“Her life, she reminded herself, was a dream come true.” -Gwendolyn

There is a lot of story packed into this book! Starting in 1957 and taking us to 2016. The book begins with the life of a 1950’s housewife with an alcoholic cheater of a husband bringing home an alcoholic monkey from a poker game. Gwendolyn takes the place of “mother” to the monkey named Eddie, because she is an excellent caregiver. It makes sense in the story. There is a lot more than Gwendolyn & Eddie. The husband (Dr. Paul Stanley) is a horrible, cheating, alcoholic doctor. We see their 3 children grow into adults witnessing things no child should. Gwendolyn is constantly cleaning up his messes and trying her best to be a good wife & mother. There is a good amount of comic relief from Dixie - friend to Gwendolyn and wife of Paul Stanley’s cousin. This is fast paced with excellent character development. Well done!

"La commedia è finita!" Paul Stanley said, almost as if he were singing the phrase. He glanced over at Oliver, who looked lost. "It means the comedy has ended."

Gwendolyn and Eddie starts out in 1957. Gwendolyn is a 1950s housewife raising three children. One night Paul Stanley, Gwendolyn's jerk of a husband brings home a Capuchin Monkey he won in a poker game. The terrified monkey bonds with Gwendolyn. She names him Eddie. Over the next five decades we see the kids grow up. Gwendolyn tries to make a life raising her kids, dealing with lousy husband who cheats on her and is unreliable. Through the decades she tried to give Eddie a home. She is the only person Eddie will be civil too as best as a wild animal can accept a human. the book can be funny at time with Eddie,. Sad sometimes for Gwendolyn who does not always have a happy life. I liked Gwendolyn for the most part. Could not stand Paul Stanley. rooted for her kids. Gwendolyn did have one reliable person in her life with Romaine, an African American housekeeper who stayed on for the household for all those decades. I received a copy of this book for NetGalley. I would give this book a 3.5.