"Lincoln Menner is finding out just how hard it is to be a woman. "When his wife Jo was offered her dream job, Linc supported her wholeheartedly, l...
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reviews
Jul 09, 2010
Kay
rated it: 
Pulpwood Queens, you are in for a grand evening with Ad Hudler to talk about books and all things literary and the theme of his latest book Man of the House and gender identification. How many times as I was reading this book did I think, he's nailed it, he really understands and communicates well, what it means to be a stay-at-home caregiver. What I found insightful was the passion he gave the main character, Linc Menner, in his role of man of the house; candlelight dinners, extravagant dinn
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Mar 10, 2011
Kristie
rated it: 
Ad Hudler's humorous look at what it's like to be a stay-at-home parent is a quick and easy read with unexpected depth. In the book, Linc Menner and his wife, Jo move from California to New York so that Jo can become CEO of a hospital. Linc becomes the primary caregiver for their three-year-old daughter, Violet, and the book plots Linc's first year in that role.
Having been both a "working mother" and a stay-at-home mom, I very much enjoyed reading about the woman's role from More...
Having been both a "working mother" and a stay-at-home mom, I very much enjoyed reading about the woman's role from More...
Jul 15, 2009
Laura
rated it: 
Though this could have been a really promising topic, I thought the author handled the idea of becoming a househusband (or stay-at-home dad) in a superficial & silly way. I liked that it was funny and off-kilter, as that lent itself to the general mindset of Linc Menner during his first foray into being the at-home parent. However, I really took issue with feminizing him in order to make him a better, more competent caregiver. It was as if a man's man must be incapable of properly running a h
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Apr 10, 2011
MaryJo
rated it:
The author does a decent job depicting some of the stresses and frustrations in the life of a stay-at-home mom. The book drags on a bit, and I grew tired of the character and his conceited, overly controlling personality. In his own eyes, he was the best imaginable parent. Infinitely wiser than the moms in the neighborhood who let their kids watch (gasp!) The Little Mermaid and eat cheetos. His child is the most polite, well-behaved child in the neighborhood, speaking in full sentences at the
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Apr 06, 2009
Louise
rated it:
This was an endearing, funny, neurotic, hilarious novel about a "house husband". Lincoln Menner well-known landscape artist turned "Mr. Mom" while his CEO wife Jo, heads up the local operations at a large city hospital. Linc, alone all day with Violet, the couple's toddler learns how to handle diapers, potty training, dinners and housework. This was an "enjoyable" way to spend part of my day off!!
From back cover:
"When his wife Jo, is offered h More...
From back cover:
"When his wife Jo, is offered h More...
Jan 01, 2008
Kate
rated it:
Linc Menner is a man who has just given up his job as a very successful landscaper in California to move to Western New York, where his wife has been hired to be CEO of a hospital. While Jo, his wife, laments her 12 hour days, Linc is left to deal with the whisperings of his neighborhood housewives who don't trust a man around their children (including his own 3 year old daughter), the struggles of maintaining a household, the pressures of being supportive of his wife, and his own struggle to fi
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Aug 12, 2009
Chelle
rated it:
easy read. so, that is nice. I gave it three stars because I felt like it was uneventful, as being a stay at home parent is. Even though he talked about how much he was influencing his daughters life, that was all he had good to say about it. I felt like he really dwelled on the negative, which probably makes it a good book for someone who does not stay at home so, they can know how it feels. It made it depressing for me. The added recipes are kind of neat although, there was probably only one I
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Dec 29, 2008
Carolyn
rated it:
This is a fun, light-hearted read. The story is mostly autobiographical, and rings so true it almost hurts. Linc's wife gets her dream job on the East Coast, so Linc sells his successful landscaping business and begins a new life as a homemaker and full time parent to their two year old daughter.
Jul 28, 2011
Carolee
rated it: 
Yuk! Although the author's knowledge of plants was handy ... I've started to let my one ivy go ... let's see if I can get it to lap the room. This was a man trying to write a chick book ... didn't work for me - in fact, more than once found myself muttering 'wimp' under my breath.
