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The Reluctant Wife

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The Reluctant Wife is the true story of a tempestuous marriage set against the background of World War II.

Bill, a young and ambitious research chemist, signs the Official Secrets Act and accepts a promoted post based at the Woolwich Arsenal in London.

This action means moving his wife, Betty, and little daughter from the relative safety of Scotland to live with him there.

Being a man of his time, he fully expects his wife to willingly accept this situation.

Betty, a would-be feminist, has other ideas. She is a volatile, stubborn and determined woman who has grown up resentful of the power yielded by men over women.

Disillusioned with her marriage and fearing for her life, the action of the book fluctuates between London and Scotland as Betty frequently takes flight from Bill, seeking the security of her parents' home in Tranent.

She is clever enough to placate him by occasionally returning to him for a few weeks at a time.

The story is based on Bill's letters written to Betty from 1943 until late 1944. Being a prolific writer, his letters give us a vivid, descriptive insight into living under war conditions - the bombing raids, the deaths and injuries, life in digs, Home Guard and fire watching duties and the problems of making a phone call or obtaining common place items.

As well as this, his relationship is paramount to him and unfolds through the pages as he initially entreats then demands and even threatens divorce to persuade Betty to join him.

Eventually, the pressure is so great that Bill's career and hopes for the future disintegrate before reaching a final disastrous climax.

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Product Details
Plains Publishing
0957666101 / 9780957666108
Paperback / softback
920.71
10/07/2013
United Kingdom
200 pages, 9 photographs
210 x 148 mm
General (US: Trade)/Professional & Vocational/Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly Learn More