Just Ok...Not Great

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I was excited to listen to this audiobook because it was compared to one of my favorite books, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Overall, I was dissappointed in the book and honestly wished I would have chosen something else.

What was most disappointing about A. S. A. Harrison’s story?

*Spoiler Alert*

The story just wasn't that interesting or engaging in my opinion. A husband cheats on his wife with a younger woman. He leaves his wife for her and wants to keep all of his money and assets. Then his betrayed wife wants to kill him. Wow...Never heard that before...
There were also some holes in the story that bothered me... For example, one of Jodi's good friends tells her that she will help arrange to have her husband killed, but just ends up stealing money from her and never speaks to Jodi again?? There has to be more to the story there right?? Not in this book apparently.

Which character – as performed by Karen White and Donald Corren – was your favorite?

Even though I didn't love the book, I thought the narrators performances were solid. I loved the vulnerablity Karen White showed in her charater. It was great. Donald Corren was also very good. I hated this character in the book, but Donald Corren helped me enjoy depising him.

Was The Silent Wife worth the listening time?

I wouldn't mind having those 8 hours back for a more interesting story...

28 people found this helpful

Good... but not quite like the description...

Any additional comments?

I was extremely fascinating by Audible's description of the book... I had seen it (somewhere) compared to "Gone Girl." Not quite. It wasn't nearly as suspenseful or layered. Also, Audible described her as a "killer," when, in fact, she doesn't become at all dangerous until the end of the storyline. It was a good read-- but as much emotional drama as suspense/intrigue. There was a good foundation to the story, but I wasn't at all satisfied with the climax & denouement.

Also, the male NARRATOR was annoying. While listening on Bluetooth, I could hear him make a clicking sound as if he had a very dry mouth. It was nasty & annoying. And.... is it necessary for them to always read the speakers' names constantly during dialogue without tags? The characters would give very short responses, but they continued to read the names. For example:
FRED: Hello, Bob.
BOB: Hi, Fred.
FRED: How are you?
BOB: I'm fine, and you?
FRED: Good. How's your wife?
BOB: She's wonderful.

The narrators would read the "Fred" and "Bob" with such enunciation that it was distracting from the extremely short dialogue. I guess it's more noticeable here than other books because 1) the responses are so short 2) Usually it is written with "tags" such as "Fred replied" or "Bob responded."

This was a decent read but not as good as I was expecting.

95 people found this helpful

Was the female narrator a robot?

What disappointed you about The Silent Wife?

The story was bland. Too many detailed descriptions that did not move the story. Boring.

Would you recommend The Silent Wife to your friends? Why or why not?

Never.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Karen White and Donald Corren ?

Siri. Actually the male narrator was good. Karen sounded like a robot, I wanted to scream it was so annoying! Sounded like, "I......thought.....about.....making....breakfast...." Ugh!!!

17 people found this helpful

Painful to listen to

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

My Book Club chose this book for the month of October. I decided to buy the audio book so I could listen while commuting. I was painful to listen to. The female voice sounded like a pre-recorded computer voice. Because of this I did not enjoy the book, and only half listened while doing other things. I only finished it because it was part of the book club, if I was listening on my own...I would have stopped about 1/4 of the way through.Didn't seem to be a thriller. Mostly predictable.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Different readers, better direction.

Would you be willing to try another one of Karen White and Donald Corren ’s performances?

No

Could you see The Silent Wife being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

17 people found this helpful

NOWHERE AS GOOD AS GONE GIRL

What would have made The Silent Wife better?

Unlike GONE GIRL, which is one of the best I've heard in the last year, this portrait of two selfish people has no suspense, likeable charachters, zero passion and a bland ending. Psychobable about why a woman is boring......that's it. Narrators were great, but they didn't have much to work with. Overall, depressing and forgettble.

Has The Silent Wife turned you off from other books in this genre?

I'll do a lot more research before I get another one.

What about Karen White and Donald Corren ’s performance did you like?

First rate voices who helped make the story more interesting than it really was.

What character would you cut from The Silent Wife?

Allison, the best friend....who just vanishes, anyway.

Any additional comments?

This is no GONE GIRL. If it was this summer's "beach read" a lot of people must have left the beach depressed. Author writes well, structurally, but doesn't have an interesting story tell.

12 people found this helpful

I needed more closure

I enjoyed much of the narrative, as the author's use of words and descriptions were very succinct, yet beautifully phrased without overkill. This story line lacked depth, answers and ended leaving me thinking my download was incomplete.

11 people found this helpful

Worst female narrator

Would you recommend The Silent Wife to your friends? Why or why not?

The female narrator sounds as if she is holding her breath between every word. If you can get past her choppy reading the book could be enjoyable. I would not recommend this to anyone.

Did The Silent Wife inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to write my first review because Karen White's voice is so distracting.

7 people found this helpful

Don't compare this book to Gone Girl

I'm not sure why reviewers and publicist alike are comparing this book with Gone Girl. I think the comparisons are creating less favorable reviews for The Silent Wife, because expectations aren't fulfilled. It's a good story on its own. I had to listen at 1.25 speed due to the slowness of Karen White's narration (it was torture at regular speed). A good listen overall at the increased speed.

6 people found this helpful

Disappointing

What disappointed you about The Silent Wife?

The story was predictable and not at all what it claims to be...a psychological thriller.

Has The Silent Wife turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

What didn’t you like about Karen White and Donald Corren ’s performance?

I found the narrators to be monotone and boring. Especially the female narrator.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

NOTHING!

Any additional comments?

Don't buy this book

25 people found this helpful

Disappointed - didn't live up to the hype

This book had been hailed as the next "Gone Girl". Well, it's not. It is about a husband a wife with a troubled relationship and uses the same format where each chapter is narrated by either the husband or wife. However, this book lacked the pace and grip of Gone Girl. I found the characters to be a bit pathetic and, while the story did keep me wondering and waiting for the big plot twist, it unfortunately ended with a whimper, not a bang.

5 people found this helpful