Well Behaved Wives: A Novel

Written by Amy Sue Nathan

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert and Gail Shalan

Perfect wives, imperfect lives, and upending the rules of behavior in 1960s America.

Law school graduate and newlywed Ruth Appelbaum is acclimating to life and marriage in a posh Philadelphia neighborhood. She’ll do almost anything to endear herself to her mother-in-law, who’s already signed up Ruth for etiquette lessons conducted by the impeccably accessorized tutor Lillian Diamond. But Ruth brings something fresh to the small circle of housewives—sharp wit, honesty, and an independent streak that won’t be compromised.

Right away Ruth develops a friendship with the shy Carrie Blum. When Carrie divulges a dark and disturbing secret lurking beneath her seemingly perfect life, Ruth invites Lillian and the Diamond Girls of the etiquette school to finally question the status quo.

Together they form an unbreakable bond and stretch well beyond their comfort zones. For once, they’ll challenge what others expect from them, discover what they expect from themselves, and do whatever it takes to protect one of their own—fine manners be damned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781799784043

Amy Sue Nathan

Amy Sue Nathan is the author of four novels and the founder of the award-winning Women’s Fiction Writers blog, named a Best Website for Writers by Writer’s Digest. She is a frequent speaker and workshop leader, a member of Tall Poppy Writers, and a writing coach for aspiring authors. Amy lives near Philadelphia and is the mom of two grown children and a willing servant to one geriatric dog. For more information, visit www.amysuenathan.com.

Reviews for Well Behaved Wives

[sunnydrk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Slow to get into. But, then quite good and fun. A look back at what the world was like for women with ambitions outside of the home.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm old enough that I remember what life was like for women in the early 60s. None of the moms in my neighborhood worked (except for my mom). Dinner was on the table at exactly 5 and then the man went to read the paper while the wife cleaned up. Thanks to major cultural changes during the 60s, everything changed and women were encouraged to get an education and to work outside the home. Well Behaved Wives is set in the middle 60s when things were changing. The older generation wanted to stick to the old ways while the younger women were anxious for an education and a career.Ruth is a law school graduate from New York City and studying for the bar exam. She married well and she and her husband moved in with his parents in an affluent neighborhood in Philadelphia. Ruth's mother in law, Shirley, is old school and more interested in manners and etiquette than in women being educated and getting jobs. Even though Ruth's new husband has encouraged her in her future plans, he wants to keep her education history a secret from his mother. When Shirley suggests (or demands) that Ruth go to etiquette classes, Ruth only goes along with it to keep the peace in the family. Surprisingly she makes new friends in the group especially with Carrie. When secrets are revealed in the group, it begins to appear that life isn't all wonderful. The author treats the subject of domestic abuse very gently and there are no difficult scenes to get through. As the women in the group begin to change, they realize that there are more important things in life than good manners and what really counts are your friends.I enjoyed this look back at the 60s and it reminded me how in some ways, women have come a long way but negative things like domestic abuse are still an ongoing issue. I thought the author did a great job of explaining life during this tumultuous decade when everything was changing and reminded us all of the importance of female friendships.

[biblilakayayizan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well Behaved Wives is very hard to put down. This historical novel is full of family drama and generational clashes as young Ruth is doing her best to adapt to her newly married life and achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer. As she is doing her best to satisfy her new in-law mother, Ruth has also to learn etiquette and lifestyle of her new posh Philadelphia neighborhood. We are in the 1960s and women are expected to stay at home, being perfect while waiting for their husband to come home. It is not what Ruth wishes for in her life and the heroine is determined to do everything she can to achieve her independence dream, while pleasing her new family.Amy Sue Nathan‘s writing is delicious. I find myself totally immersed in the story, wanting to know more about Ruth’s life, as well as what happens to the other women of the neighborhood. Definitively a nice discovery and a very interesting historical novel.

[nyiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very appealing characters and very descriptive of the times in 1965. I think Ruth would be horrified with how women seem to be heading backwards, thanks to the men, still. We came so far in 2005 but now, in 2022, men are gaining more control over women than ever, thanks to the Supreme Court striking down Roe and the potential for things to get so much worse.

[scottjpearson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The 1960s were transformative years for America, particularly for women. Coming out of the 1950s, many women felt constrained by limiting gender roles. However, in the early 1960s, feminism had not yet taken deep root. Women began to ask spiritual questions about whether there was more to life than being “well behaved.” This book chronicles women’s challenges of this era while shining light on repressive issues like domestic violence.Ruth Applebaum is a newlywed with a law degree. She is supposed to be studying for the bar exam and lives with her husband in Philadelphia in her in-laws’ attic. Her mother died when Ruth was a child, so she is seeking to live her life without a traditional model. Secrets constrain her. She does not share with her in-laws that she has legal aspirations because she is afraid to buck the social pressure of being the perfect housewife. Jewish family culture is featured prominently in this story – a trait I love.Ruth’s mother-in-law suggests that she take etiquette lessons. While at first insulted, she decides to join a group run by a neighbor Lillian. During these lessons, Ruth discovers a small group of friends joined by their early stage in life. Yet Ruth’s persistent questioning, honed by Columbia Law School education, leads this group to self-awakening – including Lillian, their well-behaved leader, with her own private history.Soon, a case of domestic violence emerges. Ruth has experience in these cases because of hopes of serving in this aspect of family law. She discovers, however, that each member of her group has their own attitude and issues towards this case. They learn that telling the truth to friends is much more important than keeping secrets. And each grows past her sticking point. By the end of the novel, they are set to move on with their lives and with the unfolding of the 1960s.As I write 60 years later, it’s easy to forget the expanse of social progress that has been made through decades of struggles for women’s rights. Novels like this – set in history and in touch with the struggles of the age – can joggle readers’ historical memory. It can refocus and deepen current efforts. Nathan clearly wants to explore the history of domestic violence and the oppressive social structures that perpetuated it. Unfortunately, women of that era were encouraged to keep such things private, and many lived under the false pretense that “things like that can’t happen here.” Those situations still happen today though there are more established mechanisms to help. We are reminded of our own personal histories and how difficulties confront us still today.