Review of 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (aged 13 3/4)'

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (aged 13 3/4) by Sue Townsend

A witty “diary” of Adrian Mole who is oblivious to the events that surround his rather humourous life. The novel spans one year (and a bit) of Adrian's life and in it we see the world through his eyes – he does not see the humour in what is happening but it is laid plain to the reader. His on-again-off-again “love” life, his struggles to find a career he should focus his life on, the rapidly deteriorating marriage of his parents (and their arguing about who would NOT get Adrian), his much maligned dog, his friendship with an elderly gentleman (with a penchant for Indian food) and other events are scattered throughout the book (much as these events would occur in real life). Well written if not terribly thick on plot but terribly funny and a great light read (as one would suspect with such a “humourous novel”).

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Genre: General Fiction