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Book Review & Giveaway: The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran

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The Wives of Henry Oades is the debut novel of Johanna Moran and what a wonderful weaving of fact and fiction in this terrific novel! I will say right off that I loved this novel and it will be one of my favorites of this year. I found I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough in this book as the drama of the Oades family unfolded.

The story begins with Henry and Margaret, along with their children, travelling to New Zealand as Henry has gotten a bank position there. Margaret really doesn’t want to go because it means leaving family and friends but it’s only supposed to be for two years so she will follow her husband and remain a family. The voyage over is quite harrowing at times and that doesn’t help the situation not to mention that New Zealand is a bit of a surprise to Margaret in terms of living conditions that she’s not quite used to.

Then one evening after having been in New Zealand a while, the native Maori tribe, looking for revenge for one of their own that had been killed, kidnap Margaret and her children. Henry is devastated and completely beside himself with grief. He sets out to find them immediately only to end up injured himself and unable to carry on. By the time he is well enough to be on his own again, his family is presumed dead. At first Henry just can’t believe it but eventually he comes to feel that everyone is probably right and he leaves New Zealand for California.

In California, Henry works hard as a dairy man; hard enough that the man who owns the dairy farm leaves it to Henry when he passes on. On an evening in town a fire breaks out and Henry ends up taking care of a very pregnant woman who had been in the house that had been on fire. Her name is Nancy and she ends up losing her husband and later marries Henry. I think Henry felt a bond with Nancy as they both had lost the loves of their lives and that’s why in the beginning I think he wanted to marry her. However, later this turned to love for them both.

So Henry is happily living his life until the day that Margaret and the children, who escaped the Maori, show up on his doorstep. Naturally he is stunned as is his new wife Nancy. Margaret, who has spent the last six years yearning for her husband and telling her children about him at every chance, is just as stunned. She never imagined that her Henry would remarry. They all try to make the best of the situation but it doesn’t last long as sooner, rather than later, they are indicted for bigamy.

Johanna Moran writes beautifully and draws you into her characters lives so deeply that you can’t help but feel for all of them. Nancy, the new wife, is such a sweet woman trying to make the best of things while you know she’s breaking on the inside and then there’s Margaret who you can’t help but feel bad for as she’s had such a hard time of it only to find she’s lost her husband as well. Then there’s the kids who thankfully everyone tries to do the best for but how odd for them to be drawn into this situation as well. Henry I also sympathized with – what could he do – he loved Nancy now but he was too good a man to shirk his responsibilities to his first family.

This novel I think, above all else, is a book about the bond that women can forge together when they need to. Nancy didn’t give up on trying to include Margaret in the family and eventually Margaret warmed up to her and they became friends. Above all else these woman held their children and family in the highest regard and this in itself brought them together. I really can’t pick a side with these women. I felt for them both because they were both good woman. If one, at least, had been mean spirited it would have been easy to pick but that wasn’t the case. I think if you’re looking for a book club pick The Wives of Henry Oades would make a fantastic pick! There is just so much to discuss and you can be guaranteed on a lot of opinions when it comes to a case such as the one portrayed in this novel.

I read The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran for her book tour with TLC Book Tours and again will say how much I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Johanna Moran’s books in the future. Make sure to visit Johanna Moran’s website to find out more about the story. There is also an interview and reading guide to check out as well. Other stops on the tour for The Wives of Henry Oades can be found here. You can purchase The Wives of Henry Oades here in the US and here in Canada.

My review copy of The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran courtesy of Random House for the TLC Blog Tour
GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Courtesy of the publisher Random House I have one copy of The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

The giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) as the publisher will be sending the book directly to the winner. I will draw for the winner on Saturday March 20, 2010. Good luck to you all!

