Synopses & Reviews
Evie and Nicole Glass share a last name. They also share a husband. Well, to be clear, Richard was Evies ex-husband, so that makes Nicole his second wife. Only now shes his widow. A tragic car accident ended the life of Richard Glass. It also upended the lives of Evie and Nicole, and their children: Evies 10 year-old twins, Sophie & Sam, and Nicoles 6-month-old baby, Luca. Theres no love lost between the ex and the widow. And in fact, Evie sees a silver lining in all this heartache—the chance to rid herself of Nicole once and for all. But she wasnt counting on her children and their bond with their baby brother, and she wasnt counting on Nicoles desperate need to hang on to the threads of family, no matter how frayed.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, they say. And what happens next is living proof of the desperate state of these Glass wives. Evie and Nicole, both emotionally and financially spent by Richards death, agree to share living expenses—and Evies house. The arrangement, purely financial in Evies mind, has its benefits, such as a live-in babysitter. But when Evie suspects that Nicole is determined to rearrange more than her kitchen, she has to decide who she can trust. More than that, she has to decide what makes a family.
Review
“Rich in authenticity and detail, The Glass Wives addresses the softening that happens when we let go of the past, and the strength that ensues when we face the present on our own terms.”--Sandra Kring, author of The Book of Bright Ideas
"With extraordinary empathy, Amy Sue Nathan explores a blended group of friends and relatives weve not seen before. In Evie Glass, Nathan has given us a woman who learns that sometimes its the imperfect relationships that can knit a troubled family back together. THE GLASS WIVES is brimming with heart and humor." --Randy Susan Meyers, author of The Murderer's Daughters
Review
“Nathan, host of the popular Womens Fiction Writers blog, proves she knows her audience as her first novel hits all the right notes . . . Jodi Picoult fans will appreciate the surprising twists embedded in this thought-provoking narrative.” --Booklist
“Nathans story is a poignant reflection of forgiveness and the complicated definition of family, strengthened by the intricate characters who are realistically balanced by their strengths and flaws . . . the plot and characters are heart-warming and the ending is inspiring and thought-provoking.” -RT Book Reviews
“The outcome of this unusual tale may come as a surprise, but Nathans genuine, beautifully descriptive prose and her knack for creating a realistic portrait of an untraditional albeit loving family are refreshing.” -Shelf Awareness
"Reading The Glass Wives is like driving down a familiar street and having one of the houses you thought you knew open up on hinges to reveal its secrets. Nathan firmly but with good humor peels back the layers of suburban "normal" to reveal ethical ambiguity under a publicly rigid moral code and tenuous bonds between strangers under strict definitions of family. Evie Glass is the neighbor you want to know all about, and her story is told with charm and frankness to create an illustration of friendship and motherhood that feels very real."—Lydia Netzer, author of Shine, Shine, Shine
“In The Glass Wives, Amy Sue Nathan examines what it means to build an unconventional family when the original families shatter suddenly and irreparably into pieces. Nathan's adept writing, wry humor, and authentic emotion carried me effortlessly from the beginning of this tender and hopeful debut novel to its satisfying end.” -- Julie Kibler, author of Calling Me Home
“Rich in authenticity and detail, The Glass Wives addresses the softening that happens when we let go of the past, and the strength that ensues when we face the present on our own terms.”--Sandra Kring, author of The Book of Bright Ideas
"With extraordinary empathy, Amy Sue Nathan explores a blended group of friends and relatives weve not seen before. In Evie Glass, Nathan has given us a woman who learns that sometimes its the imperfect relationships that can knit a troubled family back together. THE GLASS WIVES is brimming with heart and humor." --Randy Susan Meyers, author of The Murderer's Daughters
Review
“Nathan, host of the popular Womens Fiction Writers blog, proves she knows her audience as her first novel hits all the right notes . . . Jodi Picoult fans will appreciate the surprising twists embedded in this thought-provoking narrative.” --Booklist
"Reading The Glass Wives is like driving down a familiar street and having one of the houses you thought you knew open up on hinges to reveal its secrets. Nathan firmly but with good humor peels back the layers of suburban "normal" to reveal ethical ambiguity under a publicly rigid moral code and tenuous bonds between strangers under strict definitions of family. Evie Glass is the neighbor you want to know all about, and her story is told with charm and frankness to create an illustration of friendship and motherhood that feels very real."—Lydia Netzer, author of Shine, Shine, Shine
