The Wives

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-12

Chapters 13-18

Chapters 19-24

Chapters 25-30

Chapters 31-36

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Background

Authorial Context: Tarryn Fisher

Tarryn Fisher is a New York Times best-selling author who has made a name for herself in the genre of contemporary fiction. As a child in South Africa, she began writing stories and poems for fun. As she got older, she pursued her love for writing more seriously. Fisher worked as a freelance writer and editor before deciding to write her first novel.

Fisher’s debut novel, The Opportunist, was self-published in 2011 on Amazon and was well received by readers. The story of a young woman named Olivia who manipulates the emotions of a former boyfriend in order to win him back, The Opportunist was praised for its complex characters, nuanced storytelling, and emotional depth. It was the first in a series of three books, all of which became bestsellers.

Fisher has written 12 novels exploring the complexity of love and relationships. She specializes in creating complicated, deeply flawed characters that garner sympathy and force the reader to question their alliances. She writes fast-paced plots filled with twists and turns.

Fisher is also known to be an advocate for mental health awareness and a vocal supporter of those who struggle with mental illness. She has spoken publicly about her own struggles with anxiety and depression and has worked to bring attention to the need for better mental health care and support.

Cultural Context: Polyamory

Polyamory is the practice of, or desire for, a relationship that involves multiple partners, all of whom have provided their informed consent. People who identify as polyamorous view love as an unlimited resource and believe that it is possible to love multiple people at the same time. This is seen as a way of building deeper and more fulfilling connections with more than one person. Polyamory has become the umbrella term for nonmonogamous, multipartner relationships; these relationships are not always sexual in nature.

Polyamory is still relatively misunderstood and underrepresented in the media. Many people equate polyamory with cheating or promiscuity; however, polyamory is about having meaningful, nurturing relationships with multiple partners. Polyamorous relationships rely on informed consent between all participating parties, and they are dependent on the boundaries and preferences of the people involved in the relationship.

The difference between polyamory and polygamy lies in the type of relationship the partners have. In a polygamist relationship, one male-identifying person has several female-identifying spouses; these relationships are almost always heteronormative. When a female-identifying person has multiple male-identifying spouses, it is called “polyandry.” Polygamy and polyandry are usually connected to religious and cultural beliefs, whereas polyamory does not require any religious or cultural affiliations.

Genre Context: Domestic Thriller

The domestic thriller is a subgenre of crime fiction that focuses on relationships and dynamics that occur in a household setting. Within the genre, stories often revolve around a domestic situation, like a family member in danger or a spouse with secrets. While the focus must stay within the setting of a domestic lifestyle, the tone of the stories can range from psychological drama to suspense and action.

Domestic thrillers use everyday scenarios to create tension and build suspense. The genre often plays with the concept of creating the ideal life and setting, only to have that illusion be upended by a revelation or event. The genre explores the darker side of relationships like secrets, jealousy, and betrayal, showing the reader what goes on behind the scenes of a seemingly happy family.

Domestic thrillers often feature complex and deeply flawed characters, and the genre’s focus on moral ambiguity makes it difficult to determine who is right during these domestic issues. Thus, the stories force readers to question their own morals and help to create a sense of unease that builds suspense. Ultimately, it is up to the reader to decide who is right and who is wrong.

The genre has gained popularity in recent years, with a number of books and movies taking on the style and a boom in interest in true crime. The genre, which has its roots in British Victorian fiction, reflects modern anxieties about familial and marital relationships. As society changes and families break away from the traditional two-parent heteronormative model, the domestic thriller offers a way to explore these changes through the lenses of suspense and drama not possible in other genres.