I may give spoilers here but I don’t understand how we can root for Alice. In the beginning of the boom she’s mousy and let’s herself get fired when she has a very legitimate harassment complaint. She either lies to her husband or gives in to him. Neither if them communicate well but she is just totally self absorbed and dishonest. How does that compare to the actual abuse Nelly is subject to. I don’t condone what she did but I know that it was a different time. Although she had more support from her neighbor than a lot if women in those days had.
Except for the two neighbors there is not one likable character in this book. Giving your husband an ultimatum is not empowerment, its blackmail.