Un-Earthed Mole (The Lost Diaries of Adrian Mole 1999-2001 - Sue Townsend)

Member Name: luckyarchers

Product:	The Lost Diaries of Adrian Mole 1999-2001 - Sue Townsend
Date:	29/10/09 (262 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Short bursts of good satire.

Disadvantages: OK humorous read - but author has written much better.

== Author ==

The author, Sue Townsend lives in Leicestershire, as does her creation Adrian Mole. As well as writing many books about the Moles, other satirical novels, and serious books, she has also written for the stage, television, radio and Sainsbury's Magazine.

I think that the aspiring fictional author Adrian, and any others in a similar situation, could draw comfort from the success Sue Townsend has now had after leaving school aged 15 to work in a series of unskilled jobs.

Her new book Adrian Mole the Prostate Years is due to be released in hardback and audio CD on, ironically, 5 Nov 2009. I hope its fit for better things than the Bonfire!


== The Plot ==

Adrian is now a single Dad of two sons with different mothers. The author tries to be politically correct throughout the book, in this case one mum comes from Leicestershire and the other from Nigeria. One son is fairly masculine, while the other has a penchant for Barbie toys.

Continuing plot lines from previous books in the series are Adrian's love life, writing aspirations, plus relationships with family and friends.

The Foreword tells readers that the Lost Diaries were confiscated as a result of David Blunkett's anti-terrorism laws, and that charges may be brought against Adrian, Mohammed and his brother, Imran. Read on to discover if you think Adrian should choose his friends more carefully!

Chronologically this book comes before the Weapons of Mass Destruction, although it was published later.


== My Favourite Humorous Quotes ==

I am Adrian Mole, not A Drain-Mole. page 45

Miss Elf was a passionate and committed teacher. She was committed to the High Towers mental hospital following a doomed staff-room romance. page 178

It came as a complete shock to me that my mother and father have gone on holiday with each other. Have their spouses given their permission? page 242

I didn't say Tony Blair was a leading twat. I said he was leading TWAT (The War Against Terrorism). page 273


== Comparison with Other Mole Books ==

I think that the early Adrian Mole books were the best in the series so far and I would give them 5 stars. Adrian continues to be naïve throughout the series, and the naivety is far easier for me to associate with an adolescent than an adult. I would give most of the books where Adrian is portrayed as an adult 4 stars.

I think that the most important Mole book for under-18s to read is The Weapons of Mass Destruction. (It is also one of best, for entertainment, for readers of any age.) The most important moral of this story, I believe, is the indiscriminate credit weapon of mass destruction. If this book can prevent one person taking out unmanageable debt, it has to be a 5 star read. As I believe prevention is better than a protracted cure, I think it best read before the age that the finance companies may legally capture individuals.

Although I think the Lost Diaries story is disappointing compared to the rest of the series, I still give it 3 stars out of 5, as I believe it is worth reading once. Like the other books, it had the ability to make me laugh as well as have sympathy for the trials in the characters' lives, even though it didn't have a similarly compulsive plot.


== Age Range for Lost Diaries ==

The publishers, Penguin, have a recommended age of 12 to adult for the Adrian Mole series. I wouldn't recommend Lost Diaries to the younger end of this scale, as it helps to have been aware of news stories from the relevant years to appreciate a lot of the humour. Also some parents may want to limit this book to their slightly older, say 15 plus, offspring, because of some of the sexual references.


=== Lost Diaries Would Best Appeal To? ==

I believe that those who would enjoy Lost Diaries most are adults who remember British news stories from late 1999 to 2001, who are in need of a light, low concentration, series of short reads with mostly deadpan humour. Best appreciated, I think, in scenarios such as packed commuter trains, or in a dentist's waiting room.

As the Lost Diaries were originally published in a serialised form in The Guardian newspaper, they weren't initially designed to be read non-stop cover to cover.

Lost Diaries is not of the same classic quality as the best in the series, but I am glad I read it once. I recommend that Mole lovers BORROW RATHER THAN BUY, on this occasion.


Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Penguin (11 Jun 2009)
ISBN-10: 0141041382
ISBN-13: 978-0141041384
Amazon Price: £5.18
RRP: £7.99

Summary: The un-earthed satirical diaries of a naïve single dad.