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Published by SparkPress
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
When Lucie, a smart and sassy girl from NYC, meets Pierre, a dashing Frenchman, at a grad school party in 1973, she abandons her PhD program to run off with him. It’s the start of the sexual revolution, and she doesn’t intend to miss a thing. They first land in Mexico, then marry and settle in Paris to live the dream. But not long into their marriage, Pierre becomes an intolerant critic of her wifely imperfections; Lucie just can’t seem to measure up to French standards.
Instead of settling into her new life, she balks at French customs. As planned, she has their baby son in 1976, but far from succeeding in settling her down, the baby highlights her inability to depend on Pierre and precipitates a meltdown. Finally, she makes two friends, young mothers she’s met at the playground. When one of them tries to commit suicide, Lucie panics and considers returning to the U.S. but fears the impact on her young son. An English-speaking women’s writing group sets her on the right path. Ultimately, those women help her realize what she truly needs and wants out of life: to be a mother, a career woman, and a writer.
Instead of settling into her new life, she balks at French customs. As planned, she has their baby son in 1976, but far from succeeding in settling her down, the baby highlights her inability to depend on Pierre and precipitates a meltdown. Finally, she makes two friends, young mothers she’s met at the playground. When one of them tries to commit suicide, Lucie panics and considers returning to the U.S. but fears the impact on her young son. An English-speaking women’s writing group sets her on the right path. Ultimately, those women help her realize what she truly needs and wants out of life: to be a mother, a career woman, and a writer.
Product Details
- Publisher: SparkPress (April 11, 2023)
- Length: 366 pages
- ISBN13: 9781684631827
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Raves and Reviews
2024 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite in Women's Fiction
“By focusing on a protagonist who struggles with discontentment despite having the trappings of joy in her life, Garber takes a fresh approach to exploring what constitutes happiness.”
—Booklife Reviews
“Garber paints her protagonist vividly and sympathetically, as she begins to accept that her evolving sense of self won't fit into the confines of her seemingly ideal life.”
—Ursula De Young, founding editor of Embark Literary Journal
“It’s a good, strong read, the kind of book that’s a lot of fun and also has solid literary values—not such an ordinary thing these days. I can easily see people taking it on a plane or train or vacation and really enjoying the ride.”
—David Landau, Independent Publishing Executive/Editor, Publisher PurePlay Press
“Janet Garber has written a moving and beautiful novel that is both heartbreaking and inspiring at times. The French Lover’s Wife is richer than French food and more romantic and tragic than a classic French film. The writing is gorgeous and the setting, a character unto itself, is visceral. I can’t recommend this book enough.”
—Pat Dunn, author of Rebels by Accident, Last Stop on the 6, and Her Father’s Daughter
“The French Lover’s Wife is a thrilling book to read, complete with adventure, love, disappointments and perseverance—a must read!”
—ILoveUniqueBooks.com, 5-star review
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