The Other Woman: Twenty-One Wives, Lovers, and Others Talk Openly about Sex, Deception, Love, and Betrayal

"The Other Woman: Twenty-one Wives, Lovers, and Others Talk Openly About Sex, Deception, Love, and Betrayal" is a collection of personal essays by writers on the subject of infidelity. These candid essays provided different perspective on the subject of "the other woman." Some of the women were "the other women" while some were the victims. I was mesmerized by most of the stories as the writers were able to be honest and were not afraid to share their feelings of sadness and loss. The stories definitely dispel the notion that "the other woman" is necessarily the evil witch but she can also be a victim herself. This complicated and taboo person is vividly described through these essays. I am not a fan of short essays, but I have thoroughly enjoy this collection. Once I started on this book, I was unable to put it down until I am through with every essay. Highly recommended!

I enjoyed these revealing autobiographical confessions. Twenty one women writers (including Pam Houston and Diana Abu-Jaber) write on a single theme, in this case adultery. In most of the essays, the authors reflect on love triangles they were once a part of. Sometimes they were the other woman; sometimes they were being cheated on and had to contend with another woman. Some write about non-conventional paradigms and a few essays are about same-sex relationships. In all but a few, I was riveted. They have the same appeal as looking into someone's diary or overhearing a heart-to-heart confessional between friends. There were times when I wanted to smack the authors. (Gayle Brandeis's self-congratulatory conclusions in 'Ruby' seem particularly short-sighted.) Other times I was impressed with the women's honesty. Often I was surprised at the outcome of the triangles. I would recommend skipping around and reading the pieces out of order. I wasn't a particular fan of Pam Houston's opener, "Istanbul." I like her writing normally, but the second person tense and ambiguous style drove me a bit nuts. Much better is Susan Cheever's "In Praise of Married Men" and others that confess all. It is an act of bravery to reveal your worst impulses and inner thoughts. I respect these authors for their honesty.

It is so rare to find a anthology that takes on so bravely a journey of love and betrayal. Rather than sentimentalizations and pop psychology, what we have in this marvellous collection is an embarassment of riches-- some of these jewels are told with bittersweet humor, some with just the right edginess and shocks of self-awareness, but what all these fine stories have in common is excellence. They sing the song of love gone wrong,and sting us not with glossy words and excuses and denials, but with identifiable states of raw hurt, delicious revenge, insight, and honesty. An achievement from a wise and uncompromising editor who balanced confession with literary light, and had plenty of literary stars guiding its radiance.

I really wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. I was a wife that had "the other woman" in my life (though I didn't know it at the time) so I was curious to see how other people got through it and was also curious to hear things from the persepctive of The Other Woman. I've got to say that some of the women betrayed really mirrored my experience...the shock, "out of body" feelings, etc. But, I also felt some compassion for The Other Woman. Everyone likes to feel unique and to be special and I can understand getting swept up with that, even if it's with another woman's husband. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this. I think the short essays work very well for this type of book. You could read one and then put the book down for awhile to ponder it. I felt a sisterhood with all the women who told their stories...ultimately we are just looking to love and to be loved...but some of us go about it the wrong way or with the wrong person.

This is a perfect read for when you're too busy to sit down and get into an entire story. I also recommend that you prefer some "spice" in your reading. The stories are short, yet so satisfying. All of these authors were cleverly picked and I would love to see Volume 2. Lesbian, straight, cheater, cheatee, it's all here. Bravo V. Zackheim, do it again please!