Review: The Consul General's Wife
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 12, 2012
The review was originally posted at Library cat book blog.This is a story about life in the Dutch embassy in Brazil. Five people sharing the same space. The main character in the novel is Melchior Steenbergen, ambassador of the Netherlands in Rio. His wife Leandra suffers from myalgic  encephalomyelitis. There is their black maid Mercy, young Nikki and Tygo, both working at the embassy.Melchior everyday life is little bit boring. He is going to work, coming home, visiting the sick wife. Leandra was once active woman and a professional photographer, but after diagnosis of the disease in some way she gave up on life. She closes herself up in the room and every day goes into self-pity. Decides to live by memories. Mercy, their servant, is the right hand of Melchior and Leandra, and all she knows is being a servant. Slightly different is the daughter of Melchior's friends, Nikki. She brings some good spirit to the dreary family atmosphere, with her youthful clothes, nail manicure, optimism and naivety that she brings. Tygo is also employed at the embassy, ​​but as often happens, even not competent enough, he is placed there with a reason. Why is he placed there and with what purpose?The author describes human psychology in depth and the goes deep into the source of the character's actions. Turning to their past, explains their presence.And there is Rio, the city full of colors and scents, gulping all those who will find themselves in it.Honestly the book is not really my cup of tea. I expected a little more action and drama. I expected a different culmination, different outcome. The whole action was little bit monotonous. Although every character is quite complex, their stories for me were monotonous and depressing. And the title, a very small part of the book is dedicated to the consul general's wife. Her husband has the main role. The way of writing is solid, the characters are well psychologically processed. There were parts of the book that I really liked and there were moments when I thought that the story would get a brand new twist. There was a turn-over, but the one that could not imagine.