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Review
'The Soldier's Wife is a cracking read and has clearly been thoroughly researched. All the little details which animate a novel ring true. ....compassionate, humourous and topical' --Spectator, Feb 2012
'Written with all Trollope's customary skill and panache, this is an absorbing look at the modern military wife who no longer automatically follows the drum' --Daily Mail
'Nobody understands the snags and frustrations of family life better than Joanna Trollope. She also captures the dangerous pressure points in relationships, the steady build-up of tension, the exact moment when the family fur might really start to fly' --Sunday Express
'Trollope is on top form, hitting the zeitgeist with this perceptive and compassionate inside story of an army marriage'
--Woman & Home
'Written with all Trollope's customary skill and panache, this is an absorbing look at the modern military wife who no longer automatically follows the drum' --Daily Mail
'Nobody understands the snags and frustrations of family life better than Joanna Trollope. She also captures the dangerous pressure points in relationships, the steady build-up of tension, the exact moment when the family fur might really start to fly' --Sunday Express
'Trollope is on top form, hitting the zeitgeist with this perceptive and compassionate inside story of an army marriage'
--Woman & Home
Book Description
Does marrying a soldier mean marrying the army? The topical new novel from this number one bestselling author.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
99 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Dan Riley, a major in the British Army, is home from a six month tour of duty in Afghanistan. He has an attractive and clever wife, Alexa, a step daughter, Isabel, and lively three-year-old twins, Tassie and Flora. His entire family is very proud of him, especially his grandfather, an ex-army man himself. Dan is highly thought of by his men and his superior officers, and he is in line for promotion; life, therefore, appears rather good for Dan.
However, adjusting to home life after the excitement and horror of war is not easy for Dan - and Alexa is finding it difficult to cope with a husband who seems to put the welfare of his men above his family. An intelligent woman, Alexa loves her children and is a good mother to them, but she does have needs and desires of her own and sometimes finds being a full-time wife and mother rather limiting; therefore, when she is offered a teaching job that she realizes she is unable to accept, she understandably feels confined and frustrated. Added to this, Alexa is worried about Isabel, who is unsettled and unhappy at boarding school; there is a problem with one of Flora's eyes, and Beetle, the adored family dog, is ill. Alexa needs to share her worries with Dan, but he does not seem to have the time to discuss their problems. There always seems to be an issue concerning his men to be dealt with, and then there is his best friend, Gus, whose wife has left him, and who needs Dan's support and company. Alexa turns to her girlfriends and her good male friend, Jack, who is always there at the end of the phone, to offer her his advice and support. And when Dan can't attend a meeting with the headmistress at Isabel's school, it is Jack who takes the time out to support Alexa. Suddenly, a marriage which appeared very solid, is starting to look rather shaky...
In 'The Soldier's Wife' Joanna Trollope revisits the topic of one of her earlier books: `The Rector's Wife', where she explores how a family copes when the husband and father has a vocation, instead of an occupation, and where the needs of his family cannot always take precedence. Trollope, as always, writes about family life with insight and intelligence, highlighting the pitfalls and minefields that occur in relationships - especially just at that moment when everything seems to be going well. This is a very readable novel - not quite on a par with `The Rector's Wife and `The Choir' (which I believe to be her best books) but an enjoyable and entertaining read and a good story to curl up in front of the fire with.
4 Stars.
However, adjusting to home life after the excitement and horror of war is not easy for Dan - and Alexa is finding it difficult to cope with a husband who seems to put the welfare of his men above his family. An intelligent woman, Alexa loves her children and is a good mother to them, but she does have needs and desires of her own and sometimes finds being a full-time wife and mother rather limiting; therefore, when she is offered a teaching job that she realizes she is unable to accept, she understandably feels confined and frustrated. Added to this, Alexa is worried about Isabel, who is unsettled and unhappy at boarding school; there is a problem with one of Flora's eyes, and Beetle, the adored family dog, is ill. Alexa needs to share her worries with Dan, but he does not seem to have the time to discuss their problems. There always seems to be an issue concerning his men to be dealt with, and then there is his best friend, Gus, whose wife has left him, and who needs Dan's support and company. Alexa turns to her girlfriends and her good male friend, Jack, who is always there at the end of the phone, to offer her his advice and support. And when Dan can't attend a meeting with the headmistress at Isabel's school, it is Jack who takes the time out to support Alexa. Suddenly, a marriage which appeared very solid, is starting to look rather shaky...
In 'The Soldier's Wife' Joanna Trollope revisits the topic of one of her earlier books: `The Rector's Wife', where she explores how a family copes when the husband and father has a vocation, instead of an occupation, and where the needs of his family cannot always take precedence. Trollope, as always, writes about family life with insight and intelligence, highlighting the pitfalls and minefields that occur in relationships - especially just at that moment when everything seems to be going well. This is a very readable novel - not quite on a par with `The Rector's Wife and `The Choir' (which I believe to be her best books) but an enjoyable and entertaining read and a good story to curl up in front of the fire with.
