Wolitzer is a wonderful writer (The Interestings). This is an insightful book about a woman married to a writer who has become famous. There is a precise description of life in the 1950s for women – confronting boundaries and restrictions; the power of withholding. The slow reveal of the depth of what appears to be a one-sided relationship is enticing. This book reminded me of a Kate Christensen novel, The Great Man, also a great read.
Amy notes: in 2018 this book was released as a movie. The movie is fine, but Glenn Close as the titular wife is excellent.
The writing in this books reminds me of Toni Morrison, so high praise. There is a strong sense of impending doom for a Mississippi family (poverty, dog-fighting, teen-age pregnancy) while Katrina bores down on them. Excellent descriptive writing.
This wonderful book is the third in the Gilead trilogy, and is the best, in my opinion. There is almost no sense of place; most of the book takes place in Lila’s mind. The dominant emotion for Lila to learn is trust because she must always fight an impulse to flee what is a good outcome for her. Magnificent story telling.
This is a delightful and somewhat magical book, set in 1947 in Cornwall, England. The writing is beautiful, just wonderful story telling. Winman previously wrote the delightful 
A beautiful and moving story about ageing on your own terms. The novel is set in Northern Ontario where 3 elderly men can hide in the remoteness. But two women join the hideaway and life for all changes. The ending is wistful and transcendent. This was the second funner-up in Canada Reads 2015 (with Martha Wainwright as the proponent), a very well-deserved recognition of exceptional writing.
What David Read 