Birth. Death. Wonder … One woman’s journey to the edge of love and loyalty from the bestselling author of The Lace Weaver.
Read our Preview reviewer thoughts here:
We have all read or heard the tale of Gulliver’s Travels, but have you ever wondered what happened after he was rescued or who missed him while he was gone? Gulliver’s Wife is a remarkably written story from the perspective of those he left behind, his wife and children. Chater provides us with a dark and gritty story of how people’s lives have to keep going while family members are missing and how not everyone should be found. I really enjoy fiction written from another perspective of a well known story and this one did not disappoint. – Mel, NSW, 4 stars
This book came along at just the right time as all good books seem to do. At a time full of uncertainty, it was a relief to escape back in time to 1702 and experience London through the eyes of Mary Gulliver, midwife and herbalist. When her husband, Lemuel, being given up for dead, returns home after being away for years, I could feel the fear and uncertainty emanating from the pages as she moves through the shock of his return and the changes it brings to her life. As she navigates these troubling and desperate times, her spirit rises. “She will weather the worst with dignity and courage.” With such a strong female character at the heart of this novel, the themes of resilience and inner-strength resonate as the novel pulses with human drama. Mary is such an engaging character and the story allows us to step into the lives of women in this vivid place and time. A stellar second novel from author of The Lace Weaver, I highly recommend Lauren Chater’s novel Gulliver’s Wife to all fans of historical fiction. – Vanessa, NSW, 5 stars
Having never read Gullivers Travels, i felt by the end of the book, that maybe I should have before reading Gullivers Wife. Most of the information about Lemuel made no sense to me and he just seemed like a selfish brute of a man who was a few eggs short of a full basket. I admire Mary for forging her own path in an attempt to keep her family from poverty but I found her day to day life monotonous and rather boring. The character i really didn’t like was Bess. A girl who believed, thanks to Lemuel, that she was living below her station and her head filled with fantasies. i honestly would have believed that as she grew older that she would realise they were just fantasies. I was happy that towards the end of the book, she seemed to find her place in the world, alongside Mary. The interjecting characters of Wapping as well as Richard, Johnny, Piet and Casper helped the story to move along but I just couldn’t enjoy it as much as i had hoped. Like Marys daily life, the overall book was monotinous and at some points, rather boring. – Kristie, WA, 2 stars
When I was offered the opportunity to read a copy of Lauren Chater’s most recent novel, Gulliver’s Wife, I jumped at the chance. Although outside my usual choice of genre of Crime and Thriller, I was keen to discover a different take on a childhood favourite of mine, Gulliver’s Travels. Chater certainly did not disappoint. From the very first chapter you are transported to London in the early 1700s experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of a time period fraught with hardship and heartache. Chater introduces her characters in a way that leaves you emotionally connected. Mary is the hardworking wife of the infamous Lemuel Gulliver who is presumed lost and dead at sea. She survives this tragedy and goes on to build a life for her and her children, Bess and Johnny, but this soon descends into chaos upon his unexpected return. The remainder of this beautiful story is nothing short of an emotional roller coaster as we journey with Mary as she pursues truth, justice, love, safety and happiness not only for her and her family but for the women she so selflessly serves as a midwife. – Kylie, QLD, 5 stars
Gulliver’s Wife is an intriguing story superbly written in meticulous detail, it was wonderful to read. I also loved the beautiful book cover, it’s exquisite. The year is 1702 in Wapping, London, Mary Gulliver is a highly respected midwife and herbalist who hopes that her fourteen-year old daughter Bess will also become a midwife and follow in her footsteps. Mary has a strong sense of familial duty. The midwives also testified against crimes accused of rape and sexual assault due to their extensive knowledge of female anatomy. In a time of a male dominated world Mary struggles to make ends meet with her husband Lemuel lost at sea, presumed dead. However she enjoys her independence, as he often brought trouble at home. Had she married the wrong man? Then suddenly three years later Gulliver returns home, obviously unwell with night terrors, blundering confusion and ranting strange stories. An amazing story, and yes Mary’s husband is the Gulliver we remember from the story Gulliver’s Travels. – Gloria, SA, 4 stars
