Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an arc of this e-book.
The Editor's Wife was an enjoyable read that took a wee while to get going but by the end of part one I was hooked. A quick read with romance and interesting characters, ideal for holidays.

I really enjoyed The Editors Wife by Clare Chambers, it was an easy read with enough going on to keep me entertained and so I got through it relatively quickly.

I liked that the main character Chris was flawed and he knew he was. I liked that the relationship between him and his brother Gerald was also flawed. There was a sense of realness about this novel that I really warmed to.

This was my first book by this author but it won't be my last!

This is an honest review in exchange for a ARC from Netgalley.
Chris is a middle aged man living in a remote cottage in Yorkshire who has just been made redundant. Chris initally comes across as a dull early middle aged man with a difficult relationship with his older brother Gerald based on teen sibling rivalry, After the death of their parents within a few years of each other, relations are further complicated by their inheritance of the family home. He is pitched back in to early adulthood after a letter from a stranger.
Without giving too much away, the array of characters are colourful, realistic, funny and with depth. There are so many great moments in this book, it is heartfelt, witty but sometimes bleak. As the book progresses we bounce back and forth between the present and 1980s as we learn more about Chris, his family and a meeting with a pivotal person who has a massive impact on his life .
I requested to read this after completing the lovely "Small Pleasures" which I loved. While this is of a different tack, it is a some what light easy read and a definite page turner

This is the 1st Book that I have read by the author and It won't be the last as I loved the author writing

This Book follows the life of aspiring novelist Christopher Flinders, who drops out of university to write his masterpiece. His novel is soon taken on by London editor Owen Goddard, and Christopher is captivated by the new and cultured world he has entered. It seems as if he is finally living his dreams. But Christopher soon makes a desperate misjudgement which brings disaster for all, and he ends of embracing a private life marked by mediocrity. Twenty years later a young academic researching into Owen Goddard reaches out to Christopher, and he is forced to exhume his past.


Wow this book without giving away any spoilers is going to stay with me for a long time I read it in a day and Loved all the characters and all the twists and turns in the book that I didn't see coming wow what an ending to this book, when I started this book that is not the ending I was forecasting but I loved it,


I am now going to hunt out from my independent bookshop all the rest of the authors books as if they are as good as this I'm going to be very happy .

I adored Small Pleasures and having loved this, my second Clare Chambers novel, I'm going to work my way through her back catalogue. Her writing is beautiful, her characters are so real (and wonderfully flawed) and her talent for observation is masterful. I loved it.

Clare Chambers, The Editor’s Wife, Arrow Books, Penguin Random House 2021

The Editor’s Wife is a complex novel, with some seemingly simple elements that add to the storyline so successfully that it is not until later that their wider impact becomes clear. Contrary to the title, which foreshadows one woman as the focal point, another and her relationship to her sons, Gerald and Christopher, provides the complexities that pervade their behaviour and interactions.

The novel begins with several observations by Christopher, from whose perspective the novel is narrated. His parents’ philosophy that one should ‘aim low, keep your head down, don’t make a fuss’ and ‘don’t get above yourself’ suggests that the brothers’ shortcomings which are manifested throughout the novel may have their beginnings in this bleak perspective. On the other hand, as the brothers’ lives unfold, despite obvious problems of homelessness, redundancy, thwarted creativity, partnerships that fail, floundering responses to social niceties on the part of Gerald, and resentment toward him on the part of Christopher, there are glimmerings of recognition that these brothers might have a future that overcomes their apparent lack of compassion for each other.

Christopher reflects on his mother’s death three years before through the perspective of his father’s appreciation of her poetry, which he distains. The poetry also recalls Gerald’s comment that she might well be the literary genius of the family, and his lack of education. Christopher immediately sees these comments as a negative reflection on himself. He also fulminates about Gerald’s continued residence in the family home after their father’s death, despite it having been left to both. Christopher is partially motivated by his own financial problems because he has been made redundant, but his antagonism over Gerald’s attitude towards his role in the house and care for their father is only one issue in the pattern of dissonance between the brothers. Did this begin the night that Christopher, accustomed to relying on Gerald’s ‘Yes’ to the question of whether he would save him from the moon shining through their bedroom curtains, receives the response ‘No’? The question of why Gerald’s attitude changed permeated my reading of the novel as, in my mind, the brothers vied equally for space as wounded or, directly in opposition, wrathful human beings seeking retribution.

