The Oldie

Bored in the USA

MARY KILLEN

Away Weekend

By Lesley Fernández-Armesto

Quadrant Books £10

There are not enough female participants in the genre of comic fiction. Entering the ring for the first time, aged 67, comes Lesley Fernández-Armesto, who has delivered a perfect comedy of English vs American manners.

No racism is permitted these days, of course, but if you happen to have any bugbears about hearty Americans with gleaming rows of teeth set into rictus smiles, yet with

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