📖 Overview
Eric Francis Hodgins (1899-1971) was an American author best known for his novel "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House," which became a classic of American domestic humor and was adapted into a successful 1948 film starring Cary Grant.
After graduating from MIT with a chemical engineering degree in 1922, Hodgins built an impressive career in publishing, serving as managing editor and later publisher of Fortune magazine, and as a vice president of Time Inc. His early career included editorial positions at Technology Review, The Youth's Companion, and Redbook.
In addition to his most famous work, Hodgins authored several books on aviation and transportation in collaboration with Frederick Alexander Magoun. His notable Fortune magazine article "Arms and the Men" (1934) exposed the workings of the European munitions industry.
In 1946, Hodgins left his corporate career to focus on writing full-time, drawing from his own experiences as a homeowner to create the semi-autobiographical story that would become his enduring literary legacy. The success of "Mr. Blandings" led to a sequel, "Blandings' Way," though it never achieved the popularity of the original work.
👀 Reviews
Readers primarily connect with Hodgins' humorous take on home ownership struggles in "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." The book resonates with homeowners who face similar renovation and construction challenges.
Readers appreciate:
- The timeless relatability of home-building mishaps
- Clean, family-friendly humor
- Sharp observations about contractor relationships
- Clear, engaging writing style
Common criticisms:
- Dated cultural references and attitudes
- Some find the pace slow by modern standards
- Limited character development beyond Mr. Blandings
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings)
One reader noted: "The problems they face building their house in 1946 are exactly the same as today - cost overruns, contractor delays, and endless decisions."
Another commented: "A quick, light read that will make any homeowner laugh and cringe in recognition."
The sequel "Blandings' Way" receives fewer reviews and lower ratings, with readers finding it less focused than the original.
📚 Books by Eric Hodgins
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1946)
A humorous novel following a Manhattan advertising executive's misadventures in building a dream home in Connecticut.
Blandings' Way (1950) The sequel chronicles the further domestic challenges of the Blandings family as they adjust to suburban life.
Sky High: The Story of Aviation (1929) A comprehensive examination of early aviation history and technology, co-authored with F. Alexander Magoun.
Behemoth: The Story of Power (1932) An exploration of mechanical power throughout history, from ancient times to the modern era, co-authored with F. Alexander Magoun.
Episode (1960) A novel about a corporate executive's navigation through personal and professional crises in New York City.
Blandings' Way (1950) The sequel chronicles the further domestic challenges of the Blandings family as they adjust to suburban life.
Sky High: The Story of Aviation (1929) A comprehensive examination of early aviation history and technology, co-authored with F. Alexander Magoun.
Behemoth: The Story of Power (1932) An exploration of mechanical power throughout history, from ancient times to the modern era, co-authored with F. Alexander Magoun.
Episode (1960) A novel about a corporate executive's navigation through personal and professional crises in New York City.
👥 Similar authors
James Thurber wrote humorous essays and stories about domestic life in mid-century America, with particular focus on the tribulations of the everyday man. His work for The New Yorker and books like "My Life and Hard Times" share Hodgins' talent for finding comedy in life's frustrations.
John P. Marquand chronicled upper-middle-class New England society with keen observation and dry wit. His novels like "The Late George Apley" and "Point of No Return" examine similar social territory as Hodgins, focusing on the pressures and pretensions of mid-century professional life.
Ludwig Bemelmans balanced a career in hospitality with writing memoirs and stories that captured the humor in domestic mishaps and professional ventures. His "Hotel Bemelmans" and "My War with the United States" demonstrate the same kind of autobiographical humor found in Hodgins' work.
Shirley Jackson wrote about family life and home ownership in her domestic memoirs "Life Among the Savages" and "Raising Demons." Her non-horror works share Hodgins' ability to find humor in the challenges of managing a household and raising children.
Robert Benchley wrote essays about the daily challenges and minor frustrations of middle-class American life in the mid-20th century. His collections of humorous pieces for The New Yorker and other publications capture the same kind of domestic comedy that Hodgins explored in his work.
John P. Marquand chronicled upper-middle-class New England society with keen observation and dry wit. His novels like "The Late George Apley" and "Point of No Return" examine similar social territory as Hodgins, focusing on the pressures and pretensions of mid-century professional life.
Ludwig Bemelmans balanced a career in hospitality with writing memoirs and stories that captured the humor in domestic mishaps and professional ventures. His "Hotel Bemelmans" and "My War with the United States" demonstrate the same kind of autobiographical humor found in Hodgins' work.
Shirley Jackson wrote about family life and home ownership in her domestic memoirs "Life Among the Savages" and "Raising Demons." Her non-horror works share Hodgins' ability to find humor in the challenges of managing a household and raising children.
Robert Benchley wrote essays about the daily challenges and minor frustrations of middle-class American life in the mid-20th century. His collections of humorous pieces for The New Yorker and other publications capture the same kind of domestic comedy that Hodgins explored in his work.