The Early Birds

by Laurie Graham

THE EARLY BIRDS is the touching and funny follow-up to THE FUTURE HOMEMAKERS OF AMERICA.

'Wit and insight to match Nick Hornby , and the entertainment value of Helen Fielding' Independent on The Future Homemakers of America

'Why is Laurie Graham not carried on people's shoulders through cheering crowds? Her books are brilliant!' Marian Keyes

Peggy, the southern belle. Kath, the pragmatist with the only Norfolk accent in New York state. Gayle, the preacher with healing hands. Mrs Colonel Audrey Rudman, forever keeping up the standards of the Officers' Wives Club. Lois, who's never had a thought she didn't voice. Loudly.

Their menfolk may be long retired, but once a US Air Force wife, always an Air Force wife, and the bonds of friendship forged in base after military base are still going strong fifty years later. Time is rendering its Accounts Payable for all of them hip replacements, eye problems, forgetfulness and departures.

In this hymn to lifelong female friendship, Peggy soldiers on through new upheavals, including her ex-husband Vern's Alzheimer's diagnosis, the death of one of her nearest and dearest, a life-changing house move and the world-shattering events of 9/11 with the help of her sharp-tongued, often eccentric, but always loyal group of friends.

Genres: Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2017

About the author

Laurie Graham was first published at the advanced age of 40. Gentle comedy is her style. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the best-selling The Future Homemakers of America and its sequel, The Early Birds

Mother of four, grandmother of many, Laurie is married to a New Yorker and lives in County Dublin, Ireland.

You can visit her website, read what she's up to and say hello at http://lauriegraham.com

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight this book is! Laurie Graham is at the top of her game here, with this follow-up to The Future Homemakers of America. Now the young women we first met on a US Air Force base in deepest Norfolk are all much older – if not wiser. The years have taken their toll, but the friendship between them lives on, and the loyalty and courage that marked their early friendship are still very much in evidence. It’s not necessary to have read the first book, as Graham fills in the back story when necessary, but I think it adds to the reading pleasure. As usual, Graham doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker aspects of life as illness and death are now affecting all the women and their families. And just as WWII was the backdrop to the earlier book, here 9/11 plays out before their horrified eyes. Graham’s skill is in merging the horror with the everyday, the tragedy with the fun, all with her trademark humour, poignancy and humanity. With her usual acute observations and insight into human nature, and her ever sparkling wit and dialogue, I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting with old friends and remained absorbed from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

[Helen Eddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Laurie Graham's books and this is no exception. In Early Birds, we meet the characters from Future Homemakers of America once again - Texan Peggy Dewey, Kath from Norfolk, Gayle, now supposedly a faith healer, the very proper Audrey and loudmouth Lois. We've moved on 50 years and with the events of 9/11 as a backdrop, the ladies are now experiencing the problems and difficulties of old age. Reading this book is to be reacquainted with old friends, their highs and lows, their loves and losses and their precious memories of friendship and family life. Delightful!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Future Homemakers of America so when I saw quite by



chance that Laurie Graham had writt
en a follow-up I couldn't download it
quick enough. It didn't disappoint,
Peggy Dewey is still going strong, holding things together, building and maintaining friendships and providing a laconic, heartfelt commentary on her life.
If you've never read a Laurie Graham you are missing out. I don't care which one you start with, but start now.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable sequel to The Future Homemakers of America. Make sure you read that first though. This is a standalone but I'm not sure it would be as enjoyable if you hadn't read the first instalment and got a handle on who all the different characters were.

[Jill Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurie Graham is an English writer who writes mostly about British subjects but sometimes gives them a US flair. Her newest novel, "The Early Birds", is a sequel to "The Future Homemakers of America", which was published in 2002. It followed the lives of five or six women - mostly American - during their marriages to American airmen from 1952 onwards. You needn't to have read "Homemakers" to read "The Early Birds"; Graham does a good job in bringing the new reader up to speed on who's who. The new book begins in 1999 and ends in about 2005. It's the story of the old flyers' wives and how they've aged into wisdom and, in most cases, acceptance of others.

