What do readers think of Other People's Houses by Abbi Waxman? Write your own review.

The book started out with snappy, clever language and made me laugh, but that soon gave way to so many crude words and such annoyingly "clever" phrasing that it grew tiring.

I didn't particularly care for any of the characters, and there was not enough of a story to keep me interested.

I enjoyed Abbi Waxman's first book The Garden of Small Beginnings, so I was looking forward to reading the advanced copy of Other People's Houses. It was a bit of a disappointment. Some of the events in the book I felt were too unrealistic which effected the believably of the story for me.

I have mixed feelings regarding this book. Opening it I was delighted to see the cast of characters (always a plus) and then, joy of joys, a neighborhood map! Frances Bloom, the linchpin of the book, is immediately identifiable as "the reliable one" whose thought processes – both witty and, at times, profound – strike a chord of recognition with anyone who has ever been married or a parent.
   
scenario and by page seven any voyeur's appetite is whetted. The novel is off and running with an excellent start!

It held my interest…for a while. Then I found it to be rather ho-hum. The various parents (and their problems) are paraded out. I never felt (with the exception of Charles) their joy or pain. Many of the conversations seemed contrived, not distinctive to the character and, forgive me, too heavy on the fucks, shits and babes, just as none of the children's voices rang true.

And yet I did care about Frances. And Bill's situation. The others? Not so much. Still, there were stretches where I thought, "Hey, this is good!" As I said, I have mixed feelings.