Book review: The Unfaithful Widow by Barbara Barth
Barbara Barth’s book, The Unfaithful Widow, has got be one of the best books I have read. It is also one of the hardest books I have read … because it was so good.
Confused?
Allow me to explain.
At the age of sixty, Barbara lost her beloved husband. The Unfaithful Widow chronicles her life for the year following his death. The problem for me was she chronicled it so well, it pinched my heart imagining losing Mr. Very Right. And yet, I couldn’t put the book down.
The Unfaithful Widow is subtitled Fragmented Memoirs Of My First Year Alone. Each chapter describes exactly that, a fragment of life. Like flipping through a photo album and getting pieces of a person’s story.
Actually, it is a brilliant way to write a memoir. Cast your mind back over the past year. What do you get? Fragmented memories. Highlights of the ups and downs. However, Barbara describes the jigsaw pieces of memory so well, I am able to complete the puzzle. In the end, I felt like I had taken the year’s journey with her.
I laughed when she laughed. I cried when she cried.
Barbara lays it all bare. Literally, because I even know how many bras she owns, and the style of panties she prefers.
She is open about her forays into the world of dating, hence the playful title The Unfaithful Widow. And yes, dating within months of widowhood. And yes, including sex. All described with candour and humour. (Note to Barbara: I think you and I met some of the same men)
We also discover, as she did, the incredible support network she had. The neighbour who took over cutting her grass. The girlfriends who remembered to call on potentially painful days, and made sure she got out of the house. Cousins who called long distance just to chat. The techie who kept a straight face when Barbara told him her computer was possessed by her husband’s ghost.
In the last chapter, Barbara talks about the woman she became over that first year. She still cries, but not as much anymore. I started to cry too, until I thought back to something Mr. Very Right did.
I was telling him about the book and started getting all choked up at the thought of ever losing him. He picked up the book, flipped it over and said “‘Oh cool! She has a Corvette.”
Lesson learned from Mr. Very Right: Focus on what makes you happy.
And in the end, that’s what Barbara does. She focuses on what makes her happy. From her rescue dogs to antiquing, from driving a sports car to writing, Barbara shows us that life does go on after losing a loved one.
It just looks different.
More information!
Make sure you come back on June 16th to win a copy of The Unfaithful Widow.
You can learn more about Barbara, and find out how to purchase her book, at Barbara Barth living life on my own terms…
The Unfaithful Widow book review is sponsored by Women On Writing.
Silver & Grace Approved Books
The Unfaithful Widow has the Silver & Grace Seal of Approval as an excellent resource for women. It can be purchased through Amazon by clicking here: The Unfaithful Widow: Fragmented Memoirs Of My First Year Alone
Hi Eliza – thanks for such a lovely review. I am so happy you liked my book. I am a regular now of your blog, it’s very cool. Got your comment on my blog. Tell me about the rats. My mother had a pet rat that did tricks. I’ve just got dogs, but did have a monkey once. Thanks again. It has been a pleasure meeting you on my blog tour. Barbara
@Barbara – welcome to Silver & Grace! Actually, loved your book would be more accurate than liked
As for trick rats, my great-grandfather trained his to discreet hand signals. He would then take the rat to the pool hall and bet on which pocket the rat would go into. Apparently, my great-grandfather was a bit of a rogue.