How does the author structure the novel, The Wives?

The reader believes he has been given the truth about Thursday in Seth’s relationship in the opening chapter, but in reality, he is introduced to Thursday’s delusion. The action rises as Thursday finds out the identity of Seth’s pregnant wife and discovers that she is being abused. A climax comes when Thursday confronts Seth about Hannah’s abuse.

The action begins to rise again when Thursday wakes up in the hospital and is admitted to the psychiatric ward. Thursday tricks her doctor into believing that she is well so that he will release her and she can expose Seth’s lies. The action rises again when Thursday confronts Regina and Regina recognizes how sick Thursday really is. Regina takes advantage of Thursday, setting up the second climax where Thursday shoots Seth, leaving him paralyzed.

The action falls as Tuesday is committed to the psychiatric ward again when she is found not guilty of injuring Seth on a plea of insanity. There is another climax/denouement when Thursday bashes Regina’s head against the floor of the visitor’s room in her desire to punish Regina for taking advantage of her mental instability.