Man of the House: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) [Paperback]

Ad Hudler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ballantine Reader's Circle | Publication Date: September 30, 2008

For more than a decade, Linc Menner has raised the status of househusband to an art form. . . .

While his wife, Jo, brings home the bacon, Linc Menner holds down the fort–his gourmet cooking is sublime, his cleaning unrivaled, and his devotion to his daughter, Violet, unparalleled.

But when the Menners relocate from upstate New York to the steamy beaches of Naples, Florida, life takes an unexpected turn. As the Menners renovate their new home Linc’s bliss turns into a war zone of contractors, dry wall dust, and chaos. And suddenly being surrounded by guys whose faces go blank as he expounds on the virtues of lump-free gravy makes Linc realize he has forgotten what it feels like to be a man.

So Linc trades his flip-flops for work boots, and his wild mop of hair for a barbershop buzz, and marches his flabby physique to the nearest gym–attracting the secret devotion of one of Violet’s teacher in the process. And his stunned family watches helplessly as they lose the man who keeps them all together. To make matters worse, it’s hurricane season and there’s a category 5 heading right for Naples. As life on the home front explodes into hilarity and catastrophe, Linc must chart his own delightfully crooked course to finally become the Man of the House.

Praise for Ad Hudler’s Househusband

“With self-deprecating humor and adroit expression, Hudler delves deep into the American psyche of gender roles. . . . The dialogue rings with authenticity.”
–The State (Columbia, S.C.)

“Winning . . . [a] breezy comic outing.”
–The New York Times

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This breezy follow-up to Househusband follows Linc Menner, a stay-at-home dad whose home renovation project suddenly makes him long for a life less momlike. Linc has always been the full-time dad and felt content driving his Man Van to chauffeur daughter Violet around as his wife, Jo, works demanding hours as a hospital administrator. However, insecurities begin to brew beneath Linc's calm, even-keeled demeanor as Violet enters adolescence, causing Linc to feel less indispensable. Finally, when Linc overhears an obnoxious comment by a subcontractor, he questions his masculinity, leading him on a hell-bent journey from one masculine signifier to another, culminating in some realizations and life lessons, including women are cool—they talk about things that matter. Clunky lines like this, coupled with an awkward narrative that jumps between four first-person points of view detract from what is overall a light diversion that should serve as a welcome treat for devotees of mom lit. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Hudler revisits the Menner family—stay-at-home-dad Linc, hospital executive Jo, and preteen daughter Violet—introduced in Househusband (2004). They’ve moved to Florida for Jo’s job, and Violet has enrolled in a prestigious academy. At home, Linc manages an all-consuming renovation and reexamines his role as caregiver. He gives up baking pies, gourmet markets, and shopping with Violet for lifting weights, the local barbershop, and shadowing the contractor. He snares the attention of Violet’s teacher Jessica—a sharp-shooting, short-shorts-wearing stalker—and tests the patience of his wife and daughter with overzealous hurricane prep. Hudler alternates chapters narrated by Linc, Jo, Violet, and Jessica so readers realize the full impact of his sensitive-to-macho transformation. Linc’s self-absorption can be eye-roll inducing, but Violet’s and Jo’s refreshing chapters show Hudler can ably capture female perspective. Hudler draws from his life, giving this humorous follow-up a memoirlike feel. --Aleksandra Walker

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345481089
• ISBN-13: 978-0345481085
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,475,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ad Hudler is a best-selling author, blogger, speaker and recovering stay-at-home dad who frequently gets into trouble for the things he writes and says. New York Post called his latest book "required reading." Dallas Morning News calls him "warm and engaging." Omaha World-Herald calls him a "master storyteller." ... Ad splits his time between Fort Myers, Florida and Nashville. He is working on his first memoir.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious Look at Gender Roles, November 2, 2008

By 

Sheri S. (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Man of the House: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) (Paperback)

Rating: 4.5 stars

Originally posted at www.frontstreetreviews.com

"Man of the House" is the follow up to Ad Hudler's original semi-autobiographical novel, entitled "Househusband". While I hadn't read the original book, it didn't take long to become invested in the lives of Linc Menner and his family. Linc was once a well-known landscaper for celebrities but traded in his successful job for the opportunity to raise his daughter full time. That was thirteen years ago and we now find the Menners in the midst of a chaotic renovation of their newly purchased house in Naples, Florida after moving from upstate New York.