Gulliver’s Wife was a real escape into the world of Mary, you became so immersed! I really liked the suspense, and although it took a while to establish, the last half of the book was worth it. (plus I’m a sucker whenever my name comes up, Louisa, even if it was in relation to Jeremiah Grape!) – Louisa, VIC, 4 stars
Gulliver’s Wife takes the reader into the heart of 18th Century London and the challenge faced by Mary on the return of her sailor husband – complete with outlandish tales of miniature people. In a city where the medical patriarchy is determined to wrest control of birthing from its midwives, Mary finds herself desperate to protect both herself and her career – and discover the truth of her husband’s claims. Lauren Chater’s beautiful prose brings to life a richly imagined side to the popular classic, Gulliver’s Travels. – Lisa, SA, 4 stars
Gulliver’s Wife is a grim and dismal historical novel, considering the trials of those left behind by their adventurers in the harsh realities of the dawn of 18th Century London. This is a harsh story, focused on Mary Gulliver, a mid-wife who has made a life for herself and her children after the assumed death of her less-than-ideal husband. When Lemuel makes a miraculous return, their burdens seem only to increase. Mary is a strong character, though out-shined by her impetuous and strong-willed daughter Bess. These women have a tough lot in life, as do most women in this era. I enjoyed seeing them grow and change as they dealt with their hardships. I didn’t feel this book really had a lot to do with Gulliver’s Travels in the long run, Lemuel could have been any seafarer who returned with a jolt back to family life, but it was an interesting premise and I was gripped by the need to know how it all turned out. If you like gritty historical fiction, or even Outlander, you might want to give Gulliver’s Wife a try. Content warnings for sexual assault and childbirth scenes. – Kia, NSW, 3 stars
I tend towards binging in my reading style but quickly discovered that Gulliver’s Wife is not really suited to a cover-to-cover-in-a-weekend binge-fest. Lauren Chater’s prose deserves time to be savoured, to be explored, to be considered. There is a lot going on between these pages and you won’t walk away without learning something about life as a woman in 18th century London, the practice and status of midwifery at the time, and with maybe with a few new words in your vocabulary. Chater does an amazing job of weaving explanations into the fabric of the story so that within a paragraph or two you gain a clear understanding of that unusual word or concept. One of my disappointments with historical fiction is finding out that a pivotal scene has been created with dramatic license – an event created to link the known historical happenings or to move the story along. There is no danger of that here and I enjoyed knowing that the characters were completely fictional. In fact, I enjoyed the whole concept. I’ve often wondered about the left-behind families of the famous male adventurers and if they would agree with the heroic image presented. A really interesting read. – Rebecca, QLD, 4 stars
When i saw the name of the book and the design of the book cover I was intrigued. Firstly I wondered if the book had a connection with Gulliver’s Travels and secondly the design on the cover has a swirling effect so did this mean there was a twist to this novel. Firstly this was a very easy book to read and from the opening paragraph I was drawn into the story. The characters in the book were defined clearly and in an orderly fashion which enabled you to follow the story line. You got to know the characters before a new one was introduced, Of course the main character Missus Mary Gulliver was the wife of Lemuel Gulliver from Gulliver’s Travels. As a midwife in the 1700’s Mary Gulliver was a strong person and had to overcome many difficulties to practise her profession. It was interesting to learn that midwives were licensed back in this century as they are today. Mary had great strength of character as she was a woman alone in a man’s world working and being a mother of 2 children, Bess and Johnny. Her relationships with her 2 children were experiences that you could easily relate too. Mary’s husband returns and what a shock for the family and the turmoil it caused for Mary. Lemuel’s cousin Richard comes into the plot when he returned and you are immersed in more problems and heartache for Mary. A great read! – Dianne, NSW, 5 stars
