Wife

'Mendelson is a master of the literary monster' – The Sunday Times When Zoe moves in with Penny, their relationship looks perfect; after all, everyone wants a wife. But this is the story of how love can become a disaster . . . Zoe Stamper, junior researcher in Ancient Greek Tragedy, meets fellow academic Dr Penny Cartwright at a faculty flute recital. Dr Cartwright seems impossibly glamorous to Zoe, who is, after all, several rungs down the academic pecking order - and a nervous ingénue as far as Penny’s sophisticated circle is concerned. But Penny leaves Zoe a cryptic note, and a passionate affair ensues. Once Penny confesses all to her live-in lover, Justine, their happiness seems assured. But there is something else Penny needs as badly in her life as Zoe’s adoration, and thus the beginning of their affair might also have signalled its end . . . Wife by Charlotte Mendelson is a beautifully observed and coruscating novel about the joys of passionate love and motherhood, and those left behind in its wake when passion curdles. It is heartbreaking and funny, profound and gripping, as it takes the reader from the end of a relationship to its beginning, and back again. 'It takes the most ferocious intelligence, skill and a deep reservoir of sadness to write a novel as funny as this. I adored it ' Meg Mason, bestselling author of Sorrow and Bliss, on The Exhibitionist'[A] devastating treat of a funny, furious, dark and delicious' Sarah Waters, bestselling author of Fingersmith, on The Exhibitionist Wife by Charlotte Mendelson is a beautifully observed and coruscating novel about the joys of passionate love and motherhood, about those left in its wake when passion curdles, and the choices that have to be made when romantic love is no longer enough. When Zoe Stamper meets fellow academic Dr Penny Cartwright at a party, she seems impossibly glamorous to Zoe, who is, after all, several rungs down the academic pecking order - and a nervous ingnue as far as Pennys sophisticated circle is concerned. But Penny leaves Zoe a cryptic note, and a passionate affair ensues . . .Once Penny confesses all to her live-in lover, Justine, their path is cleared to a life of mutual contentment and marital bliss. But there is something else Penny needs as badly in her life as Zoes adoration, and thus the beginnng of their affair might also have signalled its end. 'A master at family drama' The Times