The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4

**Warning Spoilers** Adrian Mole is a gifted 13-year-old boy living in England in the early 80s. In this book Adrian tells the story about his "horrible" home life, his crush Pandora, his parent's split, trouble at school, his new eighty-year-old friend Bert, his acne problem, the Royal Wedding, and numerous other events. Even the most normal events turn tragic when Adrian and his family are involved. Adrian reminds me of a Woody Allen movie. It's brilliantly funny and I recommend it to anyone.

I love this book! I read it when I was a teenager and some of the stuff that only the English would know was a bit tough to get through but it was just so much fun, so hilarious that I read it many times. I recently re-read it and it was totally as good as I remember or better. Unfortunately, there were follow-up books and none came even close to this, the classic British Diary book. If you thought the daily musings of Bridget Jones were funny or that her life was one giant mishap, you obviously have not met Adrian Mole! He is young, trying to get through his O Levels (whatever the heck that is) and he is in love with Pandora, the face of his w.d.'s. He also has to deal with a drunk father, a mutt who nobody cares about, a crazy old man he helps for charity and an adulterous mum. So, get this book and be ready to wipe tears from your eyes from all your laughing.

Fabulously entertaining! I read the first of the series, cover-to-cover in one afternoon then left to buy up the rest of the series and read them one after another. I can't get enough of the Moles! This book has such wit. I was truly upset to get to the end and wanted to just read through the series again. At first, the book's flavor reminded me of Owen from "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving -- (I ADORED that book) -- but as I read on, the books by Townsend are even better! NOT JUST FOR TEENAGERS! (In fact, much of the humor would be lost on them, I think.) The diaries are full of entries that will make you laugh out loud. I can't imagine anyone not liking this collection. I cerainly wouldn't want them as friends! BUY THIS BOOK NOW!

I've read this book two years ago and it becames one of my favorite books. When I am depressed, I read this book and it always make me laugh. I wish I had all diaries of Adrian Mole. British sense of humour is very special and I love it.

I read this the first time at age 55. I took it over to my neighbor (she was 62). I sat on my porch and listened to her laugh for a couple hours. She took it to another neighbor whose daughter was sick in bed. She read it to her daughter and I could hear them laughing two houses away. It's a wonderful book. You wouldn't want to live next door to Adrian, but he's has a special insight into the peculiar intricacies of life which truly will lighten your day. If you're depressed, don't pass it up. I read 2-3 books a week and this is on my list to re-read again and again.