American Housewife: A Novel
Fame isn't Easy
Rating: 5/5
Format: Kindle
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Brief
As Maggie Lane’s dream of being a television superstar in 1950s America comes true, she questions the residual fallout of fame. The Maggie Lane Baking show rises in the ratings as her marriage to the sweetest man, Teddy, plunges. The imbalance of women's independence in 1950s America is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The Treasures
Maggie has never baked a day in her life even as a farm girl turned New York maven. When she's offered the baking show she's nervous about her kitchen skills. Can she guide America’s homemakers as imposter syndrome weighs on her conscience? Yes she can and does but not without a slew of unhealthy ingredients. Teddy, her illustrious husband with WWII secrets, commits to her rise in showbiz on the homefront by opening credit cards, overspending on gifts and purchasing the latest car. All to Maggie’s demise, who is an ardent saver waiting for the day to acquire her dream apartment by Central Park. As Teddy spends Maggie is reminded of her morality clause, making her powerless to her husband's financial whims. The imbalance continues when her best friend, Dolly, succumbs to the dietary and racist subplots of American showbiz. Maggie and her friends remind readers that fame isn’t all it's cracked up to be.
The Closer
A richly researched vision of American homemakers' powerlessness in 1950s America reminds us how far women have come. As Maggie answers her audience's letters to provide advice on the show, she tries to give strength to them. A couple of her letters land in the lawyers office as she questions her own marriage and her place in society. A great cast of characters that mimic Maggie’s strengths and weaknesses are inspiring. Anita Abriel is a master at creating emotional tension as the hopes and dreams of this quirky cast of characters clash. A must read for anyone interested in historical fiction and women’s history.