What readers think of The Pilot's Wife, plus links to write your own review.

Did Rhett ever come back to Scarlett? One example of a good open ending where the reader can speculate. The Pilot's Wife, not so much. Too many weak open ended questions, such as why in the world would Jack lie about his mother being deceased? Why did he not divorce his wife? (He could have cared for Mattie in spite of a divorce) Why did he not make provision for his Irish family? Too wishy washy for satisfaction.

The beginning dragged on and on. We get that Katheryn was grief stricken, but we didn't need the length of pages dedicated to it. When Katheryn finally left the house, the book got more interesting. However, the ending was very frustrating!The author takes us through so much detail during the book, sometimes painfully so. Then she leaves us with a very vague ending that leaves the reader confused.

I'd heard great reviews about this book, but I found it to be quite boring. Initially, I couldn't put it down. After a few chapters that feeling quickly changed. I thought the story was unrealistic. I find it hard to believe that a husband could've actually pulled that off for almost five years with no suspicions from a wife.

I really don't understand what the big deal is with this book. I know Anita Shreve is a great author because I've heard of her name and seen her books in book stores. Recently, I had finished reading all the books of my favourite author (Ken Follett) and was in search for a new author.
I thought 'A Pilot's Wife' would be a good book as it had received raving reviews. Well, only the first chapter was interesting. I don't understand how some people can say that they can't put the book down. I down find her plot riveting at all. I can easily put the book down.
The language is superb of course, but the book is boring. There is not much research done, only a lot of playing with words and emotions. It is also very slow and maybe to ethereal. I think the mood of the book is too concentrated on that. Alot of small boring issues like going to see the priest were kept very lengthy.
I don't think many boys would be interested to read this sort of book.

Very poor reading!!

hi Dee.

I too, had the novel "The Pilots Wife" recommended. In fact it was the Oprah Winfrey book club recommendation that finally sold it to me, and started me on the quest to read each and every one of the Anita Shreve books.

As for "ale" not being sold in todays pubs, true but there are still many that have a preference for "real ale" but I don't know if this qualifies, in this case.

Yes, there were certainly plenty of other "issues" raised. It was the way in which Anita Shreve gradually unravelled, small pieces at a time, the alternative character of the husband that had me enthralled.

Dee
I live in Cambridge, England and was given the book by an American friend. I have never read any of Anita's books before and was interested to give it a try.
At the beginning I found the book fascinating and intriguing - there was obviously a secret there somewhere! Unfortunately , as I read on I became more disappointed - the 'other' family was enough, surely, without the other issues?
Nevertheless, I will read more of Anita's books. One thing please - we don't drink glasses of 'ale' in England (well not since the 17th century at any rate!) and it doesn't rain all the time!!

Amber
I do not understand the ending either! What lottery ticket is she talking about? And when she is saying that across the sea, is that to Jack or to Muire? I loved the book until I got to those last few lines. They totally threw me off!
[In later message] I get it!! The thing she had been meaning to do: call Muire. The lottery ticket: the one that had Muire's brother's number on the back. The silence in London: the person who picked up the phone did not respond. She was telling the "A" person (whom she had suspected had been given custody of the children) that she wanted to make sure they were alright. I am so relieved that I understand it now :) It really was a wonderful book.