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Comments

  1. I have been following all of the reviews for this book, and I definitely want to read it! Thanks for the opportunity!

    bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

  2. For a debut novel, I have heard good things about it already! Thanks for the chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  3. count me in! Like Julie, I've been following the reviews trying to make a decision on this one, and your notes just nudged it over. Thanks!

    readbabbette (at) yahoo (dot) com

  4. Sounds like a great read. Please include me. Thanks for the chance.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

  11. I have been hearing good things about this book. I would love to win it. Thanks for the chance.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  12. This sounds like one that I would enjoy so please enter me Dar!
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  13. I've been hearing about this book. Sounds good. Please enter me.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  15. I've seen some good reviews of this book and would like to be included.
    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

  16. I've read several reviews/comments about this book, and each one has intrigued me. What an impossible dilemma for a family to face! Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  17. Dar, I enjoyed your review. I have to say that this book does look very good. The story is a bit different and with all of the books out there these days, you tend to go for the ones that stand out.

    I would love to win this one. Oh, and I hope you are doing well. It's been awhile since I stopped by but my computer at home is in for repair so I am limited to work breaks and the like for blog reading.

  18. please enter me and I will tweet this offer….thanks, sounds like a good book…lassouth at medot com

  19. Wow! This sounds like a wonderful story. I've always been fascinated with New Zealand and the Maori.

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  21. Thanks for featuring this wonderful book. It sounds unique and intriguing. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  25. I have read some good reviews on this one…would like to win

    ykatrina at hotmail dot com

  26. Wow, one of your favorites of the year?? For a girl who reads as much as you do, that is VERY high praise! Great review- your enthusiasm for the book is just bubbling over. I'm so happy you enjoyed it.

    Thanks so much for all the time you invested in reading and reviewing The Wives of Henry Oades. It is greatly appreciated!

  27. No need to enter me in this giveaway, as I have just finished this book. It was truly a great read and I found it really hard to put down! Glad to hear it was a favorite with you as well!

  28. I just saw this in the bookstore and put it on my wishlist — I'd love to win this!

    teabird17 ATyahooDOTcom

  29. Ooh, I'd love to get my hands on this one! Thanks for the giveaway.

    fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

  36. I'd really love to read this book. The reviews are great.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  39. Great review, Dar! I've heard nothing but raves about this book! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

  41. Great review. It really drew me in to the story. Please enter me.

    I am a follower,

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

  45. Thanks for the giveaway. There have
    been such a lot of good reviews on this book. Please count me in.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

  46. Interesting how the name is similar to (Olive) Oatman!

    Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

  47. What a neat sounding book. Thanks for the chance

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  50. I've been hearing such good things about this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

    litandlifeATgmailDOTcom

  54. The review of this book makes me want to read it at once. Thank you for hosting this giveaway. sharonaquilino at hotmail dot com

  58. This book really intrigues me – I wonder how I would react in the same situation. Please enter me. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  59. I love historical fiction and I think this looks so great. Thank you for the giveaway.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

  60. You've sold me on this book! I was waiting to hear the problem with at least one of the wives. Sticky situation, especially since they're both likable.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    –Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric
    diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

  63. I have been seeing great reviews for this all over the place. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I posted about this giveaway in my sidebar.

    msjessicamae(at)gmail(dot)com

  71. I'd love a shot at this book. Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  76. I was trying to decide between this and Reliable Wife for my book group but now I am eager to read this one.

  80. I have been hearing wonderful things about this book.

    Please enter me in the contest

    beachlover20855[AT]yahoo[DOT]com

  84. This one has caught my eye and I would love to read it. Please add my name to the drawing.

    redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

  86. This books sounds like a delightful debut novel! I am a follower of your blog.
    Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  88. Add me in I would love to read The Wives of Henry Oades your review is wonderful.

    nancysoffice at gmail dot com

  90. It must be good when it's only March and you already know it'll make your "best of" list! I'd love a chance to win, thanks.

    I follow and will post here.

    wanda_waiting[@]hotmail[.]com

  94. Looks like a great book! Please count me in. I am a follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  98. Thanks for making me aware of some great books. I'd love to give this one a try.

    wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

  102. I may be getting in just under the wire, but this book is one I really, really want to read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com