Odyssey In A Teacup

Ruth Roth #1

by Paula Houseman

Note: Alternate-cover edition for ASIN: B0153VEB2I

A tut-tutting, big-breasted, modern-day gorgon; a humourless schoolmarm with an unfortunate name and freakishly long, yellow incisors (yeesh)—these are the kinds of people Ruth Roth regularly encounters. Add in daily dealings with an acerbic mother who squawks like a harpy, a father with a dodgy moral compass and a God complex, a bitchy mirror, and Ruth’s existence feels like a Greek tragicomedy.

The idiocy of daily life makes sense to Ruth when she develops a fascination with ancient mythology. She learns that the deviant gods and spectacular monsters of bygone myths are alive and well in the backwoods of our psyche; that there’s always one who escapes suppression and can have the whip hand in our lives. Ruth’s is one of the most unwelcome societal presences—the goddess of obscenity. And talk about ugly!

Ruth can relate to this immortal. Not in looks; Ruth is quite comely. But she feels unwelcome in her own family (she gatecrashed her mother’s womb only two months after her brother vacated it). Despite being labelled the ‘black sheep’, or maybe because of it, Ruth takes on her nemeses, bravely and brazenly (her dirty goddess doesn’t give a rat’s about social niceties). But our heroine is war-weary. And the yearning to fit in somewhere—anywhere—eventually undoes her. We must look on helplessly as Ruth loses her soul.

She wants it back, though!

Just as well the mad characters in her mind and experiences won’t quit. Just as well Ruth never loses her wry wit. And where her nearest and dearest attempt to keep her shrunken into a wholesome package of conformity, Ruth’s two closest girlfriends simply won’t allow it. And then there’s Ralph Brill.

Ruth’s hot-looking, eccentric cousin and best friend, Ralph is her staunchest ally. Also a misfit in his family, he has his share of problems including a st-t-t-tuttering brutish father, and an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder—Ralph needs to do everything twice, twice.

Ruth relies on his repeated encouragement and the support of her girlfriends as she embarks on an odyssey. A good homoeopathic dose of ancient mythology helps her find her way back through the sludgy shame and irrational fears choking her spirit. Then just when all seems well, Ruth faces an apocalypse …

Tags: satire, humor satire, women's fiction, humorous fiction, humor satire, fiction satire, humorous fiction best sellers, humor

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Humor

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 7, 2015

About the author

I grew up in an episode of South Park on an endless loop.

Or so it seemed.

What felt like hard yakka at the time is now a fabulous cache of raw twaddle to draw on.

When I first realised that my early, quasi-fictional home environment had distorted my understanding of selfhood, I became curious about the concept of identity. As a graphic designer, I'd already been creating business ones for others through imagery.

But scratching the surface wasn’t enough for someone who asked a lot of questions. So, I went to university and, majoring in linguistics and sociology, I learned about the power of word usage to shape our identities and realities.

Still not enough.

It inspired me to dig deep into the substratum until it felt like I was schlepping through an ancient myth. Or an episode of South Park. It was like a homecoming.

Not a bad thing because I uncovered my muse, the butt-ugly goddess of obscenity.

She, who embodies a holy kind of dirty, showed me the absurdity of the human condition and reminded me about the value of laughter. She's responsible for my dirty bazoo and the bawdiness in my books.

For all that, she has literary leanings and feeds me Upmarket Women's Fiction.

My three Amazon #1 bestsellers (British satire and humour category) are part of the Ruth Roth series, but all are standalone. Book 1, a Readers’ Favorite Award winner, is the coming-of-age 'Odyssey in a Teacup'; Book 2, 2019 New Apple eBook Awards Humor Official Selection, is the romantic comedy 'Cupid F*cks Up ' (formerly known as 'Apoca[hot]lips'); and Book 3, 'My Troyboy is a Twat', is also a romantic comedy. I'm currently seeking representation for Book 4.

Reviews

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

Ralph staunchly and compassionately defended his brothers: ‘They’re only aggressive because they’ve got such über-small penises.’

