Synopses & Reviews
On the eve of her thirty-seventh birthday, Fran Clark finds herself in a role she would never have envisioned: that of a surprisingly desperate housewife. As Fran halfheartedly attempts to relaunch her once-vibrant career as a voiceover artist and obsesses over keeping up with the ruthless mothers' scene at her children's school, she begins to realize that her thirty-seventh year isn't going to resemble the midlife bliss she had imagined. Instead, she makes excuses for the fact that she's depressed and drinking -- a lot. But when Fran realizes she has failed her children one too many times, and begins to suspect her husband is having an affair, she knows she has hit rock bottom. It is Fran's two closest friends who ultimately come to her rescue. She learns to thank them for her salvation -- not because they are there for her, but because she discovers how to be there for them. Literate and well written, 37 is a searingly intimate and compulsively readable novel, a very modern diary of a (not quite) mad housewife. Filled with acute, often bitingly funny observations about motherhood, friendship, and the claustrophobia of suburbia, this pitch-perfect novel will resonate with any woman who has ever been stricken with self-doubt. 37 is Maria Beaumont's third novel. After the mums from her kids' school have finished with her, it may be her last.
Review
"A gift for dissatisfied housewives."--Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[Fran] may be a desperate housewife, but her observations about life near 40 are hilarious."--OK! Magazine
Review
"Enjoyable mommy lit . . . ample doses of British humor."--Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
On the eve of her 37th birthday, former voiceover artist Fran Clark finds herself in a role she could never have envisioned???that of a surprisingly desperate housewife, who???despite, or because of, her ad exec husband and two children???finds herself suffocating in her own life.& nbsp; She??'s far too cynical to take suburban life too seriously (as she says, ???If it weren???t for the Happy Meal, several thousand women would have murdered their children: HAPPY MEALS SAVE LIVES.???), yet she can???t seem to stop herself from entering a panicky spiral downward, depressed and drinking too much, until she hits rock bottom.& nbsp; It will take both her children and her two best friends counting on her more than they???d ever anticipated for her to find the inner strength to rebuild her life.& nbsp; Fran??'s completely flawed yet completely lovable personality, filled with wit and charm, narrates this intimate, self-deprecating tale???one that will resonate with any woman who has ever been stricken with self-doubt.
Synopsis
On the eve of her 37th birthday, tough and funny Fran Clark finds herself in a role she would never have envisioned: that of a desperate housewife. Once upon a time she had a vibrant career as a voice-over artist; now she obsesses over the ruthless mothers' scene at her children's school and whether or not her husband is having an affair at the office. When Fran's drinking spirals out of control, she knows she has hit rock bottom. The only place to go is up. 37 is a searingly intimate and compulsively readable novel, a very modern diary of a (not quite) mad housewife.
About the Author
Maria Beaumont is 21, or 28, or sometimes 38--it depends on how good the lighting is. She writes books, and when she isn't doing that, she teaches street dance. And when she isn't doing that, she's working on improving the lighting.