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Embassy Wife
In Katie Crouch's thrilling novel Embassy Wife, two women abroad search for the truth about their husbands--and their country.
Meet Persephone Wilder, a displaced genius posing as the wife of an American diplomat in Namibia. Persephone takes her job as a representative of her country seriously, coming up with an intricate set of rules to survive the problems she encounters: how to dress in hundred-degree weather without showing too much skin, how not to look drunk at embassy functions, and how to eat roasted oryx with grace. She also suspects her husband is not actually the ambassador's legal counsel but a secret agent in the CIA. The consummate embassy wife, she takes the newest trailing spouse, Amanda Evans, under her wing.
Amanda arrives in Namibia mere weeks after giving up her Silicon Valley job so her husband, Mark, can have his family close by as he works on his Fulbright project. But once they're settled in the sub-Saharan desert, Amanda sees clearly that Mark, who lived in Namibia two decades earlier, has other reasons for returning. Back in the safety of home, the marriage had seemed solid; in the glaring heat of the Kalahari, it feels tenuous. And the situation grows even more fraught when their daughter becomes involved in an international conflict and their own government won't stand up for her.
How far will Amanda go to keep her family intact? How much corruption can Persephone ignore? And what, exactly, does it mean to be an American abroad when you're not sure you understand your country anymore?
Propulsive and provocative, Embassy Wife asks what it means to be a human in this world, even as it helps us laugh in the face of our own absurd, seemingly impossible states of affairs.
Meet Persephone Wilder, a displaced genius posing as the wife of an American diplomat in Namibia. Persephone takes her job as a representative of her country seriously, coming up with an intricate set of rules to survive the problems she encounters: how to dress in hundred-degree weather without showing too much skin, how not to look drunk at embassy functions, and how to eat roasted oryx with grace. She also suspects her husband is not actually the ambassador's legal counsel but a secret agent in the CIA. The consummate embassy wife, she takes the newest trailing spouse, Amanda Evans, under her wing.
Amanda arrives in Namibia mere weeks after giving up her Silicon Valley job so her husband, Mark, can have his family close by as he works on his Fulbright project. But once they're settled in the sub-Saharan desert, Amanda sees clearly that Mark, who lived in Namibia two decades earlier, has other reasons for returning. Back in the safety of home, the marriage had seemed solid; in the glaring heat of the Kalahari, it feels tenuous. And the situation grows even more fraught when their daughter becomes involved in an international conflict and their own government won't stand up for her.
How far will Amanda go to keep her family intact? How much corruption can Persephone ignore? And what, exactly, does it mean to be an American abroad when you're not sure you understand your country anymore?
Propulsive and provocative, Embassy Wife asks what it means to be a human in this world, even as it helps us laugh in the face of our own absurd, seemingly impossible states of affairs.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published July 13, 2021
214 people are currently reading
5483 people want to read
About the author
Katie Crouch
9 books430 followersKatie Crouch is the New York Times bestselling author of Girls in Trucks, Men and Dogs, and Abroad. Embassy Wife was optioned and is currently in development with 20th Television for series. She has also written essays for The New York Times, Slate, Salon, and Tin House. A former resident of Namibia and San Francisco, Crouch now lives in Vermont with her family and teaches creative writing at Dartmouth College.
Follow her on Instagram at @katiecrouchwrites.
Follow her on Instagram at @katiecrouchwrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 483 reviews
August 1, 2021
This is women’s fiction set in the world of the wives of embassy workers and politicians in Namibia. The ex-pat wives are referred to as trailers, because they trail behind their husbands from post to post. Mila is the only Namibian of the group. She is married to a corrupt government minister and she is breathtakingly beautiful, as we are told on every other page.
While there are serious issues touched upon in the book, including genocide, corruption, racism, poaching and infidelity, they are all treated so superficially that they have no more impact on these women than a broken fingernail. In the end, if women are just plucky enough everything will turn out splendidly. The book does contain a few interesting details about Namibia, but most of the characters (even the Namibians) had primarily negative things to say about the country. The “comedy-of-manners” aspect of the book was somewhat entertaining. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.
While there are serious issues touched upon in the book, including genocide, corruption, racism, poaching and infidelity, they are all treated so superficially that they have no more impact on these women than a broken fingernail. In the end, if women are just plucky enough everything will turn out splendidly. The book does contain a few interesting details about Namibia, but most of the characters (even the Namibians) had primarily negative things to say about the country. The “comedy-of-manners” aspect of the book was somewhat entertaining. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.
July 5, 2021
The diverging paths of a trio of women connected to the Namibia Embassy makes for a fascinating story. I enjoyed learning more about this country. This would have gotten more stars from me, but the 'orange man bad' narrative kept popping up its ugly head. Sure there was a mess up on pronouncing the name of the country four years ago. So glad that no other presidents have mispronounced something or forgotten what election they were campaigning for. Seems a bit lacking in diplomacy, in my opinion.
Thank you to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2021
2.5
The August selection of The Nervous Breakdown Book Club
I hesitate to give this work my usual critique, because modern humor is not the kind of book I usually read. The absurd plot (mostly in the second half and especially in the denouement) is not for me, but I’m sure some may find it entertaining. The novel is set during the former U.S. presidential administration and I learned some current-ish (probably already outdated) slang, which I’ve promptly forgotten.
