A story of unshakeable belief and unbending faith from the author of The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret. The Watchful Wife is a propulsive and provocative novel about love and courage.
Raised by her severe parents in a punitive and authoritarian church, Ellen’s narrow world is upended when she meets Gordon, a fellow teacher. Responding to his interest with curiosity and, before long, pleasure, Ellen is both transformed and beguiled by the connection, love and laughter he brings into her life.
Three years later, a knock on the door changes everything. Two police officers have come to accuse Gordon of a shocking crime. Abandoned and reviled by those around her, Ellen steadfastly refuses to believe Gordon has done anything wrong. In a world of swirling suspicion, however, she will have to fight to protect him.
But what will that cost her? And what will she discover about him along the way?
Suzanne Leal has already made a name for herself as a strong voice on Australia’s literary scene, having published The Teacher’s Secret, Border Street and The Deceptions, which won the Nib People’s Choice Prize. In each of her novels, Leal demonstrates a willingness to tackle big, chewy topics head-on with compassion, determination and nuance. Leal is not afraid to enter murky waters.
After a tension-filled prologue leaves the reader on a cliffhanger, wondering what misfortunes led to the police arriving at Ellen’s front door to question her husband, we are launched back in time to discover Ellen’s story. We career through a stifled and traumatic childhood, and onto a stilted and protracted coming-of-age. I found the protagonist/narrator incredibly compelling, but also disquieting and heartwrenching in her profound naivety, which casts a sinister light on her steadfast faith. Could it be misplaced?
This thrilling Australian drama demands to be read in large gulps. Ellen’s narration had me gripped from the very first page, and I sped through the chapters with wide-eyed fascination, a lump in my throat and a burning need for answers. I read it in two hours.
Leal handles the complex themes of justice, truth and power delicately and convincingly. No doubt Leal’s background as a lawyer, with experience in child protection, is what makes this story so believable. I also love the sustained references to The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s famous play, which adds an intertextual depth to the exploration of the idea of a contemporary ‘witch hunt’, above which a question mark hovers throughout the narrative.
A word of warning that The Watchful Wife does revolve around sexual violence involving a minor, though it’s sensitively executed.
If you’re an existing Leal fan, The Watchful Wife should already be on your TBR pile; new readers are also in for an absolute treat. Grab a copy and clear your schedule – if you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to put this down until you reach its conclusion.
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