The Unfortunates - Softcover

Graham, Laurie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841153141 ISBN 13: 9781841153148

Publisher: Fourth Estate, 2002

Synopsis

The eagerly awaited new novel from the bestselling author of THE FUTURE HOMEMAKERS OF AMERICA.

What hope is there for Poppy Minkel? With her kinky hair, out-sticking ears, too yellow neck and appetite for fun, her mother Dora despairs of ever finding her a husband, despite the Minkel's Mustard fortune that seasons Poppy's dubious attractions. Correctness, duty and Dora Minkel Ear Correcting Bandages are the weapons in the Great Husband Hunt – and a torture to a girl who has her own hazy ideas about beauty, love and marriage. When world events intervene, Poppy's tendency to the unusual is quietly allowed to flourish. Her mother, meanwhile, finds comfort in a bottle of Tilden's Extract and the commanding ways of Aunt Fish. World War I opens new horizons for Poppy. With never a moment of self-doubt, she invents her own extraordinary life in step with the unfolding century.

Narrated by a heroine as original and enchanting as Sally Bowles, THE UNFORTUNATES is an hilarious, sweeping celebration of passion's triumph over prudence.

About this title

Review:

Poppy Minkel is the daisy fresh, naively witty star of Laurie Graham's The Unfortunates. Poppy is a mustard heiress with crinkle-cut hair, sticky-out ears and a nutty Jewish family. When Pa goes down with the Titanic, Ma decides Poppy was destined to be the companion of her old age. Instead Thoroughly Modern Poppy, blessed with 'savoir faire and unusual beauty' sashays into 1920s New York in search of generation-defining moments.

In a series of flashbulb-bright adventures Ms. Minkel acquires two husbands, two children, and a variety of breathless accomplishments--designer, aviatrix, gallerista. Poppy Minkel is determined to live up to her mantra: 'I'm modern and fun-loving and rich.' It's not all ditzy fun though, Poppy may glide along the surface of things admirably, but Laurie Graham's deft prose gets to the heart of things. The loss, grief, ignorance, and emotional vulnerbality that surround the events of the Second World War play in devasating counterpoint to Poppy's self-centred aplomb. Her breezy resilence allows her to deal with a drunken, violent first husband, with his haikus and his "glancing blows" and pretty much ignore anything else of consequence. It's only towards the end of the novel when faced with family tragedy that her regret slips in and "placed the heaviest weight around my heart". The Unfortunates is deliciously Nancy Mitford,--glinting with irony, sadness and humour.

Review:

Praise for THE UNFORTUNATES
'Laurie Graham is a writer with a remarkably malleable comic voice.' Alex Clark, The Guardian

'A combination of stealthy nostalgia and tender comedy...she writes with pathos – a quality that is rarely taken seriously nowadays, perhaps because it usually relies on a quality of innocence for its effect. Here, her prose rhythms bring sadness to the surface' Sophie Ratcliffe, TLS

'it's the insight it offers into changing personal attitudes and family life during this turbulent period that makes it such a fascinating read. The central character is delightful and the characters she encounters are both accurate and colourful. Well worth a read' Irish News

'Fresh, funny and smart' Observer

‘Graham’s style is riveting, hilarious one-liners fallling in quick succession. If you see people creasing up with laughter on public transport this summer, this is probably what they are reading.’ Anthea Lawson, The Times

‘A sparkling pleasure’ Peter Atkins, New Scientist

Praise for THE FUTURE HOMEMAKERS OF AMERICA:

My 'Leave-the-phone-off-the-hook' book of the year. Wonderful.' Val Hennessy, Daily Mail

'Graham has wit and insight to match Nick Hornby, and the entertainment value of Helen Fielding.' Nicolette Jones, Independent

'Superlative. The writing sparkles from first to last.' David Robson, Sunday Telegraph

'Life-affirming. Pure pleasure.' Katie Owen, The 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 this edition

• Publisher: Fourth Estate
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1841153141
• ISBN 13: 9781841153148
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384