In this Book
- American Homes
- Book
- 2014
- Published by: University of Michigan Press
- Series: 21St Century Prose
summary
American Homes by Ryan Ridge is a satirical exploration of the modern American home and its symbolic role in culture, identity, and society. Blending humor, wit, and sharp social commentary, the book dissects domestic spaces—attics, basements, kitchens, windows, doors, and more—while reflecting on the American dream, materialism, and suburban life. Through Ridge's playful and often absurd prose, everyday household elements become metaphors for larger societal issues, revealing the quirks, contradictions, and anxieties of contemporary life.
From the nostalgia of front porches to the hidden mysteries of basements, Ridge turns ordinary spaces into insightful meditations on homeownership, personal identity, and cultural expectations. American Homes is as much an architectural guidebook as it is a critique of consumerism, presenting a vivid portrait of how we live and the structures that define us. The result is a thought-provoking, humorous, and occasionally surreal commentary on what it means to call a place "home" in America.
From the nostalgia of front porches to the hidden mysteries of basements, Ridge turns ordinary spaces into insightful meditations on homeownership, personal identity, and cultural expectations. American Homes is as much an architectural guidebook as it is a critique of consumerism, presenting a vivid portrait of how we live and the structures that define us. The result is a thought-provoking, humorous, and occasionally surreal commentary on what it means to call a place "home" in America.
Table of Contents


- Advance Praise
- pp. i-ii
- Title Page
- pp. iii-v
- Copyright Page
- p. vi
- Dedication
- p. vii
- Acknowledgments
- pp. xi-xii
- Part III (anatomy)
- pp. 1-63
- Different Voices / Different Rooms
- pp. 64-90
Additional Information
ISBN
9780472900176
Related ISBN(s)
9780472052585, 9780472072583, 9780472120994
MARC Record
OCLC
1017611483
Pages
128
Launched on MUSE
2018-01-03
Language
English
Open Access
Yes
Copyright
2014