A Reliable Wife by Robert GoolrickBack-of-the-book blurb: He placed a notice in a Chicago paper, an advertisement for “a reliable wife.” She responded, saying that she was “a simple, honest woman.” She was, of course, anything but honest, and the only simple thing about her was her single-minded determination …
She is Too Fond of Books’ review: Last week my neighborhood book group discussed Robert Goolrick’s A Reliable Wife; this was first published in early 2009, followed by a paperback edition in January 2010. One of our group’s guidelines is that the book must be available in paperback (to keep costs down, for those who purchase the book rather that attain library copies). I’d had this book on my ‘to be read’ stack for a while, so when I saw that it was out in paperback I suggested it to the group; read on to see whether or not they appreciated the suggestion …
First, a little background on the group. I’ve mentioned them here before – I rounded everyone up a few months after we moved in, Richard Russo’s Empire Falls was our first discussion book. We’ve also read The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Out Stealing Horses, The Bridal Wreath (first in the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy) and The Middle Place, among others, a fair mix of genres. We meet about six times a year, with a cookie exchange at the holidays, and taking the summer off. It’s not a ‘hard core’ book group, but it’s a fantastic mix of ages and stages and differing opinions; our get-togethers are a good way to get a check on the pulse of the neighborhood.
Now, back to A Reliable Wife… The novel is set in 1907 in a remote town in Wisconsin; Truitt, Wisconsin, where winters seem to last nine months. The bleak, snow-covered landscape is placed as a character in the book, driving human characters nearly insane with isolation. In an interview, Goolrick stated that Michael Lesy’s Wisconsin Death Trap was an inspiration for the setting of A Reliable Wife. Lesy’s book is “an examination of the lives of ordinary citizens of a small town in northern Wisconsin in 1896 … accounts of the surprisingly erratic lives of the men and women who endured a hard life in a poor year in a bleak landscape.”
The long winter may have driven the actions of some of the peripheral characters, but it seems there’s a lot more going on in the minds of the main characters. Ralph Truitt (yes, the Truitt family for which the town is named), is a widower who places the following ad in a newspaper:
Country businessman seeks
reliable wife.
Compelled by practical,
not romantic reasons.
Reply by letter.
Ralph Truitt. Truitt, Wisconsin.
Discreet.
Whatever happened to truth in advertising? Ralph Truitt has an ulterior motive hidden in those “practical reasons” for seeking a reliable wife; as does the woman who answers the ad.
Truitt has a love-hate relationship with the townspeople, and they with him. As the proverbial richest man in town, and the largest employer, he commands a type of respect and service from the people of Truitt. He is, however, convinced that they hate him, that they gossip about him, and that they take a perverse pleasure in his trials.
Oh, and speaking of perverse pleasure … Ralph Truitt thinks constantly of sex. Not necessarily reminiscing about his own experiences, but wondering about each of his neighbors as he passes them on the street:
In Ralph Truitt’s mind, in the dead of the night, the knots of death and birth formed an insane lace, knitting the town together, in a ravishment of sexual acts and the product of these acts. All skin to skin in the dark, just underneath the heavy tortuous garments in the day. Still, in his mind’s eye, the husbands would race into the warmed sheets and be young again, young and in love if only for fifteen minutes in the dark, lying with wasted women who were themselves, for those few minutes, beautiful young girls again with shiny braided hair and ready laughs. Sex was all he thought about in the dark.
This trait was brought up during our discussion – it does play a major role in the book. “You can tell this was written by a man” on neighbor said. “Who thinks about a it ALL THE TIME? Who thinks about what their neighbors do like that?!” Hmm, statement made in a room full of neighbors – it’s like trying not to think about the color green. Ready? DON’T think about the color green. You did, didn’t you? Awkward.
The group is all women, but one husband did read A Reliable Wife. I wish that he could have been there, so we could get the male viewpoint. I’m not convinced that this theme of s-e-x alone would indicate that the author was male, but isn’t it interesting how you can often accurately guess the gender of an author through a writing sample?
There were many twists and turns in the novel; the public facade versus the personal truth. I liked the way Goolrick revealed various pieces of the puzzle (excellent “showing not telling”). Two scenes of what I would call “magical realism” were effective ways of tying up those storylines.
My neighbors’ overall reactions ranged from “I liked it and gave it to [her husband] to read” to “It was OK, but let’s read something a little more upbeat next time” to “I hated it. He went on and on with those descriptions and needed a better editor.” What’s SITFOB’s opinion? I really liked it – the plot, character development, and the way Goolrick kept stringing me along - but I can see that a reader who doesn’t enjoy ‘mind games’ and lots of descriptive setting in the books she reads might have a hard time. Recommended to those who like something out of the ordinary.
I liked this one a lot but I think I do agree that it was a bit heavy on the s-e-x. But I loved the mind game aspect and I really enjoyed watching Ralph and Catherine change throughout the book.
It’s great to get all different perspectives on a book and it sure sounds like the opinions varied. I have the audio version on my IPOD and am looking forward to this.
Lisa – Oh, gosh, I didn’t mind the sex, but it WAS awkward to discuss with my neighbors! It would have been a smoother (and more fun) conversation with a group of friends who I knew better, or with blog friends (where anything goes!)
