Lauren, a single lady, arrives home after an evening out with her soon-to-be-wed bestie, only to discover an unfamiliar man in her flat. She has never encountered him before, and she is seemingly married to him. This confusing situation marks the beginning of ‘The Husbands’, Holly Gramazio’s first book, who’s an Australian computer game creator. Astonishingly, it’s Lauren’s loft that acts as a mystical gateway leading to a realm filled with endless prospective husbands. Every time a husband enters the loft, a different one emerges. Some are more favourable than others, some are tricky to lure back into the loft, while the ones she wants to hold onto, annoyingly, manage to return back to the loft on their own.
The novel ignites laughter with its unusual concept, especially when Lauren chooses to return a husband based on minor irritating habits. Despite its humorous tone, unexpectedly, the book raises deep philosophical debates about decision-making, how we influence our future, identity, and lifestyle – Are circumstances more defining than our personal desires and needs? The book charmingly comments on singlehood, marriage, and the modern dating environment. The ease with which Lauren sends her husbands back to the loft can be likened to how quickly we reject potential partners on dating apps.
I must admit, I grew slightly tired of the premise after some time – couldn’t she simply end the relationship with a husband, or perhaps lock him up in the loft, reversing an old literary cliché? – Gramazio’s charm, however, lies in her wit and humour keeping the reader entertained and curious.
‘The Husbands’ is a delightful read, masterfully controlled by Gramazio with its unique concept. A commendable feat for a first-time author. If you appreciated Guillaume Musso’s ‘Girl On Paper’, Andrew Kaufman’s ‘All My Friends Are Superheroes’, or the film ‘Being John Malkovich’, this idiosyncratic novel will surely entertain you.