Jun 26, 2011
Molly
rated it:
This is a fun and smart meditation on gender roles in our society. By making the "husband" the primary caregiver, Hudler manages to allow us to think even more about how women and stay-at-home mothers are treated. In that sense, this is a book as much about women as it is about men.
Jun 12, 2009
Marian
rated it:
This book was pretty dumb. Written from the POV of a househusband and all his freaking out about CHORES and being IN CONTROL and having to DO IT ALL. At the same time, it was a quick read and has interesting-sounding recipes. Appropriate for the beach or a plane.
Jun 01, 2009
Angie
rated it:
Reading for June Book Club. I was just irritated with this book the whole time I was reading it. It didn't make any sense in the beginning. It didn't explain what was going on, rather it assumed that you, as the reader, knew the background of the story.
I would have given it 1 1/2 stars if I could have.
I would have given it 1 1/2 stars if I could have.
Feb 22, 2011
Audrey
rated it:
Interesting book. I was grabbed by the title (as I so often am) but the book didn't pay off for me. Neither the story arc or the character arc carried me away. I liked the sub-plot of the protagonist's wandering mother but I didn't think it brought anything to the main plot.
The author included recipes that the protagonist cooked which I found charming and potentially delicious.
The author included recipes that the protagonist cooked which I found charming and potentially delicious.
Jan 24, 2011
JoAnn/QuAppelle
rated it:
Very entertaining and sometimes amusing look at a man who has given up his career to stay home and care for their three-year old...and the house with which he becomes obsessed. He gives new meaning to the word "clean". Great observations about "woman's work".
Mar 12, 2010
Pamela
rated it:
Wow! Does he ever go into the mind of any woman who has stayed at home to care for children! This is one funny, fast, entertaining read. There is not much action, but the dialogue (mostly monologue) is witty--sometimes so funny that it is sad.
May 12, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
A hilarious take on what happens when the husband stays home and the wife goes off to work the high powered job.
Ad Hudler explores the gender roles and dynamics found within the family, marriage and society at large. The best part is - he makes you laugh while also making you think.
I look forward to reading Man of the House, the second installment of the Menner Family next.
I am sure I will be laughing as I turn the pages.
Ad Hudler explores the gender roles and dynamics found within the family, marriage and society at large. The best part is - he makes you laugh while also making you think.
I look forward to reading Man of the House, the second installment of the Menner Family next.
I am sure I will be laughing as I turn the pages.
Feb 10, 2011
Dawnia
rated it:
It was fun to read a book that I could really identify with the main character. He was a little over the top though. Wouldn't recommend it.
Oct 04, 2011
Shannon
rated it:
I loved this book for many reasons. I have always generalized "stay at home Mom" without feeling like a "stay at home Dad" has the same feelings. It was eye opening that a man could get it so right. Many of the insecurities felt by parents that choose to stay home.
It was a quick read that I would recommend.
It was a quick read that I would recommend.
Nov 01, 2009
Cyndy
rated it:
Just thought this was cute. What a dream -- a house husband. Hmmm, I think that sounds nice.
Feb 22, 2009
Suzanne
rated it:
Funny and interesting. Thoughtful and not a spoof (as title suggests). Author even delves a little into gender relations (oh my!).
Jun 29, 2011
Mark
rated it:
I'm a husband who works from home. I totally connected with the main character. I really enjoyed the way the husband is adding and removing from his mental to do list. The recipes were the only thing I would have left out. They are necessary for the main character's love of cooking.
Oct 25, 2011
Jeanne
rated it:
I loved the recipes in this book and would love to try some of them, but, unfortunately, I was not crazy about the main character.
Jun 29, 2011
Holly
rated it:
Although the main character is a male, all of his thoughts, comments, etc... have a very feminine voice to me. Even if a man were in the role of a homemaker, he would not sound this girly. I'm trying to overlook this because it is reasonably entertaining.
Sep 16, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
Good afternoon get-a-way. The plot ends before the book so the last 50 pages were hard to stay engaged. Overall it was a fast entertaining read.
May 27, 2008
Cathy
rated it:
Nothing deep or nothing all that fantastic but it was a cute story and a quick read for entertainment.
Jan 04, 2008
Debdanz
rated it:
Weird book- who is the audience?? Women already know this stuff and no man is going to read it...
