Favoring Concubines and Neglecting the Wife? The General's Wife Calls it Quits and Divorces! - Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. While it may not be anything particularly groundbreaking or intricate, the sheer absurdity of the storyline was undeniably its strongest aspect. The characters within the Guo family are extravagantly over the top and completely befuddled, and I genuinely believe this was an intentional choice by the author. It serves as a clear representation of the family's deplorable nature, illustrating that they would remain wallowing in their own filth if it weren't for the determination and resilience of the female lead (FL). To put things into perspective, the male lead (ML) is portrayed as being unable to take any decisive action for the FL until she first expresses her desire for a divorce. This setting is crucial, as the societal norms of the time made even the notion of mutual separation something that could carry a stigma for women. One might wonder why he didn’t simply eliminate the FL's husband and take her for himself in their past life. However, even with the husband's demise, the Guo family would still need to facilitate her divorce. The concept of forced adoption complicates matters further; in that era, the belief that a woman remained bound in marriage, even after death, was deeply ingrained. While some characters did resort to murder out of devotion to their wives, it was ultimately her reputation and the consequences to his own standing that deterred the ML from such drastic measures. I found the FL to be particularly commendable; she possesses a grounded and compassionate nature that makes her all the more relatable. The ML, on the other hand, adds a delightful layer of humor to the narrative, as he is acutely aware of his past mistakes and actively seeks redemption. I absolutely loved witnessing the karma that befell those who mistreated the FL, which added a satisfying depth to the story. Though the narrative unfolds over a lengthy span, I believe it excels by concentrating predominantly on the melodrama of the back courtyard. This focus creates a rich tapestry of events that keeps the reader engaged, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of character dynamics and their consequences. Overall, I found the experience immensely rewarding and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a mix of humor, drama, and a touch of absurdity.

I would rate this novel a solid 3.2 stars. The premise certainly intrigued me and sparked my interest right from the start; it had the potential to develop into something truly remarkable. However, it ultimately fell short of my expectations. One of the main challenges I faced while reading was the use of machine-translated text (MTL), which left me uncertain whether the issues I encountered stemmed from the writing quality itself or the limitations of the translation. The narrative often felt repetitive and circular, with characters caught in a loop of internal conflicts. For example, the protagonist frequently muses about the coldness of a female lead, acknowledging, “I know I wronged her, which is why she is distant with me. I want to understand her better, but every time I try, she remains so remote. So, what’s the solution? I'll just turn to my concubine for comfort instead.” This cycle of thoughts gave the impression of stagnation in character development and plot progression. Despite these drawbacks, I didn’t find the overall experience unpleasant, hence the possibility of a somewhat generous rating of 3.2 stars. The narrative certainly has its redeeming qualities, and I could sense the underlying emotional depth that the author aimed to convey. However, I believe that with a stronger execution, particularly in terms of character dynamics and narrative flow, this story could have transformed into a truly engaging read.

This story commenced with an impressive and captivating premise that immediately drew me in. However, as the narrative progressed, it unfortunately began to drag, and not in a way that added depth or complexity to the plot. Rather, it felt like the pacing became unwieldy, transforming what could have been a well-paced tale into an extended saga filled with excessive and repetitive drama. While I acknowledge that the intricacies of backyard drama often revolve around conflicts and misunderstandings that naturally recur, in this instance, it felt as though the same conflicts were recycled far too often. The constant repetition created a sense of stagnation, rather than progression, which ultimately detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story. The layers of drama piled on top of each other, leading to a narrative that, rather than building suspense or delivering new insights, felt like an endless loop of the same emotional highs and lows. This wasn't just a minor setback; it significantly impacted the momentum of the story. Ultimately, while the initial spark of creativity and intrigue was commendable, the excessive focus on drama without sufficient development or resolution left me feeling a bit weary and disengaged. I had hoped for a more dynamic evolution of the plot, but instead found myself wading through what often felt like unnecessary filler. In summary, while the story had the potential for greatness, the overwhelming surplus of drama not only lengthened the journey in a misguided way but also detracted from the captivating spark that had initially captured my attention.

