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Erma Bombeck
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The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank Kindle Edition

by Erma Bombeck (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,002 ratings
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The “marvelously funny” and much-loved humorist explores the perils of suburban living in this New York Times bestseller (Vogue).
For years, the Bombecks have heard rumors of a magical land called Suburbia where the air is clean, the grass is trimmed, and children don’t risk getting mugged on their walk to school. After watching their friends flee the city for subdivided utopias like Bonaparte’s Retreat and Mortgage Mañana, Erma and her family load up their belongings and cry, “Station wagons . . . ho!” But life on the suburban frontier is not as perfect as they had hoped. The trees are stunted, the house is cramped, and there’s no grass at all. But the Bombecks will make do, for they are suburbanites now—the last true pioneers! This ebook features an illustrated biography of Erma Bombeck including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s estate.
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  5. Publication date
    January 15, 2013
  6. File size
    8778 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“She is marvelously funny, direct as a hypodermic, a virtuoso in the field of suburban living. . . . Lovely stuff.” —Vogue “A gifted writer blessed with the comic equivalent of perfect pitch.” —The Boston Globe “The best there ever was.” —Helen Gurley Brown

From the Publisher

This timeless classic by Erma Bombeck still packs the punch. Though some things have changed, many of us still long for what the Jones have -- though they, in reality, long for what we have had all along. -- Louis Mended, editorial

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ARQXXEC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (January 15, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 15, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8778 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,002 ratings

About the author

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Erma Bombeck

Erma Bombeck

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Beloved for her wry yet warm look at family life, Erma Bombeck was America's favorite humorist at the time of her death in 1996. Ten of her 13 books, including Forever, Erma, appeared on the New York Times best-seller list. She claimed her first fiction writing was the weather forecast in the Dayton Herald. Her favorite food was pasta, and her hobby was dust.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,002 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

AMD
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining & Charming
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love the humor and wit, going through life's stages in time and all the changes that created the suburban life as we know it today. As a fellow suburbian, I relate to so much, especially when I compare and reminisce of my grandparents' and parents' stories. It leaves me curious of how my own kids will perceive life in the suburbs and what their kids' lives will be like. Everything good in life has some "bad", but that helps us appreciate what we do have. As the author wrote, what matters most is keeping family and friends close, having faith and laughing together at whatever comes your way. Great read!
4 people found this helpful
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Terry
5.0 out of 5 stars I Wish I Could Give 20 Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2016
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Erma Bombeck was a true star in her writing. This is the first of her books that I read, laughing hysterically at almost every word. This book has only gotten better with age. For people who didn't grow up in this age, it may seem quaint, and mostly unreal, but believe me when I say this is how life really was, once upon a time. Ms. Bombeck was writing hysterically funny columns long before Dave Barry, Carl Hiaasen, and Louis Lowdermilk. Books such as this once graced most bookshelves, and unknowing children got rid of them. If/when Amazon puts the rest of her work out there, and perhaps Shirley Jackson's "Raising Demons" - she did write more than "The Lottery" - people will understand that comedic writing can be done without swearing, sex, and references to drugs. Love this book. More like this, please. I will admit her death literally hit me in the gut, and I cried real tears. Writers such as Ms. Bombeck just aren't there any more.
50 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting view
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023
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An interesting and humorous view of the expansion to the suburbs. Not my generation but always good to read others view of history even if it's satirical. Bombs I did well with the writing and finding humor in the world around her.
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Jerrie
5.0 out of 5 stars Erma Bombeck
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2023
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Well worth reading.
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ILuvGoldDogs
3.0 out of 5 stars I guess you had to be there
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2022
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I used to love to watch Erma tell her stories when I was growing up, but unfortunately her wit and humor didn't seem to transfer as well to the "printed" word. You can't put timing, tone, inflections, facial expressions and such into print. She was a national treasure in her day. May she RIP.
2 people found this helpful
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Rosanna Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars A funny &relatable 1960ish mom & her family hilarious goings on. So enjoyable & a great read
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2022
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Prepare to chuckle all the way through this relatable back in the day mom & family relatonships, household challenges but will make your reading hours fly by !
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Dorthy McConnel
5.0 out of 5 stars Emma Bombeck s take on life in the suburbs
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2021
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No matter that this book was written decades ago. The words of Emma Bombeck are still relevant and funny. She had a way of commiserating and poking fun at life's twists and turns that still touches my heart.
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Jill Clardy
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Flashback to the 50's and 60's
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2013
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I've missed the humor and wit of Erma Bombeck since she passed in 1996 and am glad that her books are now being published in Kindle format. She described the exodus to the suburbs as a "long journey to the edge of town in search of a bath and a half and a tree". Some of her lines just make you laugh out loud, such as "...if the good Lord had meant for people to go nude He would never have invented the wicker chair". Her conclusions regarding some of the modern inventions of the day were spot on and somewhat prescient of what was to come in future decades: "Television was a terminal disease that was to spread and worsen, driving people from acute withdrawal to chip-dip attacks."

Her quick-witted quips on everything to do with domestic life helped us to not take ourselves too seriously and to find humor in the mundane details of our everyday lives. When I think of what has occurred in the 17 years since her death, I can't help thinking "what would Erma say?" about cell phones, IPads, permanently attached Bluetooth headsets, tattoos, reality tv, Skype, Costco, Facebook, and so many other features of our daily lives in the 21st century. One thing, I'm sure of is that she would keep us laughing among ourselves and at ourselves :)
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Gail
5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless
Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2022
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The book was in excellent condition. It was also a delightful read. I found myself laughing heartily because a lot of the attitudes from then still exist today, with only the status symbols changing. There were times when it was a reality check about how women still gang up on a woman who doesn’t live life the way their “tribe” does.
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andrew cartmel
1.0 out of 5 stars Junk
Reviewed in Australia on July 20, 2019
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Clever and intriging tjitle. That was what sucked me in. There's a reason why this book was cheap. Save the computer space.
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pj
5.0 out of 5 stars great service
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2013
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excellent product. Delivered to kindle in seconds. Very pleased. Wonderful service and would happily purchase more items from the store.
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Jacqueline Parser
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2020
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I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to have a good laugh. Very witty and entertaining. I will certainly read other works of hers
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Parchment
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2016
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A++
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