A Reliable Bore

12 February 2010 | Filed Under Book Reviews 

A Review of A Reliable Wife, by Robert Goolrick

“It was a road without end, a conversation with no point.”                                             - A Reliable Wife

I think this quote accurately summarizes the novel. The story “arc” was more of a horizontal line. The tone of the writing was pretentious. I did not sympathize with any of the characters, unless considering them pathetic counts. In short, it was boring and depressing. If I hadn’t been reading it for a book club, I never would have finished it of my own accord.

It could have been good. The plot is that rich businessman Ralph Truitt places an ad for “a reliable wife” in the paper, and Catherine Land is the respondent he picks to marry. However, both of them have ulterior motives for marrying the other, and Catherine’s involves murder. Sounds exciting, right?

Wrong. Each of these pathetic characters is in a slump, which is understandable, but none of them – not a one – cares enough to try to get past it. Cue suicidal thoughts and memories of the “golden” past that was equally crappy and depressing, but had a nice gilded cover.

The piece of the story that really interested me (strangers placing/answering an ad and getting married) was a bit of a flop. The intrigue of the situation is moot if she’s planning to murder the man for his money and he’s using the woman to reconnect with his family. What was wrong with putting normal people in that sort of situation? Not “exciting” enough of a plot for you, Mr. Goolrick? And what, it would have killed you to put even one semi-happy person in your book?

Granted, the book is probably supposed to depress you. It’s probably supposed to suck the life out of you like a dementor’s kiss, with its endless void of despair and freezing Wisconsin-winter setting. Goolrick is probably making some very poignant statements on human frailty and sin.

But who wants to read that? It’s not cathartic. It doesn’t raise interesting questions. Perhaps we, the readers, are supposed to read it and think “Thank God my life isn’t that much of a dump heap.”

What a waste of $15. Save your money, time, and sanity, and skip this book.

My Rating (out of five stars)

★

Comments

3 Responses to “A Reliable Bore”

  1. Sara S on February 12th, 2010 11:04 pm

    I’m so glad you reviewed this. I’ve actually glanced at it in the bookstore the past few times I’ve gone looking for new books to read, and it caught my eye. I loved the whole advertising for a reliable wife conceit and I thought it had the potential to be quite a good read!

    Now I’m happy I didn’t waste my time =D.

  2. Jenn on February 13th, 2010 10:39 am

    Glad it helped somebody!!

    Now I could just leave it at that and feel all superior, but I should say that my friend read it and loved it. We have book club next week, I can let you know exactly why she loved it, and then, armed with both sides, you can make an “informed” decision.

    Or you could just trust me. ;)

  3. Sara S on February 14th, 2010 3:43 am

    Well, since your criticisms were directly related to the reasons I wanted to read it… I think I’m going to trust you – but I do want to hear both sides I guess =D

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