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The Headmaster's Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene

The Headmaster's Wife

by Thomas Christopher Greene

  • Critics' Consensus (4):
  • Readers' Rating (33):
  • Published:
  • Feb 2015, 288 pages
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There are currently 33 reader reviews for The Headmaster's Wife
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Power Reviewer
Dorothy L. (Manalapan, NJ)

An Enjoyable Read
I liked this book. It was a good read from beginning to end and kept me interested throughout. It is clear from the first page that things are not what they seem. The world of private school is depicted well. The characters, especially the headmaster, kept me engaged and wondering what was going to happen next. I think it was also well written. I liked the symbolism of the river throughout and its influence on the characters. It was more than part of the environment. It was a thread which permeated the book. I would recommend it to my book club.
Roni S. (Pittsburgh, PA)

The Headmaster's Wife
'The Headmaster's Wife' is a book that I will recommend to my friends. The writing is beautiful and sensual. I liked that the chapters were short. The book is a psychological compelling story about a Headmaster and his wife. One has a close up view of a private boarding school. Anyone who enjoyed 'The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls' would like this book. I look forward to reading his other books.
Jean N. (New Richmond, OH)

True to LIfe...Unpredictable
I cannot really classify this book as a mystery, a love story, or a story of a marriage. It is that and more. Like life, it takes quick twists and turns and is unpredictable. I have never been "inside" of an elite school like this, and that was interesting as well...the routines, the politics etc.
I would definitely recommend this book as a well written, fast paced novel.
I am looking forward to checking out Thomas Greene's previous novels.
Beverly R. (Fullerton, CA)

the Headmaster's Wife
An intriguing plot structure takes the reader into the mind of Arthur, the Headmaster and of his wife. The characterization of these two is so well done we feel what they do. I recommend this book highly.
Margaret M. (Venice, FL)

the headmasters wife
This is a quick well-written read. the plot keeps your attention and does not reveal the conclusion until the end. There are twists and turns in the story.

I am the wife of a headmaster and so of course was immediately drawn to the title. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and think it would interest men as well as women. A good read!
pamelathereader

Think and discuss!
I found lots to like and think about in this book. The unfolding story of the disintegrating marriage of a prep school headmaster and his wife was touching and involving. Their stories, told in two parts, encourage us to examine the choices people make, what love in its various forms causes us to do, and the impact a tragedy has.

Greene's writing suits his story; lovely and evocative. I'll recommend this to my book club as I think my reaction won't be the same for every reader, which should make for a good discussion.
Pam

Very good, but . . .
I love reading a well-written book (as this was) with a unique story line (as this has) and especially one where I only THINK I know what is coming next (which was also true of The Headmaster's Wife). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this in one day (a three-hour flight). It was an easy read, with a compelling plot, and quite surprising twists and turns. If the ending had been more believable (or at least more satisfying) I would have given it five stars. The acknowledgements were very enlightening at the end, however, and helped to clear some of my unsettled thoughts about the novel. That being said, I plan to read more of Greene and have no doubt I will discover some five stars there.
reene s

The Headmaster's Wife
The book begins as an easy reader, but the reader soon finds themselves in the middle of love, grief, hopelessness and surprises. Told by two narrators, both flawed, we are set up to know there is more to come. Set in the beautiful countryside, the weather, the river all become metaphors for life's vagaries. The story of Arthur and Elizabeth and where it all went wrong. I would recommend the book.

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