Customer Reviews

Sleeping with Ward Cleaver

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Sleeping with Ward Cleaver" is what would have resulted had Erma Bombeck and David Sedaris ever collaborated on a book, a sly, laugh out loud funny story about life and love in twenty-first century America. Like Bombeck and Sedaris, Jenny Gardiner finds the humor in both the everyday and the absurd. When the first person narrator of "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver" wakes up one day and realizes that her previously easygoing husband has morphed into a modern version of sitcom character Ward Cleaver, she loses her precarious balance, and sets off on a comical, frantic adventure that will change her and "Ward" forever. This fast-paced read has just enough twists and turns to keep the reader surprised. An entertaining tale with an appealing protagonist who's not ashamed to admit her insecurities or go after what she wants. A winner!

The cover is so cute that I couldn't resist purchasing this book. The back cover makes the book sound like an engaging romantic comedy, but the story is anything but. This isn't a light and fluffy romance, or even a romance at all, as the two main characters are in the midst of a pretty bad marriage. Sure, there is some humor, but it's dark humor, a black comedy for sure. Claire Dolittle is dissatisfied with her life and marriage, as is her husband Jack, a man she refers to as Ward Cleaver because their marriage has deteriorated into a 50s sitcom - Claire is basically a stay-at-home mom to 5 kids while Jack gets to have all the fun and issue all the household orders. Through flashbacks interspersed throughout the chapters we can see how their courtship/marriage began and how it came to be now. The story wasn't fun and light, but it was entertaining all the same. If you're looking for chick-lit or romance then you might be disappointed, but for just a general escapism focused on marriage and life, this might work. Three stars for being entertaining, but average.

This is the first book on the Kindle that I haven't finished! The "adult" language to me was over the top and unnecessary. Regardless of the state of this couple's marriage which was depressing enough, I don't understand the tendency for some authors today to use raunch and four letter words to "entertain". I did not see the humor in this selection and would not recommend this book.

Sometimes, when the work of mothering and marriage are just a little too much, and you just want a break, you realize that what you honestly need is to laugh more and worry less. Sleeping with Ward Cleaver will give you the break that you need.

I read this book and laughed until the tears ran down my face. Ms. Gardiner nails the absurdity of the prosaic with a light touch that "gets" both Ward and June. You'll laugh, but you'll also cheer for our heroine, a put upon housewife who has lost touch with who she is and why that matters as she races around taking care of everyone's to do list but her own.

Is she a great mom? No. Is she a perfect wife? Nah. She is everywoman, living and learning and somehow regaining a sense of what matters most and who she really misses, herself.

I highly recommend this book. Give yourself a break (in several senses of the word).

Okay, Before I type my review, I am a woman. The name on my Amazon account is Scott, my husband. Here is my review: If you are married and have children, then this is a must read! It is extremely witty and actually made me giggle out loud a lot! But also very serious at times. Great overall debut novel! I believe Jenny Gardiner has a bright career ahead of her!

I picked this novel up a days ago, before seeing the author profiled in "Writers Digest" (March 2008), so I was so excited to read it!

I thought "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver" was a good novel overall. Strong voice with a mom-lit feel to it, and a sassy likeable heroine. The message about marriage is superb, as well, and I liked how the plot played out.

My only problem with the book was the language. Too many g-d's and f-bombs for my taste.

Otherwise, a super read. I bet it'll be on beaches everywhere this summer as the buzz around this novel continues.

In this "woman's fiction," debut novelist Jenny Gardiner achieves the difficult, if not impossible, task of creating sexual and romantic tension between characters who have been married more than a few years. And they said it couldn't be done.

Sleeping With Ward Cleaver is the fast-paced and funny story of Claire and Jack Doolittle. Claire feels Jack has morphed over the years into Ward Cleaver. Only problem is, she's not June and she doesn't like Ward--umm, Jack's propensity to scold the kids and give her tedious to-do lists.

