A Woman's War: A Novel

"A Woman's War" by Warwick Deeping is a novel that tells the story of Catherine Murchison, a loving wife, and her husband, James, a doctor wrestling with his own problems and the demands of his job. The book takes place in a small town in England and looks at love, competition, and the tangled relationships between people, especially the conflict between Catherine and her rival, Mrs. Betty Steel. We first meet Catherine as a content wife enjoying her home life, but soon we learn about James's battles with his work and personal weaknesses. Catherine's strong love for James pushes her to take care of their home while he deals with the stress of being a doctor. Their relationship gets even more complicated because of Betty Steel, who is jealous of Catherine, which creates tension and hints at the difficulties to come. The beginning of the story feels homey but also a little uneasy, drawing readers into the connected lives of the characters.