I was learning about ancient Greece in history class. Greek mythology was a very large component of this because my teacher had a passion for it. His name was Zero Kosta ... poor bastard… this man must have truly felt like he was worth nothing from the get-go. Suddenly, my name didn’t seem so bad. I think Mr Kosta had first- hand knowledge of ancient times because he looked like he was raised from the crypt. He was cadaverous.

In our family, Joe had a special aptitude for farting. And he was renowned for it in the Jewish community. There were whispers: Psst, did you hear what Joe Roth did during the visiting dignitary’s speech? What chutzpah! Still, never heard anything like it before! and, That’s Ruth Roth. Her father’s the one who farts in public. This earned him the nickname ‘Joe Blow’ (clever, but also dumb because he was anything but your average Joe).

If the eyes are the window to the soul ... what if someone’s cross-eyed? Is that like looking through a bay window?

When I was seven, Joe backed up against my freshly ironed school shirt, which was hanging on the linen closet door. He deposited a fart in the shirt pocket. ‘For safekeeping,’ he’d said. The teachers didn’t think it was too funny that day when I told them I had a fart in my pocket.

My Review:

Paula Houseman is found treasure. My face kept a near-constant smirk and my reading of this vibrant and cleverly amusing story was frequently and forcefully interrupted, as I was laughing so hard I could not see. I adored it start to finish and had 5 pages of favorite quotes. The book was packed with a full cast of peculiarly eccentric, neurotic, and quirky characters who had starring roles in Ruth’s memories of her most calamitous and psyche-scarring life events. The storylines and writing were highly entertaining and I was hard pressed to put my Kindle down. Her father’s legendary flatulence issues alone caused several bouts of giggle-snorting. Ms. Houseman is my new favorite author and I will fangirl her hard. I am thrilled to have two more of her masterworks on my Kindle, but I cannot imagine how she could possibly top the humorous storytelling of this one. And I have doubled my newly established Aussie Vocab List with the new entries of furphies – which are erroneous stories; fossick – to rummage or search; stoush – a commotion or dust-up; and Strine - the English language as spoken by Australians as well as their accent.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 LOL Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

⚠️ DO NOT READ IN PUBLIC! Due to uncontrollable laughter evoking strange looks from those around you!⚠️

This was such a fun lighthearted read that I really needed! I’ve read some pretty dark books with some pretty intense subject matter as of late, so this was a wonderful change of pace... a little ray of sunshine.... A delightful and witty coming of age story that spans from Ruth’s childhood to Ruth’s 40s...

Ruth has a humorous approach to life.... the good... the bad... and the ugly... you want to be friends with Ruth... and you will cheer for her to triumph over her adversaries.... with judgmental parents, preposterous teachers, and countless amounts of unsupportive people in Ruth’s life it is a wonder she still has a sense of humor... well perhaps not, sometimes when life has thrown as much at you as you think it’s possible... you’ve just got to laugh! But fear not Ruth has a lot of good in her life as well reminding you that you can choose your friends, but you cannot choose your family....

This book was a fun breath of fresh air that left me with a smile on my face and a stomachache from laughing so much!

*** many thanks to the author and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this book ***

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ A Witty Read

Odyssey in a Teacup is a coming of age, quirky, humorous read, that is at times like a roller coaster. With drama, adventure and mishaps

I'm not going to mention the plot as I think the blurb pretty much sums up the story perfectly, and I don't want to potentially give anything away!

It took me a while to get into this story.
There are plenty of characters and the beginning had me a little confused.
But once I got into the story it had me laughing out loud, and relating to some of the stories.

This truly is a coming of age story, with quirky characters, relatable mishaps and scenes, a story of growing up, experiencing life, romance, sex, first kisses, friendship, A hectic family, school life, religion, marriage and adulthood.

There is sexual references and swearing which some readers may find uncomfortable.
My only gripe was the phobia of obese people, I just found it a little uncomfortable being a larger lady myself I just didn't think it particularly added anything.

Overall the Odyssey in a Teacup is a witty, sarcastic, humorous, coming of age story filled with quirky relatable characters.
The writing style had a memoir feel which I enjoyed once I got used to it.
I would recommend reading this roller coaster of a journey to adulthood.

