Perfect Wife, Shattered Illusion

Beverly Diamond is the quintessential 1962 housewife: up before dawn, perfectly coiffed, running a tight ship for her husband Larry and their two young children. She's the daughter of a retired congressman, living in a comfortable Maryland suburb, and has internalized the era's expectations of women. But beneath the surface, her marriage is a performance, and her sense of self is tied to her role as wife and mother. The illusion shatters when she discovers Larry's infidelity, forcing her to confront the reality that her sacrifices and perfection have not protected her from betrayal. The shock is not just personal but existential, as Beverly realizes her identity has been built on pleasing others, not herself.

The Affair Unveiled

A routine visit to Larry's office with homemade cookies turns into a nightmare when Beverly walks in on her husband in a compromising position with his secretary, Linda. The humiliation is compounded by the realization that everyone in the office knew except her. Larry's excuses and blame-shifting only deepen Beverly's resolve. She refuses to be gaslit or shamed, and instead of quietly enduring, she demands he leave. This moment is a turning point: Beverly chooses self-respect over social convention, setting the stage for her transformation from dutiful wife to independent woman.

Kicking Larry Out

After the confrontation, Beverly methodically packs Larry's belongings and changes the home to reflect her own tastes, symbolically shedding the trappings of her old life. She faces the emotional fallout—grief, anger, and fear for her children's future—but refuses to back down. Her mother, Mildred, is both critical and supportive, embodying the generational tension between old and new models of womanhood. Beverly's decision to end her marriage is radical for the time, and she steels herself for the social and financial consequences, determined to build a life on her own terms.

Mother Moves In

Mildred moves in under the guise of helping with the children, but her presence is both a blessing and a challenge. She brings her own baggage—discontent with her marriage, a need to feel needed, and a sharp tongue. The two women clash over parenting, housework, and the meaning of independence, but their relationship deepens as they navigate the upheaval together. Mildred's experience and connections become invaluable, even as her critiques push Beverly to define her own values. Their evolving dynamic mirrors the broader shifts in women's roles during the era.

Navigating Single Motherhood

Life without Larry is both liberating and overwhelming. Beverly faces judgment from her social circle, financial uncertainty, and the relentless demands of parenting. Her children's confusion and longing for their father add to her guilt. Mildred's constant presence is both a comfort and a source of friction. Beverly's attempts to find work are stymied by limited opportunities for women, societal stigma, and her own lack of experience. Yet, each setback strengthens her resolve to provide for her family and model resilience for her children.

Job Hunting Woes

Beverly's forays into the workforce—first at a country club, then behind a makeup counter—end in humiliation and frustration. She encounters anti-Semitism, classism, and the limited job options available to women. Her mother's horror at her working in retail underscores the era's expectations. A chance encounter with a former friend, Fran, who is also divorced and working, offers camaraderie and perspective. These experiences expose the structural obstacles facing women and push Beverly to seek a path that leverages her unique skills and background.

Entering the Political Arena

A newspaper article about a young, underdog Senate candidate, Michael Landau, sparks an idea. Drawing on her upbringing in a political family and her insider knowledge, Beverly boldly offers her services to Landau's struggling campaign. Despite skepticism from Landau's campaign manager, Stuart, and the candidate himself, Beverly's confidence and connections win her a job—albeit as a secretary. She negotiates for influence, determined to prove her worth and eventually take on a leadership role. This marks the beginning of her reinvention and the novel's central political plot.

The Landau Campaign Begins

Beverly quickly identifies the campaign's weaknesses—lack of organization, poor outreach, and a failure to connect with key demographics. She recruits unpaid interns, organizes events, and modernizes messaging. Her understanding of women's influence in politics becomes a game-changer, as she pushes Landau to court female voters and adapt his speeches for different audiences. Despite resistance from Stuart and the old guard, Beverly's strategies yield results, and her role expands from secretary to de facto campaign manager. Her success is hard-won, requiring her to navigate sexism, sabotage, and the ever-present threat of scandal.

Reinventing Beverly

As Beverly's confidence grows, so does her sense of self. She updates her appearance, asserts her opinions, and forms new friendships. Her relationship with Landau deepens, complicated by mutual attraction and the constraints of her ongoing divorce. Beverly's mother, friends, and even her ex-husband are forced to reckon with her transformation. The campaign's progress mirrors Beverly's own journey: from underdog to contender, from self-doubt to self-assurance. She becomes a role model for her children and a symbol of changing times.

Women's Power Unleashed

Beverly's insight that women—though often overlooked—can sway elections proves prescient. She organizes women's luncheons, tailors campaign messaging to address their concerns, and leverages her social network to build grassroots support. The campaign's success with women attracts media attention and donations, shifting the race's dynamics. Beverly's efforts also inspire other women to volunteer, work, and assert their voices. The novel explores the intersection of personal and political empowerment, showing how individual agency can drive collective change.

