BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansens
 
This is a fascinating book that centres on the life Mary Gooch, a lovely woman who has been beaten down by life’s disappointments and her struggle with the ‘obeast’, causing each of life’s tragedies to add ever increasing pounds to her weight. At age forty-three she weighs 322 pounds and is stuck in a rut, physically and emotionally. But then on the eve of her 25th wedding anniversary her husband disappears. She travels from Canada to the States to try and find him, and as she searches for him she reflects on her life and their marriage.
         
This book is beautifully written and Lori Lansens creates a wonderful character in Mary – a woman that you will root for and really care for. The book is fascinating as it explores a world that hasn’t been written about that often in fiction – the story of someone with an eating disorder (in this case binge eating disorder) – and the author does this with a great deal of insight and sensitivity. It is also the story of a marriage with all the initial passion, before silences and secrets take its place. When Mary embarks on the journey to find her husband, she also embarks on a voyage of self-discovery as she discovers the self that has been buried for so long. This is an empowering, thought-provoking read that takes the reader inside the world of someone who is a beautiful soul trapped inside a morbidly obese body finding her way again in the world. This is a first-rate read from an accomplished writer.

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