Several of our bloggers have now had an opportunity to weigh in on Were You Raised by Wolves? Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood by Christie Mellor. This enthusiastic crew has tried out tips and laughed both at themselves and at the book’s target audience. Says one blogger of the author, “She has brought her charming, elbow-to-the-rib, wink-wink style to the art and science of being a grown-up. This witty primer covers everything from how to make your bed (a very lost art … thank you Grandmother) to how to make the perfect martini (thank you Mommy) to how to navigate politics and personalities on the job (which is something many folks struggle with their entire working lives).” Many mentioned Mellor’s earlier book as proof that she has something valuable to say: “Let me begin by saying Christie Mellor had me at Three-Martini Playdate. Her book was one that inspired me to begin working on my mommyblogging anthology. She rocks.”

Most of our bloggers boasted that they probably wouldn’t need the tips in the book, but little by little, the truth came out: “I host Thanksgiving at my house every year. And yet I had no idea how to make gravy. Every year I would buy a bunch of jars of gravy, pour them into a pan on the stove and then hide the jars in the garbage so no one would know I did not make it (I can’t believe I just admitted that!) This year, I am definitely going to make my own gravy!” and “When I said I would review it, I was worried that none of it would apply to me. I have been married since I was 20, have 4 kids, I pretty much thought I had it figured out. This book would have been great to have when I first got married/moved away from my parents, but what could it possibly teach me now, right? Well, it taught me all kinds of things I didn’t know how to do.”

Or they thought it would be one of “those” books that include how to use finger bowls and bustle trains (since we all wear frocks that require this on a daily basis) but, “It’s not a fussy etiquette book, with all the delicate little frou-frou things that are important to high society folks or royalty - it’s just straight-forward basic survival.” Survival is good, especially when it comes to “yukky things.” One of our bloggers has a son that constantly finds the single carpeted area of their house whenever he has gastric issues. She was relieved to discover “a tip” (which she won’t reveal, since you need to buy the book to find out:) “Before I read the tip, I was borrowing my neighbors big carpet cleaner each time he didn’t make it to the toilet. This tip is so much easier and actually works.” Many of the bloggers concur “the list of Unbelievable Baking Soda Tips! is worth the price of the book alone.” and “The numerous baking soda tips? I was tempted to post it on my fridge. I went on for days about this section alone. I am that much of a dork.”

Even those reviewers who thought that the book didn’t apply to them said it would be a fantastic gift: “One [occasion to give as a gift] is graduation from high school or college (conveniently, ’tis the season! Oh, you crafty publishers). Another might be a milestone birthday, like 18 or 21 or even 30, or the purchase of a first home.“, “I think it would make a fantastic graduation gift for a friend or family member who is going out on their own for the first time” or to pass on to their own children: “I loved this book, and won’t be giving away my copy, as per my usual MO on this site. Instead, I plan to keep it and force all of my children to read it before they move out. I may even test them on the contents.” Another reviewer agreed, but only on non-drinking things: “As an established adult it’s also a good reminder of what you want to teach your own kids as they grow up so they won’t need this book themselves someday (well maybe this doesn’t apply to things like throwing a cocktail party and fighting a hangover but I’ll be sure they know how to boil an egg, clean, have friends over for dinner and how to be a polite guest).”

And then there were the bloggers who wished they could pass on this book anonymously: “…the publication of this book is proof of the decline of western civilization,” “I wish I could force a large chunk of society to read these sections, as I slowly see basic etiquette slipping away more and more each day.” and “I know someone who could really benefit from this book, someone who was raised not by wolves but by a very caring, but overly solicitious mother. The chapter entitled ‘If Your Mom Still Chews Your Food for You’ would be perfect for her. But unless I could remove all my fingerprints from my copy, and then wrap it in plain brown paper and stuff it under her door in the dead of night, I won’t be giving it to her.”

One blogger admitted that she knew this book was for her, even as she is already an adult with two daughters, “I learned a surprising amount of information even from the basics mentioned in this book. I consider myself a domestic zero. My mom was a single mom, so she didn’t have time to teach me all of her wisdom when I was younger. My house is a disaster, I’m a lousy cook, and until reading this book, I didn’t know that a martini was made with gin. I could have sworn it was only made with vodka. While the intended audience are young adults on their own for the first time, I realized that at 31 I still needed this advice and knowledge.” And another confessed, “After reading the book, I can tell you that my answer to the question ‘Were you raised by wolves’ is, ‘Why yes, it seems that I was.’”

