What a fascinating read. I especially loved the sections about First Ladies and the housewives who received lobotomies. Housewife is now on my forever list of essential feminist reads.

I have started referring this as the housewife manifesto. I found myself, absolutely enthralled, bemused, shocked, motivated, seen and inspired.

Giving the complete social history of what the housewife is as an archetype in America, this book is something that all women need to read and understand, in order to help find our place in the world. Constantly changing idea, we do have the power to shape what is a housewife, and how people respond to this denotation.

The narration provided by Lyssa Brown created very easy, listening experience that added to the content on the page. Her voice modulation fit the information she was providing and in many parts or motion added to the emphasis. I often prefer listening to these types of books, while I read along to the physical book, and this one was done very well and enhanced my reading experience.

This is definitely an audiobook and book in general, that I will come back to, and relist to in the future.

Thank to Hachette Audio, Legacy Lit and Netgalley for the audio review copy. opinions are my own.

A book on the history of the concept of the housewife and the actual lives of "housewives" throughout time. This book was extremely smart and very easy to read, and it was pretty well rounded. I think Davis did a great job at examining a stereotypically white role without acknowledging the role race plays, and she did a great job at covering the newly created concept of the "trad wife" respectfully. I breezed through this audiobook, as the narration was well done and the writing flowed very well. For those who like feminist history, I would highly recommend.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for an audio ARC in exchange for a review.

When most women think of the term housewife, a very clear picture comes to mind. June Cleaver in the 1950s, managing her home, raising her children, cooking, cleaning, all while wearing her heels and pearls. The term is now extremely outdated, but why does the responsibility of the housewife still fall on the modern woman?

Reader beware: this book is EXTREMELY political. I was surprised how much political talk arose in this audiobook, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I had known. I will say that it's done in a respectful way. While I wouldn't say it's pushing a republican or democratic agenda per se, it definitley is pushing the agenda of supporting stay at home parents. I also feel that this book doesn't represent strong marriages where husband and wife take on responsibilities together. There were many stories of wives who had to do it all and were left in the dust by their partners only to find themselves without money and the expectation to raise their children. I didn't hate the book, but I didn't love it either.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook!

Very good audiobook. As a woman in her thirties, I was often disappointed but never surprised by its contents. Housewife is an accessible yet thoroughly researched look at society's expectations of women and how much times have and haven't changed. Lobotomies, First Ladies, childcare, and several other fascinating topics are covered. I would recommend this book to any woman in my life, and more importantly, men!

I loved this audiobook. I listened to it while doing all my errands and housework. It was validating and I found myself saying "I never thought of that." so many time. I never cared that the first lady wasn't paid and now I am educated on it all.
I was recently watching my TikToks in the gym and I ended up getting in the algorithm for women who were trad wives for 20 plus years and are now broke and destitute. I did the opposite. I have always worked and gone to school but here I am with a masters degree and an impressive resume and I am also broke and destitute. Because in Utah you are unlikely to get ahead if you have children/are a woman.
Plus I work a school job so I can be available for the family and pets. I also care for my same age disabled brother.
I work at a school near my home. Anyway, I told the former trad wives that this side of the road isn't any better and I feel guilty about it. But no matter what we do we end up having to deal with all housework and child care. I have it easier than some woman and harder than others but we all end up doing laundry all weekend.
I already recommended this to all of my friends.
I also love the narration.