The Vicar's Wife by Katherine Swartz

The Vicar's Wife by Katharine Swartz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When a whole family uproots itself to move from a metropolitan area to a small village, problems are expected to arise. But in Jane Hatton's case, her family seems to adjust to the move with a minimum amount of difficulty after some initial getting used to the new environment glitches. The problem is, Jane can't adjust to the changes required of her to feel truly at home in the family's new place. She misses her old life far more than she ever expected, and she's not doing a very good job of concealing her dissatisfaction from the rest of her family.


After this beginning is established, the story expands to include details about the woman who lived in the house Jane now occupies years before Jane and her family moved in. The book moves back and forth in time between Jane's life and the struggle she's having and The Vicar's Wife who had struggles of her own. How each woman came to terms with the troublesome existence she faces on a daily basis forms the foundation of this interesting story about women and the bargains they make with themselves, their strengths, and the weaknesses they find the courage to overcome.


I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley, and I'm enthusiastic about sharing my opinion of it here and elsewhere. I think this book showcases women at vulnerable stages in their lives, and I think it realistically portrays what constitutes a family as well as how that unit supports each other when one member is having a rough time. I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy women's lit as well as a good story with some historical background.

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