Book info

• Title The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4
• Author Sue Townsend
• Year 1982
• Genre Humour

At thirteen years old, Adrian Mole has more than his fair share of problems - spots, ill-health, parents threatening to divorce, rejection of his poetry and much more - all recorded with brilliant humour in his diary.

Thoughts

I have read this book over and over, but not for a long time. When I was younger, I had a well-leafed copy, and I guess I enjoyed it because of the diary format rather than because I had any particular understanding of it. I don’t relate to what it’s like being a teenage boy, and looking back now I can see that I didn’t get a lot of the references.

I was surprised to see this as a Kindle Daily Deal but snapped it up, as I had almost forgotten the book existed! I instantly opened it and began to reminisce and before I knew it, I’d read the entire thing in the space of 24 hours. I love it, the simplicity, the fish out of water, the dry humour.

I can relate to being an odd one out at school, and obsessing over childhood crushes, but more than that, it’s just a really enjoyable (and quick!) read. I hadn’t realised there were quite so many sequels, I think perhaps I have read just the second, but I’ll be sure to check out some more of them.

Rating: 5 / 5