Book Review: How to be an American Housewife

When I visit Target, and my kids are looking at the toys that I’m not going to buy for them...I like to sneak across the isle and look at the books.  I picked up How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway a few weeks ago and it sounded like my kind of book.  Then my kids started fighting and I walked away without it.

I was thrilled when I saw that BlogHer Book Club had the book to review!  It was destiny!

This is the story of Shoko, a beautiful Japanese woman who escapes scandal and hopes for a better life by marrying an American GI, making a life in the United States by consulting a book called How to be an American Housewife.

We learn all about her new life in America and the family she created.  Her life doesn’t quite turn out the way she thought it would and becoming an American is difficult.

After coming to terms with her failing health, she asks her daughter Sue to return to Japan and help her fix the relationship with her brother who disowned her for marrying the enemy.

Sue makes the trip with her teenage daughter and is able to better understand her Mother by seeing where she came from.   Secrets are revealed and broken hearts are mended.

I really enjoyed this book because I could relate to Shoko’s desire to be a good housewife for her husband.  I went through something similar when I married iKeith.  I was encouraged by the improvement of Shoko and Sue’s relationship when Sue learned more about her Mother’s background.  I’m also a sucker for a happy ending!




I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.