Name: How to be an American Housewife
ISBN: 9780399156373

Margaret Dilloway

Entreated to visit her ancestral family in Japan in place of her ailing mother, Sue uncovers family secrets that influence her life in unforeseen ways, offer insight into her mother's marriage to an American GI and reveal the role of tradition in shaping personal choice.

How to be an American Housewife

Jaymie Lemke

I just finished this book, which was sent to me from first reads.

This book begins with a little girl in Japan and follows her through her life. The characters and relationships that Dilloway creates are vivid and interesting. More importantly, they are believable. 

I loved this book and put it in the "If you like Amy Tan, you'll love Margaret Dilloway" category.

Jeni Enjaian

Having just finished "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," I expected a novel more like that than what this one ended up being. It has been years since I first placed this book on my to-read shelf so I no longer remember what recommendation I followed in doing so.
I never really got into the book or connected with any of the characters. All of them, except the protagonist and only in the flashback sections and her daughter at a couple points, were dull and unappealing.
As the book wound on, I could not discover the true point of the novel. Yes, the protagonist wished to return to Japan and reunite with a brother who had not spoken to her in years for reasons that unfolded throughout the narrative. However, Dilloway did not lay the foundation for the true nature of the protagonist's motivation until far too late in the novel. By the time various secrets came out, I had lost a good deal of interest.
The physical structure of the narrative is solid. The flesh of the narrative left a lot to be desired. For that reason, I do not recommend this book.

How to be an American Housewife

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