 not a "feel good" or "pick me up" but a decent read
As another reviewer has stated, this is a successful business woman's worst nightmare -- a husband who secretly plots to divorce you, to take your children and your business, and who execute all this while you are miles across the country with your own mother who is dying. Throw in a conflicted relationship with a younger sister and your single male boss to add to the stress level.
The story is told from the point of view of the business woman -- Claire Raphael. Delinsky does a superb job of making the reader understand (and at times drown in) the angst of that Claire feels as she suffers one defeat after another, and she sees less and less of her children.
The most unrealistic part of the book is that the conniving, scheming, soon-to-be ex-husband is actually a great father, and handles laundry, child care, and meals without a nanny. HA HA HA. True fiction.
The book is, at times, hard to bear -- the idea of a court making a preemptory ruling taking your own children from you without hearing your side -- all based on lies -- is hard to contemplate.
Overall, a pretty good read, but not a feel good book.
very intense storyline
If you want a relaxing read, DON'T choose this book. Although it has a compelling storyline, it made me so uptight that I could read only small sections at a time. A very caring and smart business woman is totally 'raked over the coals' by her indifferent (and jealous) husband who suddenly changes character in front of her very eyes. Or was she too focused on other things to notice subtle changes in his attitude? Heads up all wives---if your hubby mentions several different times that he wants a seperation---sit up and take notice!! Don't sweep it under the rug. You just might prevent the nightmare scenario that developed in this story. This is only the second book by Delinsky that I've had the opportunity to read. FAMILY TREE was much more enjoyable to me--I could hardly put it down.
 a must read
this is a must read for all women. the divorce laws are so unfair. i learned so much. in the end, claire is a better person . grreat book.
 A Woman's Place by Barbara Delinsky
A Woman's Place is a rather dark and disturbing story of spousal abuse and discrimination in our legal system. As always, Barbara Delinsky has created a gripping story with strong characters you either love or despise.
Another Challenging Book: The story of a divorce
I think Barbara Delinsky challenges readers to see the people of her novels as thoughtful humans ... instead of disposing of them through the usual stereotypes. This book deals with divorce involving a hostile spouse who stacks the deck against his wife, the owner of a highly successful chain of wicker furniture stores. In every book of Delinsky's that I've read, she has challenged me to look beneath the surface of the characters and the plot. Her character study method of writing then involves me in the process of seeing the outworking of the situation as something that usually falls between what each person wanted, and thus it was here. Then, the things that amazed me were the settlement the husband got and all the places that the heroine had sex in!!!! Loved it!
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