Gulliver’s Wife – Lauren Chater She’s built a life in her husband’s absence but now he’s back and turning her world upside down. A woman’s life and power are precarious in her world; and his return threatens to tear hers apart. In Mary Gulliver’s time women die in childbirth and midwives like her have tenuous standing; easily lost at the hint of scandal. Only her strength and the support of the other strong women around give her any chance of making a living for herself and her family. The Character of Mary Gulliver is well written, her challenges and dilemmas relatable. She is a strong, independent women with a powerful sense of duty. She struggles to balance a vocation, with supporting and protecting those she loves. Her efforts are not always appreciated and sometimes backfire. I love the approach of exploring the story of a peripheral character from a classic novel and to look at an alternative explanation for the events of the well-known story. – Cheryl, VIC, 4 stars
Birth, death and the wonders in between. A great read about the roles both accepted and scorned, that women played in the 1700’s. The historical underpinnings of the roles the church played in the decision making that today is done by governmental departments, added to my enjoyment of the book. – Maryanne, NSW, 5 stars
“Gulliver’s Wife” is a wonderful testament to women’s strength of character, and shows us that this isn’t something that has only developed over the last century. Mary Gulliver shows how strength and calmness go hand in hand no matter what challenges the world throws at her. Lauren Chater writes with intricate detail, and you quickly become entranced with Mary’s story. A thoroughly enjoyable book – will now have to add “The Lace Weaver” on my TBR pile. – Jane, NSW, 4 stars
Gulliver’s Wife by Lauren Chater is an unexpected gem. Mary Gulliver, wife of Lemuel Gulliver, is constantly torn between heart and head; societal expectations and family necessity; fact and fiction. I found Mary an interesting character, who was constantly evolving and developing. Each page revealed a little more of Mary’s story, until I felt I knew her fully. Gulliver’s Wife was a wonderful journey into the past; at the same time, I found the mindset of Mary to be one that many women have to this day. There are and have been various prejudices in all walks of life across the ages. The variety of choices made daily by women and men everywhere affect not only themselves, but loved ones, colleagues, acquaintances, strangers, and the greater community. This thread is more than apparent in Gulliver’s Wife, as Mary goes about her daily life, making decisions for her family, patients, fellow midwives and her local neighbourhood. Seeing Mary’s constant struggle to maintain a solid family foundation spoke to the parent in me. Although my situation is vastly different to that of Mary’s, I would do anything within my power to protect my family, as I am sure many others would. – Karen, WA, 4 stars
I found Gulliver’s Wife to be a really interesting story. I was unaware of the premise of the book before I started reading and it took me awhile before the penny dropped and I realised it was a telling of the original from the wife’s perspective. The writing was beautifully detailed although at times I needed to stop and look up words and scenarios I want familiar with. This did add a level of authenticity to the setting. The characters were real and their losses and gains became my own as the story unfolded. What was initially a hard story to get into became an even harder story to put down. Definitely one worth reading. – Jodie, WA, 4 stars
For those who are familiar with Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Wife by Lauren Chater is a great insight into what could have been the life of Lemuel’s wife – Mary Burton. Set in 1700’s London, the novel paints a picture of one woman’s struggle to find her own identity and independence through hard work and commitment. Life is not easy for Mary, a devoted midwife and a talented herbalist while her husband is lost at sea, but she finds her way and place in the world only to have Lemuel return after several years to disturb the peace and bring all sorts of troubles upon the family. The story is beautifully written and easy to read, well researched and gives an accurate description of the 18th century England with all its ups and downs typical of that era. The story is not what one would call ‘fast paced’ but instead unravels slowly to enchant and pull the reader into the often forgotten world of the brave women who paved their path for all women who came after them, so they could brake away from their roles of a man’s wife and write their own life’s story. – Ewa, VIC, 4 stars
