This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel follows two American academics in London—a young man and a middle-aged woman—as they each fall into unexpected romances. In her early fifties, Vinnie Miner is the sort of woman no one ever notices, despite her career as an Ivy League professor. She doubts she could get a man’s attention if she waved a brightly colored object in front of him. And though she loves … though she loves her work, her specialty—children’s folk rhymes—earns little respect from her fellow scholars. Then, alone on a flight to London for a research trip, she sits next to a man she would never have viewed as a potential romantic partner. In a Western-cut suit and a rawhide tie, he is a sanitary engineer from Tulsa, Oklahoma, on a group tour. He’s the very opposite of her type, but before Vinnie knows it, she’s spending more and more time with him.
Also in London is Vinnie’s colleague, a young, handsome English professor whose marriage and self-esteem are both on the rocks. But Fred Turner is also about to find consolation—in the arms of the most beautiful actress in England. Stylish and highborn, she introduces Fred to a glamorous, yet eccentric, London scene that he never expected to encounter.
The course of these two relationships makes up the story of Foreign Affairs—a finalist for the National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award as well as a Pulitzer Prize winner, and an entertaining, poignant tale from the author of The War Between the Tates and The Last Resort, “one of this country’s most able and witty novelists” (The New York Times).
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Alison Lurie including rare images from the author’s personal collection.
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I love Alison Lurie’s Work, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Academics abroad get into all kinds of tangles, and the characters are varied and sharply drawn. English teachers and professors will love it.
Fifty pages and three main characters in to the book all of whom I’ve found grating. This book won a Pulitzer? What am I missing? Hard pass.
I read this book several years ago and enjoyed it very much at the time. Can’t recall too many details, but our book club read it and did like it and would recommend it.
Excellent word choice and innovative descriptions. Quirky characters. Particularly enjoyed a middle-aged female protagonist for a change.
Very wordy. I didn’t find the characters very likable.
I first read this when it appeared, and I enjoyed rereading it.
Very good depiction of an Anglophile in England. As much as one might try, one can’t deny who we are.
Enjoyed it so much I bought the movie starring Joanne Woodward.
Unexpectedly funny and sweet, with good snarky humor. Really enjoyed it.
This was a really good story and well-written. I will definitely read more by this author.
A learning experience.
It’s a good summer read
Loved this book. So many truths about mature people. Very clever and funny. Fabulous writing.
Just finished FOREIGN AFFAIRS by Alison Lurie, the 1985 Pulitzer Prize winner in the fiction category. Three Americans — two college professors and a rich, retired oil engineer — spend a summer in London, studying, doing research, exploring British culture, and variously interacting with each other and local citizens. Along the way they find …
I must be honest and admit this book had so little to offer me that I stop reading early on.
It is a bit dated but a nice story.
It didn’t want this book to end.
Still reading and enjoying very much.Well written!
Subtle writing with great insight into characters. Well worth the read.
Very literary.