However, it was the perfect book to read last night when I couldn’t sleep and also didn’t want to think. That’s not a criticism.
The August selection of The Nervous Breakdown Book Club
I hesitate to give this work my usual critique, because modern humor is not the kind of book I usually read. The absurd plot (mostly in the second half and especially in the denouement) is not for me, but I’m sure some may find it entertaining. The novel is set during the former U.S. presidential administration and I learned some current-ish (probably already outdated) slang, which I’ve promptly forgotten.
However, it was the perfect book to read last night when I couldn’t sleep and also didn’t want to think. That’s not a criticism.
August 12, 2021
I found this very bright book in NetGalley and I admit I chose it because I was pretty sure I had never read a book set in Namibia. 🇳🇦
The story focuses on a few women - Amanda, who has left her tech job to support her husband's Fulbright project, and Persephone who is the wife of a diplomat. Even the Ambassador is a woman. Then shenanigans ensue. The husbands are shady.
This is the second book in a row I've read that was set in southern Africa, and you know because of all of the mentions of milk tarts. I did feel I learned some about the place, although mostly through the gazes of white people and expats. I found it enjoyable and a little silly.
And it's important to go into it thinking silly and light because if you are looking for a book that examines the lives of the people who are from there, this is not it! I was surprised to see it being published by a major publisher in 2021; it isn't terrible but doesn't seem like the focus readers are asking for. I ended up looking for it after finding it on the Millions list, but hmm. The author basically says at the end that she lived in Namibia for a while but had t make up drama to write a book about it. And while she places it during the Trump presidency, and it's mentioned a few times, but more like sprinkled in for time placement than any real social commentary. Not every novel needs to be social commentary but I think I still kind of wanted this one to be.
The story focuses on a few women - Amanda, who has left her tech job to support her husband's Fulbright project, and Persephone who is the wife of a diplomat. Even the Ambassador is a woman. Then shenanigans ensue. The husbands are shady.
This is the second book in a row I've read that was set in southern Africa, and you know because of all of the mentions of milk tarts. I did feel I learned some about the place, although mostly through the gazes of white people and expats. I found it enjoyable and a little silly.
And it's important to go into it thinking silly and light because if you are looking for a book that examines the lives of the people who are from there, this is not it! I was surprised to see it being published by a major publisher in 2021; it isn't terrible but doesn't seem like the focus readers are asking for. I ended up looking for it after finding it on the Millions list, but hmm. The author basically says at the end that she lived in Namibia for a while but had t make up drama to write a book about it. And while she places it during the Trump presidency, and it's mentioned a few times, but more like sprinkled in for time placement than any real social commentary. Not every novel needs to be social commentary but I think I still kind of wanted this one to be.
December 29, 2021
What an odd, manic little book, a weird mix of satire and Liane Moriarty-esque characterization and plotting.
I was drawn to this in part because I live in the DC area and know many people who have worked and lived abroad with their families in postings with State Dept., etc., and I have also lived overseas in a government-run program setting myself.
I think there’s so much that this book gets right about the strange, insular, often toxic or at least dysfunctional culture of those hierarchical and bureaucratic little American cul-de-sacs plopped in the middle of a host country with its own rich, complex culture and history, which both includes and is complicated by prior invasion and colonization (in the case of Namibia, by England and then by Germany, which factors somewhat into the plot).
The book is pretty funny at times and very cinematic, with a few vividly-drawn characters and the vibrant and interesting Namibian setting and topography (check it out) that you can envision while reading. Katie Crouch obviously enjoys writing about insider-outsider issues and conflicts and misunderstandings, as evidenced by her prior book based in part on the Amanda Knox case in Italy. I appreciate her ability to capture through satire how expatriates in these types of settings and situations can come to love and identify with a place they live for a little while but never truly understand it - only their version and experience of it.
That all being said, I do kind of wish the book had gone either fully wacky or a bit more serious and sincere, as it kind of splits the difference and devolves a bit into a madcap mystery scandal by the end. But, that the book walks this line is also part of what makes it special as well as frustrating. Crouch can write for sure, and this book is pretty unique - might make a great beach or plane paperback if you’re interested in checking it out!
I was drawn to this in part because I live in the DC area and know many people who have worked and lived abroad with their families in postings with State Dept., etc., and I have also lived overseas in a government-run program setting myself.
I think there’s so much that this book gets right about the strange, insular, often toxic or at least dysfunctional culture of those hierarchical and bureaucratic little American cul-de-sacs plopped in the middle of a host country with its own rich, complex culture and history, which both includes and is complicated by prior invasion and colonization (in the case of Namibia, by England and then by Germany, which factors somewhat into the plot).
The book is pretty funny at times and very cinematic, with a few vividly-drawn characters and the vibrant and interesting Namibian setting and topography (check it out) that you can envision while reading. Katie Crouch obviously enjoys writing about insider-outsider issues and conflicts and misunderstandings, as evidenced by her prior book based in part on the Amanda Knox case in Italy. I appreciate her ability to capture through satire how expatriates in these types of settings and situations can come to love and identify with a place they live for a little while but never truly understand it - only their version and experience of it.
