Are there three wise men in this novel? What gifts did they bring into the lives of the
Weissmann women?

This is a really interesting question because I honestly put most of the male characters in the "fellowship of cads," as Josie puts it. Roberts seems to be of a good sort, but pretty vanilla; Henry is a child; and Cousin Lou is helpful but too eccentric to make a real impact. Schine is too savvy of a writer to name her characters Weissman without knowing the wise men connection, so there must be something to your thought. I'll have to think more about it, but what do you think?

I thought the three men were the three women with a whole lot of irony thrown in since they weren't men and they weren't wise!

To me, there were three wise men: Roberts, Henry, and Uncle Lou. Their gifts were as unique and pure as the characters themselves. For Roberts was a bit of a mysterious "good" constant in the novel. Without any prompting, his presence, geniune feelings for all of the Weissmen women,particularly Annie, and pro active voice in the divorce proceedings were the unassuming gifts to the Weissmens. Henry's gift was that of love and hope. It was this beautiful innocence that provided hope that true love was could survive and was possible. Uncle Lou gift was the constant family tie that bound almost, if not all, of our characters. His
position on the family-always present, always possible, and always true-never faltered.

Debra, I can see that. Roberts, Henry, and Lou are all catalysts, also, causing or providing for change in the three women.

Very "wise" debracoley!

Thanks for your response, Sally. Every once in awhile I come up with a bright idea. It was probably the retired English teacher coming out in me! I just couldn't resist the irony in the names and felt as though the author was hoping her "more intellectual" readers would pick up on it...as we did! LOL