I realize I barely mentioned Catherine in my ‘notes’ . oh, well ….
I’ll read anything with the Algonquin imprint, a good fit for me!
diane – I’ll look for your thoughts after you listen to it!
It was out of the ordinary and I think that’s one of the reasons that I enjoyed it so much!
Oh the ravings on this book! I actually won a signed copy from Rebecca but I donated it to the Adult Literqacy League’s silent auction. Guess I’ll have to buy it back! I love a good mind twisting, and love reads that are different, so I’m really looking forward to it!
Julie – I like nonformulaic as well. I listed some of the other books the group has read to show that it’s not all ‘commercial fiction.’ This just wasn’t a hit for the neighborhood … maybe our winter has been too long and they identified with the bleak setting.
Sandy – wow, lucky you to have won a signed copy. And generously passing it along. Yes, you may have to buy it back at the auction
I just rec’d a newsletter from a local bookstore. Coincidentally, they’re discussing A RELIABLE WIFE next Tuesday night. It’s about 45 minutes away (plus traffic …), I’d love to go if I can swing it, and write a follow-up post.
I really liked this book. I can totally understand some of the comments…it was bleak, it did have a lot of sex in it. But that is why I thought it was so good–repression, anger, joy, despair, happiness–it’s all in there! I downloaded it to my Reader on a recommendation from the paper and am not sorry.
I’m glad not everyone in your club liked this book. I really didn’t like it when I read it, but have always felt weird because all the reviews have been so good. Knowing some other people disliked it makes me feel less weird
I loved this one, but I get why it doesn’t work for some people—not like those books where I think “OMG, this is SO amazing, you’d have to be crazy not to like it.” Would definitely be awkward to discuss w/ neighbors.
I’m back. (Because why leave one comment when you could leave two?!) The thing that struck me about this was that, especially when you read a lot, you start to feel like you’ve heard most stories before, like very few books are truly original….but this felt entirely new and fresh to me, both in the storyline and the writing (oooh, the writing….), and that feeling is worth a lot.
Oh! A friend of mine was talking about this book the other day. She LOVED it! I can’t wait to read it.
I’m always looking for out-of-the-ordinary books. This one has been on my shelf for a couple of months. I hope to get to it soon.
Susan – I’m glad I read it, too, and am especially pleased to be able to interact w/people via the blog about some of the themes. Repression in spades!
Rebecca – Great thought – “new and fresh, both in storyline and in writing” – yes!
Allie – I hope you get to it soon
Anna – you, too. So many books, so little time ….
I can definitely see how this could be a little uncomfortable to discuss with neighbors. I can also understand their concerns about it. As for me, I loved it. It was such a pleasure to read.
I have this and have wanted to read it. I think I’ll get to it soon and then give it to Mr. BFR. Sounds like something we would have fun discussing together.
I had been looking at this book for a long time and finally broke down and bought a copy a few weeks ago. I have heard that there are a lot of twists and turns in it and that it was a pretty good read, so hearing you say that it was good but unusual makes me excited to pick it up! Glad that you liked it. I will have to let you know what I think of it when I do read it. Also, your book group sounds like it’s a lot of fun!
Sounds like an interesting book. I have this one on the shelf from a coworker…I haven’t tackled it yet, but you’ve given me a lot to think about before I do.
I was wondering what your group thought about some of the questions published elsewhere for discussion?
1. Why do you think Truitt let Catherine continue to poison him?
2. Why did Catherine want to revive the secret garden?
I am curious as to what others thought………..thanks!
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The secret garden was Catherine’s secret self. (the reader, dress designer. creative side of Catherine) How do you unlock that creative energy in 1896 ? It gave her a purpose and a reason to go to the library and study. She was the sister with the brains and energy. She threw it all away on Alice who didn’t care and was more suited to prostitution.
I have a question for anyone who read the book. The back of the book said that Catherine had a secret agenda which was to poison Ralph and inherit all his money, but what was Ralph’s own secret? The synopsis made me think that he had an ulterior motive of his own which was not clear to me. Was it getting his son back? Was it to get her pregnant to have an heir? I would appreciate it if someone could help me understand what Ralph had in store for Catherine because I think I missed it. Thanks!!
Haha I cant understand why some people didn’t devour the pages of this book till the full concept was reached. This book is amazing. It generates true feelings of loneliness. How could any be more lonely without no one. And yet the pleasure and satisfaction of company was explicit and it complimented the feelin of loneliness. According to me robert is a true Genious. Looking forward to owning and reading his book ” the end of the world as we know it” – wopee! I’m only 17:D
Angie – I’m w/ you.. I enjoyed the book..But, I’m confused.. What was Truitt’s ulterior motive? Why did he allow her to poison him? I need help on this.
I think that he allowed Catherine to continue to poison him because of his guilt–re: his son and his repressed sexual feelings. His secret agenda was to get his son back. But his repressed secret agenda was to enjoy sex with his mail order bride. He couldln’t allow himself to advertise for “a looker” so he settled on a “reliable wife” the only kind of sexual outlet that he could allow himself. So when Catherine showed up she was his wish/fear in person.