That all being said, I do kind of wish the book had gone either fully wacky or a bit more serious and sincere, as it kind of splits the difference and devolves a bit into a madcap mystery scandal by the end. But, that the book walks this line is also part of what makes it special as well as frustrating. Crouch can write for sure, and this book is pretty unique - might make a great beach or plane paperback if you’re interested in checking it out!
July 23, 2021
Katie Crouch uses her first-hand experiences of living in Namibia to craft this wonderful novel in which two American "trailers" (partners who accompany their spouses to diplomatic posts) come to love a place they'd known little about before landing there. Perceptively, such people are regarded by the local population as FIGJAMs (I can't transcribe this acronym, but it's so spot-on I have to use it). They have personal upheavals to overcome, and the story of a native wife of Minister of Transportation serves to propel the action. In her Author's Note, Crouch hints that remarks by the former president, or Orange Ooompa Loompa, referring to the entirety of Africa as a s***hole served as inspiration to create this affectionate portrait of a country not many people know a lot about. I found myself looking up images of Windhoek, the capital, and the mind-blowing desert where the sand meets the ocean. So in addition to the excellent story woven here and the truly individualistic characters, she has awoken my interest in the history, unbearably tragic, of this fascinating place and its people. Kudos.
September 28, 2021
I debated whether to rate this book a 1 or a 31/2 and finally decided on 2. The 1 rating would be for the many, many inaccuracies and misconceptions about embassy life, and the 31/2 would be for the entertainment value of the story line. Although now retired, I actually was an ‘embassy wife’ for almost 30 years. So much of what the author says about the embassy is just plain wrong. As I read the book, I began to make a mental tally of errors until there were so many, I decided to stop. One of the very worst inaccuracies is that the spouses (apart from a very tongue in cheek way, we do not call ourselves Trailers) try to guess the CIA agent’s identity. This would never happen. Apart from anything else, it could be very dangerous for some one to be identified, wrongly or not, as CIA. All embassy personnel know this. It isn’t even funny. We do not generally live in huge houses. This depends on what is available to rent in safe areas and varies by post. Our house size is strictly determined by Congress. If the embassy needs to rent a larger house, a waiver, based on explanations, must be sought. Most children do not particularly notice much about their houses. We are not dissuaded from using the pouch, especially in countries where supplies are limited. There is often another service, such as DPO or APO, that we can use. Children have absolutely no access to the pouch and would not be able to mail anything through it.
The story itself? Entertaining but very silly.
The story itself? Entertaining but very silly.
August 2, 2021
The privileged are in Africa doing what? Sending their children to international schools in Namibia Africa and staying bored. These embassy wives followed their husbands and have nothing really to do. I mean why would someone end up there? Is there an agenda? Obsession? Love? Regret? I think all of these things were in this story and not necessarily in that order. This was ok. Nothing memorable. Light entrainment. A bag of mental potato chips.
This was narrated by Marni Penning and she did a great job. I easily followed the story and would recommend listening to this novel.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
This was narrated by Marni Penning and she did a great job. I easily followed the story and would recommend listening to this novel.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
October 10, 2021
Well, the cover is great. The location, Namibia, an African country with a complex history, is exotic. I was expecting something different than I got. As anyone who follows me knows, I am so very picky about satire. Actually the satire is well done but most of the women in this book are so flighty and crafty and irreverent that I could not quite swallow all the antics in the story. Whether American wives of diplomats or Namibian women trying either to serve these Americans or trying to navigate the complexities of Namibian society, they each resort to unusual tactics. I kind of felt like I was watching episodes of Dallas.
I have not read Katie Crouch before so I can't compare Embassy Wife with her other books. I did have to chuckle at her digs at American diplomacy during the Trump administration but she seems to be saying corruption pays as long as you don't get caught. The only character who did get caught was a Namibian government official. What?
This was the August selection of the Nervous Breakdown Book Club.
I have not read Katie Crouch before so I can't compare Embassy Wife with her other books. I did have to chuckle at her digs at American diplomacy during the Trump administration but she seems to be saying corruption pays as long as you don't get caught. The only character who did get caught was a Namibian government official. What?
This was the August selection of the Nervous Breakdown Book Club.
October 25, 2021
2.5 stars
This is not a bad book, but I did not enjoy it. I could nitpick several more things than I have mentioned in my critiques below, but I don’t have the patience to expound on them all. This book is decently written, but my main problem with it is that I didn’t enjoy neither the characters nor the storyline.
[What I liked:]
•I learned a bit about Namibia’s history & culture, though that wasn’t the main focus of this book, & there’s only one local Namibian who is an MC.
•The ending is actually pretty good. It wraps up all the major threads, & the outcomes for the MC’s are reasonable (with the big exception of Persephone’s—that was pretty unrealistic, imo 🤦♀️ Considering how indiscreet, gullible, & borderline-alcoholic she is 🧐).
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•There is so much racism, classism, sexism, & alcohol abuse in this book; it’s presented so casually that it’s a bit infuriating; & it just permeates the whole book. I did not enjoy that aspect of reading this. At all.
