The Doctor's Wife

By: Elizabeth Brundage

Narrated by: Ellen Archer

Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael is a rising OB/GYN at a prominent private practice in Albany, New York; he also moonlights at a local women’s health clinic. But Annie, his wife, has become tired of her workaholic husband’s absences, and the soccer-mom lifestyle has worn thin. She begins a passionate love affair with bad-boy, fading celebrity painter Simon Haas—an affair that quickly goes awry when Simon’s wife, Lydia, who is also the model upon whom he built his career, discovers the truth.

Abortion, local evangelism, marital disenchantment, and the rifts of social class: Brundage takes on the fault lines of our era with a deft hand.

©2010 Elizabeth Brundage (P)2010 Penguin

Critic reviews

“Appearances are deceiving in this psychological thriller... a compelling read.” (The Boston Globe)

“An examination of w hat happens when we are drawn to the very thing that promises to destroy us.” (Publisher’s Weekly)

“Complex, cleverly constructed narrative provides a slow unfolding of the intricate relationship among the characters... This page-turner will appeal to a broad readership.” (Booklist)

my all time favorite book

I love everything about this book!! wish there was a part 2!! would but it again!!

Its a Novel, Not a Mystery

Its not gripping in any way, though the narration is good. It reminds one of the movie Unfaithful, a bored wife who is unfulfilled with her perfect life goes to far and there are horrible twists and turns. Its just ok. I wouldn't buy it again.

So much to talk about!

This book was thrilling and thought provoking. I was hard to stop listening. I look forward to more from this author.

The Doctor's Wife

3½ ⭐ rounded up to 4.
Ok . The narrators were good. The story got a bit confusing 😕. Didn't hate it.

Adulterous wife made a victim

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes. I would change the plot so that the adulterous wife and her lover were not made to be seen as the victims of the story.

What was most disappointing about Elizabeth Brundage’s story?

The wife was never held accountable for her actions. Granted, she was in an unhappy marriage, but so was the woman whose husband she cheated with. The supporting characters were not flushed out enough and I think this is why I was not able to sympathize with the wife of the doctor. I did not totally view the villain (the artist's wife) as such because although her husband was aware of her mental issues, his transgressions were blatantly disrespectful. While I do not condone his wife's demented actions, I sympathized more with her than I did the doctor's wife who essentially just wanted a play boy and gave no thought whatsoever to the impact her actions had on the artist's wife. Even when it became apparent her mental state was escalating out of control. Lastly, I was not able to understand the attraction between the doctor's wife and the artist. The artist's was plain; he just wanted sex and comfort outside his marriage, yet he wouldn't leave his wife because she needed him....blah blah blah. But I couldn't grasp what about him drew the doctor's wife. He came off as a bad boy who was either drunk or hung over, and usually unkempt. What about that is attractive?

What about Ellen Archer’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed the narrator's performance.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No, I would not.

can't believe it finished so quick.

i read it along with the audible. love it. can't wait to read another book/ audible