I was looking for lighter fare while working on my dissertation, so I picked up this book. Weldon's writing style is crisp and clean, making it a pure joy to read. But that was the only light thing about this book.

Weldon tells the story of an ugly woman named Ruth, married to a man who never loved her. They have two children together, but the husband is continually unfaithful to Ruth. He is cruel to her -- in fact, no one has ever been kind to Ruth. He ultimately leaves her for another woman, and that's where the story gets interesting. Ruth takes her revenge on him in brutal, but oddly honest ways.

The book is perplexing and asks many questions without answering them -- is Ruth really free? is she really strong? is she feminist? Or has her cruel husband merely warped her? Does she really take control, or is she merely responding to his view of the world? I wish I could have coffee with Weldon and ask her these questions -- but I suspect she would refuse to answer.