The Other Woman

Rating:
Summary: My 3rd fave Dickey Book
Review: Dickey is my favorite author so if this opinion seems a little one sided, please excuse me. I have read every single Dickey book and I have to say that this is definately one of my favorites from him. My favorite is Friends and Lovers, followed closely by Cheaters. He plays this book like a fiddle. He doesn't make the "cheated" weak and misguided. The cheated wife is very demanding of answers and extremely straight forward. Following the old "eye for an eye" throughout the book, the cheated wife does an outstanding job of keeping her feelings hidden for the most part (journalist here. Ultimately plays to her best advantage). I can't really go into all the details but I read this book 3 times within the first week i bought it. I love this book... LOVE IT. If I ever get cheated on, I can only pray that I handle it as well as this woman. Way to go Dickey

Rating:
Summary: A rose by any other name ...
Review: Shakespear was misguided when he wrote the words, "A rose by any other name is just as sweet."  EJD was also mistaken.

I am a huge fan of Eric Jerome Dickey.  I've read all of his novels (except his latest), met him in person, had him sign a few of my books, and will always treasure the picture we shared at Border's Bookstore. 

As usual, EJD put together another well-written novel that was easy to read and fun to discuss.  Unlike other readers; however, I did not believe that this was one of his greatest works.

I was really bothered by the fact that the main character/narrator did not have a name(besides the nickname Freckles).  I read the book a second time, just to see if maybe EJD left a subtle hint somewhere that I might have missed.  I strongly believe that a character's name gives him/her power, personality, and depth.

If you were to call a rose, "Chit"-- the imagery would be lost.  You can describe a chit, just as you would a rose, but somehow it wouldn't have the same effect.

I am not sure that EJD's description in the early chapters of the book portrayed a happily married couple.  This was evidenced by their first sexual encounter between the main character and her husband Charles.  Their lovemaking was quick, invasive, and lacked tenderness...hardly the sign of a healthy relationship. So I don't understand why other readers thought Charles and his wife were happy at the start of the novel.  In the second sexual encounter, Charles used lovemaking as a diversion to keep his wife from asking too many questions about the mysterious fist fight he had at work.

I know this will surprise some, but let this be a lesson to men and women out there...satisfying your partner is more than "doing the do".  If sex were all we needed to stay happy, everyone one would be grinning from ear to ear.

EJD mentioned that the main character had a fear of abandonement (her father left the family), but never expanded on how this part of her life contributed to the fall of her marriage. 

We no doubt understood the narrator's strive to be a good wife and career woman, but she was not dominant in either role until she decided to turn the tables on her husband and participate in an adulterous affair.  You gotta read between the lines to understand that comment.

All speaking characters need a confidant, but the best friend in this story got on my last nerve!  She really had nothing to contribute to the storyline.  EJD should have given her a better role or clipped her from the pages altogether.

If you're looking for a happy ending in this book....you'll be disappointed.  You might even cry at the end or if you're like me, find a shovel to pick your jaw up-off-the-floor! Shocking results.

Overall, this book leaves us all with much to think about.  How do you fix a broken marriage scarred by the stones of infidelity?  What happens when the hunter (news producer) becomes the hunted?  Should you know all of the details of an affair in order to forgive and move on?  Would you consider a change in career if your job duties were taking too much time away from your spouse? 

Finally, I would have preferred an alternate ending.  In the book, one of the women discovered that she was pregnant.  How would the story have unfolded if the baby was born?  Because of the ending, we will never know.

Good job EJD!  Part II please, this book has much potential.  And for God sakes, please give ALL the characters a suitable name.

Rating:
Summary: A book that starts off with drama!!
Review: This was one of ejd most fulfilling and entertaining novels. First, the book began with drama and continued throughout. Although fiction, ejd once again forced you to become one with the characters in the book. I recommend this book as a must read.