Ex-Wife, Ursula Parrott
“It is not true that, in time, one 'gets over' almost anything. In time, one survives almost anything. There is a distinction.”
Originally published in 1929, Ursula Parrott's Ex-Wife is an exploration of love, loss, and liberation set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties. Faber’s recent reissue nearly a century later proves its relevance by delving into themes that continue to echo deeply in modern society. It is a powerful proclamation of the divorced woman’s experience.
The story centres around Patricia, who navigates the tumultuous aftermath of her divorce in the dazzling yet sinister landscape of 1920s New York City. Parrott employs almost a confessional, diary-like narrative style that allows readers intimate access to Patricia’s inner contradictions and emotional turmoil. As Patricia vacillates between longing for her failed marriage and seeking distractions through sexual liberation and alcohol, Ex-Wife paints a vivid portrait of a woman caught between societal expectations and personal desires. In this novel, Parrott bravely tackles subjects that were considered scandalous – and, in some cases, still are. These themes include infidelity, domestic abuse, alcoholism, abortion, and suicide, which provide a stark commentary on the complexities and hypocrisies of gender relations and societal norms. Patricia's journey reflects the broken romantic ideals of marriage as she becomes increasingly aware of the harsh realities surrounding love and relationships. This profound sense of disillusionment and sorrow saturates the novel.
At the time of its publication, Ex-Wife was rumoured to be autobiographical, based on the author’s personal experience with multiple divorces, abortions and alcoholism. Katherine Ursula Towell, writing under her pen name Ursula Parrott, ended up being outed by a New York gossip column, and the comparisons and similarities to the character of Patricia never went away. However, her novel's success led to several adaptations, including the acclaimed film The Divorcee starring Norma Shearer. Although some readers consider Ex-Wife as the ‘female version of The Great Gatsby, there is a deeper warmth in Ex-Wife that contrasts with The Great Gatsby. Parrott's narrative feels more intimate and personal, especially in its exploration of Patricia's inner life and thoughts, whereas Nick Carraway, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, is more of an outsider. Patricia shares the experience of her divorce with other ex-wives and offers a closer look into their world.
There is an unmistakable melancholy as the reader witnesses Patricia's transformation throughout the novel. As she becomes more enlightened about the true nature of love and the dynamics between men and women, there's a palpable sense of loss — the demise of her youthful optimism and dreams for the future of being a wife. This emotional depth and authenticity make Ex-Wife a striking read that jolts the reader with many emotions that stay with you long after reading. It is a poignant experience that challenges the reader to confront painful and uncomfortable truths about love, loss and the overwhelming expectations of being a woman. While the book captures the spirit of the 1920s in America, it also serves as a reminder that many of the struggles faced by women are very much the same issues of today.
Editorial Picks
