ABANDONED. Suburban story, various housewives

[Betsy]

I have very, very little to go on, but probably 10 or 12 years ago I read a paperback about a group of people living in a suburban neighborhood. The story focused on the women's stories; one woman was massively overweight and had a domineering husband. There was some catastrophe involved at some point. And if anyone can get this one, you will have my endless admiration.

[Holly]

Could it be The Women's Room by Marilyn French? It's a longshot, I don't recall an overweight woman, but it's definitely about suburban housewives. A very feminist novel, lots of domineering husbands.

[karen]

johns wife by robert coover???

[Barbara]

Mrs. Bridge?

[M—]

Mary Grimm's short story "We" (link to download PDF) is frequently anthologized and is about suburban housewives. I don't remember an overweight woman or a dominating husband in it, though.

ETA: First published in the New Yorker in 1988.

[Kate]

Hi Betsy, I'm checking in to see if any of the books suggested fit your book, and to see if you had any additional details that can lead us to a solution.

Also, I'm delving into the books at the end of the Unsolved list. We have a guideline that says if there's no action for two years, we move it to the Abandoned folder.

So look on this as a last chance to gather some suggestions that will solve it.

[Cheryl]

I've just PMed Betsy.

[Cheryl]

Ok Betsy answered and said Nope Thanks Anyway.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Betsy, are you still looking for this book?

[Holly]

Could it be Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner?

[Chelle]

Stepford Wives by Ira Levin was my first thought. I could be wrong, I never read the book.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Holly wrote: "Could it be The Women's Room by Marilyn French? It's a longshot, I don't recall an overweight woman, but it's definitely about suburban housewives. A very feminist novel, lots of domineering husbands."

The Women's Room was my first thought too. It's been ages since I read it but I think there was an overweight woman (Val?). I think probably the book was also filled with various catastrophes...

Here's the Kirkus review:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...