Friendships by Female Authors
The Future Homemakers of America was written by Laurie Graham in 2001. It’s a friendship saga that lasts over a couple of generations. Starting in East Anglia, UK, where the USA Air Force was based to combat the ‘Russkies’ during the 1950s Cold War.
The story follows the American women married to USA pilots, who travelled to different foreign bases with their husbands. Laurie Graham takes us through Korea and Vietnam, revisting the Cold War years when the world was on the edge of destruction.
This is a novel about relationships set against a military background. I enjoyed this nostalgic look back to “the good old days”, reminding us of a time when not everyone had a car,phone,TV or even a toilet inside a house. (Instead you had a freezing run to the outside loo).
Although I knew this was a book about women, it took me 50 pages before I realised the person telling the story was also a woman. 
So I had to readjust my head to get a female perspective – quite an unusual experience. 
I have read very few books by female authors, and they are mainly in my favourite genre of science fiction or science fantasy. However this book reminded me of “84 Charing Cross Road” by Helene Hanff.
It concernded the same era, 1950s and 1960s, and the same theme, an American woman interacting with an English friend. Not exactly a clash of cultures, but these books point out the differences.
I recommend both as enjoyable reads.
Marathon Runner, Drinker and Artist, Blogging for Pleasure and Profit.
Hi John,
You certainly have many interests my friend. A lot of people don’t like to look back, they prefer to look to the future, personally I like a bit of nostalgia. I think my favourite era was the 30′s and 40′s, it was the time when many great films and music were produced.
Your comment on freezing outdoor toilets was a subject I touched upon in a book just published for my football club – ‘A Town Like Parish’ http://www.dentontownfc.co.uk Our New Book page and News page if you would like a snapshot of it.
In one chapter I talk about living conditions in the 50′s and early 60′s when things we take for granted today were unheard of. I hope I haven’t bored you with all this John.
Regards,
Bill
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John McNally
Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 11:58 am
I’m not bored Bill, I love nostalgia…..
Remember before quilts, we had blankets on our beds, and no central heating. So in extra-cold winters my parents used to chuck coats on top of the blankets to keep us warm. Ah, happy days
John
[Reply]
John McNally
Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Just had a look at your book Bill. Well done – you’re an author.
If I ever write something, I will choose a topic close to my heart, like you have with your football club.
Congratulations. I hope you sell a load.
John
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Thanks for sharing, I found this story while looking for lyric updates, interesting comments and good points made.
[Reply]
John McNally
Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Glad you liked it. Call back any time, I often post articles in the ‘Music’ category. Everything from ABBA to Zepplin.
John
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Hi John, well, starting out in my part of the world I ought to read this then! Oh, and I’ve been getting a lot of the ‘I came across your site while looking for lyrics’ – must be the latest spam avoider.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
[Reply]
John McNally
Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 10:47 am
I was thinking about you Mandy, when I read the book. You will probably recognise a lot of the places mentioned. See you back at your blog.
John
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