explores the harsh realities of being a single woman in the 1920s. The protagonist, Patricia, navigates a world filled with danger and misogyny, highlighting the struggles and inequalities faced by women. Despite its shocking content and bleak worldview, the novel is a fascinating and compelling read.

Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott is a novel that delves into the grim realities of being a single woman in the 1920s. The story follows Patricia, a young woman who has recently gone through a divorce, as she navigates the treacherous waters of New York's social scene. The novel is filled with scenes that demonstrate the dangers and hardships of being alone, portraying a world where being married to any man, even an abusive one, is seen as preferable to being single. Patricia's experiences include being raped, strangled, harassed, and humiliated, all while she clings to her appearance as her only weapon and armor. The novel's bleak worldview and misogynistic undertones make it a challenging read, but it is also a fascinating and compelling document of its time. The detailed descriptions of clothing and the conversations between Patricia and her friend Lucia add depth to the narrative, but the overall message is one of despair and hopelessness for women seeking equality. Despite its dark themes, the novel is a powerful exploration of the struggles faced by women in a society that often sees them as disposable.

Quick quotes

    Neither of the Grimes sisters would have a happy life, and looking back it always seemed like the trouble began with their parents’ divorce.

    Women used to have status, a relative security. Now they have the status of any prostitute, success while their looks hold out.

    I lay on the breakfast-room floor, and thought vaguely that things like this did not happen.

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