My Review of “The Secret Life of Mrs. London” by Rebecca Rosenberg. Lake Union Publishing, January 30, 2018

Rebecca Rosenberg , the Author of “The Secret Life of Mrs. London” has written an entertaining and captivating novel. I appreciate the way that Rebecca Rosenberg weaves the Genres of Historical Fiction and Fiction into her story. The timeline for this story is approximately 1915 in San Francisco, and takes place in other locations as well. This story takes place on the brink of World War One.

The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. This novel and characters would make a sensational movie. Some of the characters are motivated by power, political agendas, philosophy, self-worth, jealously, competitive natures, intelligence, creativity, artistic and literary achievements, romance and emotions and desires.

Charmaine London is the wife of famous writer Jack London. Charmaine types Jack’s stories and is at times a sounding board for his ideas, and at other times possibly a formidable partner in marriage. In this story, there seems to be the mention of feeling “free”. At times Charmaine seems dependent and held back by Jack’s possessive and jealous nature. Charmaine has also dabbled in writing, and at times wants the independence. Charmaine, her aunt, Jack’s sister seem to exist together in a dysfunctional way. Jack sometimes behaves in a toxic way, and it reflects in his health and the way he invests his finances.

During a magic show, Charmaine is pulled out of the audience by Magician Harry Houdini, to participate in his act. Harry Houdini is charismatic ,creative and motivated in his own way. Harry Houdini’s marriage is strange to say the least. There is an immediate attraction between Charmaine and Harry. Harry also enjoys risk and danger.

I was fascinated by the historical background, and both men’s lives. I would highly recommend this novel to readers that enjoy, Historical Fiction. I received a copy of this Advanced Reading Copy for my honest review.

4 "engaging" stars

Charmain was the second wife of author Jack London. She was a believer in free love, socialism, a woman's right to vote, and her husband Jack. It is the turn of the century, a time when the Victorian Age was winding down. Social and sexual mores were changing. It was the time before the free reeling lives of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and Ernest and Hadley Hemmingway became the alt culture of their day. Although in reading this book, I could not help thinking that the Londons would have fit right in with those other two couples.

Charmain was also an author, of course not as well known as Jack, who seemed to, in this book while away his life drinking, sleeping around, and spending money he did not have. However, Charmain is completely enamored of him although she did have one indiscretion. It will soon be followed by another with a very popular magician.

Charmin had taken Jack away from his first wife, having been a friend and neighbor to the Londons, and we later learn after she befriends Bessie Houdini, that she will have an affair with Harry. Bess Houdini is a pathetic person. She suffers from never going through puberty, having a period, nor developing breasts. She can't have a child so instead she herself is a child who has a collection of dolls that she babies and cares for. Harry Houdini seems to love Bessie but it was not a marriage that afforded any sexual relations possible between them.

Charmain was everything to Jack. She was his typist, his editor, his agent and his mantra of writing a thousand words a day produced short stories, novels, and poems. Jack died young due to problems brought on by his lifestyle of smoking and drinking. There was even some talk that Jack committed suicide brought on by an overdose of heroin which he had because of the intense pain suffered with kidney stones.

This was a sad love story. Charmain wanted nothing but for Jack to love only her but Jack was not a man who was able to do that. After Jack's death, Charmain had affairs not only with Houdini but many others as well. Charmain was quite discreet in her numerous encounters, never remarrying and died at the age of eighty three.

Not knowing too much about Jack London other than that he wrote adventure books, I found this novel to be quite informative. It was an interesting look at an author, who was seen as one of the first world wide celebrities, and his wife. I think Ms Rosenberg did a fine job of ferreting out the relationship between Jack and Charmain and providing the reader with an informative look into their life together.

Thank you to Rebecca Rosenberg, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this intriguing novel.

My favourite quote from the book: "Jack's hair curls in the humidity, inviting me to ruffle it. He leans into my hand, enjoying my touch. These are the moments I live to share with him, away from everybody and everything, living life, not dissecting it endlessly."

The book can be a little difficult to get into, if you don’t know much about the famous couple. I was privileged in this regard, because some time ago I read a fascinating biography by James L. Haley “Wolf: The Lives of Jack London”. It was interesting to learn more about the turbulent relationship between Jack and Charmian.

I enjoyed the account of Charmian’s life. It was beautifully described, rich with detail and emotion. In life she was a perfect picture of a New Woman: educated and independent. Jack London was lucky to have a second wife like her. She was working hard for her husband success.
In the novel we can learn more about her love affairs, difficult life choices and robust sexuality.

The story was easy to follow, the only thing missing from the pages seemed to be joy. We get to know Jack and Charmian when they are tired and disillusioned. Life with Jack London definitely wasn’t easy or without challenges, but it was bohemian, adventurous and daring. With Jack’s money and successful literary career they could travel, meet interesting people, spend their days as they wished, help others. It was a gift, but it seems to be lost in the book. Overall, the book was interesting, informative and a great introduction to learn more about Jack and Charmian London.

