Product Description

Filled with warmth, wit and wisdom, "The Future Homemakers of America" takes us to the heart of female friendship. A novel fans of "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" will not be able to resist. Norfolk,1953 - the Fens have never seen anything quite like the girls from USAF Drampton, overpaid, overfed, and over here. While their men patrol the skies keeping the Soviets at bay, some are content to live the life of the Future Homemakers of America - clipping coupons, cooking chicken pot pie - but other start to stray, looking for a little native excitement beyond the perimeter fence. Out there in the freezing fens they meet Kath Pharaoh, a tough but warm Englishwoman. Bonds are forged, uniting the women in friendship that will survive distant postings, and the passage of forty years.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #114657 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 402 pages

Review
'She has wit and insight to match Nick Hornby, and the entertainment value of Helen Fielding, as well as depth. Her novel traces the lives of Peggy and five female friends -- one British -- from the 1950s to the present, against a background of landmark events. It amounts to a picture of the way women's lives have changed, without ever sacrificing the particular to the generalisation.' Nicolette Jones, Independent 'Superlative. The writing sparkles from first to last' David Robson, Sunday Telegraph 'This novel crackles with energy and snappy American dialogue. Laurie Graham conjures up five tough, funny, mouthy women, thrown together at an American airbase in Norfolk. Kath, a typical Brit with a chilly exterior and warm heart, is drawn into their generous circle. Graham has pulled off an absolute triumph; the voice of her sassy narrator, the redoubtable Peggy, never falters as she unfolds 40 years of friendship.' Georgia Metcalfe, Daily Mail 'A wonderfully moving comedy.' Alex Clark, Red 'The Future Homemakers of America is a warm, life-affirming novel that offers its readers pure pleasure.' Katie Owen, The Times 'This is an absorbing, funny, lively and sometimes moving story.' Sunday Times 'Laugh-out-loud funny; intelligent; moving; has more delicious roll-off-the-tongue one-liners than Seinfeld. One of those books you buy six copies of to send to all your old friends.' Julie Morrice, Scotsman

About the Author
Laurie Graham is the author of eight novels. 'The Ten O'Clock Horses' was shortlisted for the Encore Award and dramatized for Radio 4, as was 'Perfect Meringues'. Laurie is a former Daily Telegraph columist and contributing editor to She magazine, and wrote the bestselling 'Parents' Survival Guide'. In addition to her novels, she writes original dramas and adaptations for BBC Radio. Her ten-episode dramatization of 'Little Women' was broadcasted on Woman's Hour.

Customer Reviews

A Brilliant Holiday Read
I loved this book so much. It's a perfect holiday read. The plot is compelling and very well written. I felt that the story sagged a little towards the middle and in places lacked a little credibility but these are small points. I've loaned this book to two people who enjoyed it as much as I did.

Bloody perfect
I found this book in a house we were renting, started reading, and had to pinch it because I couldn't bear not to finish it.I just thought it was a treat. The cast of characters were individually delineated with huge skill and interacted with all the friction necessary to make the plot romp onwards. I found it touching, funny, and accomplished. In fact, when I finished reading it I couldn't understand why Laurie Graham wasn't a household name. I think she's a star and I loved this book.

A good read
I bought this at the airport about to go on holiday, it's the first Laurie Graham book I have read. I enjoyed it and am now intending to read more of her novels.
It made me laugh aloud and was very entertaining - it's witty and light hearted whilst also managing to make me think about 'the Windsors', as a result I'm also searching for a good biography of Mrs Simpson.