Set in Wapping, a dockside town of London, in the early 1700s this is a tale of the forgotten wife of the fabled Lemuel Gulliver. Lemuel has fallen from the high status of surgeon, and returned 3 years after being presumed dead with fantastical tales bringing derision and shame on his family. During his absence Mary Gulliver has worked hard to keep her young son in school and her home from destitution by practising midwifery, a vocation whose professional standards are set by the Church. It’s a patriarchal world in every sense and women are vulnerable, bound by proprieties, and often ‘sorely used’. When a serial rapist is at large it is only the female folk who are bound by curfew. Mary’s teenage daughter Bess has been besotted by her father, his tales of adventure and the promise of travel. Bess has been shielded from life’s hard truths, but an encounter with the fiendish Piet Willems, her father’s friend is a dangerous eye opener. When Bess is forced into a midwifery apprenticeship, she’s rebellious but eventually comes to regard Mary with respect. Everything Mary has worked to attain is ‘in danger of being crushed under her husband’s reckless boots’. The family’s dwindling possession are pawned to feed his opium addiction. Barber surgeons are advocating the use of iron clamps as a surgical advancement for child-birthing, and to do away with midwives. It’s a precarious time to be Mary Gulliver and Lauren Chater has woven an enthralling account. – Anita, QLD, 5 stars
Lemuel Gulliver is well known to all of us in ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ and the tales of Lilliput. But, what and who did he leave at home? ‘Gulliver’s Wife’ provides that background story. She is a midwife and very proud of her profession, and some of her struggles will resonate with nurses and midwives of today. She is a very independent woman and determined to be self-reliant which also resonates in these days of women’s rights. She is also the mother of teenage children and despite her best efforts, they suffer with some of the angst and difficulties that modern teenagers experience. Chater is very clever to weave these modern themes into a story set in the 18th century and she writes with empathy. Gulliver is thought to be dead and they had a funeral without a body some years earlier, but he arrives home unexpectedly. This story is about what happens next and how it affects the whole family and offers some explanation of Gulliver’s stories. Anymore, and it would be a spoiler. The story is well written, has some gripping moments and it is beautifully researched. I think I will sit down and read it again! – Anne, SA, 5 stars
I loved the feel of this book. It took me to London in the early 1700s, the writing engaging all the senses. I empathised with Mary and cared about what happened to her and her family. It also piqued my historical curiosity. The novel was obviously well researched so I’m off to do a little more reading on the history of midwifery. An easy, engaging read. – Lucy, WA, 4 stars
Gulliver’s Wife is a tale of mothers and daughters, working women in a male-dominated world, and life in the 18th century. Vividly detailed, the streets, docks and homes of 1700s London come truly alive in this reimagining of Lemuel Gulliver’s return home. Mary Gulliver is an impressive character, juggling her duties as a mother and midwife in a time when working women were looked down on. When her husband presumably lost at sea returns, Mary finds it difficult to give up the independence and freedom she previously enjoyed. Not only does she struggle to find her place in her home, but also in her work where men are threatening to encroach on the midwifery business. Daughter Bess is also an intriguing young lady, teetering on the edge of womanhood and with a head full of dreams. Strong-willed and curious, Bess has led a sheltered life, protected by her mother from the harsh realities of life in London. Throughout the story, we see her grow and learn that our heroes are indeed only human. Gulliver’s Wife is a story of female strength, resilience and love. Brimming with exquisite detail, this story had me hooked from page one. – megan, NSW, 4 stars
We all know the story of Gulliver’s Travels but in the novel , Gulliver’s Wife, Lauren Chater creates the untold story of Mary, who remains at home caring for their two children, Bess and Johnny, while Gulliver sails away to explore new lands. Wapping in the early 1700s could be a dangerous place for women and children, especially those living without the protection of a man. In order to support the family, as well as pay her husband’s debts, Mary trained as a midwife and developed a successful practice. Then Gulliver, who had been reported lost at sea three years earlier, returned home and Mary encountered new challenges in her quest to protect her family and their way of life. Gulliver is obviously unwell and his recounting of strange stories to anyone who will listen threatens the professional reputation that Mary has built up in his absence. Mary is also wary of a new acquaintance who has returned to England with Gulliver. But this novel is basically the story about the relationship between Mary and Bess, and the challenging, and often dangerous, world crafted by the author. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. – Vicki, VIC, 4 stars
