The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale (and Shannon Singing . . . Karaoke?!)
“It’s not what I expected.”
That’s the first response I keep hearing from readers of the actor and the housewife. I wondered if the title or jacket was misleading, or the jacket text. Or all. They may be. But as I’ve listened to these readers, I’ve come to realize that, at least in part, it’s something more ephemeral than all that: this book doesn’t have a genre.
This is what Shannon Hale says about her newest book The Actor and the Housewife and this is exactly the response I had when reading it.
Not. What. I. Expected.
I am not sure what I was expecting, but I certainly wasn’t expecting myself to have a bawl fest over this book. And I never cry! Just look at that cover. Would you cry over that?
Shannon goes on to say in her blog post:
Some reviews have called it “chick lit,” because there are elements of that, I suppose, and austenland could fit that description. But I think readers who expect chick lit will be surprised, and some might be disappointed.
So if it’s not chick lit, then what? Fantasy? Sorta, but not really. There are no magical elements, no hero’s journey or perilous adventure, no mythical creatures. But if fantasy is a genre that says, “Here’s what’s possible in our world–now let’s add a little more…” then yeah, it is fantasy. Though not in the traditional sense. So again, readers expecting fantasy like my other books will be surprised, and perhaps disappointed.
So is it literary fiction? No. There are elements of that, but some of the plot and the fact that one of the characters is an A-list gorgeous British actor means that this book wouldn’t be allowed in the literary fiction club.
Romance? Sorta…but sorta not.
Wish fulfillment? Sorta…but sorta not.
Comedy? Sometimes.
Drama? Sometimes.
So, no genre. It’s just a novel. For some readers, that’s enough. But for others, that can be confusing and upsetting. This has made me look at genre, what that means, why we like it.
I absolutely love what Shannon has to say about genre being a contract between the author and the reader:
Genre is a kind of a handle to hold, a way to manage the story. Genre does tend to follow a certain formula, though I don’t think it’s fair to say that all genre fiction is formula fiction. But as a reader I can understand the desire to have an idea of what I’m reading before committing to the book. I’ve had a few experiences where I’m reading a book by a fantasy author that doesn’t turn out to be fantasy, and I’m like, Wait! We had a contract here–I read a book and you deliver some magical stuff!
Exactly! I was expecting to laugh my way through The Actor and the Housewife. And I did! I totally did. But, I was totally blindsided with the touching, sappy, cry like a baby moments.
Now, that I’ve reprinted most of Shannon’s blog post, what exactly is The Actor and the Housewife you ask? Well, Becky is a Mormon housewife and is seven months pregnant with her fourth child. Somewhere between keeping house and being a mom, she has managed to write a screenplay which will cause her to travel from her home in Utah down to Los Angeles. While there, she chance meets the celebrity of her dreams: Felix Callahan. Felix is so out of her realm and is Becky’s complete opposite in every way, but they have instant chemistry.
Thinking nothing will come of their meeting, Becky goes back home to her family and loving husband Mike. So it’s with complete surprise and confusion that Felix shows up on her turf and they fast become best friends. Not crushing on each other friends. But best friends. Call each other all the time, playful banter, joke around best friends.
Felix has brought a whole new dimension to Becky’s life that she didn’t know she was missing. While both of their spouses are supportive of the odd platonic relationship (because really a rich, good-looking atheist British actor and a frumpy, conservative Mormon housewife?), Becky’s extended family, friends and neighbors are not so sure. Can Becky and Felix’s relationship really endure?
The Actor and the Housewife is a story of friendship, love, marriage, faith, family, happiness, and sorrow and ultimately a fairy tale of sorts that answers the question: what happens when your celebrity heart throb crush walks into your life, settles down into the nearest couch? And don’t we all need a bit of a fairy tale in our life?
I want to say that The Actor and the Housewife is really “cute” because it is, but cute is not a word that seems appropriate here. I was touched with it’s tender moments. I also thought it was brave of Shannon Hale to write a novel with a Mormon housewife as her main character. I thought it was fun to see the type of community I grew up and currently live in portrayed in a mainstream novel. Although I must admit that I don’t know a single Mormon housewife who bakes three pies a week! (And let it be noted that there are all kinds of Mormon women just as there are all kinds of different women in different faiths. Becky is very conservative and while she falls into the Mormon woman stereotype, one cannot judge an entire population from one member.) Hale is in no way preachy though, Becky is simply living her life and makes no excuses for it. The same could be said of Felix.
