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Texas Quartet #1
Alamo House
The sorority sisters of Alamo House at the University of Texas may be at comic odds with each other, but at least they have one thing in They all hate the fraternity rats across the street, the Sigma Upsilon Kappas—aka the SUKs. But amid the collegiate turmoil, Alamo House is also the scene of an extraordinary, endearing friendship among three Mary Jo, hilariously confused about life and love but determined to get both right; Fayrene, flushed with freedom after her escape from Baptist Waco; and Collie, party girl and self-proclaimed guide to the ways of the world. Together they embark on a roller coaster of escapades that changes them all—and galvanizes Alamo House into an all-out counterattack against the SUKs. The result is infectious, side-splitting fun sure to convince everyone that Mary Jo, Collie, and Fayrene are the best southwestern mixture since tequila, lime, and salt.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
17 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Bird
24 books602 followersSarah Bird is a bestselling novelist, screenwriter, essayist, and journalist who has lived in Austin, Texas since long before the city became internationally cool. She has published ten novels and two books of essays. Her eleventh novel, LAST DANCE ON THE STARLITE PIER--a gripping tale set in the secret world of the dance marathons of the Great Depression--will be released on April 12th.
Her last novel, DAUGHTER OF A DAUGHTER OF A QUEEN--inspired by the true story of the only woman to serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers--was named an All-time Best Books about Texas by the Austin American-Statesman; Best Fiction of 2018, Christian Science Monitor; Favorite Books of 2018, Texas Observer; a One City, One Book choice of seven cities; and a Lit Lovers Book Club Favorites.
Sarah was a finalist for The Dublin International Literary Award; an ALEX award winner; Amazon Literature Best of the Year selection; a two-time winner of the TIL’s Best Novel award; a B&N’s Discover Great Writers selection; a New York Public Libraries Books to Remember; an honoree of theTexas Writers Hall of Fame; an Amazon Literature Best of the Year selection; a Dobie-Paisano Fellowship; and an Austin Libraries Illumine Award for Excellence in Fiction winner. In 2014 she was named Texas Writer of the Year by the Texas Book Festival and presented with a pair of custom-made boots on the floor of the Texas Senate Chamber.
Sarah is a nine-time winner of Austin Best Fiction Writer award. She was recently honored with the University of New Mexico’s 2020 Paul Ré Award for Cultural Advocacy. In 2015 Sarah was one of eight winners selected from 3,800 entries to attend the Meryl Streep Screenwriters’ Lab. Sarah was chosen in 2017 to represent the Austin Public Library as the hologram/greeter installed in the Austin Downtown Library. Sarah was a co-founder of The Writers League of Texas.
She has been an NPR Moth Radio Hour storyteller; a writer for Oprah’s Magazine, NY Times Sunday Magazine and Op Ed columns, Chicago Tribune, Real Simple, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Salon, Daily Beast, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, MS, Texas Observer; Alcalde and a columnist for years for Texas Monthly. As a screenwriter, she worked on projects for Warner Bros., Paramount, CBS, National Geographic, Hallmark, ABC, TNT, as well as several independent producers.
She and her husband enjoy open-water swimming and training their corgi puppy not to eat the furniture.
Her last novel, DAUGHTER OF A DAUGHTER OF A QUEEN--inspired by the true story of the only woman to serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers--was named an All-time Best Books about Texas by the Austin American-Statesman; Best Fiction of 2018, Christian Science Monitor; Favorite Books of 2018, Texas Observer; a One City, One Book choice of seven cities; and a Lit Lovers Book Club Favorites.
Sarah was a finalist for The Dublin International Literary Award; an ALEX award winner; Amazon Literature Best of the Year selection; a two-time winner of the TIL’s Best Novel award; a B&N’s Discover Great Writers selection; a New York Public Libraries Books to Remember; an honoree of theTexas Writers Hall of Fame; an Amazon Literature Best of the Year selection; a Dobie-Paisano Fellowship; and an Austin Libraries Illumine Award for Excellence in Fiction winner. In 2014 she was named Texas Writer of the Year by the Texas Book Festival and presented with a pair of custom-made boots on the floor of the Texas Senate Chamber.
