In the picture-perfect seaside town of Shellwater Bay, three women meet at early morning gym classes and forge a friendship, united by frustration at the men in their life.
Married for 50+ years, wealthy Joany appears to have it all but it’s a different story behind closed doors. Heather’s husband has suddenly demanded a divorce, having formed an ‘emotional bond’ with a woman young enough to be his daughter. Steph is exhausted by the demands of three young children and a husband who calls his mother when it’s his turn to help out.
What price is peace? Should women swallow their fury or fear and continue to play the peacemaker? The trio’s rage grows as they put up with sexualised jokes, unwelcome touching and dissatisfaction in their relationships. They decide a petty crime or two will help them let off steam. But what starts as frustration soon spirals into something darker, as they confront more serious issues like sexual assault, coercive control and domestic violence.
While The Angry Wives Club touches on difficult subject matter, it’s lightened by humour, empathy and the wonderful portrait of three resilient women and their strong, supportive friendship.
Reviewed by Melinda Woledge
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabbie Stroud is a novelist and recovering teacher. After years of juggling the demands of the primary classroom, she made the painful decision to leave the profession she had loved. In 2016, her critical commentary of Australia’s education system was published in Griffith Review’s Edition 51 Fixing the System, which went on to be shortlisted for a Walkley Award.
Gabbie’s smash-hit memoir, Teacher, was shortlisted for Biography Book of the Year at the 2018 Australian Book Industry Awards, and continues to contribute to the national dialogue on education. In 2020 her next book, Dear Parents, offered a passionate call to arms for all parents. Gabbie’s first young adult novel, Measuring Up, was published by Scribe in 2009. Her debut novel for adults, The Things That Matter Most, was published to wide acclaim in 2023, and was longlisted for Best Debut Fiction at the Indie Book Awards.
Gabbie lives on Yuin Country on the far south coast of New South Wales with her amazing daughters, Olivia and Sophie, and the love of her life, Clint Wilkie.
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