The Mistress's Revenge

I think what made this uncomfortable to read is the knowledge that I (and I suspect the same will apply to the majority of readers) could relate to the main character perhaps a little too well. I think anyone who's experienced heartbreak can see a little of themselves in Sally's spiralling descent into depression, although hopefully not too the same extent. I found myself gripped, curious to know just how far she would go... and they ending provides a refreshingly positive twist that certainly isn't what I was expecting! Definitely worth reading.

Silly Sally, thats what Clive called her. Clive whom she embarked upon a five year affair with, both married, both have children, both linked in each others circles. Now Clive has called time on the affair, Sally is seeing a therapist and keeping diary entries cataloging the affair and how she saw it all. Clive has moved on, Sally just can't let go and this is her story, of her fall from a loving mum, wife and career woman to one who is fully obsessed with her ex and her world is crumbling around her.Firstly, there are no chapters in this book, there are page breaks, however it is almost a continuous monologue. Told in first person, Sally speaks clearly to Clive in her entries, there are no dates, she just launches in as if she is having a conversation, all one sided of course. Whilst this isn't my favourite type of layout, I think it serves its purpose, casting light onto just another aspect of how obsessive Sally is/has become.I can't say I liked any of the characters, Sally is hard to like at all, selfish, obsessed, her behaviour and all consuming affair takes over everything. It is hard for the reader to witness the destruction to those around her, and Sally, whilst she is oblivious. I think this was smartly done in that these kind of situations you see the actions but not the insight of the mind or rational of the individual.Whilst this was hard to read in parts it was hard to put down, understanding just how Clive managed to get Sally to that state, by manipulation and his actions was quite an insight. Whilst this is a work of fiction I am sure people can identify seeing behaviours like this with friends or family. Going by reviews, this is a marmite book, I think it was very well done however with such unlikeable characters one may require something lighter after finishing this. 4/5 for me this time, I have read Cohen before and I would read her again.

Firstly please ignore the various naysayers here who describe this book as ‘boring’ - it is clearly anything but. The tension increases slowly but steadily as the story progresses, along with the gradual emotional unravelling of the protagonist as she loses grip on reality, yet is unable to accept or even realise this. The way she has of justifying everything to make it sound reasonable in her own mind is all too plausible, making for uncomfortable reading as the reader recognises the depth of her delusion.The writing is subtle, the storyline devastating, the emotions are raw and deeply felt. This is a clever, clever book, dark, witty and intelligent - one that I personally will remember for a long time to come.

I love this book. I have read it more than once as it has the capability of drawing you in and then shocking you with the spiral of depression and desperation that Sally goes through. Any woman who has broken up from a man can associate with her but this goes further ..... To the point that you can understand it but hope that you would never go to yourself. The character of Clive is well written too so that you understand him and then dislike him. Fabulous emotional roller coaster with a great twist. Don't want to say more as it would spoil the book. Everybody j have recommended this book to has been spell bound by it

I am a big fan of Tamar/Tammy Cohen and have loved all her books. This one I really did enjoy and it kept me reading, wondering what was going to happen next. When I had finished it though, I felt there was something lacking compared to her other books. I think it is because it was written as journal entries from the one person's perspective throughout the book. That is purely my opinion though, I loved the subject matter and the deliciously horrific characters, they were all so selfish!

This was not easy to stick with at first, I found that just hearing from the Mistresses point of veiw alittle frustrating. However, once I got passed that, I really enjoyed the powerful story line. It packs a punch! If anyone is presented with an opportunity/ making yourself available for an affair with a married man, take a good look at what you have in your life, and ask yourself are you prepared to loose it all?Silly Sally, liked the character, wanted to shake her at times, hug her at others and by the end would have happily planned revenge with her!!!A good story to 'sink' into. Great book to discuss with friends!!

This was a very difficult book to read. Although I enjoyed the writing style of the author, I wasn't at all a fan of any of the characters. The main character, Sally, is dumped by Clive after a five year affair. However, she can't let it go. As the book progresses she becomes more and more pathetic and tries to win Clive back any way she can. The ending was surprising and not what I was expecting.

Well, I have been a mistress and I find Cohen's description of the main character's experience quite realistic. There were some "details" in the book, which I thought only I experienced (e.g., I never thought that others also first read emails "as a whole", to get a broad sense of whether it conveys a positive or bad message, I assumed that that was part of my obsessive behaviors at the time).I expect that some readers may find the depiction of the main character as extreme or unlikable, but I am sure that a lot of readers will identify with her.