In 1929, amidst the glamour and upheaval of the Jazz Age, Ex-Wife captivated readers with its bold portrayal of a woman torn between the conventions of the past and the freedoms of a new era. Patricia, a young, sophisticated New Yorker, finds herself adrift after the collapse of her open marriage. Left to grapple with profound loss and loneliness, she plunges into a tumultuous world of alcohol-soaked nights, fleeting romances, and self-discovery.
Set against the dazzling backdrop of 1920s New York—a city alive with jazz, ambition, and cultural rebellion—the novel is both a deeply personal story and a reflection of an era undergoing dramatic social change. Patricia’s struggles illuminate the tension between the Victorian morality that still lingered and the dawning modern ideals of female independence and sexual liberation. She battles heartbreak with fleeting distractions: luxurious clothes she cannot afford, endless beauty treatments, and nights lost in music that echoes her inner turmoil. Yet, beneath her hedonistic pursuits lies a yearning for meaning and a place in a society that is simultaneously exhilarating and unforgiving.
Through Patricia’s eyes, Ursula Parrott explores themes of identity, love, and the price of personal freedom. The novel’s frank depiction of casual relationships, infidelity, and emotional vulnerability made waves upon its anonymous release, sparking debates about whether its heroine was fictional, autobiographical, or a biting critique of the times. Its enduring success during the Great Depression speaks to the universal struggles it captures, and it inspired the Oscar-winning film The Divorcee, starring Norma Shearer.
Rediscovered decades later, Ex-Wife is a timeless exploration of one woman’s quest for self in a world that refuses to stand still. Perfect for fans of Jazz Age literature and stories that delve into the complexities of love, loss, and independence, this novel remains as thought-provoking today as it was nearly a century ago.
