The Discarded Wife

By: Camille Oster

Narrated by: Liz Calvin

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Victorian London is a cruel place for a divorcee, but with the death of Sophie Duthie’s beloved second husband, she is now a widow, and independent for the first time in her life. She might not have much in terms of means, but with the help of her music shop, she can support herself and her son, Alfie. Even though her second marriage was happy, Sophie is done with husbands. Her first marriage taught her well that fairy tales are nothing more than illusions.

To Lord Aberley, his former wife is nothing but a scheming pariah, and unfortunately, his subsequent engagement wasn’t successful - not that he’s ever had much delusions about marriage. It is something he now wishes to avoid at all costs, but he needs an heir. It is the one duty he cannot overlook, so learning that his former wife’s son is six years old creates serious doubt about his true parentage. Seeing the child only confirms it.

Alfie Duthie is his child.

©2018 Camille Oster (P)2019 Camille Oster

Mixed Feelings.....

Unusual storyline I haven't come across before this author, so.... pretty stoked actually to see this from the average tropes.

1. Narrator: the one thing I've learned since becoming a beloved audible customer, is that the Narrator makes or breaks a story. Their voice has to fit, or they must have the ability to use a distinctive voice for each character. In this instance, her voice doesn't fit the young woman, the young ENGLISH woman. She needs a lighter voice, idk the musical terminology to describe what i'm thinking: tenor or soprano, etc...
The natural talking voice of this narrator is deeper, older, gruffer, you can tell this. Her male voices all sound the same. Occasionally i can hear an attempt at a British accent. I also had to increase the narration speed as the original pacing was too slow and pedantic sounding.

2. Misogynist: the backstory of the Mc has only 3 (sister, ex-wife, ex-fiancé) for all of his 38yrs. The 4th is just a Friend. But this is enuf to form an absolutely horrible opinion of an entire half of the human race. The author is making this man too unlikable, too blind, too qik to lump her with her brother in all things.

3. Timing: the author had the Mc not give any thought to a possible child from his short-term marriage to the Fc, not for the whole 6yrs. did he consider conjugal rights might have produced one. Then as soon as its brot to his attention, he cant see any other course but to pressure the Fc.

4. The Fc signs the Affidavit without the author showing the Fc being smart before signing by having her lawyer review it, by having stipulations placed in giving her equal rights or at least, legal consultation in his care. As of her signing, acknowledging his parentage, she no longer has any other parental rights herself.

After thinking about this more, maybe I dont have as much mixed feelings about this book as i thought.

5. Then, abruptly, he cant stop thinking about her, jealously not wanting other men around her....

you know what...nevamind, sum will like it, mayb sum won't. Yall decide, although I don't change my mind about the narrator!...yeesh!