The Wives: A Memoir
“[Simone] Gorrindo’s prose is inviting and fluid, and her storytelling is intimate and vivid...[an] engaging, evocative memoir.” —The New York Times Book Review
“A hopeful, unifying memoir.” —People
This profoundly intimate memoir about marriage, friendship, and the power of human connection tells the story of one woman’s experience of joining a community of army wives after leaving her New York City job.
When her new husband joins an elite Army unit, Simone Gorrindo is uprooted from New York City and dropped into Columbus, Georgia. With her husband frequently deployed, Simone is left to find her place in this new world, alone—until she meets the wives.
Gorrindo gives us an intimate look into the inner lives of a remarkable group of women and a tender, unflinching portrait of a marriage. A love story, an unforgettable coming-of-age tale, and a bracing tour of the intractable divisions that plague our country today, The Wives offers a rare and powerful gift: a hopeful stitch in the fabric of a torn America.
“A hopeful, unifying memoir.” —People
This profoundly intimate memoir about marriage, friendship, and the power of human connection tells the story of one woman’s experience of joining a community of army wives after leaving her New York City job.
When her new husband joins an elite Army unit, Simone Gorrindo is uprooted from New York City and dropped into Columbus, Georgia. With her husband frequently deployed, Simone is left to find her place in this new world, alone—until she meets the wives.
Gorrindo gives us an intimate look into the inner lives of a remarkable group of women and a tender, unflinching portrait of a marriage. A love story, an unforgettable coming-of-age tale, and a bracing tour of the intractable divisions that plague our country today, The Wives offers a rare and powerful gift: a hopeful stitch in the fabric of a torn America.
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Community Reviews
“Was it worth it to leave behind a life I’d made for the life he’d chosen, simply because I loved him?”
In her debut memoir, "The Wives," journalist Simone Gorrindo candidly explores the complexities of being an Army wife, reflecting on the sacrifices made and the transformative power of human connection. This poignant inquiry sets the stage for a narrative that delves into the challenges and changes brought about by Andrew's enlistment in the Army, against the backdrop of post-9/11 America.
Andrew's decision to enlist, casually mentioned to Simone in 2007, marks the beginning of their journey into military life. During a couple’s therapy session, he casually mentions “If I have to choose between you and the Army, it’s the Army.” Despite initial hesitations expressed by Simone, their relationship deepens as they navigate the realities of military service. Married in 2012, they relocate to Columbus, Georgia, where Andrew begins his training at Fort Benning, eventually joining "The Unit" after completing Ranger School, and deploying to Afghanistan.
Simone's narrative vividly captures the emotional toll of deployments: the fear of Andrew's safety and the profound changes she witnesses in him upon his return. She wrestles with her own identity amidst the military community in Columbus, finding solace and support among fellow military spouses, despite their differing backgrounds.
Central to Simone's memoir is her struggle with Andrew's evolving persona and their marital conflicts, exacerbated by his decision to bring a gun into their home against her wishes.
“Finally, I’d capitulated. I’d just resigned myself, much in the way I’d resigned myself to the army. A gun was coming into our home. That was that. I was tired.”
This pivotal moment underscores Simone's internal conflict and resignation to compromises dictated by military life.
Throughout her journey, Simone finds resilience through friendships forged with other military wives, who provide companionship and strength during Andrew's absences. Her memoir resonates with a raw intimacy, inviting readers to empathize with her personal struggles and self-discovery amidst the challenges of military marriage.
Reflecting on my interview with Simone, hosted by Bodacious Bookstore, her charisma and vulnerability were captivating. However, my frustration with her memoir lies in the narrative of self-loss rather than Andrew's transformations. Simone's gradual retreat from her own convictions and diminished sense of self over the years evoke a poignant reflection on sacrifice and personal identity within the military spouse experience.
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