American Housewife by Helen Ellis is a collection of short stories. Humorous, raunchy, caustic, and over-the-top, Ellis’ characters are vengeful, resentful and bold. No shrinking violets here, Ellis’ women enjoy the shocking effect they convey on people. In one story, a woman who recently moved into a new apartment does battle via e-mail with an established tenant across the hall over how to decorate the common area they share. A surprise, twist-ending reaches a violent end as do other Ellis stories in the collection. A story describing a group of book club women, results in learning hidden secrets of the members that are unexpected and beyond rule-breaking. Several stories are less than 4 pages. With a ‘Mad Men’ aura, some of Ellis’ stories reveal women who appear submissive, but then make a move that unleashes their independence.
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