O'Reilly, Judith (Wife in the North)

[An Early Reviewer copy from LibraryThing. Thanks LT!]

Surprisingly, it took me quite some time to realize that this book is a collection of blog posts. I think that's because the series of posts had a definite theme that was enhanced as the diary entries continued. That theme being: why the heck have I moved away from London on the whims of my husband who isn't even here half the time and who leaves me to handle the wild countryside, loneliness and 3-kid-ring circus.

O'Reilly is a clever and experienced writer, so these issues in a lesser writer's hand would have fallen flat. Sure, there are some incredibly ridiculous entries. Once you get to the 15th time she or her husband have either mislaid their car keys, run out of gas, or burst a tire, you feel that you're reading about a family of morons. As well, the juxtaposition of posts detailing extreme depression over living in Northumberland with descriptions of its utter beauty are a bit bewildering.

But, anyone is certain to feel for the chaos in this woman's life and how she alternately rails at it and loves it, in equal measure. It sounds like a fairly normal life, actually. For that reason, it is sure to resonate with nigh on everyone.