The Doctor's Wife centers on the internal conflict of a woman trapped in a stifling provincial marriage who seeks escape through the romanticized ideals found in literature. Isabel Sleaford, the protagonist, finds herself increasingly alienated from her husband, a country doctor, as she grapples with the mundane realities of middle-class life. Her objective is to reconcile her imaginative desires with her domestic constraints, a struggle that pits her against the rigid social expectations of the Victorian era. The narrative, presented with Braddon's characteristic flair for the dramatic, explores the psychological toll of unfulfilled ambition and the consequences of seeking passion outside the marital bond.

Readers and critics frequently discuss the novel as a sophisticated response to Flaubert's Madame Bovary, noting how Braddon adapts continental realism for a Victorian audience. Discussion often centers on the protagonist's complex relationship with the books she reads, which serves as a primary lens for her dissatisfaction. Critics highlight the balance between the sensational plot elements and the author's self-conscious literary ambitions. The work is often analyzed for its commentary on the role of women in the nineteenth century and the ways in which literature can both liberate and isolate the individual. Readers frequently note that the pacing reflects the slow, suffocating nature of provincial life while maintaining the tension inherent in the sensation genre.