The Editor's Wife (Charnwood Large Print) [Import] [Hardcover]

Clare Chambers (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd; Large Print Ed edition (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846179572
• ISBN-13: 978-1846179570
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Amusing and moving, August 5, 2008

By 

Nico Brusso "easy reader" (Cherry Hill, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Editor's Wife (Hardcover)

Strangely enough, "The Editor's Wife," written by female British writer Clare Chambers, is essentially about the growth of a man. The man, Christopher, is also Clare Chambers' narrator.

One problem with reading first-person, of course, is trying to visualize the speaker -- though that's not always necessary. In Christopher's case we soon learn that many women of various stations find him quite attractive and are happy to accommodate him for quick flings or for repeated on-again, off-again relationships.

We also learn that Christopher is (otherwise?) intelligent. At York University he had concentrated on "maths." Against his family's and others' advice, Christopher had taken leave from final studies and exams to pursue a creative urge to write fiction.

The editor of the title, Owen Goddard, had considered the opening of Christopher's proposed first novel brilliant and had greatly encouraged him. Owen and his wife Diana, the parents of young twin girls, had even given him a lump sum to live on while finishing. Diana and Christopher had been attracted to each other, amusingly when a lemon meringue pie slipped in the kitchen during a house party.

Eventually Christopher had returned to his studies and wound up in a long government career analyzing tax liabilities. He had married and been divorced by Carol, a successful solicitor, and Carol had remarried. In time she and Christopher picked up a friendly conversational relationship.

The Goddards' help had been some twenty years ago. Once Christopher had written to repay their gift and gotten no response.

Presently, Christopher has "taken redundancy," left his London house, and bought a retirement cottage in the country. He also is trying to get his brother Gerald to sell their childhood homestead and share the proceeds.

A very young -- and pregnant -- university post-PhD researcher named Alex Canning is working on a biography of Owen Goddard, has seen Christopher's old letter with the payback offer, and would like any information Christopher can give about the Goddards.

Alex arrives in a heavy rainstorm. Brother Gerald had unexpectedly showed up, as had ex-wife Carol following a marital spat. The baby also decides it is time to arrive. The chaotic events are compellingly amusing.

And Christopher ends up receiving far more life-changing information than any he had expected to give. The closing is a masterly account of life and love in quiet acceptance. One will not find a more moving ending. Clare Chambers' writing is excellent throughout.