Sabotage and Setbacks

As Landau's campaign gains momentum, the opposition fights back with dirty tricks. Larry, desperate to regain control and protect his reputation, collaborates with Sam Gibson's campaign to manufacture scandal. A private investigator photographs Beverly and Landau sharing a kiss, and the images are used to blackmail her and smear the campaign. Simultaneously, Beverly struggles to secure her divorce and custody of her children, facing legal and emotional obstacles. The campaign is rocked by negative press, internal tensions, and the ever-present risk of defeat.

Allies and Adversaries

Beverly's circle expands to include unlikely allies: her mother, who finds new purpose; Fran, who offers solidarity; Linda, the secretary-turned-witness; and even Stuart, who evolves from adversary to supporter. These relationships provide emotional sustenance and practical help. Beverly's parents, after a dramatic confrontation, reconcile, modeling the possibility of second chances. The campaign team becomes a found family, united by shared struggle and mutual respect. These bonds are tested but ultimately endure, reinforcing the novel's themes of resilience and community.

The Divorce Battle

The legal battle with Larry intensifies, with custody and reputation on the line. Beverly's lawyer, Greg, helps her gather evidence of Larry's infidelity, including motel records and Linda's testimony. The threat of losing her children is real, but Beverly refuses to be cowed. She navigates the legal system, societal judgment, and her own fears with determination. The divorce is ultimately granted, and Beverly secures her home and custody, but not without scars. The process forces her to confront her past, her values, and her hopes for the future.

Scandal Hits the Press

The publication of the incriminating photographs in local newspapers brings the private drama into the public eye. Beverly responds with a powerful letter to the editor, taking control of the narrative and refusing to be shamed. The campaign weathers the storm, buoyed by Beverly's candor and the loyalty of supporters. The episode exposes the double standards facing women and the ruthlessness of political adversaries. Beverly's ability to turn scandal into strength cements her reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Truths, Reconciliations, and Victories

A key witness comes forward, exposing the opposition's history of fabricating scandals. Beverly's mother punches Larry in a public showdown, leading to her arrest and, ultimately, her reconciliation with Beverly's father. Larry apologizes and agrees to a fair custody arrangement. The campaign's integrity is vindicated, and Beverly's leadership is recognized. The personal and political threads converge as Beverly, her family, and her colleagues celebrate hard-won victories and newfound understanding.

Election Night Revelations

Election night is tense, with results coming in slowly and the outcome uncertain. Beverly, her family, and the campaign team gather to await the news. When Landau wins, the celebration is euphoric. Beverly resigns as campaign manager to pursue a relationship with Landau, now free from the constraints of her marriage and professional obligations. The victory is not just political but personal—a validation of Beverly's journey and the power of women's voices.

New Beginnings, New Beverly

With the campaign over and her divorce finalized, Beverly looks ahead to a new chapter. She is offered a political column in the Washington Post, allowing her to continue influencing public discourse. Her relationship with Landau blossoms, her parents are reunited, and her children thrive. Beverly's transformation—from perfect wife to independent, empowered woman—serves as a beacon for others. The novel ends with Beverly confident in her identity, her choices, and her ability to shape her own destiny.

Characters

Beverly Diamond

Beverly is the heart of the novel—a woman whose identity is initially defined by her roles as wife, mother, and daughter of a political family. Her journey is one of awakening: from subservience and self-doubt to agency and ambition. Beverly's intelligence, wit, and resilience drive her transformation. Her relationships—with her children, her mother, her friends, and her colleagues—are complex and evolving. Psychologically, Beverly grapples with internalized sexism, fear of judgment, and the desire for approval, but ultimately chooses authenticity and self-respect. Her development is marked by increasing confidence, strategic acumen, and emotional maturity.

Larry Diamond

Larry is Beverly's husband and the catalyst for her transformation. Outwardly successful and politically connected, he is revealed to be insecure, manipulative, and unfaithful. Larry's need for validation and control leads him to betray Beverly and sabotage her efforts. His relationship with Beverly is transactional, shaped by social ambition and a desire for status. Psychologically, Larry is threatened by Beverly's independence and resents her competence. Over time, he is forced to confront his own failings, ultimately apologizing and relinquishing control, but remains a cautionary figure.

Mildred Gelman

Beverly's mother, Mildred, is a product of her time—elegant, sharp-tongued, and fiercely protective of her family's reputation. She is both a source of support and a source of pressure, embodying the contradictions of mid-century womanhood. Mildred's own marital dissatisfaction mirrors Beverly's, and her move into Beverly's home is both a retreat and a rescue. Over the course of the novel, Mildred evolves from a critic of Beverly's choices to a champion of her independence. Her reconciliation with Beverly's father and her willingness to adapt reflect her underlying strength and adaptability.

