An Independent Wife

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Romy Nordlinger

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Sallie wondered if Rhy would recognize her after seven years. She'd lost weight, loosened up and turned her talents to news reporting for one of the nation's leading magazines. After all this time, would Rhy Baines, the news publisher, recognize his wife? Sallie Jerome, a.k.a. Mrs. Baines, had picked up the pieces of shattered dreams after Rhy walked out. She'd become the independent, self-possessed woman he'd always wanted. Only now, she didn't want him. Or did she?

©1982 Linda Howington (P)2014 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Dated but still love Linda Howard

What did you love best about An Independent Wife?

I had read this book long ago and loved it. I did enjoyed reading the book a lot better than the audio version. It is an old novel and you have to keep that in mind.

What three words best describe Romy Nordlinger’s performance?

Ur...can't say anything good or bad about her. She was better than the other ratings said but not by much.

Any additional comments?

I had read all the reviews and went ahead and got it. I am glad and may listen to it when I don't have anything else to listen to.

Not Bad

this seemed like an older book of Ms. Howard. I usually like her books. I liked this one, but it could have been much better if they had another reader. This reader was pretty bad, not enough emotion and not much difference in the voices. The story was a typical romance. Where a woman was married things didn't go well. Man walks out hoping this would incite the wife. Instead of her running behind him she learns to live without him.
They get back together and of course something happens to hamper their reunion. It ends up with a Happy ever after ending.

if you can ignore the narrator, you can enjoy the book.

Enjoyable

Although this is not one of Linda Howard's best novels, her writing still stands out as a step above most Romance books these days. It's dated a bit but it's well narrated and well written so I didn't mind.

I couldnt get into the plot

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This is the first book from Linda Howard I couldn't get to it. I listen the first 30 minutes and couldn't continue.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Romy Nordlinger?

Sometimes is not the narrator but the director.

Too bossy for me

I realize this book is almost 40 years old so I’m not going to be too critical. Bossy in the bedroom is one thing, but this felt like abuse. It all comes around in the end, but can’t say I enjoyed the ride.

Good simple story and narration

Although I don't agree with the ending of this (I won't give any spoilers but I thought it was a little abrupt and old fashioned) I still liked it - I've always liked Linda Howard and this isn't her best book, but even her "not best" is above average.

I'd heard the narrator Romy Nordlinger before and was glad to hear her again. I love her voice and I particularly liked the way she played the male characters (which usually irritates me). I hope to hear more from her on some better Linda Howard books.

Enjoyed. good narrator

I listened to this on a beach trip and it did exactly what I wanted it to do - relaxed me and put me in another world but it wasn't too heavy. The narrator has a really distinct voice – she's on my list of favorites.

Pretty shocking story, sensitive narrator

There’s a real sense of danger here. Sallie’s making moves to find her independence, to educate herself and become someone stronger, but she’s stuck in an abusive relationship that keeps pushing her back.

It’s an interesting example of Linda Howard’s early writing. It’s a time capsule back to the 80’s but also to the values of the time. I think if you go in knowing that, the way Sallie deals with it is quite moving. Otherwise, Rhy is just an abusive guy and her reactions aren’t enough, but I found it interesting to get a dose of how things were for someone in that kind of situation.

It’s a curiosity, and I’m glad I took the time on it. Romy Nordlinger is an excellent narrator and is sensitive to the uncertainty of her character and the shocking things that happen to her. I recommend it.

Yup, Bad Reader Ruined a Classic

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I love these old classic core romances done in the 80's. The men were just so dominant without body art. Now you have to love and laugh at the changes the great authors have made over the years to really appreciate these older works.

What did you like best about this story?

All the 80's stories were about ladies gaining inner strength and taking control of their own destiny.

How could the performance have been better?

I do not know were Dreamscape came up with the group of bad readers! Which is worst never hearing a classic or having a bad reader ruin it? These readers have AKA, but you listen to a couple of chapters and they are awful. Who cares if they can do female voices...they have NO male voice at all. They take away from the core male dominance author wrote about.

Could you see An Independent Wife being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Angelina and Brad, maybe

Any additional comments?

Angela Dawe has recorded some of Nora Roberts early romances. check them out

Kept me interested

This book is a little old fashioned but I was happily surprised to find myself really lose myself in the situations and characters. I think the narrator brought a lot of depth and levels to the characters and I would listen to her read anything. I'm very happily surprised as I wasn't expecting much.