If You Really Loved Me, You’d Take Out the Garbage

B.B. Carter
AmErica House (2004)
ISBN 1413755550
Reviewed by Danielle Feliciano for Reader Views (3/06)

In her novel, “If You Really Loved Me, You’d Take Out the Garbage,” B. B. Carter gives the reader an unlikely heroine in Lillian Frebusch. Lillian is a 35 year old woman who is stuck in a marriage that is dead, although she is not yet aware it is dead. Her frequently absent husband is a controlling tyrant, who rules Lillian and the household whether he is home or away on one of his many business trips. Lillian is the mother of twin girls, whom she adores. She is supported by her best friend, Selma, and her daughters’ caretaker, Sadie. Both women provide Lillian with much needed friendship and love, and they are there to help her through anything that life throws at her.

Lillian is a true klutz, and her frequent misadventures due to klutziness and poor judgment endear her to the reader. Her innocence and naiveté at the age of 35 are almost unbelievable, yet Ms. Carter has done a splendid job of showing the reader from the very beginning all of the things that contribute to Lillian’s unworldly knowledge. By doing this, Ms. Carter has provided the reader with a main character who is loveable and easily relatable. As Lillian navigates her world, Selma is by her side, eager and willing to contribute to her “education”. When Lillian finally comes to realize and accept that her marriage is over, she is in no danger of facing life alone. She has her friends, and a loveable boss who is surly on the outside, but in reality is very kindhearted. She regains control of her life, and gives her daughters a true role model to look up to.

“If You Really Loved Me, You’d Take Out the Garbage” is a sentiment that can ring true in any marriage. It is the small things that make or break us, and Lillian shows us that we never need to settle for less than we deserve.

Make comment on weblog