Eric Hodgins
Biography
Eric Hodgins (1899–1971) was an American author and editor, best known for his satirical novel "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." Born in Detroit, Michigan, Hodgins graduated from MIT in 1922, an education that provided a backdrop for his later technical editing roles. He began his career in journalism, working for *Technology Review* before moving to *Fortune* magazine, where he served as managing editor, and later as publisher of *Life* magazine. His experiences attempting to build a house in Connecticut became the inspiration for his most famous work, which humorously depicted the absurdities and frustrations of home construction. After his literary success, he continued to write, including an autobiographical account of his stroke titled "Episode." Hodgins's career reflected a blend of sharp editorial skills and a keen, often humorous, eye for American life.
Selected Thoughts
«The first thing they told you about building a house was that it took twice as long as you expected, and cost twice as much. This was a lie. It took three times as long, and cost four times as much.»
«Never, never, never build a house unless you are a glutton for punishment, a masochist of the first water, and possessed of a fortune beyond the dreams of avarice.»
«They built a house! They really built a house! They paid for it, and owned it, and lived in it, and sometimes they wondered why.»
Writing Style
Hodgins' writing style is characterized by its witty, satirical tone, blending sharp observational humor with detailed, almost journalistic precision. He often uses dry wit and irony to expose the absurdities of modern life, particularly the American Dream and suburban aspirations. His narratives are engaging, often drawn from personal experience, and possess a light, accessible quality even when tackling frustrating or complex situations. Later works showed a more introspective and analytical approach.