On reading through the book, I enjoyed the characters and the plot. But then it left a bad taste in my mouth. This character is supposed to be a practicing Roman Catholic, but she's spent 20 years in an adulterous affair, hoping that the marriage (admittedly a bad one) breaks up. Of course, that wouldn't leave him free to marry in the Church. And lest you think the author only thinks Catholics don't care about marriage vows, her staunchly Presbyterian, liquor only for the sick, employee, several criticizes her for giving up on the married for someone who is at least divorced.