How to Be Another Woman by Lorrie Moore

Lorrie Moore’s “How to Be Another Woman” is a captivating story about adultery and its complexities. In this novel, the protagonist, a woman who is involved in an affair with a married man, repeatedly wonders, “Am I still myself? Am I still a woman?” In the course of the novel, she uses wordplay to help her survive the situation. She refers to her lover’s married status as well as the deceit she commits when she says “another women”.

The novel is written with a great deal of wit and irony, and it captures Barthe’s discourse on desire, loss, and grief. The story is also infused with disappointment, a reminder that we are all flawed, and that life is never easy. How can we make sense out of this? And how can we be better at being human? We can do it by reading more and understanding more about ourselves.

The characters in “How to Be Another Woman” are constantly testing social boundaries and attempting to live up to the expectations of society. They are often at odds with their spouses, parents, and roles. Their names are also a source of discomfort, as they are one of the most obvious markers of their identity. For example, Olena, the protagonist in “How to Be Another Woman” defies her Americanized name and resists her Romanian parents’ attempts to make her an American citizen.

Another story in “How to Be Another Woman” concerns a mother who is abandoned by her husband. This is a familiar theme in Moore’s writing. As they seek a new identity, her characters often feel alone, bored, and lonely. This story is about a woman who tries to find her identity in her community again, but doesn’t realize that she isn’t the same woman.

Lorrie Moore’s powerful short story “How to Be Another Woman” is part of the Self-Help Series. As she falls in love with an outsider, the protagonist must navigate her role of Other Woman. She must be able to think magically about herself in order to fulfill the role. The base of all versions is the Other Woman’s canonical wife.

Moore relies heavily on the reader’s imagination to fill in the missing pieces. While she uses a lot of pronouns in “How to Be Another Woman,” it’s still difficult to imagine how it’d feel to be someone else. This does not mean that the book is a waste. Moore’s story is a joy to read, and I recommend it for anyone looking to escape the rat race.

Moore writes with a sloppy jaw and few clues. This novella serves as a timely reminder to women who want children that “Being Another Woman” is not a goal. Moore manages to convince readers that, despite her unreliable narration, she understands the importance and joy of having children. Benna’s fictional child is GOOD in this novella. Neither does she have to abandon her career nor sacrifice her self to have a baby.