The Editor's Wife Paperback – 7 Feb. 2008

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well written and an interesting story line. One of those books that I didn't want to end. Highly recommend for a good read.

This was a book which did not disappoint me in any way. I looked forward to reading it in bed each night,it felt true to life, some of the author’s observations of characters and life in general were so clever and witty yet understated. The book had a flow and I just flowed along with it. I have only read one other of Clare’s books, her big seller Small Pleasures, but will be hopefully reading more, and especially her newly published book Shy Creatures which has been having excellent and.no doubt well deserved reviews.

The Editor's Wife is the the fourth Clare Chambers book I have read in the last couple of months, having never heard of her before, and is one of my favourites. She has the knack of bringing her protagonists to life by describing something - a description of an object, or a feeling from my youth - which I'd long forgotten about and which has the effect of a blow to my chest and I can instantly feel a rapport for them. This is a love story, yet comic and touching at the same time - and very well written.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The story flowed effortlessly and there was nothing that jarred. The romantic scenes were covered tastefully which was a relief as I am something of a prude when it comes to reading about explicit sexual encounters. The ending was very satisfying. However, the reason for only three stars is that it wasn't exceptional in any way - more what I consider "an easy read".

The story is a bit twee and u demanding but it’s intriguing enough and there are many original turns of phrase and amusing descriptions - a few made me laugh out loud. Its not my favourite of Clare Chamber’s books but I enjoyed it.

A lot of this has quite a retrospective view which makes it feel quite old-fashioned, alongside the general approach to life and sex . It is contained and containing. Unusual to feel that a book has been properly finished. It is just the thing as I have flu and I need something not depressing that gently passes the time, so read this with that in mind.

I added this to the TBR pile after enjoying ‘Small pleasures’ by the same author, and I wasn’t disappointed. In two time periods twenty years apart, a would-be novelist records his problematic relationship with a kind London editor and the editor’s charming wife. A cleverly constructed light read with some hilarious minor characters, particularly the protagonist’s hopelessly incompetent brother.

Very well written

This may sound old-fashioned but it’s a charming story with a satisfying ending and a few good laughs along the way. I simply loved it.

I'm so delighted to have discovered Clare Chambers. This is the second novel of hers I've read, and I loved it. It's a perfectly crafted little gem, not a word wasted, and it takes what could have been a hackneyed love story and brings it to human life.