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Lama Jabr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Houseman
Odyssey in a Teacup

This terrific book is in celebration of those of us who don’t conform! Life can be tough for the misfit, especially for Ruth Roth who has such a disapproving mother. When Ruth is herself, her mother says “why can’t you be like everyone else?” When Ruth tries to conform her mother says “why do you have to be like everyone else?” Damned if you do, damned if you don’t! And we see her bounce between these two extremes throughout the whole story. But we also see that you can get through the tough times with a sense of humor and that the love of close friends who accept you as you are can make the world of difference.
Odyssey in a Teacup is so well written it’s easy to read and easy to relate to. It stirred up a lot of memories good and bad. And a lot of emotions. Mostly laughter because of the endless wittiness, some sadness and empathy for Ruth, but also anger at the way she is treated by her family just because she doesn’t think like them.
All up it’s a thoroughly uplifting must read!

[Pearl Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as coming of age stories go this one’s a corker! Lots of “phew” moments—things that are close to home, but a comical take on them disarms them. I found myself laughing out loud, especially at Ruth Roth’s first kiss (it so reminded me of mine. Yuck!), her face-offs with a high-and-mighty schoolmarm, and THAT meditation intro night. Without question, a must read!

[Kirsty ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought for quite a while this was an autobiography, it certainly reads like one but with a lot more sass. It's a great coming of age story where Ruth doesn't really find herself until her mid 40's. As a recently turned 46 year old I can take a lot of heart from that story or not. There's a lot in here that is quite inspiring. 

I really enjoyed it. The stories are hilarious and I may have laughed out loud reading on the train. Ruth is fabulous: the child who won't shut up, the wild teenager, the non-conformist that eventually loses her way for a while. The stories cover everything: sex, religion,  school, dreams and much more. Things we can all relate to. 

I loved all the references to Greek mythology, they really added a unique spin to the story not to mention educational. 

If I had one quibble it would be the ending which I don't want to spoil. It felt a bit rushed. I would've liked a little bit more on that part although I do approve of the actual event. 

Overall the book has everything and I heartily recommend it.

[Sally Asnicar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Houseman’s Odyssey in a Teacup is an inspiring, funny story of an Australian woman’s journey, or rather, a series of journeys of self-discovery that will resonate with women—particularly those of the baby boomer era.
Odyssey in a Teacup’s main character, Ruth Roth (single syllables, deprived of a middle name) takes us through the ups and downs, madcap recollections and zany characters she encounters from a young age. You find yourself laughing aloud at some of the hilarious situations to which any woman can relate.
From an early age, Ruth struggles to deal with an overbearing, mordant mother, Sylvia, and a flatulent father, Joe, who diminish her confidence by telling her she’s a ‘mistake’, because she was conceived just two months after her brother was born. And as a girl, Ruth’s not encouraged to aspire to anything more than finding a nice Jewish boy to marry. The diminution of her spirit is further compounded by a bitchy mirror that slaps her down at every opportunity, as well as bullying doctors, teachers, colleagues, and cousins.
Ruth’s cousin Ralph Brill (also single syllables, no middle name—but he “doesn’t give a shit”) and her two close friends, Maxi and Vette, are her mainstay, while her irreverent humour, smart mouth and canniness also keep her buoyant, even though they sometimes get her into trouble.
Inevitably, the unpleasant people and disastrous experiences she has to contend with during her odysseys see her develop a number of phobias, not least cacomorphobia (a fear of morbidly obese people), and an insidious dread of Sundays, when as far as Ruth’s concerned, God invariably goes AWOL.
Ruth realises her life closely resembles a Greek tragicomedy, and with a passion for ancient mythology, it’s little wonder she relays her story through an anthology of Greek myths, identifying with the ancient gods—not least Baubo, the hideous goddess of bawdiness, who she comes to acknowledge as her protagonist.
Ruth does eventually marry a nice Jewish boy and has two children, Hannah and Casper. At first, she revels in their spirited personalities and irreverence, yet at the same time she struggles with disapproving teachers and the ubiquitous competitiveness of other mothers, causing her to regress and her confidence crumble. Until a disastrous function becomes the panacea when she finally recognises she needs to change course and begin a new journey—alone. But just as her latest odyssey begins, something happens that changes everything …
Odyssey in a Teacup is an uplifting, hilarious, yet at times, sobering story of how bias, religious and superstitious mores, bullying and self-doubt can hinder personal growth, but also how the love of close friends, a sense of humour, and above all, determination can help us to embark on new adventures throughout our life.

