I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

*Hausfrau* by Jill Alexander Essbaum is an introspective, unsettling novel that follows the emotionally detached journey of Anna Benz, an American expat living in Switzerland. The book dives into themes of isolation, infidelity, and identity, revealing Anna’s struggles to connect with her family, her Swiss environment, and even herself. Essbaum’s prose is polished and poetic, offering a sharp psychological examination of Anna’s inner turmoil. Despite this, I found myself distanced from the story and its characters. The writing, while technically impressive, felt somewhat clinical at times, as though it prioritized structure over emotional resonance.

While the book’s raw and often uncomfortable honesty deserves respect, it left me largely unengaged. I admired the ambition and the clear literary craft, yet it lacked the pull needed to fully draw me into Anna’s world. Overall, *Hausfrau* is a technically proficient novel, but for me, it missed the emotional mark.

I am not going to be reviewing this book, but thank you for the approval.

I simply couldn't truly get into Anna. She's...so passive and yet so narcissistic that I found myself just frustrated by everything. Then there was the sort of...punishment that Essbaum visits upon Anna for having sex. This book is written well and clearly Essbaum is aware of the flaws in Anna but doesn't succeed in making up for them for my personality.