Sarah is a nine-time winner of Austin Best Fiction Writer award. She was recently honored with the University of New Mexico’s 2020 Paul Ré Award for Cultural Advocacy. In 2015 Sarah was one of eight winners selected from 3,800 entries to attend the Meryl Streep Screenwriters’ Lab. Sarah was chosen in 2017 to represent the Austin Public Library as the hologram/greeter installed in the Austin Downtown Library. Sarah was a co-founder of The Writers League of Texas.
She has been an NPR Moth Radio Hour storyteller; a writer for Oprah’s Magazine, NY Times Sunday Magazine and Op Ed columns, Chicago Tribune, Real Simple, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Salon, Daily Beast, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, MS, Texas Observer; Alcalde and a columnist for years for Texas Monthly. As a screenwriter, she worked on projects for Warner Bros., Paramount, CBS, National Geographic, Hallmark, ABC, TNT, as well as several independent producers.
She and her husband enjoy open-water swimming and training their corgi puppy not to eat the furniture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 20, 2012
What I loved (and love) about this book is that it so goddamn funny. Yes, in a lot of ways it's kind of a revenge fantasy about female nerdettes getting back at a bunch of obnoxious, sexist frat rats. But it is an extremely entertaining read, and I especially loved the parts about the heroine working at the LBJ library. What I really love about this author, though, are her hilarious word choices and figures of speech:
A couple of great quotes:
"Our job was to sort through the Johnson Social Files. . . . These files appeared to have been created with liberal contributions from the White House janitorial staff. On the days when everyone was too pooped to hike all the way out to the dumpster, old hands must have advised, "Just stick it in the Social Files." Tommy and I were paid to unpack the heavy-duty corrugated boxes and catalogue the material therein. Next we reshuffled it into the smaller mandarin red display boxes. Two categories immediately suggested themselves as we dug through the first box--Flotsam and Jetsam. They, however, were far too descriptive."
"A half dozen tenderhearted cockroaches crept out of their hiding places. They gathered at my feet like the kind mice who were the movie Cinderella's only friends. The little guys waved their wee antennae at me in a touching display of interspecies commiseration. I hope they knew how much it cheered me o dispatch four of their number to Valhalla with my sandal. The two survivors scurried away to spread the tale of human perfidy--a tale that would cause my toothbrush to be peppered every night thereafter with tiny black roach turds."
A couple of great quotes:
"Our job was to sort through the Johnson Social Files. . . . These files appeared to have been created with liberal contributions from the White House janitorial staff. On the days when everyone was too pooped to hike all the way out to the dumpster, old hands must have advised, "Just stick it in the Social Files." Tommy and I were paid to unpack the heavy-duty corrugated boxes and catalogue the material therein. Next we reshuffled it into the smaller mandarin red display boxes. Two categories immediately suggested themselves as we dug through the first box--Flotsam and Jetsam. They, however, were far too descriptive."
"A half dozen tenderhearted cockroaches crept out of their hiding places. They gathered at my feet like the kind mice who were the movie Cinderella's only friends. The little guys waved their wee antennae at me in a touching display of interspecies commiseration. I hope they knew how much it cheered me o dispatch four of their number to Valhalla with my sandal. The two survivors scurried away to spread the tale of human perfidy--a tale that would cause my toothbrush to be peppered every night thereafter with tiny black roach turds."
April 13, 2025
Just for one second I wish she would lay off of Fayrene! There is rarely a time where she is mentioned without talking about how Michelin-man shaped she is - we get it! damn! But other than that it was a delightful read. Pretty light and cheesy, and an accurate caricature of the Texas college student lifestyle.
November 1, 2012
Sarah Bird's wit shines in this rag-tag assembly of characters intent on dignifying the plight of female graduate students surrounded by animal house frat boys and less than noble suitors. Ms. Bird must have lived through the 80s college scene. The crazy characters and "Keep Austin Weird" legacy that abounds around the UT campus had me laughing chapter after chapter. Now, twenty plus years later, you can still witness the evolution of weekend college excess on Austin's Sixth Street, originally the old Pecan Street. Any connection to the Pecan Street "Alamo House" that protagonists Mary Jo, Fayrene and Collie inhabited? My guess is "yes"!
The audio book version's narrator, Alyssa Bresnahan, endears the listener with her command of many character voices, from southern to intellectual vegetarian to Tommy, "the musician/band flavor of the week". Adult humor, sure to offend, but a well executed narrative that will leave you in stitches.