[Carol Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Roth rocks! She’s every parents’ nightmare, but a poster child for all of us who were considered their parents’ nightmare! I love the mythology angle. It provides an awesome excuse for Ruth’s immoral thoughts and behavior, and it explains her crazy family and weird encounters. Highly recommended reading.

[Audiobookreviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Houseman’s Odyssey in a Teacup is an example of literary excellence. Based on shared childhood experiences – sex, religion, and dreams – Houseman skillfully gives voice to characters that readers will love. Houseman reminds the reader that one can pick friends but one cannot pick one’s family.

“Still, with a child’s trust, I prayed every night. But over time, on Sundays, my prayers began (and ended) with Yoo-yoo, are you there? On Sundays in my world, all hell broke loose. The diabolical extended family Sunday ritual was more evidence of God’s absence … agony for Myron and me – we were not good travelers and both suffered car sickness … add the foul stench of vanilla car deodorizer …”

Ruth was an outspoken and honest young woman from day one driving her mother to nickname her ‘pest.’ No one was safe from her voiced comments until she married and lost herself. With the help of her friends she finds that she can rediscover herself, however, it is a hard and treacherous journey.

Houseman’s descriptions are vividly rich. Her wonderful and precise description of the real estate man leaves no doubts: “Milton reminded me of a Ken doll, with his taut, tanned, shiny face, chiseled features, and slicked back, brunette molded hair. I wondered if, like Ken, Milton also had molded genitals.”

Houseman uses childhood humor and emotions to connect with the readers making her characters come to life. She further uses the common doubts and questions that children maturing into adults have with relationships and one’s own life. Houseman allows each of her characters time to grow and demonstrate their worth to one another.

Houseman is a master storyteller that has a gift to be shared and enjoyed. This is one of those rare insightful books that allows the readers opportunity to reflect back on their childhood journey into adulthood with great appreciation.

[Dona Gilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odyssey in a Teacup was just my cup of tea! As a baby boomer, there was so much I could relate to (and what woman of any age can’t relate to a “bitchy mirror”!). It brought back many memories, some good, some not so good. But Paula Houseman’s unusual take on the awful stuff gave it new meaning. A very enjoyable book.

[Georgia Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Roth is my new hero! She’s a fictional character (or is she? Hmm ...) but she’s about as real as you can get! Odyssey in a Teacup packs in a lot of laughs as it picks apart the humdrum stuff of daily life that you take for granted, and lampoons the lot! I’m holding out for the sequel.

[Linda Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read that shows how dumb life can be and how much easier it is when we don’t take it so seriously! Paula Houseman shows us that humor is THE essential tool for surviving embarrassing parents, pompous teachers, misogynistic bosses, and condescending people.

[Noria Juárez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore wordplay, and it's clear the author does too. This book is rife with innuendo that you’ll miss if you blink. Like this one: ‘he was circumcised, a snippet of information best not mentioned to Sylvia.’ It’s kind of a literary ‘Where’s Wally?’! A book that's a lot of fun, but also makes you think