4 Stars.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As someone who is married to an Army officer, I found this book disappointing. Although some of the observations and emotions are accurately articulated and well phrased, generally I thought it was too simplistic and did not reach the heart of the issues.
I found both the plot and the characters very thin and did not find an emotional attachment with any of the characters. I also found people too simply observed - it's not just as simple as the man comes home from a tour and isn't communicative and busy at work, there is far more to it than that.
I also found the views expressed about the main character's wife unrealistic. Everyone from her in-laws to her husband's senior bosses seem to adore her and blame her husband for being uncommuncative. I think the reality is that whilst the Army hierachy is sympathetic to the pressures on the families, their husband is expected to perform and do well and she would be expected to support that. In addition, although hopefully in-laws would be supportive of their child's spouse, the reality is that they would give far more sympathy to the person returning from a hellish operational tour. I think there would be much more of the wife being expected to provide support to the serving person.
I don't wish to give away too much of what plot there is but I also found the "answers" to the issues overly simplistic and easy. I had hoped that the book would really tackle the issue of being married to someone in the Army who you love desperately but their job is so all encompassing that you are really married to the Army but felt it only skimmed the surface. It felt like the first episode of a serial drama and I was waiting for the plot and characters to really bed in when the book ended.
I found both the plot and the characters very thin and did not find an emotional attachment with any of the characters. I also found people too simply observed - it's not just as simple as the man comes home from a tour and isn't communicative and busy at work, there is far more to it than that.
I also found the views expressed about the main character's wife unrealistic. Everyone from her in-laws to her husband's senior bosses seem to adore her and blame her husband for being uncommuncative. I think the reality is that whilst the Army hierachy is sympathetic to the pressures on the families, their husband is expected to perform and do well and she would be expected to support that. In addition, although hopefully in-laws would be supportive of their child's spouse, the reality is that they would give far more sympathy to the person returning from a hellish operational tour. I think there would be much more of the wife being expected to provide support to the serving person.
I don't wish to give away too much of what plot there is but I also found the "answers" to the issues overly simplistic and easy. I had hoped that the book would really tackle the issue of being married to someone in the Army who you love desperately but their job is so all encompassing that you are really married to the Army but felt it only skimmed the surface. It felt like the first episode of a serial drama and I was waiting for the plot and characters to really bed in when the book ended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read all Joanna Trollope's books over many years and used to really look forward to a new one being published. However, her last three have been really tedious, depressing and irksome. The Soldier's Wife was no exception. The characters were all moans, had unattractive personalities and not at all likeable. I want to relate to characters, form a bond with at least one of them and feel uplifted when reading it and sad when I've finished it. With these last 3 books, every page was filled with arguments, sniping, discontentment and nastiness. I ploughed my way through them, but never again. It's time Joanna Trollope realised that her style of writing is not what most people want. Someone please tell her!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Soldiers wife
As usual Joanna Trollope has written a thoroughly thought provoking read about a topical issue .The characters are drawn v sympathetically and she makes us aware of the impact on... Read more
Published 1 day ago by GBM
Sounds familiar!
Oh dear. A couple who don't communicate, a husband obsessed by his work and workmates, a wife straining to make a real role for herself and not just play second fiddle, an unhappy... Read more
Published 2 days ago by AgaSagaFan
True Trollope
The Soldier's Wife is true Trollope and her fans won't be disappointed. Definitely not an Aga Saga with a good storyline, heart tugging and leaving you with a strong wish for a... Read more
Published 15 days ago by Hele Park Golf Stanbury
Used book by Joanna Trollope
This book arrived in Very good condition. Clean and almost as new. Very good story by brilliant author. Excellent service from Amazon Regarding delivery.
Published 28 days ago by Paradiddle
Dragged Out
Started out quite promising then quickly became the same old dragged out description of the characters involved. No real story to it.
Published 1 month ago by Lynnevirginia
Trollope strikes again
I am a huge fan of Joanne Trollope and this book lives up to expectations. As always she seems to hit the nail on the head with all the emotions and interaction of families and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Andrew C. Jesney
The Soldiers Wife
This is a very sensitive and perceptively written book that tells of the difficulties experienced by the returning soldier and his family once the initial euphoria of the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bookworm Bear
Enjoyed it..
I have no experience of living this sort of peripatetic life, nor have I ever faced the prospect of a relationship dominated by army life, so I was interested to see what Joanna... Read more
Published 1 month ago by jaffareadstoo
Unrealistic!!
I have read many Joanna Trollope novels but feel that she has really lost her 'touch'.This book is formulaic and unrealistic. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Belfastgirl
An Absorbing Read
This book rings very true. It was totally absorbing and I could not put it down, but read it in two days. I shall be more than happy to return to it again quite shortly as well!
Published 2 months ago by Margaux
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