[Baker's] critique of the heteronormative American family and the malicious ways men uphold sexist power structures is straightforward and unsubtle ... There are no astonishing twists in The Husbands; anyone who’s read The Stepford Wives (or watched the movie) will have an idea how this ends. Still, I found myself holding my breath ... It’s a testament to Baker’s talents as a writer that the final scenes of this familiar story are a gut punch nonetheless. She has a gift for depicting flawed, desperate characters.
... smart ... Baker dedicates her book to 'the millions of women who are struggling to be caregivers, mothers, co-workers, and spouses all at once,' and she adds, 'women can do anything, but they can’t do everything.' Her novel implies that no easy answers exist, but she’s written a fun, fast-paced book that at least asks the hard questions. Because something needs to change, drastically, if women are expected to continue combining careers with raising families.
... another scintillating thriller with a feminist edge ... combines the horror of The Stepford Wives with the thrills of the best contemporary murder mysteries ... Baker is a searingly good writer. She has an innate, cutting ability to take everyday complaints, arguments and inequalities and turn them on their heads, offering razor-sharp explanations, takeaways and solutions in the process ... Baker presents an insightful and poignant exploration of motherhood, marriage and even the workplace in a thriller that is as gripping and timely as it is fun and compulsively readable ... Campy, devious and unfailingly relatable, The Husbands is yet another brilliant feminist thriller from a woman who I hope is nowhere near done poking holes in the patriarchy’s hold over women. Baker is a remarkably cunning writer, and I cannot wait to see which aspect of society she sinks her teeth into next.
Baker uses Nora’s relatable sense of being overwhelmed to stoke suspense in this dark exploration of modern family dynamics. A prime choice for book groups.
[A] pulpy feminist thriller ... The novel isn’t breaking new ground, in terms of social commentary; still, it’s a delightfully cutting romp. A perpetually timely page-turner that is anything but subtle.
[A] disappointing sophomore effort ... While Baker puts everywoman Nora in frightening peril, she paints such a convincing picture of her stretched-to-the-breaking-point existence that the novel proves something of a downer, a situation its unbelievable final bombshell does nothing to improve. Hopefully, she’ll return to form next time.
