A Reliable Read!

A Reliable Wife: Robert Goolrick, 2009.

This novel takes place in a small Wisconsin town in the late 1800s. It centres around a man named Ralph Truitt and his quest to find a wife, along with his eventual partner Catherine Land. Ralph wants a companion in his lonley, solitary life, while Catherine chooses Ralph to benefit someone in her past, whom she actively seeks approval and love. When we first meet Ralph, we see him as a hard and unyeilding character. As the story unfolds we begin to see him as a deeply hurt man who lives with sorrow that seems to have permeated him completely. Despite his undeniable anguish, Ralph believes he needs to move forward and so he places an ad in newspapers across the United States looking for a reliable wife, hence the title. He sends for Catherine, and with the subsequent marriage he initially believes he can forget his past and focus only on his future and the life he intends to lead. Once he has married, we learn the reason behind his sadness and we also see from Catherine's perspective on why and how she could marry a man after answering a newspaper ad. As the story moves on the love that develops in one from understanding and of questions not asked.

Now I haven't given away the story, I just wanted to give some background. I must say that this was an interesting read. Goolrick has reminded us, in our present day, of life after the Great Depression. While initially I found the idea of placing an ad in multiple newspapers, advertising for a wife, an archaic and outdated practice for the desperate, I later realized that it is much like today's online dating. Once I established this connection with the modern day, I felt that Ralph Truitt was less a lonely and pathetic loser, desperate for affection and more of an honest (if not oblivious and mildly ignorant to what is in front of him) individual who could see his own failings and wanted to advance in life rather than stay stagnant. After this revelation I found this to be a charming and interesting read.

I believe that this book is meant for those (like me!) that enjoy reading about love (and sometimes loss of love) in a none-too- sappy form. I personally end up despising the heroine that gets the guy, the perfect body and the effortless style without too realistic of a struggle. If I can't identify with the issues while reading, I will not enjoy the story once it has ended. This was not an issue while reading Goolrick's novel.

Please let me know how I can improve on my writing style (I feel like it might be a little disjointed... but that's me... I just want to get the information and my reccomendations out there. I don't want to give too much away but I do want to give a little more than a synopsis. Did I succeed? Do you want less of my observations? Is it too wordy? Please let me know.. but do be nice :)


My recommedation? Definitely worth the read. Interesting, intriguing and entertaining! Not a fluffy read, despite the romantic undercurrent within the story. More about the forgiveness and happiness. Give it a try and let me know what you think :)

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xoxo