What Do You Do All Day? by WJ Moloney

Sam is the central character in this contemporary novel, and we follow her life over the course of one day. She is a stay-at-home Remuera housewife, and on the outside, looking in, she seems to have it all. A successful, handsome husband, two lovely children, an expensive car and plenty of money. But from the opening chapter, we learn that Sam is frustrated and feels unappreciated. As the novel progresses, with her performing the menial tasks expected of a dutiful wife and mother, we feel her anger, and she chooses to do things during this time period that we wouldn’t expect.

As the novel progresses, it becomes apparent that this is a very dysfunctional family that has little to do with each other. The children trapse through the novel with earplugs in and phones constantly in their hands. The husband has clearly forgotten to appreciate his wife at some point, and the disconnect between the two makes you wonder why Sam is with him. She even questions this herself, but concludes that divorce will only make her situation worse.

Sam is an interesting character. She’s not particularly likeable, but I don’t think we are meant to like her. However, following her life for twenty-four hours reveals many surprises, and by the end of the novel, I felt genuine sympathy for her plight and that she was living a life that wasn’t fulfilling her. Unlike many novels, there is no easy resolution, and there is every possibility that the next day could be very similar to the day we have just read about.

The themes of this book will resonate with many women in a read that is intentionally provocative and thought-provoking. Why is it that women often end up making so many compromises in their work and home lives? Why is it that women often end up doing the bulk of the unpaid, menial household tasks?

What Do You Do All Day? is a satirical, thought-provoking read that lingers beyond the final page.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Copy Press