Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum

This is a brand-new author whose credentials are impressive. The book is well-written.  Sentence syntax is well constructed and the story flows well.

My criticism of this title is relegated to the theme.  Anna, the main character suffers from a mental disability and is a malcontent.  She spends most of her spare time exploring ways to perk herself up.  Among her extra curricula exploits are sexual entanglements.  However, she also takes language courses and avails herself of therapy sessions.

Basically, this was a depressing story.  As a person who tends to route for the underdog, I found myself hoping that Anna would have a breakthrough and positive experiences would fill up her life.  She has a husband who loves her and three children.   She lives in an upscale suburb and has been given the opportunity to care for herself and her family without the pressure of a career.

I'm not about to "throw the baby out with the bathwater:" and hope that Ms. Essbaum's next novel has a more positive slant.

Ladybookbug!