The Future Homemakers of America

by Laurie Graham

Book Overview

In the tradition of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, this moving novel, filled with warmth, wit, and wisdom, is about a group of women who discover--over the course of 40 turbulent years--the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1841153133
• ISBN13: 9781841153131
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The future homemakers

A wonderful read which is hard to put down- Ive read this upwards of 5 times. Each time it makes me laugh & cry for these women who go through so much- it makes me proud to be a woman!! A truly heartwarming story!

Great Reading For Gals AND Guys, Too!

I totally enjoyed this book! I recommend it wholeheartedly!! It is set in post WWII and runs up to the 90's. I liked reading about things I had forgotten from my childhood. And there is enough humor in the book to keep you reading. Seems like I couldn't get enough of this book. I'm looking forward to reading other books by Laurie Graham as well.

Friendships over all

This is the story of 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. Their common thread is having husbands flying for the 68th bomber wing, and that they are military wives in a foreign land. Their social life brings them together, even though life will force them apart in distance and social rank as the story moves over the next 40 years.I was confused about the Future Homemakers of America title, but by novel's end, the meaning rang true as the five women's lives tied back to Peggy and Betty's lives in Texas, near San Antonio where they grew up. This is the second novel I have read in recent months that has revolved around the genetic horror of an inherited disease, Huntington's Chorea. And I was fascinated at Laurie Graham's plot links from unfaithful Lois's affair with odd John Pharoah, the English odd-ball brother of Kath, who becomes Peggy's dearest of friends. The devotion of these women over the years through widowhood, remarriage, divorce, cancer, ambition and true friendship is worth the read. I especially enjoyed the humorous episodes of Peggy's in her wedding and then party planning business. And her association with her dear business partner, a younger man, who is gay, is delightful.Apparently incorporating a gay character is a trait of Laurie Graham's novels. And the reality of that incorporation is that many women find their best friendships to be with gay men.There is a feel of a Maeve Binchy read in this Laurie Graham book.

Military Wives Unite

I absolutely could not put this book down. I read it in less than 24 hours! As a pilot's wife myself, I could relate to the characters in every way. I did not feel as though the first 50 pages were slow, I loved the book from page 1. The characters were so fun and real. The scenarios and happenings of the characters were not extraordinary, and that's what makes the book so interesting. Ignore the negative reviews and get this book TODAY.

A Delightful Read

This was a wonderful story about 6 women, mostly military wives, who form great friendships that last through four decades of change. It's a great book about friendship in general, but I found it especially enjoyable because I am an Air Force wife and I found myself laughing out loud at how much has - and hasn't- changed in 50 years! Unlike some of the other reviewers, I found it gripping from the start. I had a hard time putting it down and can't wait to read it again. Ms. Graham tells the story of military wives (their friendships and adventures) so accurately, I can't help but wonder if this is somewhat biographical. I bought 5 copies to give to my closest friends here at - yep - an overseas Air Force base.