How to Be an American Housewife
Author: Margaret Dilloway
Publication Date: August 5, 2010
Publisher: Putnam
ISBN: 978-0399156373
274 pages (ARC copy)
Source: ARC review copy provided by TLC Book Tours for participation in this virtual book tour.
This is a beautifully told story of mothers and daughters, of American and Japanese traditions, and of healing and forgiveness.
Shoko Morgan is a Japanese-born woman who marries an American GI and moves to the United States post WWII to be an American housewife. Her daughter, Suiko (Sue), is a divorced, single mother of a 12 year old girl named Helena. Sue is struggling with life and trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. When Shoko becomes gravely ill, she asks Sue to travel to Japan to reunite with Taro, Shoko’s estranged brother. Sue readily agrees and during her journey discovers more about her mother, her own life, and who she is as a woman.
I loved this story. Shoko and Sue really tug at your heart strings and take you along on their journey of discovery with them. This story is told in three parts. The first part is told from Shoko’s POV and describes her time growing up in Japan and how she came to marry her American GI husband. Part two is told from Sue’s POV and recounts her visit to Japan and the discoveries she makes while visiting there. Finally, Part 3 is told from both Shoko and Sue’s perspectives, with a satisfying and tender conclusion.
Familial relationship novels are right up my alley so it is no surprise that I loved this one. The writing is beautiful and sucks you right in. I am not at all familiar with the Japanese language so I was very pleased that the author weaved in the English translation seemlessly. The novel flowed well and left me with a good feeling in my heart. Shoko and Sue’s story will stay with you for some time to come.
Margaret Dilloway’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:
Monday, July 12th: Luxury Reading
Tuesday, July 13th: A Bookworm’s World
Wednesday, July 14th: Simply Stacie
Friday, July 16th: Peeking Between the Pages
Monday, July 19th: Life of a Busy Wife
Tuesday, July 20th: At Home with Books
Wednesday, July 21: The Book Faery
Thursday, July 22: Brunette on a Budget
Friday, July 23rd: Bookalicious
Monday, July 26: The Literate Housewife
Tuesday, July 27: Rundpinne
Wednesday, July 28th: Books, Movies, and Chinese Food
Thursday, July 29th: Diary of an Eccentric Review
Thursday, July 29th: Diary of an Eccentric Guest Post
Friday, July 30th: Bookgirl’s Nightstand
Monday, August 2nd: Savvy Verse and Wit
Tuesday, August 3rd: Redlady’s Reading Room
Wednesday, August 4th: The Brain Lair
Thanks to TLC Book Tours, I have 1 copy of this awesome book to giveaway to one lucky reader!
2. This contest is open to residents of USA & Canada only!
3. You MUST complete the form below – do not leave information in the comments – it will not count!
4. The contest will end on August 19, 2010 at 11:59PM EST; 1 winner will be selected and contacted thereafter.
5. Once the winner is contacted, they will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be selected. Make sure you check your spam filters!
6. NO P.O. Box Addresses!
>7. Book will be shipped directly from TLC Book Tours.