This fabulous piece of historical fiction explores the life of Mary Gulliver, wife to Lemeul Gulliver, he of Gulliver’s Travels fame, as a woman in the 1700’s in London. First as wife to a wastral, then presumed widow as Lemeul’s ship is pronounced sunk, and then her battle to keep home and family together as Lemeul is unceremoniously returned to her fevered and raving about his experiences whilst away Chater’s descriptions of life in 18th century London are reflective of the difficulties women faced at a time when they were considered little more than chattels, property of their husband’s. The traumas that so many endured during childbirth and the efforts women had to go to as midwives to ensure they were not accused of witchery. This was the time of the battle between the surgeons led by the Chamberlen’s with their new wonder instrument (obstetric forceps) and the midwives as to who was better placed to aid women in their childbed. In this wonderfully engaging tale, Chater brings the characters in her book to life as love, loss, and life in these times magically and seamlessly interweaves fact and fiction to engage you from the first page to the last. – Marcia, SA, 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the preview copy of Gulliver’s wife by Lauren Chater. I knew of the original story Gulliver’s travels and found it interesting to read what life was like for Gulliver’s wife and family. I don’t usually read historical novels set in the 1700’s preferring the 1850 to 1940’s era, however I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to see how women were treated and had no voice, it was definitely a man’s world. London is where the story is set and the majority of the families live a meagre existence and endure a lot of financial and emotional struggles. Mary is a strong woman for her family and she empowers women along with Bess that women can look after themselves and do not need men to dictate to them. I wasn’t aware how closely entwined midwifery and herbalist were. It would be good if doctors today could include herbal remedies into their practices. An excellent read. 5 stars. An eye opening historical tale of motherhood and midwifery set in 18th century London. – Yvette, NSW, 5 stars
“Gulliver’s Wife” by Lauren Chater piqued my interest early and held it throughout. The story centres around Mary Gulliver a midwife in eighteenth century London and her relationships both personal and professional. Mary’s struggles are real and pressing. Lemuel, her husband is missing presumed dead. She must fight for respect, relevance and independence in a society where women are seen as inferior to men….even in the role of supporting other women in labour. When Lemuel returns unexpectedly with problems of his own, her world is turned upside down and Mary must juggle her family and profession with a curve ball thrown into the mix. The descriptions are rich and evocative. The sights, sounds and smells of the dirty city, noisy port (but also of Mary’s prized garden) are tantalisingly conveyed and historical detail is riveting. The language and vocabulary used are appropriate for the times and the narrative flows well. Characters are well drawn. Bess, Mary’s fourteen year old daughter is the second most important character in my opinion, rebelling against her mother in favour of the indulgence she remembers from her absent father. During the course of the novel, Bess learns to see Mary (and her father) in a new light and develops a more mature perspective as she finds her own path in life. I enjoyed this novel about strong females and am inspired to delve further into the midwives legacy. – Lesley, QLD, 4 stars
Gulliver’s wife: Who is she? Lauren Chater’s wonderfully written book lets you step back in time to the 1700s in London where we meet the main character Mary. During this era, we see Mary guide her way through an era devastated by poverty, addiction, rape, bullying, birth and death, and issues related to women having “no voice”. Although the author does not name Gulliver’s wife in the title, throughout the book we see a massive transformation that defines Mary’s role as a strong female lead as she defies the social conventions of her time era. This is especially depicted through her role as a midwife where she has to demonstrate “to a bunch of men” the importance and relevance of having a midwife present during childbirth. Overall, a wonderfully written and descriptive book, an excellent read, Thank you Lauren. Thank you to Better Reading for my advanced copy. – Mira, NSW, 5 stars
Thank you Better Reading for the opportunity to review Gulliver’s Wife by Lauren Chater. This book was set in 1702, I loved the way it takes you into that time and it makes you realise how difficult and hard it was back then. The main character Mary is a midwife, she is a very strong woman trying to keep her family together through tough times. Mary’s character makes you want to be as tough and caring as she is. Sometimes you want to shake Mary and tell her to put herself first sometimes!! Lauren makes you feel like you’re in the book, helping Mary deliver babies, being scared of the people her long lost husband brings home, feeling the same feelings and fearing some of the shader characters. I highly recommend Gulliver’s Wife!! #betterreading# – Judy, NSW, 4 stars
