2/5 stars
Ellis misses the mark in this quick read that isn’t nearly as entertaining as you’d hope.
American Housewife is a collection of 12 stories that magnify the absurdities many wives experience and/or create for themselves. From a tale about an author on a ridiculous celebrity gameshow (a cross between The Amazing Race and American Pickers) to one about a woman providing a young pageant escapee with a new identity, the stories heighten stereotypes of wives to create outrageous situations.
In all honesty, it wasn’t for me. Although a handful of lines made me chuckle, I just couldn’t get into the stories. A specific sense of humor is definitely required for this one. Some jokes were borderline offensive to me (for example, I don’t think it’s funny to minimize “sluts,” people with Asperger’s, and lesbians – all in one story, mind you). If you’re feeling disenchanted with your role as a housewife and need help putting things in perspective, maybe this will help? Personally, I love being a housewife and I didn’t get anything noteworthy out of this book.
Disheveled Shelf 