Bookalicious

From Goodreads:
A lively and surprising novel about a Japanese woman with a closely guarded secret, the American daughter who strives to live up to her mother’s stand…more A lively and surprising novel about a Japanese woman with a closely guarded secret, the American daughter who strives to live up to her mother’s standards, and the rejuvenating power of forgiveness.

How to Be an American Housewife is a novel about mothers and daughters, and the pull of tradition. It tells the story of Shoko, a Japanese woman who married an American GI, and her grown daughter, Sue, a divorced mother whose life as an American housewife hasn’t been what she’d expected. When illness prevents Shoko from traveling to Japan, she asks Sue to go in her place. The trip reveals family secrets that change their lives in dramatic and unforeseen ways. Offering an entertaining glimpse into American and Japanese family lives and their potent aspirations, this is a warm and engaging novel full of unexpected insight.

I think either way you cut it. Whether you are a Mother or a Daughter, the relationship between the two is always precarious. When you add cultural expectations, and life long secrets into the mix you get a great novel. I loved the characters and the development of the story. I loved seeing Japan through Sue’s eyes and hearing about her culture from Shoko.

How to Be an American Housewife takes you on a widening journey of culture and a fantastical mother/daughter relationship. I think this is a great way to have a fictional look at WWII and some of the relationships that evolved from the American / Japanese culture mixing. Sue is one of the first multi-cultural army brats and I loved her story.

I reviewed this book for TLC Book Tours, have you read How to Be an American Housewife?