Wife 22

If you like Modern Family, you’ll love this

Maybe it was because I was about to turn the same age my mother was when I lost her. Maybe it was because my husband and I were running out of things to say to each other.

But when the online study called “Marriage in the 21st Century” showed up in my inbox, I had no idea it would change my life. It wasn’t long before I was assigned both a pseudonym (Wife 22) and a caseworker (Researcher 101).

And, just like that, I found myself answering questions.

Before the study, I was Alice Buckle: wife and mother, drama teacher and Facebook chatter, downloader of memories and Googler of solutions.

But these days, I’m also Wife 22. And somehow, my correspondence with Researcher 101 has taken an unexpectedly personal turn. Soon, I’ll have to make a decision—one that will affect my family, my marriage, my whole life. But at the moment, I’m too busy answering questions.

As it turns out, confession can be a very powerful aphrodisiac.

Reviews

‘I loved it, loved it, loved it. It's so funny and true and sad and real and clever and of-the-moment. Also so hopeful and wise and ultimately heartwarming.’ Marian Keyes

‘With a quirky narrative that mixes Facebook statuses, questionnaires, Google searches and chatty prose, this is a funny and poignant story that explores how confession can sometimes be the ultimate aphrodisiac’ Easy Living

‘Clever and original…witty and profound. Hugely enjoyable with a controversial ending.’ Red

‘A wonderfully clever, sad and funny read.’ Daily Mail

‘A juicy story of love, sex, parentlng, ageing and everything in between with a load of originality thrown in. Great stuff.’ Closer

About the author

Melanie Gideon is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir The Slippery Year, which received huge critical acclaim. She has written for The Times, the Daily Mail, the Guardian, More and Marie Claire.