Jul 23, 2012

The Everygirl Book Club: Wife 22 // week three

theeverygirl_bookclub

It’s already the third week of the Random House Reader’s Circle for The Everygirl! Can you believe July is almost over? We’re nearing the end of Melanie Gideon’s Wife 22, so there’s plenty to discuss about Alice’s relationships with Research 101 and with her family and friends.

We’ve posted some questions below, but feel free to offer your own thoughts, questions, and opinions. And remember that our commenting programming allows you to reply directly to one another’s comments and get e-mail alerts when new comments are posted, allowing everyone to engage in conversation. That way, time zone and location is not a concern, and the conversation can continue all week!

*Please note: if you read ahead, be sure not to address anything that happens after page 294 (Chapter 84). We are so happy many of you already finished the book, but we don’t want to spoil the ending!

Discussion Questions:
How did you feel when Researcher 101 told Alice on Facebook chat to continue “crossing [his] line?” (p 209). What about when he tells her that he can’t stop thinking about her? (p. 238). 

We all agree Alice has an addiction to social networking. How do you think Alice’s relationships with William and Researcher 101 would be effected if she were to decrease her use of social networking?

On their twentieth wedding anniversary, William sleeps on the couch. What do you think about the lack of physical affection between Alice and William? 

How did you feel when Alice receives the event invitation from Researcher 101? And then when he stands her up at Tea & Circumstances? Should she have even gone? 

Why does Alice decide to show her conversations with Researcher 101 to both Nedra and Bunny? Should she have kept them a secret?

How do you feel when Alice finally lets go, crying into Bunny’s arms?

What are your reactions after reading the first 294 pages of the book?

Week 4 Assignment:
If you haven’t already, it’s time to finish Wife 22! Read up to page 369 (Chapter 101). For additional insight, be sure to check out the Epilogue (pages 371-374) and Appendix–The Questionnaire (pages 375-380).

Join us for the First Formal Webcast Meeting:
Come back next week for the first formal book club webcast meeting! The live chat conference will include a video feed with the author, Melanie Gideon, Everygirl editors, and a Random House representative, as well as live video questions from readers!

DETAILS TO FOLLOW!

It’s not too late to join in! Grab a copy of Wife 22, and join us next week for the webcast meeting!

  • Nora O’malley

    I think Alice decides to show her converstations with Research 101 to Nedra and Bunny because she is looking for reassurance. Whether they tell her she is wrong or ok with what she is doing. I think she wants someone to be there and try to understand what she is going through. It is hard to keep things inside and she needs her friends help.

    Once Alice was invited to meet Research 101 for tea. I knew she was going to go and the outcome would be bad. Especially when William asked her not to go. I knew she was getting into a bad situation by no listening to her husband. I do not think she should have gone.

    • http://twitter.com/CaitPBrown Caitlin Brown

      I agree. I think Alice was looking for affirmation one way or the other to understand what is happening because she is overwhelmed with dealing with it by herself. 

      She definitely should not have gone to tea. Had the situation been reversed, she would be devastated. At this point though, I don’t think she can see farther than past the tip of her nose. She is so lost in the entire idea of Researcher 101 and her relationship with him.

      • Nora O’malley

        I agree, she is completely wrapped up in the idea of research 101.

  • http://twitter.com/DreamGreenDIY Carrie Waller

    Although I think the whole infatuation with Researcher 101 is completely inappropriate, I couldn’t help but feel excited for Alice to get such honest and passionate attention…I just wish it was coming from William.

    If Alice were to minimize her Internet usage, ALL of her relationships would benefit from it…She’s teaching me that there needs to be a line in place.

    The lack of affection between William and Alice is palpable and sad, especially since it’s their anniversary…But neither of them seems to care much. It’s like they’ve given up. 

