The Home-Maker

De: Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Narrado por: Anne Hancock

Evangeline Knapp's neighbors are in awe of her prowess. She re-upholsters furniture and can take scraps of fabric and create a beautiful garment. Her house is always immaculate and her children are beautifully behaved - except for the stubborn youngest, but with Eva's strength of will, they're certain she'll sort him out in time. The neighbors don't know that in her frenzied zeal to create the perfect home, her children live in dread of her temper. She loves them, but she can't stand having to remind them constantly about the same things, simple rules easy enough for anyone to understand. Eva can't abide childishness.

Her husband Lester is no less miserable in his job as a department store accountant, sacrificing his love of literature and poetry to the daily grind of commerce. Lester can't seem to get ahead and feels like a failure. Shouldn't a man be able to provide better for his family? Isn't that his job?

When a near fatal accident forces these two to switch roles, each finds their true calling. Then fate steps in again.

As with her children's classic Understood Betsy, Dorothy Canfield Fisher brilliantly explores the inner lives not only of the parents but the three Knapp children. An early champion of the Montessori Method, the author stresses that children should learn by doing, should be allowed to fail at tasks so they can experience the triumph of success and discover their strengths. The Home-Maker proves that the same holds true for adults, that biology should not determine destiny.

But will society allow deviation from its rules?

Public Domain (P)2020 Anne Hancock

Role Reversal Ahead of its Time

I was more than halfway through this well-written book when I discovered it was first published in 1924. What a surprise! That fact causes this book about traditional roles and role reversal to be all the more fascinating. Wow!

When Lester is injured and house-bound, his wife Evangeline must try to find work to support the family. But what will happen if Lester regains his health? What if he realizes he's much happier and better equipped to keep house and parent full-time, and Evangeline discovers she's happier and more fulfilled working to earn a living? Will the community accept this radical approach to marital roles? Will they allow the couple to live in a way that makes them happiest?

Terrific narration!

I wasn't sure if I liked it

I just wasn't sure until a got a few chapters in. This is a very deep book, and far ahead of its time. I highly recommend it. The author captured some very tender moments.

Permission to be yourself

Find your place and you will find your peace - whatever it might be.

Wonderfully written

Amazed at the human truths illustrated so clearly and accurately. A timeless story everyone can find themselves in. Loved it.

The Most Important Things in Life Remain the Same

Though written in 1924, this is a timeless story of people learning that the best one can do in life must never be subjugated to false expectations of what merely seems best. Goodness wins.