All of the books that I deem to be my all-time faves have caught me by surprise. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things was an impulse library selection based on it sort-of, kinda looking familiar from Instagram at some point in time. The Burning Air was a Dollar Tree find back when I bought any and every book because, well, they were a dollar. And The Nightingale was yet another Book of Instagram that I also selected at the library on impulse. Lorna Landvik's Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons was quickly headed on that same track: a book I've had for years but it only recently jumped out at me when I thought I was in the mood for Riley Sager's Final Girls. I had every hope that AHEBB would make it on to my All-Time Fave list, but sadly it fell short once I reached about the final third of the book.There are several things I like about this book, relating, enjoying, and feeling like I should have been a 1960's housewife notwithstanding. And in that vein, like The Astronaut Wives Club, the story and characters become decidedly less interesting once it enters the 1980's. Faith, Slip, Audrey, Merit, and Kari are great characters who are very likable, charming, relatable, and real. But, again, once the '80's roll around, I was put off by Slip, and the random switching from First Person to Third Person for no real reason (as confirmed by the author in the discussion); usually this adds a certain element to the story and in this case that element is unnecessary confusion.
As an avid book-lover, and former book-clubber, I appreciate how Landvik creates the cocoon of the book club while simultaneously spinning each character's world to then orbit the Angry Housewives. And though it is a standing joke among many a clubber that discussions rarely include the actual book but center on local gossip instead, I appreciate that the Angry Housewives avoid this and use their book selections to analyze their own lives while also engaging in thoughtful, graceful, meaningful discussions on philosophy, religion, politics, and sex; mostly taboo topics that the ladies handle with aplomb, humility, and conviction.
Spanning the course of over 30-years in the Midwest, the drama of these ladies' lives aren't anything more traumatic than what most everyone deals with, which gives the story just the right amount of cheese to pair with a fine boxed wine (although, these ladies like their liquor!). But again, the story goes on too long and should have ended along with disco. By the end, the drama feels forced, like trying to whisk an egg into an already baked cake. And the cheese factor of the story that pulls at your heartstrings goes from Brie to Whiz and what was once making us feel good is now making us feel slightly sick.
While reading, I was invested in the characters, feeling like I was an Angry Housewife myself and that with each new chapter came a much-needed girlfriends gab-fest. Even more so, these ladies named their babies after authors and book characters, how could we not be BFFs?! But during the last third, the term "jumping the shark," usually reserved for television shows that have worn out their welcome, came to mind. Given that Landvik didn't seem too concerned with structural standards, while still presenting a decent story, I don't see why the book couldn't have ended with the 1970's, especially since most of the final information regarding the characters is in the epilogue.
Although Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons didn't end up on my favorites list, it's an enjoyable book with great characters and a setting that already fascinates me. While they don't open their book-laden arms to just anyone, Landvik makes it feel as if Faith, Audrey, Kari, Merit, and Slip are making a special exception for us readers and would not only open their arms but offer the creature comforts of a worn quilt. None of Landvik's books might make it on to my list, but I feel as though I have found a Macaroni and Cheese Author - like the warm comfort foods you always return to, knowing they will always be good and will always warm your soul. Mmmm books....