This book is woven around Peggy Dewey and her family and friends. Peggy was long divorced from flyer Vern, and has made her way in the Texas world in which she was born and where she returned after her divorce. Bringing up her only child, Crystal, Peggy began a wedding planning company which morphed into a party planning company when one of her bride's mothers did her wrong. Peggy's closest friend and partner in her company was Grice, a gay man who lived with his partner, Tucker Hoose. After Tucker's death, Peggy and Grice are made homeless through the legal machinations of Tucker's cousin. Around the same time, Vern Dewey is diagnosed with Alzheimers and Crystal needs help in taking care of him. Peggy and Grice hit the road, driving from Texas to Maine to pitch in on Vern's care.

Peggy Dewey is hardly the ministering angel when she agrees to look after Vern, in his failing years. She's resentful that her life has come to this and her ambivalence shows in her relationships with Vern and his dim-witted step-son, Eugene, who is SUPPOSED to be caring for Vern, but is more interested in his bait farm, and, in the next few years, 9/11. Because a few months after Grice and Peggy come to Maine, the attacks are carried out and more than a few of the Dewey crew are not convinced of just who did what, where. Conspiracy theories abound...

I've read many of Laurie Graham's books, and most come with a quirky character or a quirky plot point that more conventional authors wouldn't include in a novel. And the 9/11 conspiracy is this novel's quirk. It's only one of the four or five plot points but is quite interesting in Graham's clever hands. She also gives the reader a picture of Alzheimers and how it affects both the individual and those around him. But "The Early Birds" is not a sad novel. Peggy, Grice, and the others are wonderful people who readers might recognise as being like people they know, and often, love.

(By the way, "The Early Birds" is not available yet on Amazon/US. I had to order a copy from England. I certainly hope that Amazon and the various publishers begin to work together to offer British works as Kindle options. For instance, this webpage gives the Kindle option, but states "is not currently available for purchase". If not now, when...?)

[MBenzz · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 Stars: Ok, I JUST finished this book, and I don't understand how NO ONE has mentioned the incredibly abrupt ending. Like, not one single person. The book is plodding along; not much is happening; they go on a cruise, there's a sad twist while on the cruise, then they fly home, and BAM!! Book is over!

WHAT?!

What happened to Vern? What happened with Lois and Herb? Crystal? Did Peggy ever find a little bit of happiness with Cort? WHO KNOWS!!

Maybe if I'd been reading an actual dead-tree book, I would have been prepared for it because I would have been able to clearly see I was at the end of the book, but on the Kindle, it just stops. I actually thought there was an error with how my Kindle downloaded the book, and the ending was missing. It's one of the worst book endings I have ever come across.

Aside from that, this book was a disappointment. This is less a sequel than a follow-up to Graham's 2001 'Future Homemakers of America', a book I read back in 2003. Now, 18 years is a LONG time in the world of books. I have read hundreds and hundreds of books between now and then, so I had absolutely zero recollection of the characters and their lives, which made this book feel unnecessary. Why Ms. Graham felt FHoA needed a follow-up 18 years later (2001-2019) is beyond me.

Oh, and one other little side-note...the constant 9/11 conspiracy theories made for extremely uncomfortable reading. I don't know if everything Eugene was saying reflects how Laurie Graham herself feels about the attacks of 9/11, or if she just did a LOT of research, but it felt like she was trying to convince me, the reader, that our own government demolished those towers and that the planes were actually full-sized drones and the government 'disposed' of all the passengers on the actual planes. That a missile or bomb exploded in the Pentagon and not a plane. It goes on-and-on and even attempts to discredit phone calls that people on the planes made to their loved ones.

Personally, I found it absolutely vile and disgusting, and it just left an awful taste in my mouth. That's not what I expected to read in a women's fiction novel about geriatric Air Force wives living out their golden years. I do believe this will be the last Laurie Graham novel I ever read.

[Verity W · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****

I love Laurie Graham so a new book from her is always a cause for celebration and excitement for me. It's taken a long time for this one to arrive and so I saved it to read on holiday as a treat.

This is a sequel to one of Graham's earlier novels - her first sequel I think - and we meet up with many of the characters from Future Homemakers of America at the turn of the millennium. Peg and her friends are in their 70s and age is catching up to them and the world is changing fast. This isn't as laugh out loud funny as my favourites of Graham's novels, but it is a brilliant evocation of the best of female friendships. Peg, Lois, Audrey and Gayle were thrown together by the coincidence of their military husbands' postings where they met Kath, the outsider, and formed a sisterhood that endured over 50 years.

