How to be a good wife – Emma Chapman

Marta and Hector live in a small village in Norway. They have been married for a long time. Their son has recently left home and Marta fills in her days by being a 1950s style housewife, referring to a book “How to be a good wife” that her mother-in-law gave her. Hector has always looked after Marta and she has looked after the house and family.

From the start of this book there are some questions that need answering.  Who is the young blonde girl that keeps appearing? Is she real, or an hallucination? Or is it a memory that is coming back to Marta? Why does Hector give Marta medication every day? And why does she only pretend to take the tablets?

As the story progresses we learn more about Marta’s past. This book kept me interested throughout and although the conclusion was a bit upsetting it was still a well written novel and I look forward to more from this author.