"How to Be an American Housewife" Review

 

How to Be an American Housewife

By Margaret Dilloway

10/10

 

My Synopsis:

“How to Be an American Housewife” is the story of Shoko, a young Japanese girl living in Japan.  Raised traditional Japanese, Shoko is intrigued with the Americans who have now occupied her country.  With the help of her father, she marries an American serviceman and must now blend in with the other American housewives.  Shoko tries her best but carries with her a big secret which she vows to never tell.  In her old age and failing health, Shoko wants to return to Japan but cannot.  She asks her daughter Suiko to make the journey in her place to find her estranged brother Taro and make peace.  Can a daughter make amends for a mother’s mistake?  Will Shoko live to see peace in her family again?  Will her secret remain a secret?

My Opinion:

“How to Be an American Housewife” by Margaret Dilloway is an amazing novel.  I am totally in love with this story and all of the characters in it.  The storytelling is tender and sweet.  Ms. Dilloway manages to convey Shoko’s traditional Japanese tendencies making her at times cold and uncaring seeming while still making you love her.  The story of her time in Japan before becoming an American housewife was so descriptive and painted such a lovely picture of the Japanese culture.  The story of her attempt to blend in with the other American housewives is at times comical but also endearing.  The characters are so well written they seem to jump right off the page and into your own life.  It’s one of those books where you are sad when it is over but happy that everything was brought to an end.  Nothing is left unanswered.  In fact every time I though the book was going to end there was another little chapter waiting to give me just a little bit more, not too much, but just enough.  I loved this book so much that I even eagerly read the author’s note following the main story.  I was able to relate well to Suiko and her feeling lost and hopeless in her current situation and wanting more out of life but not knowing how to accomplish that.  Her desire for her mother’s approval is heart-wrenching at times.  I loved the books description of the Japanese traditions and culture.  I was amazed at how some of the aspects were so close to American ways yet others were so different.  I was surprised that I knew more about the Japanese than I realized.  This book is more than just a novel.  It is exposure to a corner of the world that we may not be familiar with and a side of history not always seen.  I am very happy that I read this book and never once felt the burden of “how many more pages are there?” that I often feel when reading.  A pleasant story with intricate details that stirs up emotions as though the characters are real people you know.  A joy to read!  10/10