Odyssey in a Teacup

Encounters with a pair of supersized Y-fronts; a humourless schoolmarm with an unfortunate name and monstrous yellow incisors; and a tut-tutting, big-breasted, modern-day gorgon are the norm for Ruth Roth. She's used to crazy. Her mum squawks like a harpy and her dad has a dodgy moral compass. Add in daily face-offs with a relentlessly bitchy mirror, and Ruth's home life feels like a Greek tragicomedy. She hankers for the ordinary. But blah is not a good fit for someone who doesn't fit in-isn't meant to. And Ruth's vanilla existence is an issue for her besties: her hot-looking, obsessive-compulsive cousin and soul mate (who needs to do everything twice-twice), and her two closest girlfriends. With their encouragement and a good homoeopathic dose of ancient mythology, Ruth embarks on an odyssey to retrieve her spirit. She's confronted with her biggest challenge ever, though, when one of these friends sends her spiralling back into a dark place. The decision she must make can either bring her out or launch the mother of all wars in her world. What some readers are saying: 'Where can a spiritually-bereft young woman search for God on a Sunday night while enjoying a get-together with her three best mates, her pompous second-year high school English teacher, and a woman with two vaginas, all for three dollars fifty? Why, of course, Meditation Intro Night at the Community Hall ... Odyssey in a Teacup is a crazy-brilliant read ' -Stephanie L Harper, author 'I haven't read any good satire in a really long time. As an American and Floridian, I used to follow writers like Dave Barry and Carl Hiassen with abandon but there is something to be said for international writers and I simply adored author Paula Houseman's new novel, "Odyssey in a Teacup." A story written around one central character, Ruth, and her trials and tribulations in her world of family, friends, occupation and the like. Ruth's encounters are nearly all quite hilarious and I loved her sharp wit, that often had me wishing I was as quick with the tongue.' -TFL Reader 'Laughed myself silly through book one. Book two became more serious and frequently painful. Such is life and we all get through it, for better or worse. This is a good introspective series, you will enjoy it and think of it often. If you are Jewish, have Jewish friends or just an appreciation of Jewish humor, this story will hit all the right notes. Loved it.' -Eleanor Dow 'Paula Houseman's Odyssey in a Teacup is an example of literary excellence. Based on shared childhood experiences - sex, religion, and dreams - Houseman skillfully gives voice to characters that readers will love. Houseman reminds the reader that one can pick friends but one cannot pick one's family.' -Charla White