Clare Chamber’s subtle use of the affair between Christopher and the editor’s wife as part of the relationship between the brothers is masterful in its quiet acknowledgement that their lack of communication creates and enhances their problems with the outside world. Her role is demonstrably part of the fabric of the novel, but as a link between the past that has impacted on the brothers rather than the essence of their relationship.

For me this was an important novel, not least because the centrality of the male figures is quite alien to my appreciation of a narrative. I thrive in pondering the why for women’s behaviour, relish works in which they fight for release from overbearing societal expectations, or in domestic dramas, overbearing individuals. With an amazing immediacy, despite this prejudice being firmly in place, I began to warm to the way in which dilemmas from the brothers’ past were so influential in their embrace of the present. Rather than paint one brother as ultimately right about his perceptions of the past and present, I veered from accepting the more conventional Christopher’s assessment of the why, to sympathy with Gerald’s innocent commentary with its barbs apparent to Christopher, but possibly reflecting a truth.

This is a novel that will resonate with me for longer than I thought possible when I began. I shall certainly read more of Clare Chambers' work; she is a new author that I really appreciate finding through NetGallery.

The Editor’s Wife is an earlier work by Clare Chambers - who many people, myself included, will have become first aware of from reading her bestselling Small Pleasures - republished in a stunning cover to tie in with the style of the cover for Small Pleasures. I normally hate when publishers do this as if they don’t trust the reader to look for other work by an author they have enjoyed but, in this case, as the artwork is so gorgeous I will forget about this bugbear of mine. The Editor’s Wife is the story of Chris. We meet him later in life living in a farmer’s cottage in Yorkshire having recently been made redundant. When a woman contacts him to ask him about an acquaintance from his youth when he wanted to be a writer, the story switches to his past and how he met Owen, an editor in a publishing house, and his wife Diane and the impact they had on his life. This story is more fast paced than Small Pleasures and the style of writing feels punchier and more direct. I read this very quickly and really enjoyed it. Whilst it doesn’t have the quiet intensity of Small Pleasures, Chambers excels at enveloping you in her community of characters and creating this world which is very easily imagined and feels very authentic to the time period it is in. I loved the sibling relationship between Chris and his brother Gerald. A great read.

The Editor's Wife by Clare Chambers, published by Random House UK/ Arrow Books, is a stand-alone, originally published in 2007 and tells the story of Chris. The divorced novelist hasn't much family left. He chose to move very rural and things develop from here. An old loveinterest shows up. His ex have a cameo you could say. Only Dianan brings color into his monochromatic life so to speak. A drama-filled slow burn, complex, 4 stars.

I came to this reissue, as I suspect many others will, having only previously read Small Pleasures, my favourite novel of last year. Giving this new version a beautiful cover to match that of Small Pleasures was a very good idea on the part of the publisher and I hope it brings the audience this novel deserves. Whilst it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Small Pleasures this is a very absorbing novel about friendship, family and frustrated love. I found it reasonably easy to see the path that the plot was following but it was no less enjoyable to spend time with the characters for that. Highly recommended and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

On the face of it, this is a modest novel.
It’s narrator, Chris, is trying to sell his parents’ house after their deaths but has to evict his hapless and rather hopeless brother Gerald.
Then we’re back in time, and chris is in the throes of writing a novel that will bring him into a life-changing relationship with his editor and his editor’s wife, on whom he develops a crush.
The subject matter isn’t highly original but what sets it apart is the quality of the writing.
Chambers is such an assured novelist and the narrator is highly believable and very droll.
And that’s what made me enjoy this east read: it’s witty and full of pathos and whimsical.
Recommended for those who like a beautifully characterised, well-written domestic drama.

Christopher Flinders' brother Gerald has always been a bit on the autistic spectrum and continues to cause Chris disruption after their unremarkable childhood with loving but conventional parents. Christopher drops out of his Maths degree as a career in the City looms and, in between menial jobs including cashing up at Mecca bookmakers and delivering fish to Chinese restaurants in Soho, writes the first part of a novel. He receives a response from kindly editor Owen at Kenway and Luff, but when fish-out-of-water Christopher goes to dinner at Owen's Dulwich Village home, he falls for the editor's glamorous and gentle wife Diana, setting in motion a chain of events that will lead to heartbreak and eventual redemption. I loved the characters, particularly Christopher's bossy ex-wife Carol and his sometime lover Patty. This was a gentle, hard-to-put-down book which is set in a world quite different to Small Pleasures, focusing on 1980s-90s London, it has a similar forensic attention to detail when it comes to capturing both contemporary and historic British life, which seems to be Chambers' particular gift.

