When I listed this book as "Currently Reading" on Goodreads (I'm new to StoryGraph and still going back and forth) I noticed that its rating was over 4 stars and that a friend from book club gave it only two stars. Having finished the book, I completely understand why she rated it as she did -- not for both of the reasons I did but at least one was the same -- patriarchy. Where has it ever gotten us? The central character with his iron control over his family is a complete hypocrite. I might have been able to put up with his horrible treatment of his wife and kids if he held himself to the same standard, but he is a drunk and a lech. His sorrow at the book's conclusion is in no way redeeming -- he doesn't even think of his wife until he's home. No, thank you.
Secondly, and this is probably something my book club friend wouldn't share, it is waaay too full of religion for my taste, and before anyone thinks I'm being prejudiced, I get to say that I am an equal opportunity opponent of religious zeal. Every other sentence was a prayer to God. (I was raised by incredibly loving Catholic mother, so I have to be respectful and capitalize God.) But the book would have been half as long if every other sentence wasn't some kind of prayer. Of course I recognize that this is accurate for the religion/culture/time period, but it is just overdone.
I appreciate having learned about political aspects of the time period and the British occupation, but then that is maddening as well.
Does anyone know what happened to the baby? I'm not going to pick up#2