I believe that some people will find fault with the book – most likely along the lines of the “no way is a hot, famous British actor going to see anything in a Mormon housewife” story line, a few character quirks, and the ending not going quite like they hoped. But really, how likely is it for a married famous actor to hook up as best friends to a married Mormon housewife? Not likely. But I certainly wasn’t putting this book down. It’s not for everyone (which book is?), but it took me completely by surprise and I can’t wait to let all my neighbors borrow it.
I laughed. I cried. I loved it.
I was thrilled to attend a reading/party for The Actor and the Housewife at The Kings English Bookshop in Salt Lake City and take some short videos. In this first video, Shannon talks about where the idea for The Actor and the Housewife came from:
Shannon Hale on writing The Actor and the Housewife:
Shannon Hale reading from The Actor and the Housewife:
Shannon Hale and fan mail (seriously, LOVE this letter!):
There is a karaoke scene in the book, so now way were Shannon and her husband Dean going to pass up a chance to sing:
Oh yes, and the lovely Shannon Hale and I (Shannon had a cutest Apron contest earlier – thus her adorable apron):
Is it bragging to much to say, that when I walked in to the event, Shannon looked up and said, “Hi Natasha!” Oh yes, that would be Shannon and I on a first name basis. Sigh . . . I love this blogging thing And last, I’ll end this post, with another excerpt from Shannon’s blog post:
I hope that readers can set aside ideas of genre and expectations and go on this reading adventure with me. I really hope so. Because I am terrifically proud of this book. Genre would have sucked the life out of this particular story. Maybe my publisher should put on a label: WARNING: This is notwhat you’re expecting. Contains no genre. Read at your own risk. Maybe. And then again, sometimes, maybe surprise is a good thing.
So spill it. If you could be best friends with any famous, heart throb of an actor/actress who would it be? And if your married, would your significant other be okay with that relationship?
Links of interest: Shannon Hale website. Maw Books reviews of Book of a Thousand Days, Austenland, Rapunzel’s Revenge, Princess Academy. Maw Books interview with Shannon. Shannon’s zuchinni soup, Rapunzel’s Revenge launch party (where I acquire the zuchinni), and Children’s Book Festival .
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Bloomsbury. June 9, 2009
Hardcover, 352 pages. ISBN: 159691288X
The Actor and the Housewife is available from your local independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.
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Category: Adult, Book Reviews, Fiction
Tags: A-D Title, E-H Author, LDS author, published 2009, Utah author, videos
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I love the quote from Shannon regarding genres. I usually find myself attracted to uncategorized books as they don’t hold any expectations. Thanks for the fun interviews!
on June 29th, 2009 at 7:50 amI’m currently half way through this book and . . . “It is NOT what I expected!”
I’ll be back later to read your review.
on June 29th, 2009 at 8:02 amI so have to get this book now… I sometimes have trouble categorizing books, myself, and that’s after reading them! Thanks so much for the fun stuff!
on June 29th, 2009 at 8:58 amNatasha
What a well written article!
Shannon Hale and her book sound fascinating. When reading I usually stick to the paranormal genre, but not always.
The Actor and the Housewife will be a perfect addition to my TBR pile.
on June 29th, 2009 at 11:57 amI love books that defy genres. Now I really want to read this book.
on June 29th, 2009 at 12:04 pmHey, it works! I’m thinking who I want for my Celebrity BFF. I would choose Hugh Jackman, but I’m not sure hubby would go for that. So maybe I’d go with…well all the hot guys would be out so I’ll go with Reese Witherspoon. She could be my BFF.
on June 29th, 2009 at 12:54 pmOkay, is it sad that I can’t figure out what song they were singing?
on June 29th, 2009 at 12:56 pmJohnny Depp. I feel like I know him. (Wait a sec, isn’t that “Mission Statement #1″ in the Stalker Mantra?)
Also, I based a character in my book off of the tennis player Rafael Nadal. We could be friends. He just doesn’t know it yet. (Statement #2, Stalker Mantra)
on June 29th, 2009 at 1:11 pmSounds cool. I can’t wait to borrow it! My actor would be Christian Bale. I’ve had a thing for him for soooooooo long.
on June 29th, 2009 at 1:14 pmNatasha, it is quite freaking unfair how absolutely gorgeous you are. And I mean that in a really loving way.
