Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Book 25: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House by Eric Hodgins

This was a book sale purchase; I bought it because I like the movie. 

The book is good. It includes a few more household problems than occurred in the movie, including window installation snafus, damaged bathtubs that can't be easily removed without tearing out doors, and painters showing up before the walls are finished. 

The film adds two subplots. The first involves the Blandings' attorney Bill Cole. He is no longer simply a friend and lawyer, but an old flame of Muriel (Mrs. B.) The two end up staying overnight alone in the house during a storm, making Jim (Mr. B) suspicious and jealous. It adds nothing to the story.

The second subplot involves adman Jim coming up with a slogan for Wham ham. Luckily for him, the maid Gussie saves the day when she says: "If you ain't eating Wham, you ain't eating  ham." That becomes the slogan Jim is searching for.

Fun fact: the novel is based on the author's experience buying property and building a house in New Milford, Connecticut.

Note on reading goals: With a goal of reading 30 books, I'm in pretty good shape with a little over two months remaining in the year. When I select my next book, it will be one of the shorter ones to make it easier to reach my goal. No War and Peace for a while. 

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