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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Death
Oh Adrian! I have to read your diary with my hand covering my face!! Love them though.. :)
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really didn't like this. With humour, it's so much a question of taste, I guess. These books are hugely popular and loads of good writers like them so maybe it's just me. Having read about Sue Townsend, I feel I ought to like what she writes but I don't.
I can't really say I find any of the characters likeable or worth caring about with the possible exception of Adrian's boss at the the bookshop. I found the bits about Nigel losing his sight, embarrassing and cringe-worthy but not funny. Sue Townsend had lost her sight recently when she wrote this so she knows what she is writing about but I couldn't engage with it- even though Adrian was appallingly insensitive I didn't warm to Nigel cos he was so unreasonable.
In general, it seems to me that the book mocks everyone for everything- weight, poverty, lack of education, fashion sense, being different, mental health issues etc. this just makes me dislike the narrator ( Adrian/ Sue Townsend).
The plot has many similarities to Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis- man dating a needy woman who is dominated by her appalling pretentious parents. I loved Lucky Jim when I read it at university but reading it recently I was appalled by the misogyny. In Adrian's case I wondered the whole time why he didn't just follow his boss's advice and stop seeing her since he didn't like her.
I can't really say I find any of the characters likeable or worth caring about with the possible exception of Adrian's boss at the the bookshop. I found the bits about Nigel losing his sight, embarrassing and cringe-worthy but not funny. Sue Townsend had lost her sight recently when she wrote this so she knows what she is writing about but I couldn't engage with it- even though Adrian was appallingly insensitive I didn't warm to Nigel cos he was so unreasonable.
In general, it seems to me that the book mocks everyone for everything- weight, poverty, lack of education, fashion sense, being different, mental health issues etc. this just makes me dislike the narrator ( Adrian/ Sue Townsend).
The plot has many similarities to Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis- man dating a needy woman who is dominated by her appalling pretentious parents. I loved Lucky Jim when I read it at university but reading it recently I was appalled by the misogyny. In Adrian's case I wondered the whole time why he didn't just follow his boss's advice and stop seeing her since he didn't like her.
One of the funniest of the series. I found it especially interesting now after Brexit and the political commentary is sharp and still relevant now.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes