Introduction

Winner of a bronze medal for historical fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, A More Obedient Wife tells the story of two women in the 1790s–each in a troubled marriage to a Supreme Court Justice–who are swept up in the little-known but fascinating early history of our nation’s premier judicial institution. Hannah Iredell, shy and insecure–and saddled with an embarrassing alcoholic mother-in-law–is plagued by doubts about her husband’s fidelity. Hannah Wilson, flirtatious and only nineteen, marries a distinguished and extravagantly wealthy man thirty years her senior but is soon dragged down into poverty and disgrace. When Mrs. Wilson finds herself attracted to Mrs. Iredell’s charming husband, the two women’s differences escalate into mutual hostility–until dramatic events lead them to form an unlikely friendship.

Based on the lives and letters of historical figures, A More Obedient Wife explores some timeless subjects, including depression, addiction, infidelity, friendship, and the relationship between spouses whose personalities and desires are sharply different. At the same time, the novel illuminates a turbulent era when the country was inventing itself as it went along. "A great book for a women’s readers group. Definitely one not to be missed!"–Reader Views

"Reading Natalie Wexler’s novel provided me with that wonderful experience of being so riveted, so engaged, so caught in the tale being spun that I literally could not put the book down. Travel back in time and meet her remarkable (and very real) characters. You won’t be disappointed." –The Practicing Writer

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Excerpt

This excerpt describes the first meeting between the 51-year-old Justice James Wilson and his bride-to-be, 19-year-old Hannah Gray of Boston. The newspaper article at the beginning is genuine, while the rest is a combination of fact and fiction.

From the Columbian Centinel, Boston, Massachusetts, June 8, 1793:Yesterday the Circuit Court of the United States opened in this town: When the Hon. Judge WILSON delivered to the Grand Jury, a Charge, replete with the purest principles of our equal Government, and highly indicative of his legal reputation. After the Charge, the Rev. Dr. THATCHER addressed the throne of Grace, in prayer.

Sunday, June 9, 1793

I now have something extraordinary to write about—at least, it may be extraordinary, it's too soon to tell. We were in church this morning, and Dr. Thatcher was droning on, as is his custom. I confess I had allowed my attention to wander to the feather trim on Mrs. Cooke's new hat in front of me, which was of a charming bluish green color, when of a sudden I felt an elbow in my ribs. Quit that, Sarah, I hissed, or I'll give you as good back. No, she whispered with some urgency, her hand shielding her mouth, don't you see that old gentleman there on the other side of the aisle, the one with the piggy face and the spectacles? He's been staring at you this past quarter of an hour, his mouth hanging open for all the world to see.

I glanced in the direction she indicated, with a little shift of her head, and indeed there was a gentleman—a stranger—staring at me quite boldly, although I thought Sarah's description of him unjust. He had a round face and something of a double chin, and a short, upturned nose, but he did not put me in mind of a pig in the least. Or not much, anyway.

On and on Dr. Thatcher's sermon went, and now I could feel the gentleman's eyes on me, studying me it seemed, though I'd been entirely ignorant of them before Sarah pointed him out. I dared not raise my own eyes in his direction, lest I be thought immodest, but I did manage a quick glance every now and then. I don’t know what it was, exactly, about the man that so unsettled me. Perhaps it was his age, or the intensity of his gaze. In any event, I began to feel quite flustered and faint, which is not characteristic of me in the least.

I thought Thatcher would never stop—it was a full two-hour sermon, I'll warrant, and not one of his best, I could tell even from what little mind I gave it. Then there were hymns to be got through, and a closing prayer—and at last, just as I expected that we were all to be released, Dr. Thatcher cleared his throat and began to speak yet again.

"We are deeply honored this morning," he intoned, "to have with us, in our midst, joining us in reverent worship and praise, an esteemed member of the highest court of our Nation, the Honorable Judge James Wilson."

And at this, the very gentleman who had been staring at me so intently arose—revealing that he was of quite an impressive height—and bowed graciously, first to Dr. Thatcher; and then, with a quick series of little bows, to various members of the congregation; and finally, with the deepest bow of all, directly to me! I fear I blushed a deep crimson, for I could feel my face grow hot. I smiled and nodded my head back at him, as seemed only polite.

"You see?" Sarah hissed. "I told you!"

Then, when we were saying our farewells to Dr. Thatcher just outside the church door (and trying to sound sincere in complimenting him on his sermon), who should come up beside us but this same gentleman, Judge Wilson, smiling expectantly.

"Ah, Judge Wilson—allow me to present Mrs. Gray," Dr. Thatcher said (for it was obvious that Judge Wilson was desirous of an introduction). "And her charming daughters, the Misses Sarah, Hannah, and Lucy Gray."

Another deep bow from Judge Wilson, which we returned with curtseys. Much of the congregation was waiting behind us, so we were obliged to move on, with Judge Wilson following ("Like some sort of large sheepdog," Sarah scoffed later, continuing her ridiculous animal comparisons).

We conversed for a few minutes—or rather Mama and Judge Wilson did: innocuous chit-chat about the weather, and Judge Wilson’s circuit (which he is, it appears, in the midst of), and so on. It was obvious that the Judge was originally from Scotland, as he had retained quite strongly the accents of his youth (I predicted to myself, correctly, that Sarah would have no end of fun imitating his speech later on). It was also obvious that his primary interest was not in the weather, or his circuit; for he continued to stare at me, even in the midst of conversation, which made things a trifle awkward.