The only reason that this isn't a 5* review for me is because I felt like it got a bit bogged down in some of the post 9/11 conspiracy theories, without necessarily tying it all up properly although I was pleased with what happened to Eugene (which raised a smile!) and I wanted a slightly more conclusive end. But a new book from Graham is better than a new book from most other authors, so it's minor niggling really. And I loved the recipes. There's even a couple I might try out. This will be best appreciated I think if you've recently read Future Homemakers - or indeed reread it in preparation (which I didn't have a chance to do) but even if you haven't there's plenty here for you to enjoy watching a group of old ladies support each other and try and make the most of the life they have left.

[Joyb Animalcrackers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has heart and is about a group of people who happen to be in thieir seventes, quite like a fun chick-lit novel but with more depth.
Peggy, the central character was married to an airman and still keeps in touch with others who were young wives in the 1950s. One had died, another made it big as a TV healer, another is a brash loud-mouthed character who has a big heart. Then there is Kath. She was an English girl who married into the USAF and her phrases and outlook are seen)hilariously) as strange by the American women (who do not realise they too are strange, have an accent etc).
Peggy and her gay friend Grice answer Peggy's thug of a daughter;s plea to help care for Peggy's ex-husband who has dementia and lives with his stepson who is into conspiracy theories = and his arguments are pretty convincing!" The handling of TV coverage of 9/11 and the US perspective and how little was known or understood is masterful, and would get anyone siding with the conspiracy theorists.
I found it a really refreshing change that the central character is not a pretty, buff mindless girl but a woman who still has her marbles despite many birthdays.
As it is fun i am sure it will appeal to any age reader

[Katrina Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this catch up with the future homemakers! Having read, loved and recommended widely, the earlier novel 'The Future Homemakers of America', I was delighted to find that Laurie Graham had written a second book about these girls. In this book we catch up with the ladies in their retirement years. Time has taken its toll and the girls have lived through much change and some troubles; however they are still as sparky and fun as they were back in the Norfolk of the 1950s. The story starts at the approach of the new millennium and the ladies are coming to terms with amongst other things: the millennium bug, Alzheimer's, broken hips, loss of husbands and friends, September 11th and children, as well as getting older themselves. They are still as funny and frank as they always were throughout all the difficulties sent their way. I love the writing style, where I feel I'm almost eavesdropping on their conversations. These ladies are real women, flawed but instantly lovable in spite of everything. Read and enjoy...............................!

[Dorothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laurie Graham's books, even her comic ones, use a fictitious character to illuminate a historical event or social issue. When Graham is "on song", that fictitious character is much more than a device to tell a story - she (and it's usually a she) leaps off the page at you on the very first page, and sticks with you after the book has ended. Even in Graham's weaker books, I usually find the main character so engaging, I'll keep reading.

I'll even pick up books on topics I wouldn't normally contemplate, just because Graham's name is on the cover - and that's why I picked up this novel.

I read to escape, whether it's into history or adventure or romance. I'm bored by present-day reality stories about family or female friendship, so Graham needed to give me an outstanding heroine to draw me into this one. Unfortunately, she didn't. I'm not sure whether Peggy failed to jump off the page because an American voice isn't as natural to the author as a British one, or because I can't identify as strongly with an American voice - but I noticed the difference.

This time the historical era was recent - 9/11. The event doesn't happen till well into the book, but when it does happen, it takes over a large chunk. I got very tired of the long passages examining all the conspiracy theories, and was relieved when the story finally moved on.

This is the story of a group of women in their declining years. For some, it may be comforting to see how some characters die peaceful deaths doing what they love, and inspiring to see how others soldier on through the tough times and find happiness. For me, the whole thing was just a depressing reminder that I'm hurtling towards a time of life fraught with hip replacements, loneliness, financial insecurity and (God forbid) Alzheimer's, and then we die.