Our bloggers disagreed on the tone of the book. Some welcomed the familiarity and others worried about it. One blogger said: “Humorously written in a tone more like a funny older sister than a distantly polite Emily Post, Were You Raised by Wolves captures many of the elements we sometimes assume young people should know, but don’t. ” And another “I had a picture of the author’s voice in my mind. She was a cross between a mother, a grandmother and a best friend. She was kind and compassionate, but also didn’t take any nonsense and is very aware of modern life. I mean my great aunt can give me advice, but she doesn’t own a computer so she can’t really give me advice on email etiquette or thong underwear. At least not that I know! Yes, there is advice on thongs in the book.“.

One reviewer commented: “I love statements like these hidden in the back: ‘Sunscreen and cocktails: one I should have used more, the other less‘ and ‘I would have liked to have known that I really didn’t know anything.‘” One blogger worried about the language: “In the interest of full disclosure (and knowing the world views of many of my readers), I’ll mention the fact there is one element of language in the book which is written in the context of “don’t say this.” I’m not mentioning it because I happen to be someone who belongs to –as the book puts it– a “certain fundamentalist religious sect,” but because I’d want you to be comfortable with that fact before buying the book for your soon-to-graduate niece.”

Indeed, it is a tough line to walk between being an authority but not being condescending or being too familiar. Writes one reviewer “All of this could come off as preachy and didactic. But Mellor’s gift is in making it light and funny. Her readers will be too busy laughing to realize that technically she’s implying that they’re heathens; her humor deftly cushions the blow to the ego they might have felt in reading about how coarse and rude they are.” Agrees yet another reviewer: “Her style is light and conversational, and her prose compelling even for those of us well outside the target demographic, both in age and experience. I couldn’t put it down.” But one blogger found the upbeat tone exhausting, “Reading an entire book of this kind of conversational, herky-jerky, exclamation-strewn style of writing was like being clobbered over the head with my own ellipsis-enamored computer monitor.”

Some bloggers had some concern about the research that went into the book. One remarked “The only thing I didn’t like about the book was that I wished in the laundry section she had actually tried out all of her suggestions because frankly anyone who’s reading that section probably isn’t going to take the time to try out a method that may or may not work.” Another wrote, “In the discussion of laundry, Mellor admits that she never irons and doesn’t think any advice she can impart will feel useful. ‘Your best bet is to ask your mom, or a friend how to iron that shirt,’ she writes. This, along with a list of hangover remedies she found on Google, struck me as rather lazy in a book all about self-sufficiency. Also? A recipe for homemade after-shave made from herbs and vinegar? Uh, for real?”

Another blogger mentioned the after-shave as well, amongst other things: “If I do have one criticism of the book, it is that it contains everything including the kitchen sink…I found a few of Mellor’s ideas a bit esoteric. For example, she spends over two pages describing how to make a hostess gift from sticks and plastic baubles. The quirkiness of this homemade Bonzai had me scratching my head in confusion. It sounded like something your crazy great-aunt might have brought for Thanksgiving dinner one year. And I’m guessing that very few men are going to take Mellor up on her suggestion that they make their own after-shave from herbs and rubbing alcohol.” Seems the crafty things weren’t necessarily the best received “Some of the tips, such as decorating a Christmas tree with Q-tip snowflakes and dental floss garland, were a little “out there” for my tastes”

The majority of the tips were well-received, though. Sums up one parent: “To anyone who wants to smack the person next to them at the gym for talking incessantly on their cell phone, who wants to learn to tie a bow-tie, poach chicken, set up a proper bar, be a good houseguest or host for that matter, this book is for you. The tips inside will help instill good will, charm and the art of being useful into your everyday life. It is witty, fun and yes, even a bit thought provoking.” Quite simply, “Even if you think you’ve mastered adulthood, this book could prove you still have a few things to learn.”

In the next couple weeks, more of our bloggers will reveal their opinions of Were You Raised by Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood. I expect that like the batch so far, these will be similarly humerous to match Christie Mellor’s entertaining style:

TODAY! - Gunfighter’s View, and Mom Reviews
Tues 5/13 - Cootie Chronicles and Mrs Dub Reviews
Wed 5/14 - Pundit Mom and mothergoosemouse
Thurs 5/15 - Domestic Diva and Mama Maven
Fri 5/16 - Girl Con Queso and Her Bad Mother
Mon 5/19 - Island Review and Taste Like Crazy
Tues 5/20 - Karianna and Midwestern Mommy
Wed 5/21 - Mommy Needs Coffee and This Full House
Mon 5/26 - Round-Up review on PBN