At length the skies, which had been of a looming gray all morning, let loose a few drops of rain. We began to bid Judge Wilson goodbye, so as to hurry home before we were drenched, but he interrupted us.

"Can I not, Madam, offer you and your amiable family a ride home in my coach?" he said to Mama, with another bow. "It would be a great honor for me, I assure you."

"How very kind of you, Sir, " Mama said. "But surely you cannot accommodate all four of us."

"Ah, dear lady, but indeed I can!" Judge Wilson replied.

Judge Wilson then led us around the corner onto Coopers Alley, where there stood the most resplendent coach I have ever seen—of a spotless creamy white, with a bluish gray trim, and pulled by four handsome chestnut steeds. On seeing Judge Wilson approaching, the driver leapt from his perch and opened the door, revealing benches ample enough for six, covered in a deep red velvet, and the ceiling and walls upholstered in red silk.

"Oh, my heavens," I could not help but cry. "How exquisite!"

Judge Wilson smiled down at me from his lofty height and bowed yet again. "Miss Gray, if it meets with your approval, I could wish for no higher compliment." ... view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions:

If you're in a book group and are looking for some questions to spark discussion-or if you'd simply like some ideas to ponder on your own-here are some suggestions:

1. The title A More Obedient Wife comes from a letter written by Hannah Iredell to her husband: "Could you wish a more obedient Wife, my dear Mr. Iredell? I wrote you last night, and am now attempting another letter..." Although Hannah is being playful here, most people in the 18th century did believe that wives should obey their husbands' wishes. In what ways does Hannah Iredell try to be an "obedient" wife? In what ways does Hannah Wilson? Do their own personalities and inclinations make it difficult for them to be obedient? Do you think 21st-century women would have made different choices in similar circumstances?

2. Bearing in mind restrictions on the role of women in the 18th century, which of the two Hannahs do you find more modern in her outlook? Hannah Iredell is well read and is a proponent of education for girls, but sees her own role as entirely domestic and insists on calling her husband "Mr. Iredell." Does this make her more or less "modern" than Hannah Wilson, who decides to call her husband by an affectionate nickname but-at least initially-is far more interested in fashion than in current events?

3. Hannah Iredell suffers from what today we might call social anxiety disorder or agoraphobia, leading to what we might call depression. How are these problems viewed by the characters in the novel, particularly by James Iredell? Do you think that Hannah herself viewed her difficulties differently than we would today? In what ways?

4. The issue of slavery is an important sub-theme in the novel. Does one of the two narrators have a more realistic picture of slavery and what should be done about it? Do the two women's ideas about slavery change, and if so, why? Do you find it difficult to see Hannah Iredell as a sympathetic figure because of the fact that she owned slaves?

5. In both marriages-that of the Iredells and that of the Wilsons-the partners are in some ways mismatched. Do you feel that there was nevertheless genuine affection between the spouses? Were the differences in their personalities a source of attraction, or of friction, or both? Do you think that James Iredell sincerely loved his wife? Why do you think Hannah Wilson decided to stay by her disgraced husband's side? Were these relationships believable?

6. Throughout the novel, excerpts from actual 18th-century letters and other documents are interspersed with fictional diary entries in the voices of the two Hannahs. Did you find this technique successful? Did the fact that the characters were real people-and that at least some of the events were historically documented-add anything to the story? Did you find that the fictional aspects of the characters' personalities meshed with what you could glean about them from the letters?

7. Death and disease were far more common occurrences in the 18th century than they are now. Judging from the events and characters in A More Obedient Wife, do you think people were more accustomed to losing loved ones-and in particular, losing a child in infancy-than they are now? Were they less affected by such deaths? Did the two Hannahs react differently to their experiences of death, and if so, how?

8. Each of the two narrators has a close relative who suffers from an addiction: Hannah Iredell's mother-in-law is an alcoholic, and Hannah Wilson's husband becomes addicted to land speculation. How do the two women deal with these problems? If you have had to deal with similar problems in your own life, is there anything in the women's reactions that seemed familiar to you? How might problems like these be handled differently today?

9. How do friendships between women figure in the novel? Are they important to either, or both, of the two narrators? Do they have different attitudes towards their female friends and relatives?

10. In the late 18th century, novels were generally looked down upon and even thought to have a pernicious influence on their readers-especially on young women. Is this attitude reflected in A More Obedient Wife? How do each of the two Hannahs view novels? While novels have gained more respectability today, what other forms of entertainment do we now look upon with scorn? Do you think that two hundred years from now these other forms of entertainment will also have gained respectability?

10. Despite their obvious differences, did the two Hannahs have anything in common? If so, what?

11. How did the two main characters grow and develop over the course of the novel? What events were the catalysts for those changes? Do you think that either woman was changed by her relationship with the other? If so, how?

12. As a result of reading the novel, did you discover things about the 1790s and the early Supreme Court that you hadn't known before? Did any of these things surprise you?

Weblinks

»	http://nataliewexler.com/ Author's Website
»	http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wvia/.jukebox?action=categories&browseCatId=7808=7808 Interview with Natalie on Public Radio

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