Oh how I savoured ‘Gulliver’s Wife’ by Lauren Chater! It was like taking a long soak in a bubble bath of rich language and wonderful characters. I was torn between wanting to keep reading to unravel the mysteries of Mary and her daughter Bess, but also knowing that at some point the pages would run out and the book would be finished. In the way that Carol Duffy explores the lives of famous men in her poetry, Chater writes about the wife of Gulliver, Jonathon Swift’s 18th century traveller to the land of little people. Filled with rich descriptions of the lives of women in the 1700s, this book wrestles with the complexities of mother/daughter relationships, the powerful role of midwives as well as the themes of love, loyalty, hope and ambition. This book is a must for readers of historical fiction, or those who simply cherish a tale well told. – Amy, NSW, 5 stars
Gulliver’s Wife. What a read! A journey from the darkest of darks to the lightest of lights. Mary Gulliver is a woman brave and true with a quiet strength and limitless compassion. Lauren Chater has crafted an extraordinary story that had me turning page after page. Nothing is left to the imagination with her detail and evocative story telling imagery. A moving and fast paced story that had me guessing to the very end. – Peter, NSW, 4 stars
Inspired by the classic novel “Gulliver’s Travel” Lauren Chater transports us to the 1700s and the life of Gulliver’s wife and his family. Obviously well researched, the reader quickly becomes involved in Mary’s life, a time when women had no rights and were completely at the whim of their husbands. Detailing the knowledge Mary and other women had of both midwifery and the use of herbs in medicine it challenges what 21st century women expect in childbirth. It also makes the reader appreciate just how much activists for women’s rights have gained over the years. A very thought provoking read. – Cheryl, TAS, 5 stars
In Gulliver’s Wife Lauren Chater offers up a new perspective on the famous Gulliver’s Travels. What did the women in Gulliver’s life think of his fanciful tales and how did his return to England impact the lives they had built in his absence? A wonderfully imagined story that brings Gulliver’s family to life and really captures the essence of London in the 1700s. I loved all the historical details and the insight into midwifery practices of the time. A real treat for fans of historical fiction. – Tamarin, QLD, 5 stars
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but I do tend to pick up beautiful books and this is one such book. Mary Gulliver’s story is told with attention to detail and empathy which makes it come alive. Life in the 1700’s is hard; throw in a husband you believed dead, men of the town who disrespect women, a teenage daughter on the cusp of womanhood and a young son struggling at school and you get a glimpse in to Mary’s life. I loved this book and gave it 5 stars. – Christina, NSW, 5 stars
I found Gullivers Wife had a well written storyline which flowed between the main characters. Especially liked how the main character Midwife Gulliver being portrayed as a very strong women for her time , even if it was set in 1700’s. The story gave you a believable insight into what it was like to experience childbirth back then. An enjoyable read before going to bed. – Amanda, QLD, 2 stars
I was spellbound by Lauren Chater’s storytelling abilities. Through Mary Gulliver’s life and beautiful prose, Lauren Chater shows the impossible choices that women had to make in the 18th century. Mary Gulliver is a woman with extraordinary strength. I was transported to the day-to-day of her life. I saw what she saw. I felt what she felt. Stunning book! – Aida, NSW, 5 stars
Call the midwife! The widow Gulliver has become a well-respected midwife and member of her community as she struggles to bring up her two children after her husband is lost at sea. She gets the shock of her life when there is a knock at the door one night and her husband is dragged in by two men in a very distressing state. His presence in the house upsets everyone with his mad utterances and deranged behaviour. Lauren Chater brings the streets of London in the age of Queen Anne to life with vivid descriptions of the people, the place and the smells – good and bad. Mary Gulliver is a calming presence in a time when there are threats both inside and outside the home with her husband, a teenage daughter, an unknown rapist on the loose and learned men who believe they know better than midwives when it comes to childbirth. As with The Lace Weaver, I couldn’t put this book down. Chater is a great storyteller and her exquisite details evoke the drama of 18th century London. Gulliver’s Wife is another fascinating story celebrating the strength, resilience and compassion of women battling against great odds. I loved it. – Sarah, NSW, 4 stars
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