•I liked none of the characters. They’re shallow, self-centered, deceitful, manipulative, passive aggressive, bigoted, in self-denial, & also vaguely miserable while trying to keep up appearances (and often failing at that). When there’s nothing more to a character than vain apathy, & that describes most of the MC’s, it’s exhausting to read about them & it’s hard to engage with them or care about their outcomes.
•I listened to the audiobook, & I wasn’t a fan of the narration. The way Persephone is voiced is grating & her speech is acted out in an OTT manner. Both her’s & Amanda’s “southern” accents are exaggerated to an annoying extent. (The rest of the narration is fine, though. Though I don’t know how accurate or appropriate the imitation of African accents was.)
CW: racism, sexism, degrading sexual language & treatment towards women, infidelity, classism, colonialism, alcohol abuse
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
This is not a bad book, but I did not enjoy it. I could nitpick several more things than I have mentioned in my critiques below, but I don’t have the patience to expound on them all. This book is decently written, but my main problem with it is that I didn’t enjoy neither the characters nor the storyline.
[What I liked:]
•I learned a bit about Namibia’s history & culture, though that wasn’t the main focus of this book, & there’s only one local Namibian who is an MC.
•The ending is actually pretty good. It wraps up all the major threads, & the outcomes for the MC’s are reasonable (with the big exception of Persephone’s—that was pretty unrealistic, imo 🤦♀️ Considering how indiscreet, gullible, & borderline-alcoholic she is 🧐).
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•There is so much racism, classism, sexism, & alcohol abuse in this book; it’s presented so casually that it’s a bit infuriating; & it just permeates the whole book. I did not enjoy that aspect of reading this. At all.
•I liked none of the characters. They’re shallow, self-centered, deceitful, manipulative, passive aggressive, bigoted, in self-denial, & also vaguely miserable while trying to keep up appearances (and often failing at that). When there’s nothing more to a character than vain apathy, & that describes most of the MC’s, it’s exhausting to read about them & it’s hard to engage with them or care about their outcomes.
•I listened to the audiobook, & I wasn’t a fan of the narration. The way Persephone is voiced is grating & her speech is acted out in an OTT manner. Both her’s & Amanda’s “southern” accents are exaggerated to an annoying extent. (The rest of the narration is fine, though. Though I don’t know how accurate or appropriate the imitation of African accents was.)
CW: racism, sexism, degrading sexual language & treatment towards women, infidelity, classism, colonialism, alcohol abuse
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
June 25, 2023
Country No 113 in My World Reading Quest
Namibia
EXCELLENT BOOK!! A real page turner.
Does a great job of describing Namibian culture and geography.
The characters are many in number but the secrets they keep are amazing and I believe all gets resolved in the end.
Here is what the author has to say:
During recent years, my family and I had the privilege of living in Windhoek, Namibia. We found Namibia to be a stunning country. The sheer expanse of the landscape renewed my hope for our planet, while the Namibians we met, as diverse as they are, were funny, fascinating, and welcoming.
As an expatriate in a nation where few Americans reside, I was also lucky enough to befriend several U.S. State Department employees and their families. These were delightful, smart, and brave men and women who had dedicated their lives to representing and defending our nation. I admired them greatly. Admiration, however, does not make for good comedy, which is why I took many satirical liberties in the name of a story. I hope the dear friends I made in Namibia will forgive me. Making stuff up is the whole job.
Except the part about our American president at the time bungling the name of the magnificent country of Namibia and calling the entire continent of Africa a shithole. That totally happened. It was nuts.
5 stars
Namibia
EXCELLENT BOOK!! A real page turner.
Does a great job of describing Namibian culture and geography.
The characters are many in number but the secrets they keep are amazing and I believe all gets resolved in the end.
Here is what the author has to say:
During recent years, my family and I had the privilege of living in Windhoek, Namibia. We found Namibia to be a stunning country. The sheer expanse of the landscape renewed my hope for our planet, while the Namibians we met, as diverse as they are, were funny, fascinating, and welcoming.
As an expatriate in a nation where few Americans reside, I was also lucky enough to befriend several U.S. State Department employees and their families. These were delightful, smart, and brave men and women who had dedicated their lives to representing and defending our nation. I admired them greatly. Admiration, however, does not make for good comedy, which is why I took many satirical liberties in the name of a story. I hope the dear friends I made in Namibia will forgive me. Making stuff up is the whole job.
Except the part about our American president at the time bungling the name of the magnificent country of Namibia and calling the entire continent of Africa a shithole. That totally happened. It was nuts.
5 stars
July 17, 2021
3.5 first half so promising. Last half soooooo ridiculous actually embarrassing
June 27, 2021
Katie Crouch keeps getting better and better. In this book, the main characters include two wives living in Namibia, following their husband's embassy posts. They are fishes out of water but not flailing. There is Amanda, who has agreed to leave her high-end tech job and transfer from California to Namibia for 2 years while her husband Mark works on his Fullbright-granted work. Their 9 year old is enrolled in International School with children of other embassy families and rich locals Including Persephone, who has lived abroad for years and become skilled in being an embassy wife; her husband is emerged in embassy work, transferring posts every few years. Their husbands have secrets—and lies. Some are told to the reader, some are not. Then there are the local women, Mila a beautiful Namibian mother who's daughter attends the International school and has issues with the other mothers and big secrets of her own. And snippets of the women who work for the mothers, and their lives. Their flashback scenes are blended in beautifully, there are twists you do not see coming, and the dialogue is terrific. Some parts, such as Amanda's background and Persephone's children do not get enough attention. And there is a bit of a rush to wrap up in the end. But that doesn't change my rating. I love Katie Crouch's writing. She is very entertaining.
