Mrs. March

By: Virginia Feito

Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers

“I read Virginia’s novel in one sitting and was so captured by it I knew I had to make it and play Mrs. March. As a character, she is fascinating, complex, and deeply human and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into her.” (Elisabeth Moss)

Library Journal • "Books and Authors to Know: Titles to Watch 2021"

A 21st-century Highsmith, Virginia Feito conjures the unforgettable Mrs. March, an Upper East Side housewife whose life is shattered by her husband’s latest novel.

In this astonishing debut, the venerable but gossipy New York literary scene is twisted into a claustrophobic fun house of paranoia, horror, and wickedly dark humor. George March’s latest novel is a smash. No one is prouder than Mrs. March, his doting wife. But one morning, the shopkeeper of her favorite patisserie suggests that his protagonist is based on Mrs. March herself: “'But... - isn't she...’ Mrs. March leaned in and in almost a whisper said, ‘a whore?'” Clutching her ostrich-leather pocketbook, she flees, that one casual remark destroying her belief that she knew everything about her husband - as well as herself. Suddenly, Mrs. March is hurled into a harrowing journey that builds to near psychosis, one that begins merely within the pages of a book but may uncover both a killer and the long-buried secrets of her past.

©2021 Virginia Feito (P)2021 Recorded Books

Mrs. March needs Seroquel.

Looking forward to seeing the film adaptation with Elisabeth Moss. I feel that in this case, the film will be better than the book.

Blunt, inexplicable, abrupt ending.

Stylish and immersive, a literary psychological study of disintegration. Compelling pacing, though slow, it eventually fades, the plot unsustainable and with nary a likable character.

Makes the Reader Work Too Hard

A main element of any good mystery is the location to lay the foundation for the overarching, spine-tingling atmosphere that makes the reader feel something and draws them into the story. In this story, the location seemed to be inside the head of Mrs. March. The main character did a lot of running around in circles of neurosis, reacting to illusionary thoughts that never proved real. No threat ever panned out until the climactic moment, and soon I found myself bored and irritated by the ongoing fakes.

I had to work too hard to ride along with the story. I kept waiting for something to actually happen, and then when it did in the climax, I wasn't exactly sure why it did. Writers are taught to "show and not tell." In this book, I feel the author could have provided a little more "telling" to help stitch together what she was "showing" in the scenarios. Connect them better to help lead the reader/listener along.

The narrator did a great job. The different voices and inflections gave the impression of different characters speaking. Varied cadence and intensity helped capture the mood of the moment. But a good narrator can't save a struggling story.

Overall, I think there is a great story in there. I just don't want to work so hard to figure it out.

Beautifully told

The author describes everything beautifully. But it wasn't enough for me. The story felt like it was mocking someone with a mental illness and I did not like it.

Well articulated and yet repetitive

The writer is talented and her use of words and flow of sentences in this story does capture what it’s like in the mind of one who becomes increasingly paranoid.

The problem is, after a while, her worrisome thoughts become quite repetitive and you really get enough of this unlikeable main character early. I did ... about a third of the way into the story. I took a break and then continued on and finally had to finally quit about half way through the book.

The writer has good potential. She needs to try again though. I do not recommend this read.

All character

Mrs.March’s crippling and delusional self-absorption would have made a good long short story, but not a novel. Annoyed .

Kind of a dread

I wish the pace of the last few chapters were throughout. The whole thing was so obvious and sad; which was the point but it wasn’t enough. Perhaps this will be be one of the ones where the movie is better. But, to the authors credit, it’s written beautifully. The Woman speaking the Book did a great job too.

Loved it!

I started to feel like something wasn’t quite right midway through…. It just goes to show if you choose to believe something is true you can lose your way ;/

Loooonnngggg

This is a descent into madness and not really suspenseful. I was reminded of my own mother who has recently been diagnosed with late on-set schizophrenia. The material in this book was hard for me to enjoy because of my own family history. If any reader has not experienced a family member having a deterioration of mind, this would be a good read for a trip down that path. Otherwise, this was not a mystery or suspenseful at all. The author writes well and the narrator manages to use a very deadpan approach which was a good take on how to portray the character, in my opinion. I am torn on how to recommend this book, so thumbs up if you want to read a good character study of mental illness and thumbs down if you are expecting any mystery or suspense.

A book looking for a straight storyline

The opening description of the book sounds good but ended up going in about four different directions....as though the author had four ideas and then jumbled them all together. Also, the reader's childrens' voices were too high and creepy. It was also overwritten. I'm glad I listened to it, because if I read it it would have dragged to nowhere a bit slower.