REceived this via the Firstreads program on Goodreads and was quite excited as I had read about it in the BookCrossing forums and Newsletter. The author apparently mentions BookCrossing in the book. Yay!

Looking forward to reading very soon.

This is a novel of transformation. It begins slowly and, to my mind, somewhat ponderously, but it suits, because Mary Gooch, the main character, is somewhat ponderous herself, weighing in at the morbidly obese end of the scale. (Morbidly obese is defined, in my nurse memory as 100% or more over ideal body weight. Think about it.) Yes, she's big, and yes, she knows it. She loves her husband, but food is her true lover, and the love affair is both blatant and illicit. On the eve of their 25th wedding anniversary, her husband does not come home and this pierces even Mary's food obsessed torpor. Mary manages to leave her hermit-like existence in her own home and town, and goes out into the world (indeed to another country) in search of her man and answers. Ultimately, she stumbles into self-awareness.

What I liked about this book was Mary's transformation, not so much physical but in terms of how her mind and heart open and develop. Yes, she does change some habits and transforms physically (though thank goodness in a more realistic way than chick lit books, where the fat girl has her heart broken and melts away into a size 2) but the most startling journey is the one that moves her from a stifled, shuttered mind, to one that is aware, alert and active. The small steps she takes add up, whether it's walking up a flight of stairs or discarding pop culture magazines to return to reading books.

The characters that are in the book with Mary were portrayed realistically, even the missing Gooch, who seems like a really nice guy, undergoing his own rediscovery and search. The book didn't end in a predictable, neatly wrapped bow, but still was totally believable. It is, however, true to the title. It tells the wife's tale.

It's funny, but my main qualm was the cover of the book, which is a beautiful photograph, but seemed to me, not part of the book. Yes, Mary makes it to the ocean, but even with her weight loss, during the book she's still a big gal. The toned legs of the woman on the cover don't seem to fit my mind's image. But it's beautiful and will probably sell books, so go for it.

With an angelfisher now. (EN)

Received back and will take to Sunday's meetup. If unclaimed, I may schlep it to Baltimore with me in a week or so for the BookCrossers there.

To the finder of this book:

Welcome to BookCrossing, a unique community of book lovers, sharing their libraries with the world. This book is now yours to read, enjoy, keep or pass on to another reader. The BookCrossing ID, which you entered in the "Enter a BCID" box on the website, is unique to this copy of this book. If you make a journal entry (either anonymously, or as a BookCrossing member) all previous readers of this actual book will be notified by email, and can follow the book as it travels. BookCrossing is free to join, completely confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address) and a heck of a lot of fun. Be on the lookout for other books left in the "Wild"!

PS And if you find yourself liking BookCrossing, there may be local BookCrossers who meet regularly in your area. Come join us!

I took this home from today's BC meeting, since bookczuk has given it a good recommendation!