tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210913620206544383.post725137213991278524..comments2023-09-08T02:39:21.112-07:00Comments on Jessica Snell's blog: Book Review: The Actor and the Housewife, by Shannon HaleJessica Snellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185831697537364088noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210913620206544383.post-86697492693919701172015-07-07T20:43:55.854-07:002015-07-07T20:43:55.854-07:00The Actor and the Housewife, the story line is too...The Actor and the Housewife, the story line is too confusing to make sense of, and everyone seems to have their own take on it. Here is mine: is a book about hypocrisy is my take on it -- saying one thing and doing another. <br /><br />If this a book about the Mormon religion, and its values then it is doing a poor job. The Actor and the Housewife has more than a few jokes and sarcastic comments that ridicule Mormons. In one scene Becky is at a restaurant with husband Mike and friend, Felix, and jokes that she is a Mormon woman with 2 husbands. In other scene, Becky talks to a Bishop about her conflict over the friendship, the Bishop takes a very traditional stance but after being strong armed by Mike, changes his mind completely. The Bishop then admits to fantasizing about his own celebrity crush and fumbles at providing guidance for Becky, looking like a complete idiot. Then there is the potluck scene, where Felix confuses the word LDS for LSD - as in drugs. <br /><br />If Becky is supposed to be a devoted, loyal and loving wife then why is she engaging in a deeply intimate emotional relationship with a married man (Felix)? The comments between Felix and Becky are full of innuendos that are often sexual, and towards the end of the book they begin to hug and touch each other more. Both seems to fall apart when contact is broken. Clearly this is more than just a platonic friendship. Only after he husband is dead and gone, does Becky decide to be loyal to his memory...at the same time wondering if she will find another man to replace even Felix. <br /><br />It is very clear what the real Becky and Felix would do, in real life.. the one conflicted and torn is Hale herself. The ending of The Actor and the Housewife is a reflection of Hale running away from her own creation, and ditching the readers in the process.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210913620206544383.post-21388462451129386982009-11-04T16:24:57.443-08:002009-11-04T16:24:57.443-08:00Have you poked around Shannon Hale's website? ...Have you poked around Shannon Hale's website? (http://www.squeetus.com) I like the insight she gives into her process as a writer.Emily (Laundry and Lullabies)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16367630628716619991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6210913620206544383.post-88168381213044760972009-11-04T16:16:20.709-08:002009-11-04T16:16:20.709-08:00Yep, "laugh out loud and cry your eyes out&qu...Yep, "laugh out loud and cry your eyes out" is an entirely accurate statement. I loved reading it - thank you for the recommendation - and enjoyed discussing it with you nearly as much. :)Emily (Laundry and Lullabies)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16367630628716619991noreply@blogger.com