I can remember when I first picked up The Secret Diary of Adrian
Mole Aged 13 ¾. I guess I was around 14 or 15 years old and in the stage of my
reading life where I was helping myself to books from my parent’s bookshelf. I didn’t
find Adrian Mole in my parent’s bookcase however I found it in the bathroom, by
the toilet, where it had been for some weeks. I figured no-one would miss it as
surely no one would keep a current book in the bathroom next to the toilet (yes
I was that unfamiliar with some peoples reading and toilet habits)
Anyway all of the Adrian Mole books are written in the form of a diary beginning at the rather precocious age of 13 ¾ and finishing (I presume so far) into Adrian’s middle(ish) age. The books take the reader not only through Adrian’s life but also cover various political and social events in Britain. But I would say that the main reason for the book’s popularity is that they are really very funny. It takes A LOT to make me laugh out loud while reading a book (most you will normally get out of me is an inward chuckle) but this particular series of book does. Adrian has a rather ‘woe is me’ attitude to life which is used to great comic effect. I personally think that Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ is not one of the best books in the overall series and that it really gets going more as he comes into adult life.
Not entirely sure I like the pastel looking nature of the new editions but neither the less I will thoroughly enjoy re-reading them all again.
I’m also not entirely sure that Adrian Mole would have huge appeal outside of the UK given that the books are so packed full of British cultural references, the last book for example contains references to MP expenses, the explosion of misery memoirs and the Jeremy Kyle show. Would anyone not living in the UK really ‘get these’? Shout me down if you think I’m wrong but these really are very British books.
Posted by Jess
Not read all of them but I would agree that they are definitely very 'British' books. I actually really like the new editions...
ReplyDeleteah I dunno about the new editions I quite liked the original covers
DeleteI haven't read any of them, but I don't think British references would necessarily turn me off. (Publishers seem to think young people can't handle that sort of thing, though; I remember finding out how much was changed in the U.S. editions of Harry Potter. Honestly... it's not that difficult to figure out what a "jumper" is from the context.)
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe they changed Jumper in Harry Potter LOL
DeleteIts not just the words though its just there are so many politial and news type things in there, even I sometimes have trouble as I was not an adult inthe 80s
I've never heard of this series but it does sound pretty interesting. I don't know what the covers looks like before but these are horrible! They look like galley copies.
ReplyDeleteThats it, I can understand Penguin trying to make all the books look 'complete' but they are quite boring. Ah well I didnt let them pout me off
DeleteA whole new generation ready to read this great series I suppose, they do attract a cult following. No idea if Americans get this type of humour or not.
ReplyDelete