This novel is, quite frankly, a disaster. At first glance, it appears that the premise holds a great deal of potential—a neglected wife who finally decides to break free from her unfulfilling marriage. Unfortunately, the execution is so strikingly lackluster that it becomes nearly impossible to take the narrative seriously. The plot is riddled with absurdity, while the characters’ decisions often defy all logic. The writing itself seems immature, reminiscent of a teenager concocting a story on the fly without much thought. Let’s delve deeper, starting with the husband. His portrayal is so frustratingly idiotic that it borders on caricature. The choices he makes and the lack of awareness he displays render him a one-dimensional figure, making it hard to comprehend how anyone, let alone the protagonist, could tolerate his presence for so long. It feels as though the author could have crafted a more nuanced character, someone whose flaws could add depth to the storyline rather than exacerbate its shortcomings. Even more disappointing is the character development—or lack thereof. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly evident that the characters are merely pawns in a chaotic plot, serving no real purpose other than to move the story along. This is particularly unfortunate considering that the fundamental theme of self-liberation could have led to a rich exploration of personal growth. Instead, we are left with superficial interactions that lack emotional resonance. Furthermore, the dialogue often feels forced and contrived, as if the characters are simply reciting lines rather than engaging in meaningful conversations. This absence of heartfelt exchanges makes it challenging for readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level, leaving us feeling distant from their journeys. Overall, while the initial concept of the novel appears intriguing, the dismal execution ultimately detracts from its potential. It’s a missed opportunity for a compelling narrative that could have offered insight into the struggles of marriage and self-identity. Instead, we are left with a chaotic tale that struggles to find its footing, leaving readers longing for a more polished and engaging experience.

The ending of this section with the meal being served and the family standing around frozen in conflict is a great cliffhanger. You want to know what happens next: will they eat together? Will Old Madam force a decision? The author knows how to keep the tension simmering without a big fight. That’s skill.

Overall, this is a solid start to a rebirth story with a realistic emotional journey. It doesn’t rush into revenge or romance. Instead, it explores the pain of being emotionally done. Yuan Xueyue’s passive resistance is a risky move that might bore some readers, but for me it feels authentic. I’m in for the long haul to see her finally find freedom—or maybe rediscover love.

I’m curious about the prefect father. Yuan Xueyue is an illegitimate daughter, and that was used to marry her off. Does he care about her? Will he play a role later? The author mentioned that without him, the general couldn’t have gained Prince Xian’s favor. That suggests her family still has some power. I hope we see her leverage that in future chapters.

The language feels authentic to translated web novels. Some turns of phrase like “heart is happy but face can’t show it” feel like direct translations that carry a certain charm. They remind me of Chinese idiom style. Not everyone likes that, but I find it adds character. It fits the genre.

The climax of this chapter is the general admitting Lin Yan’er is pregnant while Old Madam is present. The way Yuan Xueyue just stands there, letting the drama unfold without participating, is both frustrating and fascinating. I wanted her to say something sharp, but her silence is a weapon too. It leaves Old Madam and the general without a scapegoat.

I appreciate that the story doesn’t rely on coincidences. The rebirth is the only supernatural element. Everything else—the husband returning, the concubine pregnancy, Old Madam’s nagging—feels like natural consequences of the past. When Yuan Xueyue recalls her previous life, it doesn’t feel like infodumping; it feels like her processing trauma. That’s solid writing.

Mama Cui from Old Madam’s side is a minor character but she stands out. Her serious expression when she sees the dust on Xing Ge’er, and the way she report things, show she’s loyal to Old Madam and suspicious of Yuan Xueyue. Even small characters feel functional, which is nice for a novel that’s mostly about the leads.

The general’s character feels like a typical absentee husband who thinks providing status is enough. He doesn’t understand why she would be upset because he’s never considered her feelings. The line “I will take care of everything for you,” said to Lin Yan’er while his wife stands right there, is infuriating. He’s not even aware of how cruel he looks. Good villain material.