The audio book version's narrator, Alyssa Bresnahan, endears the listener with her command of many character voices, from southern to intellectual vegetarian to Tommy, "the musician/band flavor of the week". Adult humor, sure to offend, but a well executed narrative that will leave you in stitches.
April 1, 2007
Lots of cliches. I'm partial to it, though, because I was also stuck processing in the stacks at LBJ Library. Bird has got that place DOWN.
December 10, 2010
A really great book shows us how everything is great and worth to die for
August 10, 2015
Hysterical! If you attended the University of Texas, have lived in Austin, or just love to laugh out loud, read this book immediately.
June 30, 2017
The humor was simply too mean for me and the characters were too cliche.
November 19, 2023
Racist, sexist, fat-phobic. This book does not hold up.
May 23, 2025
DNF. I really wanted to like this book—since it’s a self-proclaimed feminist novel and all—but as a product of the 80s, it really shows its age. I understand the comedic, satirical approach the author was trying to take, but between the two dimensional racist stereotypes of characters (Byung Duk Soo? Really? That’s not even a woman’s name), incessant fat-shaming of the main character’s roommate, and other forms of ignorance (the author couldn’t even be bothered to figure out that “buenas dias” is not even correct Spanish), I was left feeling more uncomfortable than entertained. Furthermore, I understand the frustrations the main character feels towards the obnoxious frat boys next door, but the way the author portrays them veers into overt caricature territory (they destroy the 27-year-old main character’s bike just because they can), which makes it hard to take any of it seriously or become absorbed in the story. Whatever satire that was supposed to be was lost on me.
Ultimately, the book is a product of its time…and should probably stay there. If it ever were to be updated, it should show that it’s possible to uplift ALL women without putting down those who aren’t thin and white. On the flip side, portraying men with realistic and nuanced representations of their cruelty and misogyny would also be much more effective rather than relying on exaggeration.
Ultimately, the book is a product of its time…and should probably stay there. If it ever were to be updated, it should show that it’s possible to uplift ALL women without putting down those who aren’t thin and white. On the flip side, portraying men with realistic and nuanced representations of their cruelty and misogyny would also be much more effective rather than relying on exaggeration.
March 22, 2017
It's hard for me to review this book. At times, it was very cliche. I just realized, today, that it was written in 1986 which makes it a little bit more palatable as the characters at times were very broadly drawn. And racially/ethnically insensitive.
But the main reason I had troubles with it is that I didn't like Mary Jo. What a whiny blamer!! Clearly she's unhappy but instead of trying to deal with it, she just judges and blames everyone around her. It can't possibly be HER fault that she's been skanking around, it's got to be Collie's. It can't be HER fault that she's neglectful of her responsibilities it has to be her boss, her ex-boyfriend, her roommates, etc.
Yet, some unseen force propelled me through and I got a bit of justification at the end. But it was a bumpy ride.
I really like Sarah Bird's essays in Texas Monthly and her gift book Love Letter to Texas Women. This was my first novel of hers and it made me seriously reconsider adding any more. I'll try another...tentatively.
But the main reason I had troubles with it is that I didn't like Mary Jo. What a whiny blamer!! Clearly she's unhappy but instead of trying to deal with it, she just judges and blames everyone around her. It can't possibly be HER fault that she's been skanking around, it's got to be Collie's. It can't be HER fault that she's neglectful of her responsibilities it has to be her boss, her ex-boyfriend, her roommates, etc.
Yet, some unseen force propelled me through and I got a bit of justification at the end. But it was a bumpy ride.
I really like Sarah Bird's essays in Texas Monthly and her gift book Love Letter to Texas Women. This was my first novel of hers and it made me seriously reconsider adding any more. I'll try another...tentatively.
June 27, 2021
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I didn't really expect to like it at all. But it's a fun and insightful story about friendship in college in Austin, Texas. The tone and structure are similar to a romance novel, but instead of being about two people falling in love it's about three women becoming friends when they've taken the initial steps outside their comfort zones to define themselves as adults.
The book is an easy read, funny and smart. I've loaned it to people many times, and keep a loaning copy just for that reason.
The book is an easy read, funny and smart. I've loaned it to people many times, and keep a loaning copy just for that reason.