September 16, 2021
Very good light-hearted comedy, with some interesting tidbits about Namibia. Excellent entertainment.
October 25, 2021
Brilliant satire, which makes the book go from beach read with absurdly endearing characters to something layered that is more than the sum of its parts.
July 18, 2021
Sneakily plotted, historically eye-opening (to me, who knew nothing about Namibia), intriguingly real, this page-turner is one of the best expat books I've ever read. The way privilege works is only one part of it, how native and interloper fit is another, secrets as plot glue yet more. The Embassy and the culture it brings to a foreign land is the great umbrella for the failed Fulbright scholar, the frustrated trailing spouse, the local shape-shifter, the clever children, the devoted native servant, and the rhinoceros, totem for them all. "Embassy Culture" would be a truer title.
Details make this all come to life, and the emotional lives of both men and women are given center stage.
Yes, to re-read! So good.
Details make this all come to life, and the emotional lives of both men and women are given center stage.
Yes, to re-read! So good.
October 28, 2025
Reading this felt like watching 2010s dramedy with a 37% on rotten tomatoes. I see it now… Leslie Mann cast as Persephone (same unhinged performance as in The Other Woman). Literally any brunette as Amanda. Amy Adams?? Tom Hardy or some shit as one of the equally forgettable husbands. I DIGRESS— overall very sardonic and satirical with some authentic moments. But mostly too silly to be taken seriously. Would have made an amazing 3 star movie, you know what I mean?
October 21, 2021
Also called Trailers, the embassy wives are the ex-pat wives (sometimes husbands!) that follow their diplomat spouses to various locations. This time it is Windhoek, Namibia, where the focus is on three wives, two from the US and one a local. Persephone Wilder is the self-appointed shepherd of the new incoming wives; her sexy husband, Adam is an embassy lawyer. Persephone drinks a bit too much, and wears nothing but white “Like a dove that had accidentally swallowed a uranium pellet.” Yes, this is a satirical caper novel.
Amanda Evans was a hotshot of the Silicon Valley, and now she can’t even get a volunteer job in Windhoek. Persephone takes her under her wing. Amanda’s husband, Mark, is a Fulbright scholar supposedly here to research and write about the Nama Genocide. Generally, he feels inept. But he loves Namibia; he was here 20 years ago as a Peach Corps volunteer, and is carrying some tragic secrets and unfinished business. The novel unravels that era for the reader, and it is the most propelling part of the story.
Then there is Mila Shilongo, a local wife of the minister of transportation. To describe her from Amanda’s perspective: “This goddess was half a foot taller than either her or Persephone; every limb seemed to stream from her body, graceful as water. Her skin was dark, polished, and poreless; her face, a masterpiece of planes and curves, centered by long-lashed eyes the color of maple syrup.” Mila takes no prisoners, despises Persephone, and is the most enigmatic of characters. Mila’s precocious 9 year-old daughter, Taimi, becomes BFFs with Meg, Amanda and Mark’s daughter, and they get into many antics together, providing a surprise twist near the end.
There’s also a rhino project called “Tusk!” that Persephone pulls Amanda into--their quest to save the rhinos in Namibia. This includes going to Mila and her husband’s palatial farm, finding the sought after rhino, and sleeping nearby to protect it. Subsequently, posting on Instagram is a goal to lure potential supporters internationally.
This novel is filled with schemes and dreams, and also illuminates that ex-pat behavior overlaps with the mindset of colonialism and the white-savior syndrome. But Crouch is not screaming “racism” in our faces. She’s not aiming to shame us with our ignorance. Rather, it is a comical and thoughtful look at the two Africas. As Mila reminds us, “There are many different levels of truth, here in Namibia.” A clearly unenlightened embassy wife states that Namibians “want to do things their way.” Although some overly sensitive readers may get offended by some of the edifying themes, I saw it mostly as square pegs in round holes trying to keep up a pretense of poise and partnering. There’s a lost love element that is wistful, too. It wraps up a bit easy in the finale, but it is still a solid sorbet book and full of acid antics.
Amanda Evans was a hotshot of the Silicon Valley, and now she can’t even get a volunteer job in Windhoek. Persephone takes her under her wing. Amanda’s husband, Mark, is a Fulbright scholar supposedly here to research and write about the Nama Genocide. Generally, he feels inept. But he loves Namibia; he was here 20 years ago as a Peach Corps volunteer, and is carrying some tragic secrets and unfinished business. The novel unravels that era for the reader, and it is the most propelling part of the story.
