Saturday, June 20, 2009

The Actor and the Housewife

The Actor and the Housewife: A Novel The Actor and the Housewife: A Novel by Shannon Hale

Book 68 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge

rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Shannon Hale. I think she's smart and sassy, witty and wonderful. I really enjoyed Austenland, so I was excited when I found out Bloomsbury would be releasing a new adult novel by Hale this month.

The Actor and the Housewife is the story of Becky Jack, a Mormon mother of four from Layton, Utah. While in Los Angeles pitching a screenplay, she meets Felix Callahan, a British hearthrob who happens to be Becky's main on-screen crush. Felix and Becky form a friendship, but there are problems. Does Felix wants more? Is having a male "best friend" OK? And how does Felix's wife, French model Celeste feel? Or Becky's devoted husband Mike? Or Becky's family and church community? Or the tabloids? And can an unconvential long-distance friendship really be sustained?

While the premise is unrealistic, it really did give me something to chew on. I laughed and I cried...oh did I cry, and cry, and laugh, and cry! The emotions are real and I really wrestled with the issues and problems the characters faced. There were definitely a few moments of overly hokey humor for me, but kudos to Shannon Hale for writing a Mormon housewife as a main character in a mainstream fiction adult novel. This is great summer reading.

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8 comments:

bermudaonion said...

Everyone seems to be loving this book! I haven't read any of Hale's work, but this one sure does sound good to me.

Unknown said...

Book really sounds like fun..I ll keep a watch out for it in my library.Nice review

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

This one sounds fun.

Melissa said...

Oh, yay! I *knew* you'd like this one. :)

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Sounds like the perfect summer read. Great Review. BTW: Thanks for joining in on my giveaway.

Jeanette said...

This book is making everyone cry! I am so eager to read this but my library is taking forever to process the book. I am first in the request Q as soon as it comes in.

Stephanie said...

I too am a big fan of Shannon Hale and can't wait to read this one!!

Corinne said...

I didn't read your review because this one is waiting for me at the library :) I'm glad it got 4 stars though :)