Three chapters in I was really wanting to like this book but wasn’t sure at that point that I would even finish it. The writing was not grabbing me and it was a little depressing. I kept at it and by the seventh chapter it had captured my interest enough to finish it. It was an okay read. Some inconsistencies really bugged my like the chapter that started with cold weather which killed all the cherry blossoms and them a couple of pages later they are walking through the park under the cherry blossoms. As a first novel it is certainly readable and enjoyable if you can get past the beginning slog.

THE SECRET LIFE OF MRS LONDON is an intriguing premise, and I was eager to read and believed I would love it. I struggled through as much of the book as possible, then ultimately set it aside. First person, present tense is such a passive voice I find it distancing and awkward. It's the ultimate "telling" of a story, rather than allowing the reader to immerse themselves into the character. I prefer third person, but first person is fine for certain novels. However, present tense reads like a synopsis. The author is telling me the story--not allowing me to experience it. I simply could not finish the book, regardless of the subject matter.

'The Secret Life of Mrs. London' by Rebecca Rosenberg is an addictive and imaginative fictional memoir that shows Charmaine London as she grapples between being her own woman and the woman behind the man, author Jack London. As Rosenberg's Harry Houdini says in her novel, "The danger of love runs deep." Highly recommended for historical fiction fans.

Jack London (author of To Build a Fire, The Call of the Wild, White Fang...to name a few) famously said that he'd rather sing one wild song that would burst his heart than live 1000 days watching his digestion and being "afraid of the wet." This book captures London's wild outdoor spirit--but also his vulnerability. We see his writing binges, his drinking binges, his drug binges but also his desire to live a simple outdoor life on a ranch--horses, pigs, chickens, vineyards--of his own creation in California. It is a novel, of course, but I can't help but think that The Secret Life of Mrs. London is very close to the truth. She is his muse, his editor and, when he is too hung over to meet a magazine article deadline, she writes the piece for him.

Unfortunately, this novel was accepted by accident. I am interested in the book, but definitely do not have time to read it before publication. I was placing it on a to-read shelf on goodreads and one of my goodreads friends had been referenced to it via a Netgalley link within the comments. I clicked on that link, presuming it would take me to Netgalley to look at further details but it was, unfortunately, and immediate acceptance link. If I do follow through sometimes down the line and read this, I will certainly provide a review on my site/goodreads but unfortunately that time is not within the foreseeable future. Thank you for the opportunity.

Writing in the first person is not an easy task, but Rebecca Rosenberg, author of “The Secret Life of Mrs. London,” pulls it off artfully. A few chapters into the novel and you quickly forget that someone other than the second wife of author, Jack London, Charmian London, is writing this tale. Oh yes, claims of fiction, but some very documented facts, well researched by Rosenberg.

Charmian London weaves her own biography of her love of “Wolf.” Jack London’s nickname to many of his fans and friends. Books: “Call of the Wild,” “Sea Wolf,” “White Fang,” to name a few.

The turn of the twentieth century, 1915. Europe is at war. U. S. President Wilson is dragging his feet to enter the fray. A movement of women seeking freedom of love and affection (the 1960s hippies never read history), voting rights, women breaking the bonds of being enclosed in closets.

Woven carefully into this comes Houdini. Artists, professionals, do attract and interact. And is there magic? The sands of 1915 Waikiki, Hawaii and 1917 New York City would agree.

Magic is felt in the heart. Very well done, Rebecca Rosenberg.

A fictionalized account of the passionate and at times tumultuous relationship between author Jack London (White Fang, The Call of the Wild) and his second wife, Charmian. Its 1915 and as America vacillates over the pros and cons of joining the war raging in Europe, the couple , who are still coming to terms with the death of their baby daughter are facing struggles of their own. Frustration with the lack of success of her own writing, especially when her ideas are co-opted by her husband, and equally frustrated with their lack of intimacy as a couple, combined with money worries and a frosty relationship with her husbands daughters and sister leave Charmian feeling trapped and alone. Who better to help her escape than the world famous Harry Houdini , who pulls her up on stage one night and soon becomes infatuated . To complicate matters even further Charmian becomes a close friend of his wife. As her husband's increasingly selfish and reckless behavior continues to drive her away, she finds herself struggling with the ideas of loyalty and freedom, and seeks to find her own path.
I knew very little about these people before I read this book, and yet having finished it I really do feel like I have come to know them, a testimony to the hard work and skill of the author. This was the first book by Rebecca Rosenberg I have read, but I have a feeling it will not be the last. Although the events of the book took place over a period of only a couple of years, the pacing of the storytelling meant that I was engaged throughout, and found myself avidly following the highs and lows of Charmian and those around her. The attention to detail was such that I could easily picture the people and places being described, making it easy to relate to what was going on. I also loved the inclusion of little snippets from Jack London's books at the chapter headings, they may have inspired me to seek out some of his books to read. My favorite thing about the book was how much it felt like I was seeing the inner thoughts of a real woman, facing real , and somewhat univeral struggles, in Charmain, her frustration, both professionally and personally is something that I am sure many women will relate to.
Overall this was a pleasant surprise, and a book I really enjoyed reading. I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Rebecca does a good job with the historical aspects of this story. If you are a huge fan of historical fiction and of Jack London or Houdini, you will really enjoy this book. I had a hard time liking the characters, I found them a little boorish and I didn't like Jack at all. What an ass. I like historical fiction but this one just wasn't interesting to me. Maybe because I have never read a Jack London novel, not even in school. I had a hard time getting through this. Not because it was poorly written, because it wasn't, but because I just wasn't attracted to the characters. It wasn't the book for me but probably it will be for others.

