Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction

Adrian Mole is back, hitting 35, and his life is still a well intentioned shambles. Working at a used book store, deeply in debt, he still retains the charming naivite that made his youthful diaries so entertaining. I read Sue Townsend for the first time when I was in high school and much like the "35 Up" film series, keep returning to catch up with her delightful creation every five to seven years. Adrian never really changes, just accumulates more life experience and muddles on. He is as original a character as any I've ever read. This volume is attuned to the times... the title itself hints at the emotional arc of the story. Adrian has some growing up to do, and does it by the journal's end. "Mass" is not without its poignant moments -- Adrian's son is serving in the war, for instance-- but it is never a downer. Highly recommended to fans of the original. You won't be disappointed.

We've known Adrian Mole since his diaries were first published at the tender age of 13 and three quarters - (thanks Sue Townsend for finding them!) He has angsted his Generation X life through a painful adolescence, embarrassed and humiliated by his baby-boomer parents, with a constant and noble (if sometimes base) adoration for Pandora Braithwaite. In this latest wonderful outing of his diaries Adrian is in his 30's, a solo father who works in a second-hand bookshop (he is no longer a chef at Offally Good). Townsend successfully links the political situation in Britain with Adrian Mole to hilarious effect. The book opens with (and frequently refers back to) Adrian Moles attempt to get a refund from the travel agent for a canceled holiday to the mediterranean - cancelled because Mole believes Tony Blair would never lie when he says there is a threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq. Mole spends the book writing to Mr Blair, the British Prime Minister, asking him for a letter confirming the WMD because the travel agency won't refund his money. Adrian meets the woman of his dreams, (who turns out to be the manipulating harridan of his nightmares) as she and her family drag him deeper into a manipulative nightmare - and in an utterly hilarious reflection of his earlier problems with the travel agency, he ends up sending her and her mother on an all expenses paid holiday to the mediterranean while he has to stay at home. Townsend's writing is clever, sympathetic and full of underlying humour about both the social and political situation in Britain. I have really enjoyed the Adrian Mole series, the Capuccino years was good - but this one was GREAT - I look forward to following Mole through to his dotage.

I loved the first two books in the Adrian Mole series but was a bit let down by the Wilderness and Cappuccino years--however, the Weapons of Mass Destruction show Sue Townsend at her comic best again. I laughed outloud and couldn't put the book down. I was also moved by how effectively Townsend addressed the war in Iraq without making it heavy-handed. The end of the book is sad but wonderful...

If you like your humour very British and "spew your drink through your nose" funny, Adrian is your man. I can honestly say the funniest book I have ever read is "The Diaries of Adrian Mole, age 13 and 3/4". I'm happy to report this latest installment in the series does not disappoint. Adrian is still a hapless, hopeless man/child with more issues than he knows what to do with. Join Adrian for his hysterical misadventures, you will not be disappointed.

I got the book two days ago and finished all 460 pages as I could not put it down. I read the first Adrian Mole book when I was in Jr. High and thought I would revist the Sue Townsend character, as I found him truly hilarious. This book has numerous funny and intriguing characters that centre around A.Mole. I'm glad I was not disappointed and I know you won't be either. Hope this helped and Take Care :)