I haven’t read anything by Clare Chambers and I enjoyed the easy, narrative style. The book tells the story of Chris’ life and his relationship with his brother, family, ex wife and mentors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the eccentric Gerald who I could imagine so easily.. The other important relationships were with Owen and Diana, Owen encourages Chris to write his novel and try to get it published. Chris looks up to him but falls for his wife, Diana. Things inevitably go wrong and Chris seems to just take life as it comes after this. In the present day, he ends up one night with a woman in labour, his ex-wife and Gerald all staying with him unexpectedly in Yorkshire. This is a gentle read but I would definitely read more by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers so I was delighted to get The Editor's wife through Netgalley. Thank you to Netgalley and Random house UK.

The book follows Christopher, an aspiring author and his brother. The characters were believable and well written so I was really rooting for them. The sibling dynamics were interesting and like with small pleasures I was drawn in to the book and read it quickly as I needed to know what would happen. A 4 star read for me and I will be looking up other books by Clare Chambers.

#irishbookstagram #scottishreader #ClareChambers #theEditorsWife #NetGalley

Light of touch, charming but with a brutal eye for detail, I adored this tale of an aspiring writer who also aspires to another man's life and wife. Characters, social history, manners are deliciously described to make me laugh and to grimace and I enjoyed the way the tale was told with a story within a story. I have only read one other by Clare Chambers - Small Pleasures - which I absolutely loved and I will definitely be seeking out more.

The Editor's Wife follows our main character Christopher and his relationship with Diana, his editor's wife. Yet, it also tells the story of the complicated feelings between him and his brother.

Chambers' storytelling is exceptional. While the story is quite slow-moving and a bit gloomy, it is easy to read and makes you anticipate the next turn in the plot.
Additionally, the characters are also nuanced and beautifully crafted.

Overall, it is a very moving novel that I recommend for readers who are looking for a calm and convincing story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK/Cornerstone for the opportunity to read the Editor's Wife.

I really enjoyed this gently comical novel about aspiring and slightly flawed novelist Christopher Flinders. It is witty and entertaining and, through different timelines in the protagonist’s life, the reader is introduced to a diverse bunch of characters and relives Chris’s many misadventures. Though there were times when I was wondering where the novel was going, it was ultimately a satisfying read.

I absolutely adored this. My first book by this author, but certainly not my last, The Editors Wife is one of those reads that is impossible to tear yourself away from once you get started. The language is clever, the plot is strong and the twist is unexpected - a wonderful read - thanks so much for the chance to review.
Faith Hogan Author.

At first, I did not know where this was going, it was quite light and witty and it was nice to read through flashbacks about Gerald, it is read in three different time points but is very easy to read and doesn’t get confusing at any point.
The twists, even though still exciting were quite guessable at some points and all in all just found it a bit average overall, nothing bad but nothing wowing either
I am pleased the cover has changed though so it will go alongside Small Pleasures quite nicely

I enjoyed The Editor's Wife but felt it took too long to get into the story. Part Two was more engaging in that respect than Part One.

It was for me a lighthearted story about a young writer, Christopher's, infatuation/love affair with his editor's wife. He writes about his past detailing how he sent off a manuscript to an editor, Owen, who is enthusiastic and supportive. But when Chris is introduced to Owen's wife, Diana, he falls for her at first sight and she reciprocates. It is inevitable that Owen eventually finds out and over the next twenty years Chris tries to forget about Diana. There is a twist at the end which didn't come as a complete surprise but tied the story up neatly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK/Cornerstone for the opportunity to read and review The Editor's Wife.

I love Clare chambers book and this was no exception. When aspiring novelist Christopher Flinders drops out of university to write his masterpiece (in between shifts as a fish delivery man and builder's mate), his family is sceptical.

But when he is taken up by the London editor Owen Goddard and his charming wife Diana it seems success is just around the corner. Christopher's life has so far been rather short of charm - growing up in an unlovely suburb, with unambitious parents and a semi-vagrant brother - and he is captivated by his generous and cultured mentors. However, on the brink of realising his dream, Christopher makes a desperate misjudgement which results in disaster for all involved. Shattered, he withdraws from London and buries himself in rural Yorkshire, embracing a career and a private life marked by mediocrity.

Twenty years on a young academic researching into Owen Goddard seeks him out, and Christopher is forced to exhume his past, setting him on a path to a life-changing discovery.
What an absolute mind spinning, story this was!