August 23, 2020
This book is not about sorority sisters in a sorority house. It is about an assortment of UT students, mostly graduate, living in a co-op in an old house. The characterization is good and the plot complex and enjoyable, and the book is funny as heck especially if you've ever lived in a co-op or been a UT student.
December 5, 2017
One of my all time favorites. It's a tiny bit dated now (it was written and I first read it in the late '80s), but still just so darned funny. I don't know why they never made it into a movie -- it really could have been a good one!
January 1, 2020
This has not aged well. I can’t count the number of times I wanted to hurl this insufferable book across the room. Between the sexist tropes, frat house cliches, and silly depiction of archives/archivists I can’t even. Stay away.
June 8, 2021
I've read this book many times since it first came out. I really like Sarah Bird's voice through her characters. A fun read through a grad student's perspective of where she goes when she moves out of her boyfriend's place, and what comes afterward.
July 4, 2022
Out of date and not very politically correct. College life and female friendship. Plus, Mary Jo worked in a presidential library!
Borrowed in Hoopla, through JCPL.
Listening length 10 hr 30 min
Borrowed in Hoopla, through JCPL.
Listening length 10 hr 30 min
November 28, 2023
Pros- it took me back to the late 80s in Austin. It made me giggle a few times. Cons - the story isn’t aging well. References to fat shaming, insensitive depictions of foreigners and reminders of blatant sexism from the time of original publication could benefit from some updates.
September 25, 2017
Funny as all get out. A great version of animal house but with women. Loved it!
February 1, 2018
Racist mean girl.
August 30, 2018
Flashback fun!
September 3, 2018
Fun trek back in time
Made me laugh out loud and remember my own good times at a women's co-op
in Austin on the 80s
Made me laugh out loud and remember my own good times at a women's co-op
in Austin on the 80s
October 16, 2018
Hilarious!
August 27, 2019
I loved this book so much. Laugh out loud funny.
November 22, 2022
Very humorous if not dated.
January 9, 2023
Simply the funniest book I ever read and a totally realistic picture of Austin, Texas, in the early 1980s--when Austin was truly "weird."
October 29, 2025
It was had it’s moments , but it was so dated it made for a cringy read.
May 31, 2012
Fun book to read.
The synopsis on the book jacket states this is about "the sorority sisters of Alamo House at the University of Texas". Alamo House is not a sorority in the panhellenic sense. It is a group of graduate women living together in a university coop, and, in the general sense they do have a friendship, a sisterhood.
This setting of Alamo House is loosely based on the life of the author when she lived at Seneca House at University of Texas during 1974 - 1975. Seneca House has greatly changed now. It is now co-ed and the building has been rebuilt because of a fire and the fraternity across the street is no longer there.
Across the street from Alamo House is a fraternity: Sigma Upsilon Kappa (SUKs). Think of the frat in Animal House and you have a general idea what the SUKs are capable. The women in Alamo House are tired of the beer drinking, puking on their front yard, the partying & noise, stolen/destroyed property, and the obnoxious behavior. Finally, they can't take it any more. It's time to get even. How low will the women go to get their point across? Can they even get rid of the SUKs?
In addition to the frat behavior they have to put up with, they also have to live with one another, go to classes (or write their dissertation), work, and have a social life. The Axiom for a relationship for one of the women is: The party of the most interest is the party of the least power. I believe this axiom is true but not that it always work in a relationship.
The synopsis on the book jacket states this is about "the sorority sisters of Alamo House at the University of Texas". Alamo House is not a sorority in the panhellenic sense. It is a group of graduate women living together in a university coop, and, in the general sense they do have a friendship, a sisterhood.
This setting of Alamo House is loosely based on the life of the author when she lived at Seneca House at University of Texas during 1974 - 1975. Seneca House has greatly changed now. It is now co-ed and the building has been rebuilt because of a fire and the fraternity across the street is no longer there.
Across the street from Alamo House is a fraternity: Sigma Upsilon Kappa (SUKs). Think of the frat in Animal House and you have a general idea what the SUKs are capable. The women in Alamo House are tired of the beer drinking, puking on their front yard, the partying & noise, stolen/destroyed property, and the obnoxious behavior. Finally, they can't take it any more. It's time to get even. How low will the women go to get their point across? Can they even get rid of the SUKs?
