Wives and Mistresses

by Suzanne Morris

A dynastic tale of two families—the Gerrards and Leiders—as seen through the eyes of four women whose lives are bound by blood and friendship and interwoven with the destiny of Houston, Texas.

Author Bio: Suzanne Morris is a native of Houston, Texas. She lives with her family in Baytown, Texas. Her published novels include Galveston, Keeping Secrets, Skychild and Wives and Mistresses. Her current work in progress is a two-volume novel set in England and the United States. She is also writing a film adaptation of this work.

Genres: Fiction

600 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Melanie M Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! Each chapter focuses on a different character, and each time I'd finish a chapter I'd think that I didn't want to read about the next person, but it just got better and better. This is a long book, but I couldn't put it down so I read it in two days

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my all time favorite books.

[Victoria Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Suzanne Morris' work. She is a meticulous observer of people and of the Texas Gulf Coast.

[Steve M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is a master at writing historical fiction, so much so that you are enraptured in the story so deeply that it feels like you are reading an actual account of the lives of these characters. From the very beginning I was taken into the story and with each page, I was captivated into the daily lives of each character, all brought to life so vividly by Suzanne's descriptive writing and passages.
I have no doubt that many readers steer clear of lengthy novels....my tablet says 758 pages, here it says 600 pages...but most of the great books that are beloved by everyone are considered to be tomes. Gone With The Wind, Lord Of The Rings, The Stand (or many of Stephen King's novels) are all books that people love even though they are so long by page count. What really happens, just like it did in this novel, you are so engrossed in reading that you are 500 pages into the book and you didn't even realize it. As you are getting nearer the end, you are almost dreading that final page because you KNOW it is going to end too soon!
As the brief synopsis reads, this is the story of two families and four generations of their lives as narrated by the women from both families. As the author spins their stories, you come to know these characters so well that they become part of your life. The story begins around Harrisburg, later to become Houston and includes Galveston. Suzanne is a Houston native and has undoubtedly done extensive and thorough research of the history of the whole area around southeast Texas. (If she writes that there was a deep snow on a certain day in Houston, have no doubt that it's factual....I looked it up.)
These days with global warming, you know that southeast Texas is always so HOT, but in the story, the houses all have many fireplaces and they are always warming the houses with multiple fireplaces heating different parts of the house. Modern conveniences change the way we live from back then and these details bring much more life into the story. Her style of writing will definitely keep you wanting more and more.
A highly recommended novel, one to enjoy now and always remember later.

[Yaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was like four books in one. If you like long historical dramas, this is fun. If you don’t it’s not 4 star for you. Each narrator had a unique voice. I learned about Houston history in the process too. I skimmed a bit but enjoyed it.

[Anna Walner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazingly historical accurate book taking place in old Houston. A long but enjoyable read. Suzanne makes you fall in love with each of her characters in this multi-generational tale of women in the 1900's.

[Satchmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A LONG multigenerational sweeping saga with a lot of Texas history. It got a bit tedious at the end but all in all, was a great read.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is indeed a long book but in every way worth reading. A story full of love but also great despair. I have never read a book like this. to explore these families thru the generations was to look at the situations from different points of view. I throughly enjoyed this way of writing a story. This is with out of doubt one of the best most captivating books I've read!

[Corinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was a bit bleak. Each chapter seemed as if you were reading the same thing, just different parts taken out or things added in. Pretty much THEY vs. THEM; upper class is so much better than lower class, Yada yada, so on so forth.