Linc's wife, Jo, works eighty hours a week as a hospital executive and travels regularly. As such, over the years Linc has developed an affinity for cooking pretentious meals, a meticulous cleaning regimen and even an unanticipated caregiver's intuition. While Jo appreciates her husband's dedication to his role as the caregiver, she finds herself frustrated with his recitation of his day's trivial details and constant sharing of his feelings. Their daughter, Violet, also enjoys spending time with her father but is fed up with his over-involvement in her social life and school matters. However, they should have been careful what they wished for, or at least what they complained about because things begin to drastically change around the Menner household. After Linc overhears nasty remarks made by the contractors questioning his manhood, he begins to transform into a macho man and leaves his feminine side behind. As if making up for lost time, Linc becomes Rob the contractor's protégé, accompanying him on all of house calls and learning about construction. He starts buying gun magazines and frequently the local gun range, much to Jo's dismay. Add to the mix, Violet's English teacher, Jessica Varnadore, whose obsessive affection for Linc borders on stalker territory. The chapters narrated by her are some of the quirkiest parts of the book and also the ones that slightly scared me, such as her photographing an unsuspecting Linc while picking up Violet from school and using those pictures as a background for her cell phone (enough said).

I thoroughly enjoyed Hudler's sense of humor and felt a connection to his writing. There is much satire of the typical suburban housewives and their inevitable judgment and sometimes fear of Linc. He does not fit the cookie cutter mold of what a caretaker is `supposed' to look like and how they are supposed to act but what I liked best is that didn't bother him at all. I really loved his character and appreciated the fact that the story is based on Hudler's real life, which helped make for a very realistic read.

Beyond the humor and the likeable characters, "Man of the House" explores profound sociological questions regarding gender relations. Linc was relatively comfortable with his non-traditional role as the family caregiver until he was bombarded with contractors and plumbers, who seemed to exude masculinity and made him feel inferior. Once he starts bringing out his masculine side, Jo is confused and torn but also relishes in the time she gets to spend with her daughter. The inevitable guilt that society imposes on women who work and consequently are forced to spend less time at home is explored. There are also themes of the unavoidable sacrifices that a caregiver must make when dedicating themselves to running the household.

The book is told from the very different perspectives of Linc, Jo, Violet and Jessica in alternating chapters. Hudler succeeds in convincing the reader of each character's unique identity and there were times when I was in awe that all points of view were written by the same author. "Man of the House" is a funny, poignant and very worthwhile read!

[......]

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Truth With Humor!, October 25, 2008

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Man of the House: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) (Paperback)

As we begin this read we find,Linc Menner, a stay at home dad who has done one top-notch job at raising his daughter Violet, cooking meals, cleaning, and keeping the house running smoothly while his wife pursues a career.
Moving to Florida has added some pressure as their house is being upside down, Jo, his wife is indated with work, and his daughter is suddenly not a little girl anymore. Linc is definitely feeling the pressure and soon begins to reclaim what he feels is his lost manhood to the dismay of those who love him the most. As you can imagine, what was once a well running household suddenly becomes bedlam and all those involved must re-evaluate their place in the home and with each other.
I enjoyed this book. It told a story that was mixed with reality, dashed with humor, and brought to light many unspoken emotions that lurked in the minds and thoughts of every family, no matter who is playing which role. It also took you full circle as all in Linc's family had to look within themselves and their own faults and short-comings in the part that they played within the family.
I believe they all struggled with letting go of who they were to discover who they had become, and how each one fit into the family as a whole, and with themselves as individuals. This was an enjoyable read, but also one that brought home some truths about family, home and oneself, that one may never have even considered thinking about.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It!, July 9, 2010

By 

Marilyn Huck "SWLA Pulpwood Queen Kay Huck" (Sulphur, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Man of the House: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) (Paperback)

Pulpwood Queens, you are in for a grand evening with Ad Hudler to talk about books and all things literary and the theme of his latest book Man of the House and gender identification. How many times as I was reading this book did I think, he's nailed it, he really understands and communicates well, what it means to be a stay-at-home caregiver. What I found insightful was the passion he gave the main character, Linc Menner, in his role of man of the house. Candlelight dinners, extravagant dinner parties, great care in finding the perfect home accessories, due diligence in interactions with teachers and principals. Just all around Perfect! Then as the house is remodeled, Linc also begins a remodeling job on his character. Hilarious to the point of laugh out loud, a totally enjoyable book.