Then there is Mila Shilongo, a local wife of the minister of transportation. To describe her from Amanda’s perspective: “This goddess was half a foot taller than either her or Persephone; every limb seemed to stream from her body, graceful as water. Her skin was dark, polished, and poreless; her face, a masterpiece of planes and curves, centered by long-lashed eyes the color of maple syrup.” Mila takes no prisoners, despises Persephone, and is the most enigmatic of characters. Mila’s precocious 9 year-old daughter, Taimi, becomes BFFs with Meg, Amanda and Mark’s daughter, and they get into many antics together, providing a surprise twist near the end.
There’s also a rhino project called “Tusk!” that Persephone pulls Amanda into--their quest to save the rhinos in Namibia. This includes going to Mila and her husband’s palatial farm, finding the sought after rhino, and sleeping nearby to protect it. Subsequently, posting on Instagram is a goal to lure potential supporters internationally.
This novel is filled with schemes and dreams, and also illuminates that ex-pat behavior overlaps with the mindset of colonialism and the white-savior syndrome. But Crouch is not screaming “racism” in our faces. She’s not aiming to shame us with our ignorance. Rather, it is a comical and thoughtful look at the two Africas. As Mila reminds us, “There are many different levels of truth, here in Namibia.” A clearly unenlightened embassy wife states that Namibians “want to do things their way.” Although some overly sensitive readers may get offended by some of the edifying themes, I saw it mostly as square pegs in round holes trying to keep up a pretense of poise and partnering. There’s a lost love element that is wistful, too. It wraps up a bit easy in the finale, but it is still a solid sorbet book and full of acid antics.
March 2, 2022
4.5 stars. When you read as much as I do, novelty is precious and rare. And Katie Crouch's novel is novel and precious and rare. I absolutely loved it! First the setting... It's clear that Ms. Crouch has spent some time in this world--both the African setting, and possibly the diplomatic setting. And it's a world that very few of us will ever glimpse in real life. It's different, it's exotic, and she does a terrific job setting the stage.
And then there are her characters. Most of them are flawed, but she presents them with such affection and empathy! You'll be hard-pressed not to view them the same way.
With regard to the plot, I don't think the book's description really emphasizes just how funny this novel is! With the world being the way it is, the one thing I crave is just a reason to smile. and this book gave me many, many reasons to smile, and sometimes laugh out loud. The plot builds up steam and pace as events race towards an inevitable climax.
This was a real pleasure. It was just different from so many books that are a variation on a theme. Highly recommended!
And then there are her characters. Most of them are flawed, but she presents them with such affection and empathy! You'll be hard-pressed not to view them the same way.
With regard to the plot, I don't think the book's description really emphasizes just how funny this novel is! With the world being the way it is, the one thing I crave is just a reason to smile. and this book gave me many, many reasons to smile, and sometimes laugh out loud. The plot builds up steam and pace as events race towards an inevitable climax.
This was a real pleasure. It was just different from so many books that are a variation on a theme. Highly recommended!
December 1, 2021
I just love when a book is simultaneously sharp and a joy to read: Embassy Wife is one such book.
Set in Namibia, the narrative follows Amanda (who's left a great job in California to follow her husband who's an academic), Persephone (a self-labelled "embassy wife" who spends a lot of time keeping tabs on everyone else), and Mila (an Oshiwambo woman married to the minister of transportation). All three women have children at the same school and form relationships with each other.
I'm not sure if it was the writing, the characters, or the narration, but I flew through this one. It was easy to get into in a moment when I couldn't seem to get into anything. I just couldn't turn away from these characters.
(I also liked the satire of the white savior complex; I'm not sure I'd have enjoyed this one as much without that!)
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a free ALC of this title for review.
Set in Namibia, the narrative follows Amanda (who's left a great job in California to follow her husband who's an academic), Persephone (a self-labelled "embassy wife" who spends a lot of time keeping tabs on everyone else), and Mila (an Oshiwambo woman married to the minister of transportation). All three women have children at the same school and form relationships with each other.
I'm not sure if it was the writing, the characters, or the narration, but I flew through this one. It was easy to get into in a moment when I couldn't seem to get into anything. I just couldn't turn away from these characters.
(I also liked the satire of the white savior complex; I'm not sure I'd have enjoyed this one as much without that!)
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a free ALC of this title for review.
August 17, 2021
This book was fun. It was a perfect summer read/listen. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job on all the accents and enhanced the story with her mad vocal drama skills.
I usually avoid any books with “wives” or “husbands” in the title unless I caved into peer pressure (successful peer-pressured read - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo). I’m not into domestic drama or domestic anything... I got suckered into this one because of that fun cover. Heck, those were some cute zebras! The reading experience turned out to be fantastic. A reward for taking a chance outside my comfort zone!
I usually avoid any books with “wives” or “husbands” in the title unless I caved into peer pressure (successful peer-pressured read - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo). I’m not into domestic drama or domestic anything... I got suckered into this one because of that fun cover. Heck, those were some cute zebras! The reading experience turned out to be fantastic. A reward for taking a chance outside my comfort zone!
Read
November 8, 2024I find this one tough to review. Parts were spot-on satire of Americans living abroad, especially on the continent of Africa. But I still felt that even as this book tries to satirize and explore issues of colonialism and privilege, it's still overwhelmingly negative about Namibia, includes many stereotypes, and at times comes off as tone deaf.