Note: for some weird reason, Goodreads thinks I read this book three times. I didn't. I read it once and that became a chore towards the end.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone else a fan of Laurie Graham? This is my fourth and I’ve loved them all. With The Early Birds, Laurie Graham has written a follow-up that’s 40 years later in the lives of her characters. These five friends, all airforce wives back in the 50s, appeared in The Future Homemakers of America, written 15 years ago. In some books The Voice of the characters is loud and clear and this is one of them. There’s a sassy southern American drawl that I wanted to read slowly and revel in. The five women and their lifelong friendship are the core of the story but there’s a great ensemble cast adding their support. I enjoyed getting back in touch with these women and Laurie Graham has nailed the dynamics. If you liked Divine Secrets of The Ya Ya Sisterhood, Bridget Jones’s Diary, or anything by Fannie Flagg you’ll enjoy this book and it could easily be read as a stand alone -4 ⭐️

Here’s a little quote where Peggy is talking about her daughter.……”I had to laugh. Doesn’t matter how old your kids get, you still think of them as kids. But as the years pass there’s less and less difference between you. Live long enough, me and Crystal’ll both be old ladies. How weird would that be?”

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess this book could be a stand-alone, but it wouldn't have near as much impact. When necessary, the narrator explains the history behind the characters, but in a quick and muddy way (Understandably, they've known each other for 60 years so there's a lot to cover!). So I highly recommend reading The Future Homemakers of America first to get a feel for the characters. They are so unique, so believable, especially the narrator, Peggy.
A fast read, witty but quietly sad in many places. Lots of loose ends that I hope the author ties up someday. I just love the realism of the characters and their issues, even if they are generally the types of things that concern octogenarians.

*edited to say: the author is British, but the main character/narrator of this story is not. Because of this discrepancy, there were occasional phrases used that Peggy wouldn't have used (pyjamas, kerb, etc) and I wish the editor would've changed those to American phrases or words in keeping with the character.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband was kind enough to pick this up whilst he was out one day and i must say he made a good choice for someone that doesn't like reading....
How wonderful this book was to read and what a welcoming sense of love between the friendships of these group of ladies.
Peggy is the main character for me and i could totally relate to Crystals character having had experienced dementia with my own mother.
In a nut shell i really enjoyed this book espcially on those wet and windy days we experienced.

[Fracesca Dignan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disapointed

I really like the first book in the series but this one seemed very repetitive. There was a lot of reminiscing about evens which happened in book one and that took up a lot of space which could be used for other plot points, but I will offer a warning to other readers that there is a very sad and unexpected twist at the end 😞

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

FAB

A bloody good read! Like the 'Future Homemakers' I read it all in one sitting. And again as before I cried buckets at the end. Laurie Graham is brilliant, she sends you right into the character's lives, she is witty, she is bittersweet. But above all she cares about her characters which means you end up caring about them too!!!

[Helen Carolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequel to "The Future Homemakers of America" was some-what disappointing. It didn't really have the humour or fun of her earlier offering. I felt like this was written on sufferance as she felt she had to write a follow-up. I am a big fan of Ms Graham, but this is not really one of her best.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the pace of this book and it’s rambling journey it was right for my mood at this time .... it was fun and quirky but serious and sad too ... worth a read and joining the girls in their life journey

[Daniella · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this confusing, jumpy, and deeply unsatisfying. There were too many characters, too many plot lines, and too many random ideas. Although it looks at wonderful friendships in old age - as well as the hardships that come with it - it was not the heartwarming tale I was expecting.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurie Graham is one of my favourite authors, and she doesn’t disappoint in this delightful sequel to the Future Homemakers.
The quick wit and full roundedness of every character in this book makes it unputdownable. Loved it.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming story of friendship over 50 years. It was like catching up with old pals for a natter but with the heart break of losing loved ones as the years pass.

[Rosie Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. Great characters, setting and plot. I have enjoyed every Laurie Graham book I have read so far.

[Nrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cavalier in its attitude to dying!! 

[Vivienne · Rating 1 out of 5]

As with the first book, I couldn't finish it. I was so bored, never got involved with the (very many) characters.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with Laurie Graham’s books a terrific read. This is the follow-up to one of my favourite books by her.

[Laura Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book to read in between two heavy reads. It's a nice story about aging and really made me think.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[J Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to The Future Homemakers of America and it is best to read The Homemakers first. Amusing language and events.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite sweet but a bit shallow

[Bookworm Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading humerous