Chicken-Fried Women

Friendship, Kinship, and the Women Who Made Us This Way

By: Melissa Radke

Narrated by: Melissa Radke

From the bestselling author of Eat Cake. Be Brave, a love letter to the strong, opinionated Southern women who raised her and surround us all.

Lucy and Ethel. Laverne and Shirley. Dorothy, Sophia, Blanche, and Rose. Chicken-Fried Women is a celebration of them: the women who raised us, taught us to cook and clap back. The ones who prayed for us, raged at us and humbled us a notch or two when we needed it. These are the women who have encouraged us, teased us, chastised us, and mortified us. And as they fill up the seats around our table, we realize we wouldn’t have it any other way.

They’re our Chicken-Fried Women—battered on the outside, tender on the inside. Some are salty and a couple are Nashville Hot. Filled with a hilarious cast of larger-than life women, this book explores why no one messes with Southern women and their hair, why the whole family comes along when you go bra shopping, why true crime and aquarobics brings us together, and how faith shapes us through it all.

Insightful, big-hearted and laugh-out-loud funny, Chicken-Fried Women is a celebration of friendship, kinship and the women who shaped us.

Critic reviews

"Hilarious. Could barely breathe I was laughing so hard."—My Trainer, On Ab Day

"There better not be one word about me in this book."—My Mom

"You're writing another book? Why?"—Cashier at Chick-Fil-A

"I laughed. I cried. I cheered. It was a roller coaster of emotions."—A Woman Who Watched Me Get On a float

"It surprises me very little that she used the word 'Fried' in her title."—My Doctor

Love love love this book!!!!!

Thank you Melissa for this book! I loved listening to you narrate it on Audible and I feel as though I know all the voices of your family now! 😂 I laughed, cried, and am
forever grateful for the Chicken Fried Woman that it brought to mind in my life! 20/10 and I recommend to every woman to read this book!

Reminds me so much of the women in my life

This book was so good. It had touching moments, sad, moments, and lots of hilarious laughter! It is definitely been worth it.

Laughter through tears

I loved everything about this book. I recommend it for all women, you will love it.

Hilariously Relatable

The stories in this book are heartwarming and funny. For those of us who grew up among southern women, this book is a reminder of just how lucky we are. For those who did not, these stories make you feel like part of a family.

Tears and Laughter

Melissa is the best storyteller. She's so honesty it's refreshing. So many nuggets of wisdom in this book!