American Housewife

American Housewife is a collection of twelve short stories that focus on women living in upscale Manhattan apartments. The stories feature housewives who pursue activities ranging from book clubs and renovation disputes to reality TV shows and competitive baking. The characters maintain pristine homes and social reputations while harboring dark impulses and unspoken frustrations. Ellis presents their world through a mix of traditional story formats, email exchanges, lists, and advice columns. The collection explores themes of power, class, and gender roles in contemporary domestic life. Through satire and dark humor, these stories reveal the complexities beneath the polished surface of modern American housewives and their carefully curated environments.

Readers describe these short stories as darkly comedic takes on domestic life, with many comparing Ellis's style to Shirley Jackson and Dorothy Parker. The collection averages 3.4/5 stars on Goodreads (28,000+ ratings) and 4/5 on Amazon (400+ ratings). Readers appreciated: - Sharp, biting humor and satire - Quick-paced storytelling - Accurate portrayal of modern marriage dynamics - Southern Gothic elements Common criticisms: - Uneven quality between stories - Too bizarre or dark for some readers - Several stories feel underdeveloped - Humor sometimes falls flat Many reviews note the stories "Welcome to Book Club" and "The Wainscoting War" as standouts, while "Hello! Welcome to Book Club" and "Southern Lady Code" received mixed responses. Multiple readers mentioned putting the book down after a few stories, finding the tone too intense. As one Goodreads reviewer noted: "Half brilliant satire, half trying too hard to shock."

Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill Short stories about women navigating relationships, power, and social expectations in New York City.

Self-Help by Lorrie Moore Stories of women confronting life's challenges through dark humor and unconventional perspectives.

Certain American States by Catherine Lacey Tales of domestic life unravel into surreal explorations of marriage, identity, and modern existence.

You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld Stories examine class divisions, gender roles, and social conventions through encounters in contemporary suburban life.

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud A novel about a elementary school teacher's transformation from dutiful neighbor to obsessed observer reveals the hidden rage beneath domestic facades.

🏠 Helen Ellis wrote most of American Housewife while playing high-stakes poker, a game at which she has won over $150,000 professionally. 📚 The book was partly inspired by Ellis's popular Twitter account @WhatIDoAllDay, where she shares witty observations about life as a Manhattan housewife. 🖋️ Though the stories are fictional, Ellis drew from real experiences of Upper East Side living, including actual neighbor disputes over hallway decorations in her apartment building. 📺 The story "How to Be a Patron of the Arts" was influenced by Ellis's experience as a contestant on the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" 🎭 The collection took 15 years to complete, during which time Ellis wrote and discarded three entire novels before finding her voice in these darkly comedic short stories about domestic life.