[Stephanielharper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Houseman’s Odyssey in a Teacup takes readers along with protagonist, Ruth Roth, on a brilliantly crafted, classic hero’s journey. From her initial stirrings, awakenings, and blaring Call to Adventure, through her protracted Initiation of descents and dashings upon the rocks (during which phase Ruth’s internal “bullshit detector” becomes a well-oiled, exquisitely adept machine), to her ultimate, victorious Return to the Self, Ruth encounters and defeats a series of soul-sucking harpies, who time and again try to bite off more than they can chew.
The decided “black sheep” of her family, the ruthlessly undermining treatment Ruth endures as a child is almost too terrible to see… Almost. If it were not for Houseman’s brazen wit, keen understanding of the ancient, universal forces at work in the very roots of humanity, and magnificently bawdy humor, Ruth Roth’s Odyssey would be little more than a lonely trek. Instead, in the very first chapter, when Ruth triumphs in an embarrassing modern-day encounter with “Cyclops,” we rush to back our champion with an unprecedented resolve -- never leaving her side for the duration -- and we are rewarded over and over with wretchedly wonderful, belly-shaking laughter, and liberating tears.
Houseman resurrects from the darkness (of fundamental, moralistic terrorism) the human soul, which we learn as children to regard as too grotesque as to be worthy of sight. In relating one such example of our conditioned belief in the shamefulness of our own humanity, she astutely observes the collective sentiment, “A cloud passed in front of the sun as if to stop it from seeing. Even nature was mortified.” But as the story progresses, such sentiments prove to be nothing more than our fearful, self-defeating human projections onto Nature, and Houseman’s heroine shines brightly -- with moxie, and with the categorical approval of the gods and goddesses -- in the sun.
Paula Houseman possesses all the verve, aplomb, and wisdom lauded of veteran authors. With rare authenticity and vigor, Houseman reveals the formative events of Ruth Roth’s life in a series of vignettes that infuse the pandemonium of Jackson Pollock expressionism with the clarity of purpose of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. We sense in each instance that Ruth ought to be asking herself, incredulously, How can this be my life? How can Nature permit another day of this existence to unfold? We feel we ought to avert our eyes, but we are captivated by a truth which strikes so close to home for us, because it so aptly mirrors that most basic of human truths: we are not born knowing how to recognize, much less question, the aberrations of dysfunctional family life, as they comprise our normal experience.
Yet, despite the mythical monsters’ best efforts to thwart her, Ruth Roth prevails as our champion. She becomes our mouthpiece, articulating for us the question that has always been lurking there, beneath the living room’s imitation woodgrain wallpaper, by exposing the fantastic lie that has surreptitiously enlisted our complicity in maintaining others’ fragile illusions at the expense of our realities.
Houseman’s Odyssey in a Teacup is epically defiant, bold, painful, hilarious, soul-fortifying, and a must-read for anyone who has ever dared (or hoped) to look at themselves in the mirror and ask the question, How in the hell have I survived?

[Ana María · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like a good satire to put things into perspective. And nice touch to throw in some of the characters from the mother of satire, ancient myth, to sharpen that perspective. A very entertaining read.

[Russel Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Roth is endearing. A quirky and witty story, but with depth. Entertains from beginning to end.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Roth takes on the world! This feisty little girl who becomes a spirited woman takes us on a rip roaring journey on which she takes no prisoners.

This cleverly written irreverent book allows us to share Ruth’s trials and tribulations with incredulity and much laughter and in the end witness her personal growth. The book is one of true friendship and the power of women.

[Mattie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blame the ‘bitchy mirror’ for self-esteem issues, and blame a foul-mouthed goddess for naughty behaviour. I like it a lot! Odyssey in a Teacup is not just all jokey though. The main character Ruth Roth is just plain likable. And she has depth. Her problems make her easy to relate to even though the way she deals with them is unusual. Definitely worth reading.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it certainly had me laughing out loud in more than a few places. It is genuinely funny and inspiring!

It is a well written story that was an easy read and it definitely one I am going to be recommending! I loved the characters and Ruth was fab!!

4.5 stars from me rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon and Goodreads! Can’t wait to read the next two books now!!

[Veronica Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't stopped laughing! Author Paula Houseman takes us on a hilarious coming of age story with Odyssey in a Tea Cup! We follow the trials and tribulations of main character Ruth (no middle name) Roth as she grows from child to teen to adult, feeling as if she never seems to fit in; mother Sylvia who seems to give her no slack; friends, foes and fashion 'situations' that will leave you rolling on the floor; and cousin Ralph, the one person who always has her back.

The scenes with family and friends (disco or funeral, there's always something!) will leave you roaring with laughter. Author Houseman has such a way with words (be prepared, no shying away with F bombs or other ahem, 'descriptive' language here!)--you'll experience the fears, the anxieties, the embarrassments, the happiness as we travel with Ruth and her squad as they mature and go through the milestones of growing up and becoming adults.

