The Broom Closet: Secret Meanings of Domesticity in Postfeminist Novels by Louise Erdrich, Mary Gordon, Toni Morrison, Marge Piercy, Jane Smiley, and Amy Tan

by Jeannette Batz Cooperman

The Broom Closet explores the sacred, psychological, erotic, and sometimes murderous power of housework, using surprising examples from postfeminist novels by Louise Erdrich. Mary Gordon, Toni Morrison, Marge Piercy, Jane Smiley, and Amy Tan. By juxtaposing the novels and their authors' lives with general social and historical context, the book outlines the many ways domestic ritual continues to shape women's consciousness - and either foil or reflect women's creativity.

239 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Tried to teach our dachsund to read when I was four. Got yelled at by my grandmother to "Go outside in the sunshine and stop reading!" Happiest summer was age 12—mornings at the pool, baloney sandwich and a frozen baby Coke for lunch, Agatha Christie and a nap in the afternoon. Tried the corporate world and went back for a Ph.D. so I could read some more. Went into journalism so I could write, too. Married a man who owned even more books than I did. Now I'm learning to write mysteries as a hobby that can carry me to the grave. Hopefully a natural death.

Reviews

[reading is my hustle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have often discussed with girlfriends how "women's work" is subverted and devalued. "The Broom Closet..." explores this theme SO WELL and with the added benefit of using examples from some of my favorite books.

Women make order from chaos daily. Believe it.

AND- I want to read Volumes 1-25.

[ValerieLyn]

god, who wouldn't want to read it with that title!