Confessions of a Turtle Wife: A Man, a Woman, and the Turtles That Threaten to Come Between Them [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Anita Salzberg-Baskin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001

What in the world is a Turtle Wife? It’s a woman (or a man—sometimes referred to as a Turtle Husband) married to someone obsessed with nature’s shelled wonders.

Confessions of a Turtle Wife is the story of a turtle-challenged marriage. Over the course of the book, and many hilarious escapades—including a snapping turtle in the bathtub, turtle sex on the living room floor, and searching for turtles in pet stores across America—Turtle Wife becomes turtle lover.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Confessions of a Turtle Wife . . . is the touching tale of a marriage challenged by turtles. -- Steve Dale, The San Diego Union-Tribune

I heartily recommend Confessions of a Turtle Wife. -- Linda Goldston, San Jose Mercury News

I loved [it]. I realized that I was not alone in the world — the parallels were/are eerie! -- Mike Hall, Boston, MA

Your book is my life! -- Sharon Stearns, Rockland County, NY

About the Author

Anita Salzberg is a freelance copywriter and journalist. With her husband, Allen, she has authored three children’s books for Franklin Watts: Predators!, Flightless Birds, and Turtles, and written articles for Ranger Rick on turtles and horseshoe crabs. She has also written for OMNI, Health, and The New York Times Magazine. She currently lives with Allen, three cats and (a paltry) 14 turtles, three of which are hers.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 213 pages
• Publisher: Hats Off Books; illustrated edition edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587360705
• ISBN-13: 978-1587360701
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,481,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am the wife with the turtles..., May 26, 2002

By 

V. Haecky (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions of a Turtle Wife: A Man, a Woman, and the Turtles That Threaten to Come Between Them (Paperback)

In our marriage, I am the one (wife) with the turtles (and other reptiles) and my husband has moved from indifference to quiet love for my critters.
While somewhat episodic, the book is funny and so true! It is
a wonderful account of the ups, downs, laughs and tears
of turtle ownership.
I give this 5 stars for the humor, and for bringing turtles
to the rest of the world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard Shell Humor, February 27, 2002

By 

"ellie22" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions of a Turtle Wife: A Man, a Woman, and the Turtles That Threaten to Come Between Them (Paperback)

I LOVED THIS BOOK! If you're looking for a very funny quick read--a real diversion--then pick up a copy of "Confessions of a Turtle Wife" by Anita Salzberg.

You don't have to know a thing about turtles or even care about them, but I guarantee by the time you finish this hilarious, educational, and positively charming book, you'll realize it's not about turtles after all. It's a cosmic New York love story--a guy obsessed with chelonians and the woman who falls in love with him...and his turtles.

Knowing ultimatums do not work, Salzberg never says "it's me or the turtles." It's a sidelong glance at how to find true happiness by accepting what cannot be changed, and, a very funny one, at that.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turtles and Husbands, April 25, 2002

By 

Chaim Caron (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions of a Turtle Wife: A Man, a Woman, and the Turtles That Threaten to Come Between Them (Paperback)

This delightful, funny, even suspenseful book is ostensibly about the experience of living with a "turtle nut" (my term for a turtle enthusiast). The book does deliver quantities of information on that topic, as well as about turtles as pets, caring for turtles, turtle conservation, and more.

However, it's also a personal and touching chronicle of a relationship developing between a man and a woman.

The author brings a light and humorous touch to the entire book. I often laughed out loud while reading it. And, believe it or not, Confessions of a Turtle Wife is a page turner! I could not put it down. (There is even a chapter about sex that includes a graphic description of the sex act-between consenting adult turtles!)

A most enjoyable, informative, and uplifting book-I recommend it highly.