I loved being with Ruth and her friends in every stage of their maturation (or lack there-of), reliving many similar events, LOL! Adult Ruth is a woman who is coming into her own, dealing with love, children and preparing for whatever the future brings. This is a fun series that will keep the laughs and tears flowing--a highly recommended read that makes you feel good!

[Angie Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading “Odyssey in a Teacup” by Paula Houseman and I absolutely loved it!!! I loved the narrative voice right away - I felt she was like a friend confiding in me. I also enjoyed how she infused the entire journey with wonderful humor and personal moments that made me laugh out loud. One of my favorite parts was the timeline with the chain of events list on page 206. And of course, there was that “Bond, James Bond” intro from Brill that was hilarious & how Ralph always played Zorro. I know many people believe that chapter titles don’t carry much weight but I honestly enjoyed every single one of your chapter titles - the irony, the sheer humor in them was expectant – making want to dive into the chapter right away. It read like a wonderful coming-of-age and sexual liberation-type journey all in one – (SPOILER ALERT) and I didn’t even mind that they didn’t have a sexual relationship because it keeps me wondering for the next book where the cousins will take their realization after confessing how they feel for each other. Want to read book 2 and 3!!!

[Deborah J Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it!

This is book 1 in a series of 3.

The story is told in the first person by Ruth Roth, a young, Jewish, Australian girl, who shares with us her trials and tribulations of growing up, marriage, parenthood and beyond. I love that she has sarky, expressive pet names for people she dislikes, and that two of her cousins do not even merit a capital letter when their names are written - which speaks volumes about their value in Ruth's eyes. The story and characters feel very real - perhaps autobiographical - and brought back some lovely (and some not so lovely) memories of my own family interactions.

Houseman's witty, innuendo-laden, satirical writing style appeals to my sense of humour, and it wasn't long before I was crying with laughter. I laughed so hard at some parts that I could no longer read through the stream of tears, and my lungs burned through overexertion!

I will definitely be reading more from Houseman in the future.

My thanks to author Paula Houseman for a free digital copy of this book to review.

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Life is a tragicomedy"

This book is amazing. I haven't read too many coming-of-age stories so I haven't much to compare this story to, but it is hilarious and quite serious at the same time. It was interesting and it woke my empathetic side up.
The story itself is very interesting and I love the ending although there is a bit of a cliffhanger. I love the way this story is told, and I truly enjoyed all the hilarious and humiliating stories Ruth tells from her life.
The book is made even better by all the great characters. At times, I laughed so hard at their antics that people were staring. I truly loved reading this book.

*I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much fun was this book, lots of satire and seriously fun characters. You will be in stitches and fall in love with the characters in this book. Well written with lots of wit, great descriptions and adorable characters. A truly fun book. I received an arc copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Steph Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

Odyssey in a Teacup wasn’t quite what I had expected from the blurb! There are plenty of references to harpies, gorgons and various Greek gods, but they are all firmly rooted in the metaphorical and psychological: this is a coming-of-age novel, not a fantasy adventure! (Think Ally McBeal’s vivid imaginings, paired with Adrian Mole’s tact and sensitivity).

That said, this particular coming-of-age tale is a witty, blunt, crude account of family, friendship and the development into adulthood of someone who feels like a black sheep in every group or setting. This reads more like a comedic memoir than fiction, and the characters really come to life in all of their idiosyncratic glory.

Most of the story is told out of chronological sequence. We start in Ruth’s teens, hearing her reminiscences about her recent childhood and upbringing. Then the narrative leapfrogs forward to milestone events in her life, filling in more relevant backstory and humorous anecdotes through flashbacks and storytelling sessions with her closest friends.

Unlike most journey-to-adulthood stories, Ruth remains a work in progress very much throughout the novel. We see flashes of the ‘pest‘ she was and longs to be again, but they are quickly battened down by her social sensibilities. Most of the conflict here is between Ruth’s natural personality warring against the restrictions nurtured upon her.

