Adrian Mole, The Prostrate Years

by Sue Townsend

Penguin Canada 

  ~ Review in Halifax Herald, February 2010

Ever since the Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 and Three Quarters became a runaway success in 1982, Adrian Mole has continued to entertain his devoted followers. We have watched him grow up, get married and have children, though not necessarily in that order.  The life and times of Adrian Mole has kept us hugely entertained and Sue Townsend deserves multiple kudos for her comedic ability, especially in light of the content of her latest book which finds Adrian at an all time low.

Adrian Mole is a writer of bad, bad novels, even worse plays and a diarist extraordinaire.  Adrian Mole, The Prostrate Years finds him working in a used bookstore in Leicestershire, living in a converted pigsty which, in spite of gentrification, cannot shake its origins, and keenly aware that his marriage is less than idyllic.  His wife, Daisy, is a sophisticated city girl who hates country life and refuses to so much as purchase a pair of wellingtons.  The tantrums of his five year old daughter Gracie are no longer cute and his mother is considering an appearance on The Jeremy Kyle Show to publicly solve the mystery of his sister’s paternity.

Bad enough, but to make matters worse, Adrian’s frequent nightly visits to the bathroom are causing him enormous concern.  He suspects prostrate trouble.

Townsend’s sense of timing is perfect!  If you’re going to read this in public places, hold the book so the title is clearly visible.  It will explain stifled chuckles and smothered guffaws.

Sue Townsend was Britain’s best selling author of the 1980's for the Adrian Mole series.  She is also a well-known playwright and lives in Leicestershire, UK.