Book Review: “The Wednesday Group” By Sylvia True

My 10-year-old daughter has recently become obsessed with the idea of getting her own cell phone. I’m not entirely sure where the desire is coming from, but I suspect that it’s partially a result of craving an independence that I’m not quite ready to grant. She makes a good argument for having a phone (and trust me, makes the argument often), but I’m holding out on purchasing one for now.

I have to admit that part of my reluctance stems from my concern about social media. Girls, especially, are susceptible to its power, and I’d like to put off her texting and posting status updates for a little bit longer.

As an adult, my own relationship with social media is a bit rocky. On the one hand, I love it. I stay connected with people who aren’t part of my daily life, and I benefit from the exposure it provides for my blogs. On the other hand, I hate slogging through the constant messages from Newslinq, Viral Humor, and Suggested Posts. I don’t want to see pictures of starving animals or offensive tattoos; these intrusive posts bother me to the point that I’ve seriously considered breaking up with Facebook.

But then I’m reminded of how wonderful it can be when social media allows me to catch up with people I haven’t talked with in ages. Just recently I got back in touch with a friend whom I haven’t seen in well over a decade. During our time apart we’ve become moms and professional women, but hearing from her tossed me straight back to my younger days of exploration and self-discovery when she, being a few years older than I, gently guided me through the rough patches of impending maturity.

Few things in life are better than having a close circle of female friends. They listen to you, bolster your ideas and support your feelings; they provide mentorship and advice when asked; they empathize with your struggles and have your back.  They are your life-blood when you need it most.

The women in Sylvia True’s book, The Wednesday Group, feel isolated, lonely and deeply ashamed (though through no fault of their own). Convinced that no one could possibly understand the heartache and embarrassment they suffer, each woman (somewhat reluctantly) accepts a placement in a group specially formed to support partners of sex addicts.

Ideally, the weekly meetings should be a safe haven for the participants: a place with no accusations or judgement. But the women are damaged, insecure and ultimately broken by their unfaithful spouses. Haunted by their own sense of distrust and betrayal, the women don’t see eye to eye on their views of marriage, accountability and justice. Discussions get heated, emotions overflow, empty threats ensue.

Over time, however, their commitment to the group morphs into a commitment to one another, and the power of friendship becomes bigger than the power of their husbands’ addictions. Each woman has her own story, but each discovers that her experience is shared by people who understand the pain of loneliness.

The Wednesday Group is about the secrets we keep and the secrets we share, and how the strength of female friendship provides us with the resilience we need to face adversity, conflict, and life-altering situations.

Sylvia True lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children. The Wednesday Group is her first novel. St. Martin’s Press 2015.