I had trouble writing my review and it never occurred to me that it was difficult to put into genre. Now I need to go ponder…
on June 29th, 2009 at 2:02 pmGreat review! Simply by the cover, I would have pinned it as chick-lit (I admit, I am a cover judge). Thanks for including those comments about genre by the author. They definitely added some intrigue to the book.
on June 29th, 2009 at 5:06 pmI totally would not have ever picked this book up because it “looked” like a sappy girl book; however, your review has enticed me to put in onto my to-read list. I love, love books (or people) that appear to be one thing and then are completely something else, but in a good way; not in a you-look-like-a-nice-person, but end up as a mass-murderer-kind-of-way. Same with books
As for your question, am I answering in fantasy or real life? In fantasy, I would be best friends with Chris Martin from Coldplay. In real life, my husband would not be too happy because I’ve all ready mentioned one too many times how hot I think Chris Martin is.
on June 29th, 2009 at 5:30 pmI think I wouldn’t mind being friends with Johnny Depp because he’s incredibly drool-worthy, and for some reason I think he probably reads interesting books. Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking. =)
I completely agree about genres being contracts! It is a way of signaling to readers what they can or can not expect from the books they choose. However, I always find it useful to remember that genres are, in the end, arbitrary, because what makes a novel a comedy and not a drama, or a mystery and not a thriller is not always clear. Especially not with the books that I read.
on June 29th, 2009 at 6:40 pmReaders don’t buy the relationship? C’mon readers will believe anything if it’s done right. After all, we all loved Alice in Wonderland.
on June 29th, 2009 at 8:51 pmI’m not married (but still hopeful!), but think that as others have mentioned, that I’d like to be friends with Johnny Depp. There really isn’t a romantic lead in there though! I really just think he’s a unique individual who has been able to separate himself from a lot of the world that we think would take him under. I’ve seen him in interviews and think his passion for his craft and his family are amazing. In the end, he says he acts because he loves it, not for the money and fame.
I don’t think a spouse (if I had one) would have to feel jealous, because this one wouldn’t be about romance. However, I don’t think I’d ever tempt that sort of thing. I wouldn’t want to make them jealous!
Now…can’t wait to read this one! Shannon Hale is so personable and fun. I loved your review and clips above. Thanks!
on June 29th, 2009 at 10:23 pmThank you so much for that awesome review! I wasn’t too sure about this one, but you’ve convinced me (you and the authors of the quotes you’ve included) that I should give it a try!
on June 29th, 2009 at 10:51 pmI like your review of this book. Adding the author’s opinion and the quotes gave your review more depth. Now I’m interested in reading the book. As to favorite actors – it’s George Clooney. I’m sure I could think of something to talk about with him.
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:36 amColin Firth. Or Brendan Fraser. (It’s totally cool that Shannon and you are on a first name basis…
And yes, my hubby would be cool about it.
I loved the book, too.
on June 30th, 2009 at 11:24 amThanks for this lovely review, Natasha! I’ve this book on my TBR list and I can’t wait to dive into it!
on June 30th, 2009 at 9:41 pmI would pick Matthew McConaughey! Totally!
on July 1st, 2009 at 12:28 pmAnd after 20+ years with the same man – he would probably be ok with it!
I was also at the signing, that is how I found your blog. I love going to other blogs and seeing pictures from events that I was also at.
on July 1st, 2009 at 4:14 pmYou know, I’ve yet to read a book by her. I’m not quite sure what’s holding me back–Austenland sounded pleasant and I’ve heard great things about her YA books. I like the idea that this one transcends genre, perhaps I’ll have to start with this one.
on July 1st, 2009 at 7:22 pmI have Austenland with a book mark in the first chapter on my nightstand. I started it and then stopped for some reason…not because I didn’t like it. I must have just gotten interrupted and forgot about it for a bit.
I’ve enjoyed other Shannon Hale books. This one sounds very interesting.
You mean mormon housewives don’t bake pies all day long??? Sheesh I thought that was all you did in Utah.
on July 1st, 2009 at 10:34 pmI just finished this book last night (picked it up at the library based on your blog review) and I thought it was the most ridiculous book I’ve ever read. I found myself reading passages aloud to my husband, who just cringed (going to church potlucks are painful, reading about them, even more so). I’m a LDS SAHM, so this should be right up my alley, but, holy cow, this was hard to finish. They only reason I did was I knew it was suppose to get “sad” and I wanted to see it through to the end.
Like you said, it’s not for everyone, and certainly not for me, regardless of the genre.
on July 21st, 2009 at 11:41 amFinished this last night. I can honestly say that I didnt enjoy it. Their close relationship stressed me out. I guess I’m too prude but I would not be excited or supportive if my husband had a close girl buddy, who he talked to all the time and spent alone time with.
on August 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 pm