Plot Summary

The Wife of Martin Guerre

Janet Lewis
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The Wife of Martin Guerre

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1941

Book Brief

Janet Lewis

The Wife of Martin Guerre

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1941
Book Details
Pages

112

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Languedoc, France • 1530s

Publication Year

1941

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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Super Short Summary

The Wife of Martin Guerre by Janet Lewis is a historical novel set in 16th-century France, following Bertrande de Rols, who marries Martin Guerre at age eleven. Martin is abusive and later disappears, only to be replaced years later by a kinder man claiming to be him. Bertrande grows suspicious despite her community's acceptance, leading to a court case and a dramatic revelation about the imposter.

Mysterious

Dark

Melancholic

Emotional

Suspenseful

Reviews & Readership

4.0

1,877 ratings

64%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews of Janet Lewis's The Wife of Martin Guerre commend the book for its historical authenticity, compelling storytelling, and nuanced exploration of identity and justice. However, some critics find the pace slow and the characters somewhat underdeveloped. Overall, the novel is praised for its intricate depiction of 16th-century rural France, albeit with minor reservations about character depth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Wife of Martin Guerre?

The reader who would enjoy The Wife of Martin Guerre by Janet Lewis appreciates historical fiction with moral and ethical dilemmas. Fans of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, which delve into personal crises set against richly detailed historical backdrops, would find this book compelling.

4.0

1,877 ratings

64%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

112

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Languedoc, France • 1530s

Publication Year

1941

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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