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Fixed on Fiction

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

On Thursday, February 12th, the Fixed on Fiction book group met to discuss The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. Here is a brief summary of the novel, courtesy of Goodreads:

Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.
Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves.

The group was fairly divided when classifying The Husband’s Secret as a thumbs up/thumbs down read. Five readers gave it a thumbs up, two a so-so vote, and four gave it a thumbs down. Below are some of the comments made when readers shared their initial thoughts on the novel-

  • I really wanted to like it, but the conclusion didn’t work for me. It was contrived
  • The characters just weren’t likeable
  • I thought it was a great, lightweight summer read. But I think Moriarty should have cut the epilogue
  • I liked some characters and disliked others, but the ending was wrapped up too neatly
  • I liked Moriarty’s Big Little Lies better. I enjoyed the exploration of themes like grief and loss. I also like that Moriarty writes fast, engaging reads
  • The epilogue killed the whole book for me!
  • Great, light read this time of year. I like that nothing was ever what it seemed.
  • I really wanted to like it, but there was too much woman-on-woman hating. I also didn’t like that Felicity supposedly couldn’t be romantically involved with anyone while she was overweight. And I struggled with how nuclear family/suburban oriented everyone was- no one’s life extended beyond their spouse and children
  • I had high expectations- the premise was intriguing. But it took too long to get into it…Cecilia needed to open that letter much earlier!
  • I think I came from a different perspective because I think the author writes to a popular audience, so the epilogue didn’t bother me. I listened to it on audio via Hoopla and the narrator was fantastic! I enjoyed her Australian accent.  

On the infamous letter and what readers would have done if they found something similar-

  • I would have torn that letter open immediately! Of course!
  • I definitely wouldn’t open it- I would respect my spouse’s privacy
  • I think it depends on the relationship you have with your partner. If there are existing feelings of mistrust, suspicion, or fear I could see someone opening it immediately. I am a snoop but I also try to respect boundaries
  • I would confront that person before opening the letter- what can’t you say to me right now?
  • I think the lack of sex between Cecilia and her husband already caused some warning bells to go off. Something is clearly wrong- open the letter
  • I think it was kind of hokey and unbelievable that the letter even existed. How could anyone lose something like that?
  • One reader asked, “Why would he write a letter like that anyway?” And another replied, “So we could have this book!” We laughed J

On Tess, Will, Felicity, and Connor-

  • Tess and Felicity had an unhealthy relationship, but I think it was also very authentic. I didn’t find it odd that Felicity was such a big part of their small family
  • Would Felicity really love Will if she were to see him in all of his “unglory?” It’s easier to hide your weaknesses in the stages of an affair rather than a relationship
  • Tess and Connor’s affair was the most realistic part of the book. Very believable that Tess would get together with an ex-boyfriend, especially when she’s really angry
  • I thought Felicity’s crush on Will was very realistic. She just wanted to prove a point- “If I want you, I can have you.”

Is it ever OK to keep a secret from someone you love? (This was initially met with a chorus of “Yes!”)

  • I think you should keep a secret if the truth would really hurt someone. For example, if you have an affair, but it’s absolutely over, don’t tell your spouse
  • There’s no right answer
  • All of these people are living false lives because of their secrets
  • When you hide something your whole life (Janie’s death, Tess’ social anxiety) you will get to a point where you have to talk about it and then you won’t be able to STOP talking about it

These are just a few highlights of our discussion. Please feel free to add additional thoughts on The Husband’s Secret in the comment section below.

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