Customer Reviews

A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia on Marriage, Kids, Chores, and More

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A collection of 67 humorous columns on life in the suburbs. Herb's description of what a woman should expect when sending her husband to the grocery store had my wife and I both laughing at each other - Herb really captures life. Like Dave Barry, but more on the mark. This would make a great fathers day gift. Buy it for your dad.

Life in the suburbs really IS different, and Foster has captured the differences with wit and grace. This collection of reflections on wife, kids, dogs, home repairs, neighbors, and the mysteries of the human condition is consistently amusing and not infrequently side-splittingly uproarious. Foster created his "grumpy" literary persona with a light touch; as you read you both laugh and sympathize. It's not easy to write humorously about your wife and kids without getting locked out of the house, but Foster seems to have managed, probably because his barbs are gentle, and the biggest loser in these stories is almost always the author. A treat for suburban dwellers, and for those who are considering making the move.

This book really cracked me up. It's a collection of the author's humor columns. Sort of like Dave Barry, but Foster really focuses on the suburban angle, as well as marriage and kids.

Foster's a good writer who brings scenes to life. That's part of what makes him so funny. When he recounts the trouble he had carving a Thanksgiving turkey at the table, in front of guests, you SEE the beads of sweat streaming down his face. When he sticks his foot in his mouth by making a stupid remark at a party, just as the room has become quiet, you FEEL the discomfort in the room as the other party guests stare at him in silent disgust.

For laughs, this book scores. Some columns are stronger than others, of course, but I can't say I found any lemons here. If you're looking for a gift for your father or your brother, or any guy who can relate to the nutty side of suburban living, I recommend this one.

As a soon-to-be forty-year-old living in suburbia (and having been accused of crankiness by my wife and kids on more than one occasion), I'm always on the lookout for books that can help me to laugh at my fate. Herb Foster's A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia is just such a book. Filled with short essays of married life in the suburbs, Mr. Foster hits just the right chord for men of all ages.

Be careful where you read this book. I made the mistake of taking Mr. Foster's book to my son's musical practice. If you've never had the pleasure of sitting through an elementary school musical practice, you just haven't lived. Thinking that I would have some time on my hands, I brought along Mr. Foster's book. His first essay, All Tie'd Up, had me laughing so hard that I had to leave the auditorium. His Tina's on Tuesday essay had me laughing until the tears came.

I'll let you in on a writer's secret: writing humor is VERY difficult (that's why I stick to writing non-fiction). Dave Barry is one of the funniest writer's I know...and his seemingly effortlessness makes the task look easy. I would rank Mr. Foster's book just one step below Dave Barry's writings-and if you can think of higher praise, let me know and I'll use it!

I highly recommend A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia to every man who has pushed a lawnmower, barbequed chicken on the back grill, or questioned the wisdom of a tag/garage sale.

Herb Foster brings down the house with A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia. His views on marriage, kids, chores, and life in suburbia are hilarious. This book would make a great gift for that special man in your family (and the wife who'll read it secretly). I know I'm one of the wives that couldn't put the book down because it was so funny. A sure cure for daily stress is laughter, and this book is packed with grins and giggles.