23 Jan 2014

SECRET DIARY OF A DEMENTED HOUSEWIFE.

SECRET DIARY OF A DEMENTED HOUSEWIFE by NIAMH GREENE.

SOURCE: Ex-library stock.

When Susie's maiden aunt gives her a housekeeping journal, she expects Susie to use it for jotting down nutritious recipes and planning household budgets. But Susie has more important things on her mind ...

... Like how to keep sane while trying to control a four-year-old diva who thinks she's Judy Garland, as well as a thrill-seeking toddler with a death wish. Not to mention managing a demanding husband who expects a home-cooked meal at least once a fortnight and inconsiderate parents who seem to think luxury spa breaks are more important than spending time with their grandchildren. On top of that, there's the small matter of the Lone Father at the children's play group who is clearly smitten and Susie's passing interest in Posh'n'Becks, Wayne and Colleen, Brad'n'Jen'n'Angelina ...

Susie's journal chronicles a hectic year in the life of a stay at home mother, whose one ambition is to possess an outfit that is free of snot stains.
..... Amazon Product Description (The Inner front cover that I would normally quote is a diary entry that contains spoilers).

FIRST SENTENCE {5 September}: Have decided that summer is seriously overrated (unless you own a top-notch villa in the South of France and have a Swedish au pair on red alert 24/7). 

MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 154}: Spent next ten minutes trying to ignore direct implications that I was a fat green ogre with dusting issues and searching frantically for my evening bag, Joe tapping his fingers on the hall table and his mother pretending to help by looking under the sofa (really hunting for evidence that I don't vacuum under there either).

MY THOUGHTS: Funny(ish) but not nearly as funny as it might have been. Amuch of the humour lies in the fact that many readers, whether they be a thirty something 'demented housewife' and mother of two themselves or simply know one, will probably relate to at least some of the goings on.

Full of stereotypical characters - the workaholic father, the over-bearing mother in law, the 'hippy' mother, the sexy barbie doll like secretary, the career girl VBF (Very Best Friend) and her MOM (Man of the Moment). But it isn't even the authors somewhat lazy portrayal of these characters nor even the disservice done to stay-at-home mothers (portrayed here as somewhat slovenly, tv watching, biscuit munching, celeb obsessed individuals) that I found totally irksome so much as the pretentious, rude, and sexual portrayal of four year old pre-schooler  'I want to wear a bikini top and hot pants and look sexy' Katie.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper. All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission. In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

14 comments:

Yanting Gueh said...

I'm probably skipping this but just wanted to say that the title made me laugh aloud.

Literary Feline said...

It's too bad this book didn't deliver. From the description, it sounded like it had the potential to be not only funny, but also insightful given the topics it covered. It sounds like, though, the author had other ideas.

Karen said...

Awww that's too bad because it sounds like it would be hilarious and relatable.

carol said...

The title's great, but it sounds like it's trying to be funnier than it actually is. I do like the opening sentence though.

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Not so sure this one is for me. If they do stereotypical, I like the book to turn it on it's ear. Hm... hopefully the next funny one will be funnier. :)

Shooting Stars Mag said...

This sounds like something that could have been really hilarious, but the stereotypical characters would prove to be annoying after awhile I think.

Suko said...

I do like the idea of a housewife keeping a diary of her secret thoughts, don't like stereotypical characters. Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts, Tracy.

Alexia561 said...

Too bad it doesn't live up to expectations, as I love the title!

Stephanie@Fairday's Blog said...

The title sounds great- and I am sure it will draw many people in. Your review was helpful and I am sorry it wasn't a more enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing!

Brian Joseph said...

Thanks for your commentary concerning the negative aspects of this book. Sometimes I think that these stereotypes become something of self fulfilling prophecies as folks seem to actually try to live up to them.

Masshole Mommy said...

Bummer. This sounds sound like it would be really funny!!

Aunt Mary said...

I loved the title but as you wrote it is not too funny but funny so it could be red for one time :)

Kelly said...

I agree with others that the title held much potential for this book. I can understand completely why it fell through, though. I'll be passing on this one.

Betty Manousos said...

not sure this one is for me but i have to say that i loved the title-it sounds like it would be funny and interesting..
xx