Wendy Holden - The School for Husbands by

[Kell]

The School for Husbands
Author: Wendy Holden
ISBN # 0755325087
Publisher: Headline Review
First Published: 2006
314 pages
Rating: 7/10

The Blurb:
Sophie's marriage was perfect, but now it's all gone wrong. Mark works late; she's left with the baby, domestic drudgery, her own career to keep on the go and the growing feeling that Mark is having an affair. When he fails to come home one night it's the last straw. Sophie wants a divorce. But Mark doesn't. He hasn't been unfaithful, just thoughtless. Desperate not to lose his family, he signs up to the 'School for Husbands'; which transforms hopeless spouses into perfect marriage partners. But will its intensive and unusual tuition be enough to get him back with Sophie? Especially now an eligible millionaire is after her!

The Review:
I don’t usually go for books in the chick-lit genre, but sometimes it’s nice to find something that’s easy to read as well as entertaining, and if that’s the sort of thing you’re looking for, than you could do a lot worse than The School for Husbands. A lot of it is silly frippery, but it’s balanced by the author taking a look at the little things that can scupper a marriage, such as leaving the top of the toothpaste; leaving the loo seat up; forgetting birthdays and anniversaries; leaving dirty socks and ancient boxer shorts on the bathroom floor; the list is endless (I know we women do a million things that bug our hubbies too, but this book is looking at things from the point of view of the so-called fairer sex), and all too often, it’s a case of “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

There are several moments which really are laugh-out-loud funny and there are plenty of chuckles in between to keep you going, as well as engaging, if exaggeratedly stereotypical, characters and a fun plot. If you’re looking to fill a few pleasant hours, you might like to pick this one up – if nothing else, it might help you appreciate your own “better half” and make you pick up on the little things that matter in reverse. Maybe we could all end up with better relationships to boot!

[Icecream]

I know it is because can see it, but this book is obviously written by a woman, (next comment may be seen as sexist so will delete it myself before anyone else does).

The man, in my view is being very understanding here. I think many men would just get divorced when the woman nags about such trivial matters. Men really can't be bothered with the emotional side of women (commonly known as nagging).

[Lilywhite]

I don't see asking for a bit of respect or to be treated as an equal in a relationship 'nagging' be it from the male or female side. If you have to keep reminding your partner to treat you well then they obviously don't deserve you in the first place.

[Icecream]

Not necessarily my opinion, just an observation from seeing men and women together. It is not very easy to understand each other, and because of this people do not work hard enough at relationships these days, especially when they have children.

Of course I am not saying we should all be miserable, but looking past the emotion and logically/verbally addressing the situation is a must. There is a lack of communication between the sexes which is paramount in understanding each other.

[Lilywhite]

or maybe if people spent enough time together before entering into a relationship they would know what they were getting into, instead of two kids down the line saying they didn't know the other half snored so bad....

[Icecream]

Well maybe, but in this fast track commercialist world we live in? Maybe in the 50s when words like family, time and marriage meant something.

Still, I still think that there is no reason why a lot of relationships that breakdown could not work out. It is made to easy to give up these days.

[Michelle]

I think you're being over cynical.. marriage and family still mean alot to me and my husband. But then again, he also takes notice of my needs.. emotional and otherwise, and supports me all the way. (And if I aks him to do certain things, he certainly wouldn't accuse me of 'nagging' and walk out!)

[Kell]

In my marriage, Dale's more likely to do the nagging - LOL! We're both respectful of each other though & there are countless little things we do for each other all the time, just to let each other know we appreciate each other (that sentence sounds strange to me, but I couldn't think of how else to word it - it's too early in the morning for me - LOL!). Of course, there are a million little bad habits too, but we always end up laughing about them - we find it impossible to stay mad at each other for very long (I think the longest was about 15 minutes & that was a record!:lol:). Give & take is what a good relationship is all about, whether or not children are involved.

My main point in the review, though, is that it takes a light-hearted view of it all & points out how silly many of the things are that annoy us & how, if a little respect isn't given, these things can get out of hand. It forces the reader not only to realise they could maybe be a little nicer to their partner, but also to laugh at themselves & the things couples do.

[Louiseog]

I love Wendy Holden she makes me laugh.

As regards the nagging debate IceCream, think I'm with Michelle. There are times when both OH and I nag each other about different things, but we are also aware that we are different people show have great respect for each other (isn't that what love is really?) so we look after each other and realise that a nag is really an opportunity to let off steam about the minutiae of life. And yes we do row about the washing!!

[scottishbookworm]

;) I love wendy holden's books

they're great to put in your suitcase!

I say that because when I go on the plane I carry a book with me it could be either holden's books and also marian keye 's books.