*I received this book as an advanced copy via net galley in exchange for an honest review. *
for the most part i enjoyed this book, but the storyline was too sporadic for me, i had a hard time keeping characters in check and I found the overall description of Jack London to probably be true, but was off-putting enough that i couldn't enjoy the story.

This is a hard review for me to write ...because I wasn’t crazy about this book.
I have only myself to blame. I didn’t read ‘one’ thing about this novel when Rebecca Rosenberg asked me if I would like to read it: “The Secret Life of Mrs. London”,
in exchange for a review.
I was happy to read Rebecca’s novel....California native, who lives in Sonoma...always nice to get behind our locals - and first time authors.
Plus, there is some hanky-panky weird history about Jack London in relationship to my husband, Paul. Without going into all the nitty-gritty details that have been passed down to us —- we are fairly certain Jack London was Paul’s great great biological grandfather. I’ve never been a huge Jack London fan myself beyond a couple of his books, but the ties with Paul’s Family kinda interested me.

However -if I had just read the blurb on Goodreads as I did seconds ago - I would have read about Houdini being part of this story.
I have zero interest in Houdini....and he’s a large presence throughout. So for those who are interested in anything Houdini- then by all means - choose this book - lots of Houdini to chew on.
Hers’s a small example:
Jack and Houdini are on stage together a few times in this novel. The audience loves them- cheers - and bows. This one time Houdini was holding a burning knife like a torch, and hurls it at Jack’s Head.
“The knife twists through steamy air slowly, trailing fire and smoke on its path across stage. As the knife thrusts into the wood above Jack’s Head, flames singe his hair”.
Mrs. London wanted to kill them both - and who could blame her?

The first 75% of this novel is equally about Jack London as it is Mrs. London....yes there is a scandal between Mrs. London, ie, Charmain, or Charmie, or Chairman, or Mate, or Mate-Woman in that first 75%.... she types for Jack... supporting him complete a thousand words a day, has rendezvous moments on the beach in Hawaii,
definitely withholds personal thoughts and feelings, and clearly wants to be a writer in her own right....but it’s really the last 25% of this book where Mrs London takes full stage as the leading character in book..... which takes place in New York Houdini is her supporting character.

I don’t need to like characters to enjoy a book - but I need some redeeming qualities of inspiration ‘somewhere’. And that’s what this book didn’t have enough of for me. Nothing inspired me - moved me. I really didn’t care about the adults sex lives — I didn’t find it steamy or in the least bit shocking or interesting.

I wouldn’t want to be friends with most the people in this book. Jack’s sister, Eliza,could cook great and seemed pretty nice.

Jack London...who had kidney stones, rheumatism, smoked cigarettes and drank martinis like they were going out of style could be an narcissistic, disrespectful asshole. His all time finale asshole performance was when the MOST LIKABLE CHARACTER in this book: *Nakata*, a loyal saint of a servant finally wanted to quit. Jack was down right rude him - then said couldn’t quit because he was like family. If he was like family, how come he never shared a meal with him?

Mrs. London and Jack - both had crazy sex lives - and ideas about soul relationships - They were both too nuts and eccentric for my taste.
Houdin’s wife Bessie was a real character - she had an obsession with dolls ...

I liked the dog: Possum!

Back to my favorite:
Nakata....who wanted to be a dentist... with graciousness and dignity... he served fresh brewed Kona coffee on the lanai in the mornings in Hawaii to Jack and Charmsin. He brought them pitchers of cocktails, kept them fed throughout the day with raw Bonita and papaya, or steaming malasades fried dough with haupia coconut milk custard, and delicious dinners.

One last thing - which I did enjoy - a tidbit. At the start of each chapter was a quote-by Jack London from one of his books. And since my favorite book of his is “The Call of the Wild”.....
This is the quote Rebecca Rosenberg chose ...which I like very much too.

“There is an ecstasy that marks the summit of life,
and Beyond which life, cannot rise. And such is the paradox of living, this ecstasy comes when one is most alive, and it comes as a complete forgetfulness that one is alive”.

From 1916 to 1917...Sonoma, Napa Valley, Beauty Ranch, Glenn Ellen, Hawaii,- Big Island, Oahu, New York, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Sausalito, back to Napa Valley Area.

Note....Mrs London did eventually get her book, “Our Hawaii” published by Macmillan.....selling 95 copies.

Liked it - didn’t love it.... readable ... but not uplifting or inspiring or particularly interesting to me. However, for a first novel, it’s written well.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing, Netgalley, and Rebecca Rosenberg