Readers who enjoy contemporary and historical fiction will be delighted at the way Woodruff uniquely blends the two. Both Georgie and Mrs. Jordan’s journeys are compelling. The prose in My Wife’s Affair is straightforward and easy to read, but I found that it was not easy to move on to doing something else, and I read this book in just a few sittings. I loved all the nuances and how things tied up at the end. The storyline was resolved yet perfect in ambiguousness. I still think about this one and am still in awe of Woodruff’s accomplishments. Truly, this one is for the book clubs. Lots to discuss. ( )

I loved this book. It was beautifully written, well paced, and accurately portrayed many of the emotions involved in marriage, motherhood and art. The juxtatposition of the modern story of Georgie and her husband and that of Mrs. Jordan, an 18th century actress and mistress to royalty, is effective.

Although the tragic ending is foreshadowed throughout the book, it still comes as a shock, and I do see why some have characterized it as manipulative. I wasn't totally satisfied, either. But I don't think it detracted from the beauty of this book. ( )

Well written, but the ending was needlessly manipulative. ( )

I really like this book. It was a very good read. I liked the story, the ending however tragic, was still good. As the title suggests it is about the consquences that an affair has on a family. ( )

Ok, this one is going to be a hard one to review and would have much rather reviewed it before I read the final two chapters. It is going to so difficult to explain what I didn't like about this book without giving anything away (which is something I totally dislike in a review) I will try my best!

Good Stuff

* Beautifully written, but tragic
* The narrator's obvious love for his wife is so beautifully described
* The narrator's wife is wonderfully theatrical (although quite the self involved tramp)
* The character of Fergus is delightful with his wise comments and constant questions
* Painfully uncomfortable and realistic portrayal of a marriage and of the tediousness of being a parent
* Portrayal of the life in the theatrical world is fascinating
* Historically accurate and makes me want to know more about Dora Jordan
* Haunting tale of betrayal, passion and not being satisfied with what you have

Not So Good Stuff

* The frickin last two chapters. Let's rip out your heart, stamp on it, and than stamp on it again. Way too depressing for my sensitive nature
* I repeat, the last two chapters!
* Irritated at times with how much of a drama queen the wife was

What I Learned (some spoilers in this - don't read if you don't want TMI)

* Cheating bad -- don't do it! Especially with boring sounding English guys.
* My god, I really really want to visit England
* Actors are extremely selfish and self involved
* I really don't like to read things that involve bad things happening to children (oh never mind, we already know how much I hate that)
* Loved the scenes of the play within the story, made me want to see the fictional play

Favorite Quotes and Passages

"We try, we husbands and fathers, we really do. I just want to tell you that. We may not find the perfect triceratops pajamas on sale four months before the birthday"

"Peter, Peter, the world is a girl you're trying to get to sleep with you, and you'll never succeed if you tell her your failures"

"And yet had she known what was going to happen to her, to us, I know she would gladly have traded each moment of passion for decades of the tedium she then so fiercely attacked"

"It is inconceivable to me now that I could stand in a room with this man who in a matter of weeks would be F*****g my wife-who probably was thinking of nothing but that as we talked"

"Oh, Georgie, weren't there already enough of us who adored you? Why did you need one more"

Who Should Read

* Not for the sensitive reader due to last 2 chapters
* Those with a love for the theatre and English theatrical history
* Those enjoy stories of scenes from a life
* Not for those who enjoy happy endings ( )