Not what I was expecting, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing,` Sheila

Lulu Mayfield, a 1950s housewife, lives a perfect suburban life, keeps a perfect home for her husband and her son, and is known in her neighborhood for her amazing jello salads. That is, until the birth of her second child.

Motherhood never came easy to Lulu, and juggling two children and a home and keeping up with all the things – the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning… ALL OF IT is exhausting. Every morning she gazes at the empty house across the street imaging what it would be like to live there on her own and shut out all the daily demands.

When the home across the street is sold, and the new neighbors move in, the wife, Bitsy, is nice but distant, and now the house fantasy for Lulu is gone. As the days go one Lulu feels as though everything is piling on – to the point that she can not get out of bed and is exhausted even thinking about what is on her to-do list.

I get tired even thinking about the things the housewives of the 50s had to do. This is not my first read on the subject of this era and the women’s roles, and while fascinating… also frustrating. I can not even imagine having to stay home and care for everyone and everything… I’d have trouble getting out of bed as well.

An interesting read with a little mystery intertwined, which helps the book from feeling too heavy.

Rated: 3.5 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: Possibly
Where Read: Home

Bookclub Worthy: yes. While my club has discussed this subject before, this is a different twist on the 1950s woman. Depression and suicide are both subjects to discuss.
Food would be fun – the 1950s gatherings give you plenty of ideas for a neighborhood party, and of course, someone needs to bring the jello salad.