Gardiner does a great job creating realistic and believable characters. Jack has a good reason for changing from the sensitive and romantic man Claire fell in love with to the distant and demanding bread winner. In spite of his flaws, he remains a sympathetic character and we root for him to finally wake up and listen to Claire. We have faith he can do it.

Claire's life is further complicated when her college boyfriend makes contact with her via email. Writing and reminiscing with Todd helps Claire verbalize what has gone wrong in her marriage and how to make it right.

Claire is a dedicated mother who obviously loves her kids and her husband. She misses what she used to have and when it appears Jack is infatuated with someone else, Claire takes matters into her own hands to learn the truth. She follows Jack on a business trip and discovers that the problems in the marriage are of her making too, not just Jack's.

The risk with writing about a married couple is how to sustain the conflict without getting shrill or soapy. Gardiner pulls it off. I wanted to see Jack and Claire fight for their marriage and their romance.

Armchair Interviews says: Sleeping With Ward Cleaver is a clever and engaging romance with humor and heart.

Claire Doolittle wonders what happened to her life. She and her architect spouse Jack are raising five kids, but in the last few years he has become a drill sergeant instead of a loving partner starting with his honey-do list. She looks back fondly at spontaneous sex anywhere, but now allows him access to her once a week as his bossy Ward Cleaver no longer appeals to Lumpy Claire even if she still loves the martinet.

Claire receives an email from her former boyfriend Todd and she fondly remembers having fun with him before he broke her heart. She replies and they begin exchanging emails. Jack needs to go to Miami on a business trip, he plans to take his beautiful office associate Julia with him. Her in-laws offer to watch the five kids so Claire can join Jack in Florida, but he rejects her coming with him. Upset, Claire follows Jack to Miami to see if he is cheating with Julia after seeing them together at an office gala in which her spouse acted like her old Jack, but not for her.

This is an engaging look at a middle age marriage as the two lead characters have become cemented in their ways and spontaneity no longer exists to unite them in fun. Interestingly marriage did not burn the lifestyle of either Claire or Jack though some comprise and change led to an overall consensus; kids nuked their lifestyles. Claire is fabulous as she wants more than being Mrs. Cleaver mother to five, but her Jack expects her to meet his list of demands, keep the kids in line, and take care of his needs; he no longer seems to care about hers. SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER is a deep look at marriage as the relationship goes into the phase of raising children.

Harriet Klausner

Jenny has hit a real home run with her book Sleeping with Ward Cleaver! Its an hysterically funny Sex in the City type book to enjoy at the beach or by the pool. Jenny has developed wonderfully believeable characters in Claire and Jack Ward. Women everywhere will be able to identlfy and empathize with wife and stay-at-home mom Claire. Claire sets out on an adventure to get her husband Jack's attention. Along the way, Claire learns alot about herself, about Jack, and about their marriage. You'll want to join Claire on this hilarious adventure! It's an absolute hoot of a good time and a real page turner! Enjoy!

Claire Doolittle's life has become a 50's sitcom. Looking at her husband, all she feels is that she is married to Ward Cleaver. This does not thrill her in the least. Just when she thinks her life has become as regimented and controlled as it can get, fate starts to deal her a different hand. A hand that includes Claire's ex-fiancé, her best friend dating her boss and the young, attractive co-worker at her husband's office. Not a good hand at all.

Ward Cleaver, oops, Jack Doolittle, is oblivious to what is happening around him. He likes the way his life is. It could be tweaked a bit but he does not want to rock the boat.

A mid-life crisis is going to shake Claire's world. How will the dust settle?

Sleeping with Ward Cleaver starts off slow, but increases its momentum quickly. The characters are well-drawn and you find yourself feeling for them. Some of the feelings generated are good, some bad. But in the end, all the reader wants is a happily-ever-after for Claire and her life. Her growth as a person, with all its bumps, is a joy to read. Ms. Gardiner has written a satisfying, enjoyable romp, mixing 50'isms with contemporary romance.

Sleeping with Ward Cleaver teaches us that sometimes you just don't see life until it hits you.

Barb
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed