Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

[......]

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.

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.

Ad Hudler's Man of the House (a sequel to the author's 2002 novel Househusband, which I have not read) is told in the first person from four different perspectives, but his main character is Linc Menner, who quit a successful landscaping business years back to take care of his daughter Violet full time. While Linc's wife Jo brings home the bacon, Linc not only fries it up in a pan--with considerably more skill than most of us--but he keeps a spotless house, regularly fires off cranky missives to the administration of his daughter's prep school, and generally performs the role of perfect, engaged parent in a way that could only irritate the average mother. Linc is obsessive about his care-giving responsibilities. This is a convenience for his loved ones--who thus never have to worry about anything domestic--but it is also maddening because, frankly, Linc can be something of a know-it-all jerk.

Linc has been firmly in touch with his feminine side for more than a decade. But Man of the House finds him exploring his masculinity, a transformation prompted in part by Violet's increasing independence--she's now thirteen--and by the appearance in his world of manly workmen, come to renovate the family's house in Florida. Linc in fact develops a sort of man crush on the head contractor. We learn about Linc's transformation through his own eyes and from chapters told from his wife's and daughters' points of view. The fourth character on whom Hudler focuses is Jessica Varnadore, Violet's English teacher, who likewise notices the changes wrought in Linc by, for example, his weekly visits to a new barber shop and his more ambitious weightlifting regimen.

Hudler's book is impressive because his characters' transformations seem realistic: Linc's pendulum swing into testosterone territory, Jo's increased domesticity as Linc's changed priorities leave a vacuum on the home front. The gradual revelation of the nature of Jessica's interest in Linc is also deft: in this case it is not her character that evolves so much as our appreciation of her character. One gets the impression (particularly after reading the charming author interview at the back of this edition) that Linc is a lightly fictionalized version of the author himself, the book serving as a vehicle for Hudler's various hobbyhorses.

In short, Man of the House is a decent, light read about the possibility of reinventing oneself mid-life, once the responsibilities of parenting have lightened.

-- Debra Hamel

The series that this book is part of is such a fun read. They are so funny and a good "beach" book for sure!

Ad Hudler has skillfully written a wildly funny depiction of a stay-at-home dad in the throes of a mid-life identity crisis. With his obsessive personality, Linc Menner is meticulously perfect in his homemaking and parenting responsibilities. Actually, he's a male version of Martha Stewart! After moving to Florida, his newest obsessions are hurricane (over)preparations and the chaos of their home renovation. Realizing he's vastly different from the workmen and inspired by the macho general contractor, he decides to become more "manly". What follow is a hilarious account of his startling transformation narrated by Linc, his wife, 13-year-old daughter and a stalker English teacher.

I absolutely loved this thoroughly entertaining book. Mr. Hudler's writing style is utterly captivating. With his vivid characterization and humorous language, he definitely kept me laughing. On a serious note, this book does serve as an intriguing examination of non-traditional gender roles. All in all, this was well crafted, fascinating, and a delight to read. I highly recommend it!

This is the sequel to "Househusband", although both books stand alone.

Linc Menner has tasted the Martha Stewart life, and it's beginning to curdle. Is he man enough to handle hurricanes, hormonal female overload, power tools, and a ripped-up kitchen?

Told in different first person points of view the reader watches a man's search for meaning and his place in steamy Florida. A very entertaining read, I enjoyed my visit to Linc's world. I was impressed with Hudler's writing skills and sarcastic sense of humor. His handling of family was sensitive, down to earth, and satisfying.

Linc's journey boils down to, a real man isn't defined by muscles, the vehicle he drives, or his knowledge of interior design, a real man should be defined by the whole package. I will warn the more sensitive readers that Linc's world veers into R-rated. A man who is redetermining exactly what a man is and how he's supposed to act sometimes visits some dark thoughts and places.

Overall, a charming and entertaining novel.

...humor, reality, and insight kept my attention. Great easy read; recommend it for bedtime, the beach, or the subway commute.

A man around the house gives us a frighteningly funny look at a stay at home dad and his atypical family.
After 13 yrs as a stay at home parent to his daughter Violet & househusband to his wife Jo Lincoln Menner is having gender identity issues. A relocation to Naples Florida brings added turmoil to his life, a total remodel on their new home, a teenager going through her own identity crisis and a wife who works long hours and now hurricanes.
Mr. Hudler gives us a hilariously funny and very intuitive look at role reversals and a family in crisis. I found myself laughing out loud on minute and shaking my head the next. The novel is very well written with the author's unique way with words. The characters are wonderfully warm and funny and very human, and the story line is first rate. I recommend this book to men and women alike. It will hold a proud place in my personal library.
The work is a sequel to "Househusband", but does well as a stand a lone.

Man of the House, the sequel to Househusband, continues the story of the Menner family. Linc, Jo, and their teenage daughter Violet have recently relocated from New York to Naples, Florida. They purchased a fixer-upper and the living conditions are terrible. The roles in this family are not traditional-Linc is a stay-at-home father while Jo holds a prestigious job at a hospital. This arrangement has worked well since Linc was raised to be somewhat feminine by his mother. However, as his daughter seems to need him less as she gets older, Linc begins to realize he has been living in what he refers to as "girlyland" and starts becoming interested in doing manly things.

Women will love this book because it portrays a man trying to fit into a woman's world. Men should be required to read this in order to appreciate the amount of responsibilities stay-at-home moms have. Humor resonates throughout the entire book. As someone who lives in hurricane-prone areas, I found the parts in which Linc was making preparations for an imminent hurricane hilarious. I also found the emails Linc sent to the headmaster at Violet's prestigious school humorous. I'm sure they have never met a parent like Linc before.

The transformation of Linc from a meticulous, nearly perfectionist individual, into someone who started taking shortcuts and cutting corners, was excellently portrayed. Watching Linc recognize that he had given up so much of whom he is for so long and seeing him take the steps to regain his passions was empowering. I was disappointed in Jo's selfishness and sense of entitlement when it came to possibly having to make changes in her life to satisfy Linc.

Each chapter tells the story from a different character's point of view, thus allowing the reader to feel a bond with each one and to understand their innermost thoughts. This story is funny and enlightening and will entertain anyone who reads it. I would love to see a sequel to find out what further developments will occur in this family's life.

Armchair Interviews says: Most enjoyable read.