The Other Woman: A Novel

Back in print for the first time in decades, New York Times bestselling author Rona Jaffe’s classic novel captures a time when women were caught between the institution of Mad Men and the revolution of Gloria Steinem.

Carol Prince realized very early on that the life of a slavish housewife was not for her. Instead of finding a husband, she builds a career as a features writer for a glossy magazine and enjoys the freedom and indulgences the position affords her. Soon enough, all of her friends are divorced, Women’s Lib has arrived, and Carol is quite satisfied conducting interviews on glittering film sets or in swanky bars, and having flings with gorgeous men.

But then she meets Matthew Fitzgerald. He is handsome and successful and rich…and married. Over time, they become more and more enamored of each other and Carol is forced to make a decision. She may preserve her status as an independent woman, or sacrifice her ideals for the one thing she never thought she needed—a man.

Before Carrie Bradshaw, there was Carol Prince.  The Other Woman is a witty and captivating novel about the choices we make, and how they define us.

Carol Prince realized very early on that the life of a slavish housewife was not for her. Instead of finding a husband, she builds a career as a features writer for a glossy magazine and enjoys the freedom and indulgences the position affords her. Soon enough, all of her friends are divorced, women's lib has arrived, and Carol is quite satisfied conducting interviews on glittering film sets or in swanky bars, and having flings with gorgeous men.

But then she meets Matthew Fitzgerald. He is handsome and successful and rich . . . and married. Over time, they become more and more enamored of each other and Carol is forced to make a decision. She may preserve her status as an independent woman, or sacrifice her ideals for the one thing she never thought she needed—a man.

“The kind of book that critics…refer to as… ‘a small masterpiece’.” - New York Times Book Review

“As shiny as nail polish with just that kind of mortality when it chips…This is Rona Jaffe’s most finished and most appealing book since The Best of Everything.” - Kirkus Reviews

“I read somewhere that Lena Dunham makes everyone read [Rona Jaffe], which makes perfect sense to me.” - The Hairpin

“Jaffe’s heroines are able to test the boundaries. They are changed by what they experience. But…so is the world.” - Telegraph