Well Behaved Wives

A Novel

By: Amy Sue Nathan

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert, Gail Shalan

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Perfect wives, imperfect lives, and upending the rules of behavior in 1960s America.

Law school graduate and newlywed Ruth Appelbaum is acclimating to life and marriage in a posh Philadelphia neighborhood. She’ll do almost anything to endear herself to her mother-in-law, who’s already signed up Ruth for etiquette lessons conducted by the impeccably accessorized tutor Lillian Diamond. But Ruth brings something fresh to the small circle of housewives—sharp wit, honesty, and an independent streak that won’t be compromised.

Right away Ruth develops a friendship with the shy Carrie Blum. When Carrie divulges a dark and disturbing secret lurking beneath her seemingly perfect life, Ruth invites Lillian and the Diamond Girls of the etiquette school to finally question the status quo.

Together they form an unbreakable bond and stretch well beyond their comfort zones. For once, they’ll challenge what others expect from them, discover what they expect from themselves, and do whatever it takes to protect one of their own—fine manners be damned.

©2022 Amy Nathan Gropper (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“This book is an insightful and entertaining glimpse into the many struggles of housewives. Recommended for anyone wanting to know some of the true costs of ‘picturesque’ behavior in suburbia.”—Historical Novels Review

“Fans of Amy Sue Nathan’s previous four novels will be delighted with Well Behaved Wives. Nathan introduces us to a group of women who come together in the name of friendship and who each find the courage to stand in their own truth.”—Renee Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces and Park Avenue Summer

Good but long

This a great book and an extremely important topic. Just a little long. It was nice to have two narrators. It could have been shorter.

Excellent

Excellent writing. SPOILER ALERT: tells an accurate account of what generations of women have experienced. Leaving this book grateful for how far women’s right to a safe life our society has come and how far we still need to go.

Easy listening

The story line kept me interested. The narrator was pretty good. It was a light but engaging story. Entertaining enough for me to want to continue listening to the end.

Amazing

This was an awesome book. Perfect for anyone interested in marriage, families, & social justice. I love the insights into women’s minds in that era & the double-binds both women & men encounter navigating relationships.

Loved it

It’s a great way to learn where we come from as women so we can someday be, truly, men an women, equals

Never underestimate the power of a quiet housewife

Wow wow WOW! What an empowering story! Started off a bit slow, and I almost gave up on it and I am so glad that I didn’t.

The narration made cringe!

I think I bought this book because it was set in Philadelphia. And I’m sorry I wasted my time on it. Thought it was going in a different direction than it did. Story was just okay but the narrator had me gritting my teeth!

Well Behaved Wives

The beginning of this book was a little tough and irritating to get through. I, thankfully, didn't have to experience being a wife that was subservient to her husband. I do remember my mother doing some of these things. I am glad marriage is different now.
Ruth is a wonderful character. I really enjoyed this story and especially enjoyed watching her relationship with her mother-in-law.

Excellent book

This book does a great job of depicting domestic violence. There is a lot more to it but on the whole, it explains a lot.

I was a victim of domestic violence and I am familiar with a lot of what was covered in this book.

I am thankful that my experiences were in the 90s and not in the 60s.

Fantastic

It is not about good manners, it's about life. I needed to finish the book. I was in their lives.