Read
August 26, 2024Such a fun read that really had me not wanting to put it down! It was full of embassy mom gossip, secrets, and twists in the unique setting of Namibia Africa that truly built the story. Loved the different and deep characters whose stories melded wonderfully together. The Trump slander was pretty great too!
September 30, 2021
3.5 stars.
I was hooked with the story, but was disappointed in the ending.
It reminded me of the movie Burn After Reading, where the characters are clueless, there are random incoherent twists, and the ending makes little sense.
Oh, and almost all the men suck in this book.
I was hooked with the story, but was disappointed in the ending.
It reminded me of the movie Burn After Reading, where the characters are clueless, there are random incoherent twists, and the ending makes little sense.
Oh, and almost all the men suck in this book.
May 13, 2021
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The setting: a diverse group of women in Namibia. Persephone Wilder, wife of Adam, an American diplomat--suspects her husband is not the ambassador's general counsel, but a CIA agent. "Ever the embassy wife, she takes the new trailing spouse, Amanda Evans, under her wing." {trailing--as in trails spouse to post.] Amanda, gave up her reumunerative Silicon Valley job, to accompany her husband Mark on his Fulbright. Mark was in Namibia in the Peace Corps two decades earlier--leaving secrets--[a woman] behind. And, there's more.
This was a very easy and fast-paced read. Writing was fine. Story has a bit of a mystery [or two]. I very much liked learning about the Namibian culture [and corruption] and how the embassy wives fit in/adapted--or not. The cultural differences between the Americans and the Namibians.
And humor. To wit [pun intended]: "All State Department houses, other than the ambassors', of course, were furnished with exactly the same government-issued furniture, designed by an American who could only be a depressed, color-blind man in some cider=block basement."
And the whole other story with Mila and her husband Josephat; their daughter Taimi--and her relationship with Meg--Amanda and Mark's daughter. I quite enjoyed this side story.
There also was much dysfunction among the couples/families.
I figured out some of the twists, but the story kept my interest. I thought this was a lightweight, entertaining, "fluff-plus" read.
But the ending... not so much.
3.5, but rounding up because it kept me going and did not offend.
The setting: a diverse group of women in Namibia. Persephone Wilder, wife of Adam, an American diplomat--suspects her husband is not the ambassador's general counsel, but a CIA agent. "Ever the embassy wife, she takes the new trailing spouse, Amanda Evans, under her wing." {trailing--as in trails spouse to post.] Amanda, gave up her reumunerative Silicon Valley job, to accompany her husband Mark on his Fulbright. Mark was in Namibia in the Peace Corps two decades earlier--leaving secrets--[a woman] behind. And, there's more.
This was a very easy and fast-paced read. Writing was fine. Story has a bit of a mystery [or two]. I very much liked learning about the Namibian culture [and corruption] and how the embassy wives fit in/adapted--or not. The cultural differences between the Americans and the Namibians.
And humor. To wit [pun intended]: "All State Department houses, other than the ambassors', of course, were furnished with exactly the same government-issued furniture, designed by an American who could only be a depressed, color-blind man in some cider=block basement."
And the whole other story with Mila and her husband Josephat; their daughter Taimi--and her relationship with Meg--Amanda and Mark's daughter. I quite enjoyed this side story.
There also was much dysfunction among the couples/families.
I figured out some of the twists, but the story kept my interest. I thought this was a lightweight, entertaining, "fluff-plus" read.
But the ending... not so much.
3.5, but rounding up because it kept me going and did not offend.
August 22, 2023
"Embassy Wife" is a fun read about the husbands and wives of embassy workers and other foreign service workers operating in Namibia. The "trailing spouses" who are generally prohibited from working–or at best, working well outside their previous careers–end up causing problems in the absence of meaningful occupation: idle hands, etc.
Crouch situates the shenanigans within the complicated dynamics of citizens of a wealthy, Western country (in this case the USA), making significant blunders, racial and otherwise, while living in a country quite different from their own. Very few people are saintly in the novel, but very few are diabolical. There are corrupt officials, mendacious functionaries, out-of-their-depth diplomats, and catty spouses.
It's a funny book. Here's a little taste of the satire as one of the queen bees of the trailing spouses talks to a newly arrived wife about some of their "charitable" work they do for the city.
--
"Once a year we go to the Katutura Nursing Home and take a bunch of elderly ladies to lunch out a game ranch. We need to be clearer, actually. Last year they had no idea what was going on, and some thought they were being kidnapped. One lady was so frightened she had to go to the hospital once we got back. But it's all very well intentioned."
Crouch situates the shenanigans within the complicated dynamics of citizens of a wealthy, Western country (in this case the USA), making significant blunders, racial and otherwise, while living in a country quite different from their own. Very few people are saintly in the novel, but very few are diabolical. There are corrupt officials, mendacious functionaries, out-of-their-depth diplomats, and catty spouses.
It's a funny book. Here's a little taste of the satire as one of the queen bees of the trailing spouses talks to a newly arrived wife about some of their "charitable" work they do for the city.