In addition to the frat behavior they have to put up with, they also have to live with one another, go to classes (or write their dissertation), work, and have a social life. The Axiom for a relationship for one of the women is: The party of the most interest is the party of the least power. I believe this axiom is true but not that it always work in a relationship.
June 2, 2016
"Oh you Baptist women are so cruel".
"Have you ever shaken hands with a politician before?"
So many funny lines still remain with me from this book.
I want to get drunk in an Austin driveway with Little Lyndon and the Great Society playing from the garage.
I have loved her from afar for most of my life. In 1985, I was in Houston, she was in Austin; I was in the "awl bidnis", she was the hip freelancer with "Texas Monthly". I wore a blue oxford shirt with white collar and a yellow power tie. She ironically posed in a gingham apron, opening an oven.
In 1986, the whole yuppie house of cards tumbled down and I left Texas, but followed Ms Bird's career thereafter. Every few years, a novel and an imaginatively posed author photo. Worth buying in hardcover, just for the photo. I never actually met her -- is that how Chivalry works?
I followed her through motherhood, family spats and on to the rodeo, the flamenco academy, the air force and adventures beyond. She's been my alternate-universe wife, although I'd never explain this whimsy to her across a signing table at the back of a bookstore.
When I get to heaven's gate and St. Peter tells me, "Sorry, you can't come in, you coveted your neighbor's wife," I'll shrug and head down the long staircase.
"Have you ever shaken hands with a politician before?"
So many funny lines still remain with me from this book.
I want to get drunk in an Austin driveway with Little Lyndon and the Great Society playing from the garage.
I have loved her from afar for most of my life. In 1985, I was in Houston, she was in Austin; I was in the "awl bidnis", she was the hip freelancer with "Texas Monthly". I wore a blue oxford shirt with white collar and a yellow power tie. She ironically posed in a gingham apron, opening an oven.
In 1986, the whole yuppie house of cards tumbled down and I left Texas, but followed Ms Bird's career thereafter. Every few years, a novel and an imaginatively posed author photo. Worth buying in hardcover, just for the photo. I never actually met her -- is that how Chivalry works?
I followed her through motherhood, family spats and on to the rodeo, the flamenco academy, the air force and adventures beyond. She's been my alternate-universe wife, although I'd never explain this whimsy to her across a signing table at the back of a bookstore.
When I get to heaven's gate and St. Peter tells me, "Sorry, you can't come in, you coveted your neighbor's wife," I'll shrug and head down the long staircase.
September 27, 2010
A slow start to a short book, but I am glad it finally picked up. I was nervous that this would be another poor review. Alas, the book picked up speed.
I am not a fan of her writing, she used some unecessary words - not obscene just too big for the cheeky chick lit plot the book had. I had a difficult time with her over using expressions and comparisons.
The characters were over the top, but definitely entertaining. It made me remember those college days being surrounded by everyone your own age and enjoying the excessive amounts of free time! I appreciated the misfits that live together and learn how to communicate to each other - the joys of living in dorms with complete strangers!!
The storyline was cute and quirky, but I am not sure I will be adding her to my favorite author list.
I am not a fan of her writing, she used some unecessary words - not obscene just too big for the cheeky chick lit plot the book had. I had a difficult time with her over using expressions and comparisons.
The characters were over the top, but definitely entertaining. It made me remember those college days being surrounded by everyone your own age and enjoying the excessive amounts of free time! I appreciated the misfits that live together and learn how to communicate to each other - the joys of living in dorms with complete strangers!!
The storyline was cute and quirky, but I am not sure I will be adding her to my favorite author list.
January 24, 2012
I had just about forgotten about this book - and that is considering I'd done volunteer work at the LBJ Library when I was in UT Library School and could truly identify with it. If asked, I would have told you I liked it - but couldn't remember a thing about it. I picked it up again, in Audible form, because I was looking for other things read/voiced by Danielle Ferland, who did Ysabeua Wilce's Flora Segunda, which I love. Ms. Ferland is again superb - though if I really close my eyes tight enough it feels like Flora has entered a parallel universe and is a grad student at UT. I don't mind that at all though others may find it disconcerting.
Alamo House is sort of the brainy UT lady geek answer to Animal House. As soon as I finish listening to it, I'm going to hit play and listen to it again!
Alamo House is sort of the brainy UT lady geek answer to Animal House. As soon as I finish listening to it, I'm going to hit play and listen to it again!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews