The perils of a lopsided marriage and the weight of unspoken truths come to a head in 'The Wife.' Joan Castleman embarks on a journey to Helsinki with her husband Joe, a renowned novelist set to receive a high-profile award. Trapped in the shadows of Joe's success, Joan has long upheld her role as the supportive spouse, all while nursing her own dormant literary talents. As the facade of a tranquil marriage crumbles at 35,000 feet, Joan grapples with decades of compromise, disappointment, and a life lived in service to someone else's art. From the early days at Smith College to the pivotal moment high above the ocean, Meg Wolitzer's novel unfolds a complex narrative of self-discovery, betrayal, and redemption that challenges the conventions of partnership and the sacrifices one makes for love.