The Other Woman: Stories of Two Women and a Man

There are many stories about "The Other Woman." Almost all of them are written from the perspective of the "original" woman, the one who's husband is cheating on her. Some are written from Society's perspective where, once again, the "Other woman" is evil. Susan Koppelman's anthology of short stories is written from the perspective of the "Other Woman."
Following a very interesting, if lengthy, introduction, 24 pages, Ms. Koppelman presents eighteen original short stories about "Two Women and a Man" written between 1842 and 1981. Some of the authors, like Alice Walker, are well-known but most of them are not, primarily because women writers were not given the same respect for their work that the male authors received. Each story is preceeded by a brief biography of the author.
There are many valid reasons that a woman became "The Other Woman." During pre-Civil War days, she may have been a Negro and she and the man she loved (and who loved her) were unable to legally marry. She may not be the Other Woman by choice. She may have economic needs. She may not have known the man was married. In one story, the two women become good friends.
Whatever the reason, reading these well-told stories by talented woman writers, some who wrote more than 150 years ago, sheds some much needed light on an old theme. ( )

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