Have you ever read a book, even knowing it had problems, despite that you couldn’t put it down? Readers do say that is what Tarryn Fisher’s thriller is about, then.
The book actually does feature only an unreliable narrator. That same storyteller continues guessing. Its execution does leave many of the readers frustrated, even too. This guide gives honest opinions from real readers right alongside the summary from Tarryn Fisher, who is the wife.
The book has created strong reactions from people. Some people thought it was funny despite the defects. Others were feeling down from potential being wasted.
Character issues, along with main plot points, including the reasons for the mixed reviews this thriller received, will be covered. You will like this book if it grabs you. This should be quite clear by the very end.
Quick Summary: What “The Wives” Is Actually About?
Thursday thinks she’s the third wife in a polygamous marriage. Her husband, Seth, only visits her one day each week, which is how she got her name. She knows he has two other wives named Regina and Hannah, but she’s never met them.
Things get complicated when Thursday becomes obsessed with finding out about the other wives. She starts stalking them and trying to learn their secrets. When she sees bruises on Hannah, she suspects abuse and goes deeper into her investigation.
Here’s the big twist that makes the wives tarryn fisher summary so shocking: Thursday was never actually married to Seth. She was having delusions the whole time. Seth was just using her as his mistress while he remarried someone else. The story ends with Thursday shooting Seth and attacking Regina before ending up in a psychiatric facility.
The Overall Reader Verdict: Mixed to Negative Reception
Most detailed reviews gave this book 2 out of 5 stars. That’s a pretty low rating for such a popular thriller. But the reception wasn’t entirely negative.
Readers did appreciate some things about the book. It’s genuinely hard to put down once you start reading. The first half moves fast and keeps you interested. The idea of mixing polygamy with a psychological thriller feels fresh and different.
However, the criticism outweighed the praise. The plot has too many holes that never get explained. The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying. Many twists seem forced, like the author was just trying to trick readers. The second half loses the energy that made the first half work. It’s entertaining as a quick read, but it doesn’t hold up as a well-made thriller.
The Thursday Problem: An Unlikable Protagonist
Thursday is the most unlikeable character in the entire book. That’s saying a lot considering all the terrible people in this story. Her obsession with Seth isn’t romantic it’s unhealthy and disturbing.
She’s self-righteous even though she chose to be “the other woman.” She lost herself completely in this relationship. Thursday drinks constantly to deal with her feelings. She stalked the other wives and even catfished Regina online to get information.
It’s really hard to care about what happens to her. She made bad choices over and over. The Tarryn Fisher summary reveals a woman who wouldn’t listen to anyone. Some readers even wondered if Thursday was the real villain. The first-person narration forces you to stay in her head, which makes the experience more frustrating.
Plot Execution Issues That Frustrated Readers
The book leaves major questions unanswered. How did Thursday’s parents believe she was actually married? Why didn’t her doctor tell her about the delusions during her first hospital stay? Did Thursday kill Regina at the end, or did Regina survive?
What was Hannah’s real role in everything? The book never makes this clear. The ending comes so fast that readers feel cheated. Too many strange twists happen just to keep readers from guessing what’s coming.
The first-person perspective actually makes the big twist predictable. By halfway through, many readers already suspected Thursday wasn’t mentally stable. The author drops hints about her condition, but they’re too obvious. When the wives tarryn fisher summary reveals the truth, it’s not as shocking as it should be.
Character Analysis: Seth as the Real Villain
Seth is a manipulator and an emotional abuser. He’s actually worse than Thursday in many ways. His background explains some of his behavior, but it doesn’t excuse it.
His father was a polygamist who killed Seth’s mother and then himself. Seth’s older brother molested him when he was young. He never got help for any of this trauma before starting relationships. That unhealed pain turned him into someone who hurts others.
Seth used Thursday’s mental health problems against her. He only cared about having biological children. He left Regina buried in debt after their divorce. He was physically and emotionally abusive to multiple women. Despite all of Thursday’s issues, Seth is the true villain of this story.
