This wonderful collection of short stories opens with the title story, Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket by Hilma Wolitzer first published in 1966.
Oddly I feel this is the weakest work in this collection which features stories published through the decades and finishes with a COVID-19 themed story written by the author in her 90s.
Each story paints a picture of American domestic life through the years, mostly from the perspective of Paulie and her husband Howard.
At times heartbreaking and others highly amusing, the language is both accessible and carefully chosen, painting a picture of the settings and interaction of the characters.
I particularly liked the description of two strangers sitting next to each other on a plane. ‘He leans back in his seat and faces her intimately, as if they are sharing a bed pillow.’
The astute observations and witty writing in Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket make this a very rewarding read and give great insight to the joy and heartaches found in ordinary everyday family life.
Gareth
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