It's a Wonderful Wife

By: Camille Pagan

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Length: 1 hr and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

In this charming and heartwarming retelling of Frank Capra’s classic It’s a Wonderful Life, Camille Pagán, best-selling author of This Won’t End Well and I’m Fine and Neither Are You, introduces us to Bailey, a dutiful yet sharp-witted 30-something who finds herself on the verge of a nervous breakdown as Christmas Eve approaches. As if it wasn’t enough that Bailey’s husband has just cheated on her, the family business she’s been running since her parents died, which employs most of her small town, is about to go under. But even as she’s questioning whether her life has any meaning, Bailey bumps into a handsome stranger who claims to know her - and through a series of strange events, sheds new light on what it means to make a difference in this messy, wonderful world.

©2020 Camille Pagan (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Great short listen

Amy McFadden does a wonderful job bringing Camille Pagan's words to life. I highly recommend this book to fans of the genre.

A clever retelling

It’s probably obvious by now how much I love a retelling, given how I try to write one every year, and so it’s likely not a huge surprise that I loved this contemporary and gender-flipped version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” from Camilla Pagan, “It’s a Wonderful Wife.” We meet Bailey George (who runs George Cannery, the family business she took over when her parents died) at the start of one of the worst days of her life, which also falls on the anniversary of the worst day of her life (that being when her parents died). Her aunt tells her that she’s managed to fumble the loss of two hundred grand from the company account, which means she can’t handle payroll, and when Bailey goes home to try and come up with alternatives, she finds her husband and her best friend in bed, and honestly, it’s no wonder she takes off to the local watering hole—Clarence’s, natch—and gets drunk.

You know what follows: a wish she’d never been born, having the wish granted, and waking up (sans hangover) in a world where she never was. This is a tried and true narrative going back to the original short story the movie was based on, and in Pagan’s hands, the little twists and tucks and nods to the movie delight as little Easter Egg references. This was an audio, and listening to it while I recovered from a really rough migraine was a dash of joy in an otherwise ruined day, and I really appreciated the little lift. More, despite this being tried-and-true, I liked how things came together, how Bailey recovered some of her own direction, and how the author didn’t force any reconciliation plots into the mix (I know, I know, I always mention how I hate those, but it’s true).

If you find yourself in the mood for some holiday fun, and you’re a fan of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” then I’d honestly suggest giving this one a go. It’s performed amusingly—Bailey’s asides are delivered with just the right amount of snark—and the ending has the right measure of potential new beginnings tucked amongst the inevitable endings sparked in the opening. Also? No angels and wings, nor a little kid bleating out that line in a forced, plastic way. (What? I never said I loved everything about the movie, and that kid’s line at the end is the worst.)

Lackluster Redo

This is not one of Camille Pagan's usual sparkling, creative gems. I am so disappointed in this unbelievable story.

if u like it's a wonderful life, you'll like this

I am a fan of It's a Wonderful Life. I love the message it brings - life is good and precious. this book gave me the same feeling. nicely written Christmas story.

Cute spin on a Christmas classic!

A great listen for those days you need a pick me up! Perfect for those who have seen the beloved Christmas classic: “It’s A Wonderful Life”. This book is a cheeky take on the original storyline using similar names and story but changing up the time period and setting and instead of Clarence, George Bailey’s guardian Angel, Clarence is the local bar owner who helps keep the main character out of trouble and fuels the main character’s whiskey induced dream of what would happen to the town if Bailey George, the cannery owner after her parent’s death, had never been born. What a beautiful reminder that every life matters and that sometimes we have a profound impact on the world around us that we didn’t even realize.

It was OK, and it was free

Far too many It's A Wonderful Life references. Slow, almost lost me but I did finish it. Tied things up a little hastily and she moved on at warp speed

Great book!

Definitely recommend this listen. The performance was outstanding and not at all drab or boring to listen to the performer's voice

Short Christmas Story

I love good short story that gives the underdog the happy or best ending possible.

A must listen!

this book is a different from most other stories out there and gives you a good reminder that even when things aren't going your way, there are always things to be grateful for! it's a short book definitely worth listening to :)

Gratitude

I enjoyed this story. It made me reflect on how much I am grateful for in my own life.