- Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: Fourth Estate; New edition edition (5 Jun 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1841153133
- ISBN-13: 978-1841153131
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 14,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Laurie Graham's much-anticipated novel The Future Homemakers of America introduces us to five American Air force wives stationed at a US airbase in the Norfolk Fens in 1953, the year of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Initially, the women have little in common, except their nationality and husbands who fly with the 68th bomber wing, but they eventually start to socialise.
It soon becomes clear, however, that all is not as it seems. Glamorous redhead Lois is bored with her lot and longs to explore life beyond the confines of the base; when she does, though, the consequences are not quite what she expected. Betty, a true organiser and the most obvious homemaker of the group, makes excellent chocolate brownies and is a wonderful mother but one wonders whether her marriage is all it seems. Her friends aren't quite sure but support her all the same. And there are other hidden dynamics too: the women dare not speak of their fears for their husbands who are warding off potential threats from the Soviets.
As the women expand their horizons, they also get to know some wary locals who live in shocking material circumstances in a grieving England barely recovered from World War II. The glamorous "yanks" befriend the down-to-earth but reticent Kath and mysterious John Pharaoh and subsequently become ministering angels as they dispense freebies and treats to their new friends. But their actions turn out to be much more than "do-gooding". The women themselves are changed by the people and events they encounter in the Norfolk countryside.
Throughout The Future Homemakers of America Graham leads us effortlessly and convincingly on as we follow the lives of the characters across time and geography. All the while, she gives us humorous and often tender insights about women living, loving and adapting--and the forging of bonds that can last a lifetime. --Christina Mcloughlin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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
‘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
‘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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of those books you are really sad to finish!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Future Homemakers of America (Hardcover)
The book follows the lifelong friendship of five U.S. air-force wives: Peggy, Lois, Audrey, Betty, Gayle and their English friend Kath whom they meet when they are based in Norfolk. The story moves from post-war Britain back to the States and is peppered with the historical and social events that touched the lives of these women along the way. It has an easy to read style that is very witty and is one of the few books to which I have laughed out loud; the dog thought I'd gone mad! However as well as making you laugh it also makes you cry and just when you begin to wonder where the book is going it devlelops into a most surprising climax, that I just didn't see coming. I loved it and would definitely recommend it to anyone!!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An acerbically funny trip down memory lane for homemakers,
By Mary Poole (jb_poole@lineone.net) (Hertfordshire UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Future Homemakers of America (Hardcover)
I was a Future Homemaker in the American Midwest. But my group never had the adventures to equal this group of American Air Force wives, stationed in the bleak Norfolk of 1951, worried about their pilot husbands, quarreling and helping each other to survive. British readers will gain rare insights into American Air Force attitudes to the natives, especially of Norfolk, the royal family, all-purpose Jello and Velveeta and how to protect the Free World. American readers will blush and laugh at the mirror held up to themselves. And everybody will long for a heroine who can make duck quack noises with her armpits. The book follows the narrator, Peggy Dewey and her friends, Audrey, red-headed Lois, Gayle,homemaker par excellence Betty and the 'native' Kath Pharoah through decades of experience and the reader shares the glow of their friendship. Highly recommended to any one who values a friend. By the way,Future Homemakers are still thriving
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As they say in Norfolk - "It's a rum 'un!",
By A Customer
This review is from: The Future Homemakers of America (Paperback)
After a difficult beginning when all the characters were being introduced, I was soon hooked. Living as I do on the Suffolk/Norfolk border I recognised the bleak cold wet Fen and the earthly richness of Kath and her fellow Fen folk. As earthly as the rich earth they live amongst. Events, places, sayings - oh so apt. As a USAF (DW) wife from 1986 to 1995 I could also recognise the ever present spectre of Uncle Sam quietly disapproving of anyone putting the slightest foot wrong. We are transported from cold Fen to Texas to New York to the dizzy heights of Hunstanton and from laughter to tears and all points inbetween. It shows that with a little work friendships are for life, not just an assignment!
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