    I think she should have stuck to her resolution to end things with Researcher 101. To lose strength so easily and agree to meet him in person shows just how vulnerable she is. I know this is probably SO far off base, but I had a moment where I thought to myself that Researcher 101 and William might be the same person. When Alice asked it it was his wife who kept him from coming to their meeting and Researcher 101 said something along the lines of “You could say that,” I thought maybe it could be William because Alice kept him from leaving the house by abandoning him to host Bunny while she ran off. I know…My imagination is helplessly crazy… 

    If I was Nedra or Bunny, I would do my best to shake some sense into Alice after getting the details…I can’t wait to see how everything is resolved!!!

    • Mary Mullen

       I feel the same way! Alice has really just opened my eyes even more about ridiculous it is to be on the computer/phone all the time. I wish nedra or Bunny did a better job at trying to smack some sense into Alice!

    • http://twitter.com/ClarissaFidler Clarissa Fidler

       Carrie, I totally relate with getting excited for Alice about Researcher 101 even though their relationship is totally inappropriate. I too hope Alice and William can work on their relationship and relate to one another again.

  • http://www.ingoodfaithblog.com/ Mrs Type A

    I felt sad that Alice and William’s anniversary was so awkward and distant.  It felt so forced, like they were required to acknowledge the anniversary, but neither of them wanted to. 

    I was suprised that Researcher 101 would want to meet Alice in person– it seems so unprofessional and like its truly the final “crossing of [a] line.”  I was sure that she’d go, and felt so bad when William asked her not to leave the house and she went anyway.  It showed just how desperate she was for the connection with 101, because her own husband was asking her to stay– AND old friends had just shown up to stay at her house. 

  • http://livingmylifeasiknowit.wordpress.com/ Christina Tamm

    OMG! I finished it.. Can’t wait for you ladies to do so… The discussion is going to be great once we are all done..  To answer this weeks questions as best I can to how I felt when I read that part. 

    I feel that almost everything researcher 101 syas is inappropriate and that their relationship needs to come to an end. (PERIOD)

    I feel sad that Alice and William have a lack of physical attraction. I thought that after the incident in her office after she went and got a holiday would spruce things back up for A & W. 

    When it comes to meeting researcher 101 in person I think she should have declined and she defiantly shouldn’t have gone. especially when Bunny showed up.. How rude. 

    I feel relieved that Alice finally lets go and lets her emotions out to Bunny. I think she needed that. She needed to open herself up a little bit and let it all flow. Everyone needs a good cry once in awhile. 

    I was hooked on the book and couldn’t put it down. I totally almost missed my the stop to get off of the bus on my way to work a couple times and while at work all I wanted to do was take lunch so I could continue reading. Now that I am finished I want to know what else happens in Alice Buckles life. 

    • Mary Mullen

       I think Alice and William should gone out of their way to try and be physical with one another or done more to try and have alone time. That may have helped

      I want there to be a second book! ;) It was THAT good!

      • http://livingmylifeasiknowit.wordpress.com/ Christina Tamm

        I think so too. There are plenty of way to get that spark back in your relationship. 

        I know I wish there was a second book too.. Wish we could talk about the ending. I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks about it. 

  • colettej222

    I agree with the general consensus that Alice has tobreak off her relationship with Researcher 101.  It’s a form of cheating.  And her friends have told her as much.
    She has no relationship whatsoever with her husband, so I can see why she would fall for 101.  He’s perfect.  Because she doesn’t have to deal with him in everyday life.
    I feel so bad for Alice..Her life doesn’t seem to be very happy.

  • http://mydalydose.blogspot.com/ Susan
  • http://twitter.com/ClarissaFidler Clarissa Fidler

    I think Alice decides to show her conversation with Researcher 101 to both Nedra and Bunny because she feels the need to confide in someone she trusts who will tell her the truth (even if she doesn’t want to hear it). I can relate to having that same type of feeling and needing to reach out to someone. I think it’s good she told Nedra and Bunny because it exposes her relationship with Researcher 101 so it’s not a secret anymore. I think it will be easier for Alice to break things off with him if she knows her friends will hold her accountable.

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