The narrative and dialogue are packed with puns, and there is lots of focus on sex and bodily functions, and plenty of bad language. This is not a book for the stuffy or easily offended!

Somewhat less light-hearted and humourous though are the passages dealing with Ruth and Ralph’s respective phobias of fat people and amputees. Whilst I didn’t find these sections offensive (and I am pretty obese myself), I didn’t find much humour in them either, and just felt a bit uncomfortable, like Ruth’s dad was farting loudly and then waiting impatiently for me to laugh.

Mostly though, this was a fresh and humourous take on chaotic family life, on enduring friendships, and on finding your inner ‘pest‘ and using it well, if not wisely! Ruth and her quirky friends grew on me from the first page on, and by the end I found I was firmly rooting for Ruth… er, in a platonically encouraging way!




I ran through the house and found Ralph in his bedroom. He was lying on his bed curled up in the foetal position under a threadbare blanket. I nearly knocked over a bucket full of vomit next to the bed. The smell was so strong, I felt like adding to it. But this wouldn’t have helped Ralph, who was sobbing, and I so wanted to comfort him. The level of humiliation he’d experienced cut deep. At first, I didn’t know what to say or do. Stroking his head and cooing didn’t make much of a difference. Then I instinctively put my hand on his shoulder and oh so gently said… ‘Nice tackle.’
Ralph stopped crying and turned to look at me. A slow smile spread across his tear-stained face. The boy rallied! It was a defining moment, where I not only came to understand a man’s depth, but my counselling skills were born.

– Paula Houseman, Odyssey in a Teacup

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Heartshaped Bluestocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Houseman has given us a veritable cornucopia of characters who are fascinating, utterly adorable, terrible and yet compelling, but like Greek mythology and the people who inhabit those tales, we are driven ever onward through Ruth’s take on her family, friends, and life. And just like the tales of ancient Greece with which Houseman has underpinned her novel, we meet the heroes, the harpies, those who think they’re gods, and those who have to blunder through the havoc these creatures wreak in the lives of those around them. Its great!

She writes with vigour and humour, giving the reader no time to excuse themselves from the reading room. Her highly comic and satirical look at Ruth’s (and Ralph’s) navigation through the minefield of their respective families and assorted relatives, is nothing short of brilliant.

Starting with her single-syllable name, Ruth Roth is terrific. The cruel and demoralising treatment she suffers at the hands of her family is appalling, and yet this cheeky, sassy teenager manages to emerge in adulthood relatively intact. The middle name saga is hilarious, but it is also highly revealing on several levels. Ruth’s father shines a spotlight on the culture in which she’s growing up, specifically when she asks why her brother has middle names but she doesn’t. He tells her:

“The extra initials will look good printed in his cheque book.”

But what about her cheque book?

“Girls don’t need one.”      And there it was. Four bloody words that set the precedent for my standing in the family, and beyond.

I seethed with indignation! Her mother wasn’t any better. Her refrain of why can’t you be like everyone else? just irritated the hell out of me; I travelled that road. The hallmark of a great writer is their ability to make their characters, the situations they find themselves in, and the feelings they experience, entirely relatable for the reader. For me Ruth's life experience aroused so many memories and so many conflicting emotions, but the author writes with such wit and empathy that you cannot help laughing and crying at the same time. You never wallow.

Ralph is utterly adorable and vexing at the same time. His clothes, his treatment at the hands of his father and brothers, his gawky looks do not make for an attractive child, and yet his mind is fabulous. Clever, inquiring, and unashamedly adroit at using his intelligence against his tormentors, he’s that awkward kid you just want to hug and take home. Duck - that's all I'm saying. He and Ruth, along with friends Maxi and Vette, talk about at length about subjects like school, religion, and family, but of course their minds are dominated by thoughts of boys, girls, kissing, and sex. Ralph joins these discussions, he's very much one of the pack.

Odyssey in a Teacup is a love song to those who can’t be like everyone else. It sings of their difference - to their parents, to their siblings, and to their wider family, and positively resonates with their inability to conform to the lives and behaviours their parents want to thrust upon them. You will laugh until you cry; you will cry woefully and with sympathy, but in the end you will love the voyage wherever it takes you, and the company you keep on it.

