The Manual for Good Wives - A powerful heartbreaking novel about love, family reclaiming Black

''An unforgettable voice within a breathtaking story about love, lineage, and the intergenerational effect of bravery in the face of misfortune'' - Jessica George, author of Divers Book Award winning My Name is Maame Everything about Adeline Copplefield is a lie . . . To the world Mrs Copplefield is the epitome of Victorian propriety: an exemplary society lady who writes a weekly column advising young ladies on how to be better wives. Only Adeline has never been a good wife or mother; she has no claim to the Copplefield name, nor is she an English lady . . . Now a black woman, born in Africa, who dared to pretend to be something she was not, is on trial in the English courts with all of London society baying for her blood. And she is ready to tell her story . . . From the author of The Attic Child , Lola Jaye, comes a powerful dual narrative historical novel. The Manual for Good Wives is about love, generational trauma, second chances and hope.

About the author

Lola Jaye is an author and psychotherapist who has penned seven novels and a self-help book. She was born and raised in London, England and has lived in Nigeria and the United States.

The Attic Child, released in 2022, was her first epic historical novel and has since been nominated for the Jhalak Prize and shortlisted for The Diverse Book Awards.

Product details

• Authors: Lola Jaye, Jaye Lola
• Publisher: Pan Books
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 18.09.2025
• EAN: 9781529064643
• ISBN: 978-1-5290-6464-3
• No. of pages: 384
• Dimensions: 130 mm x 198 mm x 25 mm
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; Fiction > Narrative literature > Contemporary literature (from 1945); London, Greater London, Historical romance, FICTION / Historical / General, Historical fiction, FICTION / Romance / Historical / Victorian, Narrative theme: Interior life, Narrative theme: Social issues, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Relating to Black British African people, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, 1837–1901 (Victorian period), FICTION / African American & Black / Historical, FICTION / Own Voices, Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary, Racism and racial discrimination / Anti-racism, Narrative theme: Diversity, equality, inclusion, Narrative theme: Journeys and voyages