--
"Once a year we go to the Katutura Nursing Home and take a bunch of elderly ladies to lunch out a game ranch. We need to be clearer, actually. Last year they had no idea what was going on, and some thought they were being kidnapped. One lady was so frightened she had to go to the hospital once we got back. But it's all very well intentioned."
July 12, 2021
i was so thrilled to receive this gem in the mail! my first physical arc :) as soon as i picked it up, i was whisked away to Africa, and was a fly on the wall in the lives of these complicated, fascinating “trailing spouses” as they’re called and the world they inhabit.
Embassy Wife is about exactly what you’d think — the spouses of people working for the US embassy, this case in Namibia, in southwestern Africa. the universe of this story revolves around three wives in particular: Persephone, who has deemed herself THE embassy wife, takes her role — and the fact that she suspects her husband of being the CIA plant of the bunch — VERY seriously. Amanda is the newest embassy wife. she was a big COO in Silicon Valley before her husband dragged her and her daughter Meg to Africa, passively aggressively kicking and screaming, leaving their life in the Bay behind. her husband, Mark, is a Fulbright scholar who seems to be spending his days researching and academic-ing, but we learn he had a deeper reason — or really just one reason — for coming to Africa. lastly is Mila, the most fabulous, attractive, impeccably dressed embassy wife, always oozing wealth and sophistication. unlike the others, she actually grew up in Namibia, and has lived a life completely opposite to the glitz and glam we see today, informing her experience — and the whole story — in some shocking ways.
all of the characters are so vivid and unique. the author paints such a compelling picture of each and every one. the author does a really impressive job of being extremely fair and giving each character equal attention and description... and drama of course. it leaves the reader feeling like they’re in on the joke; they have the privilege of knowing all the hot goss of the embassy circle.
the plot, the relationships, the twists and turns — ones where i gasped out loud — were all masterfully done. this book was truly so good, and so funny! it had such smart humor throughout the whole thing. if you want a novel that you can sink your teeth into like the lions in Africa, this one is for you.
thank you so much to @fsgbooks for the advanced copy. it comes out tomorrow — run, don’t walk!!! 🦓
Embassy Wife is about exactly what you’d think — the spouses of people working for the US embassy, this case in Namibia, in southwestern Africa. the universe of this story revolves around three wives in particular: Persephone, who has deemed herself THE embassy wife, takes her role — and the fact that she suspects her husband of being the CIA plant of the bunch — VERY seriously. Amanda is the newest embassy wife. she was a big COO in Silicon Valley before her husband dragged her and her daughter Meg to Africa, passively aggressively kicking and screaming, leaving their life in the Bay behind. her husband, Mark, is a Fulbright scholar who seems to be spending his days researching and academic-ing, but we learn he had a deeper reason — or really just one reason — for coming to Africa. lastly is Mila, the most fabulous, attractive, impeccably dressed embassy wife, always oozing wealth and sophistication. unlike the others, she actually grew up in Namibia, and has lived a life completely opposite to the glitz and glam we see today, informing her experience — and the whole story — in some shocking ways.
all of the characters are so vivid and unique. the author paints such a compelling picture of each and every one. the author does a really impressive job of being extremely fair and giving each character equal attention and description... and drama of course. it leaves the reader feeling like they’re in on the joke; they have the privilege of knowing all the hot goss of the embassy circle.
the plot, the relationships, the twists and turns — ones where i gasped out loud — were all masterfully done. this book was truly so good, and so funny! it had such smart humor throughout the whole thing. if you want a novel that you can sink your teeth into like the lions in Africa, this one is for you.
thank you so much to @fsgbooks for the advanced copy. it comes out tomorrow — run, don’t walk!!! 🦓
December 25, 2021
EMBASSY WIFE
Katie Crouch
HAAA... I really liked this one! After a couple of duds, I hit the really good book streak. So this is really an African Women's Lit.. I made a new genre for it instead of Southern Woman Lit. Crouch's characters are really interesting, chatty, clickish, manipulative, and smart as they weave in and out of State Department life in a foreign country. Woven into that is corruption, children, rhinos, and love affairs. I found myself reading almost the whole novel with a smile on my face and even chuckled a couple of times. The plot was smart, witty, and had enough twists and intrigue to pull me in and keep me turning those pages.
Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but it seemed to be mine today. I really loved it.
5 Stars
Happy Reading!
Katie Crouch
HAAA... I really liked this one! After a couple of duds, I hit the really good book streak. So this is really an African Women's Lit.. I made a new genre for it instead of Southern Woman Lit. Crouch's characters are really interesting, chatty, clickish, manipulative, and smart as they weave in and out of State Department life in a foreign country. Woven into that is corruption, children, rhinos, and love affairs. I found myself reading almost the whole novel with a smile on my face and even chuckled a couple of times. The plot was smart, witty, and had enough twists and intrigue to pull me in and keep me turning those pages.
Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but it seemed to be mine today. I really loved it.
5 Stars
Happy Reading!
June 22, 2024
Honestly I like this book a lot - my only qualm was the writing leaned millennial (too many wink winks to Trump by calling him the orange man). I also learned that a Shebeen is an illicit bar in South Africa AND Namibia in addition to Ireland/Scotland, which is a good fun fact to know.
February 27, 2024
I liked listening to this one and actually laughed out loud a few times!
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