50 pages • 1 hour read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
304
Novel • Fiction
New England • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
760L
In The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve, Kathryn Lyons, a teacher from Fortune’s Rocks, New Hampshire, is shattered when her pilot husband, Jack, dies in a plane crash. As she uncovers his secret life, Kathryn's journey for the truth takes her from New Hampshire to London and Ireland, forcing her to reassess their relationship and face surprising revelations, including espionage and infidelity.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Emotional
Contemplative
Dark
103,959 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Readers appreciate The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve for its intense emotional depth and gripping narrative. The exploration of grief and betrayal resonates strongly. However, some find the plot twists predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s regarded as a compelling, though sometimes flawed, reading experience. MLA
Readers who appreciate complex emotional narratives, introspective character development, and mysteries unraveled through personal discovery will enjoy The Pilot's Wife. Fans of novels like The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve herself will find this book compelling and resonant.
103,959 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jack Lyons
Kathryn’s husband and a pilot, whose mysterious life comes to light after his death. His work and personal choices leave a lasting impact on his family.
Robert Hart
An employee of the pilot’s union who supports Kathryn after Jack's death. He becomes a significant presence in her life as she processes her grief.
Mattie (Matigan) Lyons
Kathryn and Jack’s teenage daughter, who shares her father’s unique genetic trait. She confronts her grief directly and is known for her candidness.
Julia Hull
Kathryn’s paternal grandmother who raised her in Ely. Julia is a pragmatic and supportive figure for both Kathryn and Mattie during their grieving process.
Muire Boland
Jack’s other wife, who embodies a life unknown to Kathryn. Her presence reveals different facets of Jack’s secret past.
304
Novel • Fiction
New England • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
760L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.