This is another title that is firmly on my Books of the Year list, and is the first of three books. (The remaining two will be reviewed in the fullness of time.)

While you wait...do yourself a favour. Read it!

[Silvana]

Growing up with a mother who can’t stop telling that she is a disappointment is difficult for Ruth. Odyssey in a Teacup is Ruth’s journey through life from her birth to her thirties. Everything in Ruth surroundings is driving her crazy.
“My well-meaning, heavily accented Yougoslav, lot-of-syllables aunt, Miroslava (Miri), pronounced “th” as “t”. So to her, I was “Root”.
‘Hullaw, Root. How arrr too, Root? Vot did yoo doo et school dis veek, Root?”
Crazy and funny, isn’t it? But, to little Ruth it isn’t funny. Her mother and father didn’t help her at all.
“ ‘Oeuf! You’re never satisfied, pest!’
I might have been satisfied if I didn’t feel like a gatecrasher. Sylvia had fallen pregnant with me when Myron was only two months old. It was not exactly a dream come true. No woman in her right mind would want to get pregnant on the back of giving birth. In made sense then that I was accidental, not incidental, but they (she and Joe) told me I was mistake.”
OMG, that is so awful. No child should hear that no matter if it is true or not. While I was reading this I wanted to slap Sylvia, Ruth’s mother.
I like this quote “Our primal responses to threatening situations are ancient and universal, and fear eventually gives way to anger. What was about to take place could have inspired a particularly hunting scene from THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.”

[Grant Leishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Odyssey in a Teacup: Ruth Roth Series Book One, by Paula Houseman takes us on a journey of self-discovery through the eyes of a young Jewish, Australian girl, Ruth Roth, who along with her three best friends Vette, Maxi and her cousin Ralph, all try to find their place in a society that doesn’t seem to accept them for who they are. Reminded from an early age, by her domineering and sharp-tongued mother Sylvie, that she was a “mistake” and a “bad mistake” at that, Ruth wants to allow her natural tendencies to rebel to flourish, but she feels unwanted and her spirit crushed by the lack of her mother’s acceptance. We follow Ruth and her friends from their innocent youth and childish games through to her approaching middle-age, all the time Ruth searching for the true purpose of her life and her place in this world. Told, in part, as a series of reminiscences of disasters and bad decisions in all of their lives, Ruth slowly becomes aware that her spirit has been stolen from her and in order to rise above all the dysfunction, she needs to reclaim the free spirit that belongs to her.

This story is a mixture of humorous anecdotes that tie together with Ruth and her friend’s anxieties, flaws, and self-perceptions. The use of Greek mythology and the duplicitous nature of the God’s and their questionable character and morals is a perfect analogy in describing the foibles and eccentricities that beset this fascinating group of friends. Paula Houseman has given us a plethora of readily identifiable characters, from our own lives, to hate, to love and to groan and empathise with, in Odyssey in a Teacup: Ruth Roth Series Book One. Written with that underlying self-deprecating Jewish humour that we have come to love so much, this story has some truly inspired and genuinely funny moments that had me constantly chuckling to myself, as I was able to identify with it. Writing genuinely funny tragi-comedy is not an easy thing and certainly Houseman is to be commended and admired for her efforts here. For all of us who have suffered periods of self-doubt, this story will help to remind you that we are all unique individuals and it is our diversity, not our homogeneity that makes us, as a species, special. This was a cracking good read and I look forward to reading the continuing adventures of Ruth Roth sometime soon.

[Bruce McLennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nicely written, quirky, often funny take on life. How much of this story is autobiographical I have no idea but it reads like the author is recounting many incidents from her own life with a dose of literary exaggeration. The toilet paper story was my funniest part of the book and brings to mind the more humour deprived teachers of my childhood and some of the side splittingly funny things my grandchildren come out with.

Highly recommended to anybody who enjoys an introspective look at what is largely an absurd existence.

[Georgene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I laughed in a lot of places. Parts of it was disturbing as in when the narrator was writing about how her mother and father treated her. But she persevered and in the end won. Great story and told with great humor.