Michael Landau

Michael is the young, earnest Senate candidate who gives Beverly a chance when she needs it most. He is principled, open-minded, and willing to listen—qualities that set him apart from the political establishment. Michael's relationship with Beverly is built on mutual respect, shared values, and growing affection. He is inspired by Beverly's father and motivated by a desire to serve. Psychologically, Michael is both ambitious and humble, learning to trust Beverly's instincts and embrace new strategies. His victory is as much Beverly's as his own.

Stuart Friedman

Stuart begins as Michael's loyal but rigid campaign manager, resistant to Beverly's ideas and threatened by her competence. He embodies the old guard—cautious, hierarchical, and dismissive of women's influence. Over time, Stuart is won over by Beverly's results and integrity, evolving into a trusted collaborator and friend. His own romantic subplot with Linda reveals a softer side and a capacity for growth. Stuart's journey mirrors the broader societal shift toward valuing women's contributions.

Linda Fleming

Linda is initially the "other woman," Larry's secretary and affair partner. Young, naive, and vulnerable, she is manipulated by Larry and caught in the crossfire of the divorce. Over time, Linda becomes an ally, testifying on Beverly's behalf and joining the Landau campaign. Her arc is one of awakening and redemption, as she moves from complicity to agency. Linda's relationship with Stuart offers her a chance at a healthier future.

Fran

Fran is one of the few divorced women in Beverly's social circle, working to support herself after her own marriage ends. She offers Beverly practical advice, emotional support, and a glimpse of what independence can look like. Fran's experiences highlight the stigma and challenges facing divorced women, as well as the importance of solidarity and friendship.

Nancy

Nancy is Beverly's best friend—outspoken, handy, and fiercely loyal. She provides comic relief, practical help, and unwavering support throughout Beverly's journey. Nancy's own marriage is more traditional, but she envies Beverly's independence and is quick to defend her against gossip and judgment. Her presence underscores the importance of female friendship and mutual aid.

Bernie Gelman

Beverly's father, Bernie, is a political veteran whose experience and connections are invaluable to the campaign. He is proud of Beverly's achievements and offers guidance, encouragement, and a model of principled public service. His own marital struggles with Mildred parallel Beverly's, and his eventual reconciliation with her provides hope for second chances.

Helen Walker

Helen is a fictionalized version of real-life pioneers like Verda Welcome—a Black woman running for state senate in Baltimore. Her alliance with Michael and Beverly is pivotal, bringing new constituencies into the fold and highlighting the intersection of race and gender in politics. Helen's strength, intelligence, and integrity inspire those around her and represent the broader struggle for civil rights.

Plot Devices

Parallel Personal and Political Transformations

The novel's structure intertwines Beverly's personal growth with the progress of the Senate campaign. As Beverly sheds her old identity and embraces her power, the campaign moves from underdog to frontrunner. This parallelism reinforces the theme that personal agency and political change are deeply connected.

Scandal and Public Scrutiny

The use of scandal—both real and manufactured—serves as a crucible for Beverly and the campaign. The exposure of the affair, the threat of losing her children, and the media frenzy force Beverly to confront her fears and assert her truth. The plot device of public scrutiny highlights the double standards facing women and the importance of narrative control.

Female Solidarity and Intergenerational Wisdom

Beverly's success is made possible by the support of other women—her mother, friends, colleagues, and volunteers. The novel uses intergenerational dialogue, mentorship, and collective action as key plot devices, showing how women's wisdom and solidarity can overcome systemic barriers.

Foreshadowing and Reversal

The novel employs foreshadowing—such as Beverly's political pedigree, her mother's dissatisfaction, and the limitations of women's roles—to set up later reversals. Beverly's initial failures in the workforce lead to her political triumph; Mildred's criticism becomes support; and the campaign's underdog status becomes its strength.

Symbolic Objects and Spaces

Beverly's redecorating of her home, her new wardrobe, and her acquisition of a watch all symbolize her evolving identity. The campaign office, the country club, and the family home serve as battlegrounds for change, with each space reflecting the shifting power dynamics and social norms.

Analysis

Behind Every Good Man is a witty, heartfelt, and sharply observed exploration of female empowerment, political awakening, and the messy, exhilarating process of reinventing oneself. Set against the backdrop of early 1960s America—a time of seismic social change—the novel uses Beverly's personal journey to illuminate the broader struggles and triumphs of women seeking agency in a patriarchal world. Through Beverly's eyes, we see the limitations imposed by gender, class, and tradition, as well as the possibilities unlocked by courage, solidarity, and strategic thinking. The book is both a love letter to the unsung women who have shaped history from behind the scenes and a call to action for readers to claim their own power, speak their truth, and never underestimate the impact of a determined woman. Its lessons—about resilience, the importance of community, and the necessity of challenging the status quo—resonate as strongly today as they did in 1962.

Last updated: July 24, 2025