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Man and Wife (Large Print Edition) from the UK, Canada, Germany or France by clicking an appropriate flag below.
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On a summer's morning between thirty and forty years ago- two girls were crying bitterly in the cabin of an East Indian passenger ship- bound outward from Gravesend to Bombay.' (Excerpt form Chapter 1)
Customer Rating: 



Review Summary: Wilkie Collins in good form..
Review: In general, I have not been impressed with the works of Wilkie Collins outside his "big 4" novels ('The Woman in White', 'No Name', 'Armadale', and 'The Moonstone'). 'Man and Wife' was written right after 'The Moonstone', the last of his really successful novels. Sadly, this novel is unjustly overlooked by Wilkie Collins fans. It's actually a fun read.
'Man and Wife' is a complicated story about a young couple, and their friends/family, caught up in the consequences of lax marriage laws during the Victorian era. At that time folks in Scotland were considered married if they simply announced it. No need for marriage licenses, blood tests, etc. Wilkie Collins's gift of building the suspense works well, and the book's ending is unexpected (and terrific).
'Man and Wife' is every bit as good as, say, 'The Moonstone'. However for Wilkie Collins neophytes I suggest first trying 'The Woman in White' or 'No Name' (..both are my favorites).
PS - I think the previous reviewer is mistaken. This book has nothing to do with intrusive mother-in-laws.
Customer Rating: 



Review Summary: The Agony of Divorce
Review: This was actually a fun read. It's an anti-mother-in-law book. It's also about divorce. Despite the Victorian horror of the subject, I can't help thinking that we modern folk could learn something from this book. Little things mostly, like avoiding temptation and not placing your spouse in temptation. Probably the biggest thing I learned was not to have your mother-in-law live with you. Good advice in any age.