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robertposteschild's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
3.5
vgk's review against another edition
4.5
Incredible that this was published in the 1920s, so fresh, modern and relevant it feels in 2024. A wonderful exploration of the Montessori approach to human development and anti-capitalist to boot. A wonderful book.
akdorman's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sweetpea72's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maryw's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
liesbethtatjana's review against another edition
4.0
A very lovely book that made me feel a lot of emotions. I can completely relate to forcing yourself to fit into a mould that does not fit your soul and the consequences that it can cause.
emleemay's review against another edition
4.0
Part warm, lilting slice-of-life fiction, part searing social critique, there's no wonder [b:The Home-Maker|1786432|The Home-Maker|Dorothy Canfield Fisher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388616991l/1786432._SY75_.jpg|680798] caused a stir when it was first published in 1924.
The story follows the Knapp family-- dedicated homemaker Eva Knapp, breadwinner Lester Knapp, and their three children, Helen, Henry and Stephen. When Lester is left disabled and unable to work, Eva seeks employment in a department store and Lester takes on the role of homemaker. To the shock of their friends and neighbours, both flourish in their new roles.
What I loved about this book-- and what was a revolutionary and deeply controversial idea at the time --is that the focus is not primarily on the embittered housewife who finds new purpose and passion in a career (though, it certainly does depict that) but instead on a man bending the gender roles.
While it does show a woman crushed under the drudgery of housework and stuck in a power struggle with her rebellious youngest child, it is actually more about a husband who is most suited to the role of homemaker. Eva is a brilliant woman trapped in domesticity, but equally Lester is a passionate father trapped in his job.
At the time the book was published, feminists like Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Henrietta Rodman had proposed initiatives to get women into paid work, replacing them at home with hired cleaners and childcare. But a man taking care of the home? Unthinkable! With this book, Fisher dared to suggest otherwise.
The penultimate chapter of the book is a fantastic indictment of how a man is shamed for taking care of the home. As Lester realises, the only reason this is so is because of a prejudice against the role of home-maker.
To this day, I say to any man waxing poetic about the wonderful sacred duty of homemaking that he is absolutely welcome to do it. I guarantee-- the men who spout this stuff are talking about their wives!
I enjoyed [b:The Home-Maker|1786432|The Home-Maker|Dorothy Canfield Fisher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388616991l/1786432._SY75_.jpg|680798] very much, and especially Stephen and his growth.
The story follows the Knapp family-- dedicated homemaker Eva Knapp, breadwinner Lester Knapp, and their three children, Helen, Henry and Stephen. When Lester is left disabled and unable to work, Eva seeks employment in a department store and Lester takes on the role of homemaker. To the shock of their friends and neighbours, both flourish in their new roles.
That complacent unquestioned generalisation, 'The mother is the natural home-maker'; what a juggernaut it had been in their case! How poor Eva, drugged by the cries of its devotees, had cast herself down under its grinding wheels-- and had dragged the children under with her. It wasn't because Eva had not tried her best. She had nearly killed herself trying. But she had been like a gifted mathematician set to paint a picture.
What I loved about this book-- and what was a revolutionary and deeply controversial idea at the time --is that the focus is not primarily on the embittered housewife who finds new purpose and passion in a career (though, it certainly does depict that) but instead on a man bending the gender roles.
While it does show a woman crushed under the drudgery of housework and stuck in a power struggle with her rebellious youngest child, it is actually more about a husband who is most suited to the role of homemaker. Eva is a brilliant woman trapped in domesticity, but equally Lester is a passionate father trapped in his job.
At the time the book was published, feminists like Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Henrietta Rodman had proposed initiatives to get women into paid work, replacing them at home with hired cleaners and childcare. But a man taking care of the home? Unthinkable! With this book, Fisher dared to suggest otherwise.
The penultimate chapter of the book is a fantastic indictment of how a man is shamed for taking care of the home. As Lester realises, the only reason this is so is because of a prejudice against the role of home-maker.
He supposed that Harvey Bronson would die of shame if anybody put a gingham apron on him and expected him to peel potatoes. And yet there was nobody who talked louder than he about the sacred dignity of the home which ennobled all the work done for its sake-- that was for Mrs. Harvery Bronson of course!
To this day, I say to any man waxing poetic about the wonderful sacred duty of homemaking that he is absolutely welcome to do it. I guarantee-- the men who spout this stuff are talking about their wives!
I enjoyed [b:The Home-Maker|1786432|The Home-Maker|Dorothy Canfield Fisher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388616991l/1786432._SY75_.jpg|680798] very much, and especially Stephen and his growth.
rhkun's review against another edition
5.0
dorothy canfield fisher kind of iconic for giving us girlboss x malewife realness in 1924
nancy_pocono50's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent examination of how the roles/tasks assigned by society based on gender can result in extensive dysfunction/unhappiness within a family. Maybe the female is better as the breadwinner and the male is better as the home maker. Will society allow this reversal of role expectations? This was written a hundred years ago yet still resonates today. Highly recommend.
sandymcculloch's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Attempted suicide, dysfunctional family , forward looking for its time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide attempt