Regina’s Revenge and Manipulation
Regina is Seth’s first wife and works as a lawyer. She also suffered abuse during her marriage to Seth. She lost a baby, possibly because of something Seth did.
Regina manipulated Thursday to get revenge on Seth. She fed Thursday lies to push her toward violence. After everything happened, Regina even visited Thursday in the psychiatric ward just to mock her.
Regina represents another victim who became mean and vengeful. The final confrontation between Regina and Thursday shows how Thursday reacts with violence. The Wife’s Tarryn Fisher summary shows how abuse can turn victims into people who hurt others.
Why Some Readers Still Recommend It
The book has serious flaws, but it’s still entertaining. Many readers finished it in one weekend because they couldn’t stop reading. The page-turning quality makes up for some of the plot problems.
The book offers an interesting look at delusions and unreliable narrators. The premise of mixing polygamy with a thriller is creative. Something is always happening, so you never get bored.
It’s good if you like imperfect but engaging thrillers. Just set your expectations properly. Don’t expect a perfect book. When you read the Tarryn Fisher summary with this mindset, you might enjoy it more than readers who expected a masterpiece. It’s better than many cookie-cutter thrillers, even with its issues.
Critical Content Warnings
This book contains some very serious and potentially triggering content. Readers need to know what they’re getting into before starting.
The book includes explicit scenes of:
- Domestic violence and physical abuse
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Child abuse and molestation
- Mental health crises and psychiatric facilities
- Miscarriage and pregnancy loss
- Suicide
- Gun violence
- Alcohol abuse
- Potentially harmful representation of mental illness (uses words like “crazy” frequently)
- May not accurately show polyamorous relationships
If you’re sensitive to any of these topics, approach this book with caution. The content can be intense and disturbing.
Tips for Approaching This Book
Getting the most out of this book requires the right mindset. Here’s how to approach it for the best reading experience.
When reading the wife’s Tarryn Fisher summary and the full book, keep these tips in mind:
- Manage your expectations: Know it’s flawed but entertaining, not a perfect thriller
- Don’t overthink the logic: The plot has holes focus on the ride instead of analyzing details
- Pay attention to subtle hints: The author drops clues about Thursday’s mental state early
- Read it quickly: Works best as a fast binge read rather than slow, careful reading
- Consider it a character study: View it as a look at obsession rather than a traditional mystery
- Prepare for the ending: Many readers found it abrupt and unsatisfying
- Compare it to the author’s other work: This fits Tarryn Fisher’s edgy, dark style
These strategies help readers enjoy the book despite its problems. Going in prepared makes a big difference.
Conclusion
“The Wives” is a thriller dealing with the psyche that gets responses with strong views. I think that it has a rather interesting premise, and it is not well-executed at all. On account of all the plot holes and a rushed ending, I think that 2 out of 5 stars it merits.
The book remains an exciting, engaging read. They are entertaining, rather than perfect plots, and best that way. This is not the book for you if you are sensitive to mental health topics. It is certainly not a good choice for those seeking a first thriller.
Tarryn Fisher states Witcyst is a neat concept requiring more growth thus, the book is fun for fans of flawed tales. Not everything may make sense by the end of the record.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Read The Wives?
Most readers finish in 4-6 hours or over a weekend. It’s about 320 pages and reads very quickly because of its fast pacing and engaging plot, even with its flaws.
Is The Wives Part of a Series?
No, “The Wives” is a standalone psychological thriller. There are no sequels or companion books. Tarryn Fisher has written other standalone thrillers with similar dark themes, though.
Does The Book Accurately Represent Polyamorous Relationships?
No. The “polygamous” relationship turns out to be a delusion. Readers from the polyamorous community should know this book doesn’t show healthy or consensual non-monogamy at all.
Will There Be a Movie or TV Adaptation of The Wives?
There are no confirmed film or TV adaptations announced yet. However, the book’s twisty plot and controversial themes could interest studios looking for psychological thriller material.
What Should I Read If I Liked The Wives?
Try “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides for better psychological twists, “Gone Girl” for unreliable narrators, or other Tarryn Fisher novels like “The Wrong Family” for similar dark storytelling.
