LETTER TO FIVE WIVES

by John Klempner ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 18, 1946

Of its kind- a smart, slick trick- a hotcake for rentals with some sales. This is the closeup of five women at their local committee meeting as they wait for the sixth, sleek sexy Addie Ross, a divorcee who angled alternately for all their husbands, Addie whom they hate, whom they fear and resent. In place of Addie comes a letter, addressed to the five of them, saying she has run off with one of their husbands, deliberately unidentified, and leaving each to wonder if the unknown is hers. Mentally recapitulated, here are their marriages:- Martha, who made a martyred career of maternity and split with her husband over their son; Rita, whose second marriage was casual, comfortable, if unexciting, but something she wanted to cling to; Lora Nay, whose husband gave her social and material prestige though no children; Herry who wanted to sing, and sacrificed her husband to a career which would never materialize; Deborah, plain, homely, whose Bradley was the catch of the town. Behind a front of bravado, each entertains, until one by one the husbands arrive, with only Rita aware that hers had wanted to leave her and changed his mind. Net perhaps as genuine as Once Around the Block but clever, apt, and recognisable.

Pub Date: Feb. 18, 1946

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1946

Categories: FICTION