“In The Glass Wives, Amy Sue Nathan examines what it means to build an unconventional family when the original families shatter suddenly and irreparably into pieces. Nathan's adept writing, wry humor, and authentic emotion carried me effortlessly from the beginning of this tender and hopeful debut novel to its satisfying end.” -- Julie Kibler, author of Calling Me Home
“Rich in authenticity and detail, The Glass Wives addresses the softening that happens when we let go of the past, and the strength that ensues when we face the present on our own terms.”--Sandra Kring, author of The Book of Bright Ideas
"With extraordinary empathy, Amy Sue Nathan explores a blended group of friends and relatives weve not seen before. In Evie Glass, Nathan has given us a woman who learns that sometimes its the imperfect relationships that can knit a troubled family back together. THE GLASS WIVES is brimming with heart and humor." --Randy Susan Meyers, author of The Murderer's Daughters
Synopsis
Evie and Nicole Glass share a last name. They also shared a husband.
When a tragic car accident ends the life of Richard Glass, it also upends the lives of Evie and Nicole, and their children. Theres no love lost between the widow and the ex. In fact, Evie sees a silver lining in all this heartache—the chance to rid herself of Nicole once and for all. But Evie wasnt counting on her childrens bond with their baby half-brother, and she wasnt counting on Nicoles desperate need to hang on to the threads of family, no matter how frayed. Strapped for cash, Evie cautiously agrees to share living expenses—and her home—with Nicole and the baby. But when Evie suspects that Nicole is determined to rearrange more than her kitchen, Evie must decide who she can trust. More than that, she must ask: what makes a family?
The Glass Wives is Amy Sue Nathan's heartfelt debut novel.
About the Author
AMY SUE NATHAN lives and writes near Chicago where she hosts the popular blog, Women's Fiction Writers. She has published articles in Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune and New York Times Online among many others. Amy is the proud mom of a son and a daughter in college, and a willing servant to two rambunctious rescued dogs.
Reading Group Guide
1. The Glass Wives begins at shiva, the Jewish mourning ritual, and concludes at the Passover Seder, a combined meal and service commemorating the end of the Israelites bondage in ancient Egypt. Why do you think the author framed the story between these two significant ceremonies?
2. Throughout the course of the novel, Evie is forced to reconstruct her definition of “family” for the second time after her ex-husbands death. Did this get easier for her as time passed? If so, was there a defining moment or epiphany for Evie?
3. In todays world do you really believe there is such a thing as a so-called normal, or typical, family like the one Evie wanted for her children?
4. Tolstoy famously said that “all happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Evie does her best to cultivate a happy family, especially for her children. Do you think she succeeds? Why or why not?
5. Nicole was the other woman before she married Richard Glass. Do you think this makes her a less honest character? At what point in the book does she become a sympathetic character? (Assuming that she does.)
6. Why do you think the author gave the Glass family a dog? What role does Rex play in the book—and in the family?
7. In one scene, Evie reprimands children that are not her own. Its often cited as one of readers favorite passages. Why do you think this episode is so powerful—and memorable? What does it suggest about Evies character? Or do you find its out of character for Evie?
8. In the book, Evie bakes when shes upset or anxious. Take a moment to list examples of her doing so. Why do you think Evie does this? Moreover, why do you think the author chose to assign this behavior, or quirk, to her protagonist?
9. Some of the characters in The Glass Wives are intolerant and impatient. Again: Why do you think the author created characters with negative personality traits in a story about family and friendships? How important—or necessary— is it to include characters who are not readily “likable” in any novel? You may wish to take this opportunity to talk about some of your favorite heroes, or anti-heroes, in literature as well.
10. If you could ask the author anything about The Glass Wives—clarification on a plot point, a detail about a particular character, scenes from the cutting-room floor—what would it be? (You may choose to contact the author and ask her yourselves!)