- Title: The Last Original Wife
- Author: Dorothea Benton Frank
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Narrator: Robin Miles
- Published: June 2013 – HarperAudio
- Source: Purchased
My take: When Leslie falls into an unmarked manhole while following her husband, his best friend and his new wife (who happens to be half Leslie’s age) down a street in Edinburgh and they all fail to notice – that is the first sign that she is no longer cherished. The second sign is when her husband leaves her hospital room to play his planned round of golf at the Old Course.
When Leslie and Wesley (no, really) return to Atlanta she decides to put some space between them and accepts her brother’s offer to stay at his Charleston home while he’s in Italy. While away from her family Les does a lot of thinking about her relationship with her husband of 30 years and whether she wants to stay in the marriage. She also considers her two grown children and how they take her for granted as much as their father. What Les needs most is the courage to put herself first for once.
I laughed a lot but Dorothea Benton Frank addressed some serious issues as well. I can’t say I related to Les and Wes’s marriage problems but I’m about the same age as Les and think that’s what made me like her all the more! It’s the first of Frank’s books I’ve read so I’m happy to see she has a nice back list.
Narration: After reading a few reviews on Audible I understand some southerners took issue with the narrator’s accent. I’m not from the south so I couldn’t tell you if the narration is correct in accent or not but Robin Miles’ performance kept me listening and walking (and often laughing). I was thoroughly entertained.
Sounds great 🙂
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This sounds like an audio I’d enjoy. I am laughing at the names though!
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It was a first for her books for me too.
I enjoyed the book.
Thanks for a nice review.
Elizabeth
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Okay “what a jerk” her husband is…LOL
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Thanks for the review.
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I can’t believe this is your first Frank book! I read this book in print so I’m not sure about the accents.
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I’m listening to a snippet now and the accent is not good. I’m glad I chose the print version.
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An author that I have made a note of.
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I need to try this author! This sounds like a book I would enjoy, too.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mary. I really like Dottie Frank and this book is on my list.
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Oh I hate a bad Southern accent. But it sounds pretty good. Great review.
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I want to read this one but now I think I may add it to my audio list. I like a story that keeps me walking!! 🙂
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I’m glad that you said it made you laugh because I was thinking it seemed sad! I haven’t read this author yet and this looks like a pretty good place to start.
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I can’t wait to listen to this one. I’m kind of waiting to see if the library gets it and if not I’ll have to pick it up.
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Leslie and Wesley, corny lol but glad this one had plenty of laughs along mixed in with the serious issues.
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Les & Wes? Not quite as bad as TBG’s cousin Pearl and her hubby Earl but still . . . . .
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I haven’t read anything by her, but I would love to try. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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I read this in print and really enjoyed it. I can see how listening to it would pass the time easily.
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