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pebbles65's review against another edition
1.0
The older I get the less interesting Adrian becomes. As I am a couple of years older than the protagonist I found the books fun and interesting when I first started reading them as a teenager but he really has become irrelevant now.
colinlusk's review against another edition
3.0
Not one of the cheerier ones, but then the Mole books have always been a bittersweet saga, following the national mood through its various ups and downs. At this point in the narrative, the Blair years are over, he feels let down by New Labour, but worse is to come as Gordon Brown comes into office and the 2008-9 crisis hits like a slow motion train wreck. Against that background, Adrian's own home life is equally bleak. He has prostate trouble which becomes increasingly serious, his son is fighting in Afghanistan, his mum goes on the Jeremy Kyle Show and his wife is having an affair. So all pretty grim really.
But the book manages to avoid being a downer. Sue Townshend writes incredibly well, and Adrian himself is one of the great comedy characters. The jokes are there, albeit slightly darker than in some of the other books. He even manages to become strangely philosophical towards the end.
But the book manages to avoid being a downer. Sue Townshend writes incredibly well, and Adrian himself is one of the great comedy characters. The jokes are there, albeit slightly darker than in some of the other books. He even manages to become strangely philosophical towards the end.
saucydoorhandles's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, I wish this wasn't the last book in the series, because I can never have enough of Adrian. Sue Townsend was a fantastic writer, her and her writing are sadly missed because despite the thousand diary books that are out there, Adrian Mole is one of the best.
hkbarnes14's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lucyyj26's review against another edition
4.0
Originally written: 11/03/19.
Most of the things in these books that I would usually fawn over, I was instead glossing over because all I cared about was whether Adrian survived. I power-read like I've never power-read before. I suspect that on a re-read of the series, I will be able to appreciate the little things more, now that I know he doesn't die.
His wife, Daisy, left him for some inbred aristocrat and their daughter, Gracie, was frankly unbearable. (The worst. Like, the worst.) No trace of William to counterbalance either, and Glenn's appearances were fleeting and mostly in letter. His two good kids were basically no-shows, but we got pages of Gracie.
Considering that Daisy left a man dying of cancer, she remained surprisingly sympathetic. She did her best and only actually left when Adrian as good as told her to. He didn't want the cancer to make her feel like she had to stay. Still cheated on him a tonne though, so kind of fuck her, just a little bit. (I could never hate you, Daisy.)
Pandora was lovely, and the suggestion by Townsend that she and Adrian got back together (possibly for good) at the end was very uplifting. I needed it, badly.
Nigel continues to be an Absolute Mad Lad.
Mr Carlton-Hayes had to close his antique bookshop due to ill health, which was also very sad and something my cynic arse took to mean that Adrian would die at the end. Because symbolism, or something. I now like to think that our boy might open a new one in the old man's honour, once he post-canon kicks cancer's arse, but that feels a bit too optimist for the world of Adrian Mole.
I love these books, even if I was too sad and anxiety-riddled to enjoy this one properly. There was one line in particular that made me just about cry laughing though. I'm mad that I can't remember it now. (Think it might have been when George and Pauline Mole talk about Adrian's fifth birthday. He invited the moon to his party, cried because it didn't show up, and then tried to throw a sausage roll at it come nighttime.)
See you again soon, Adrian.
Spoiler
She gave Adrian cancer in this one. CANCER. In the last book in the series, Adrian gets cancer that, no, doesn't kill him, but he isn't in remission by the end either.Most of the things in these books that I would usually fawn over, I was instead glossing over because all I cared about was whether Adrian survived. I power-read like I've never power-read before. I suspect that on a re-read of the series, I will be able to appreciate the little things more, now that I know he doesn't die.
His wife, Daisy, left him for some inbred aristocrat and their daughter, Gracie, was frankly unbearable. (The worst. Like, the worst.) No trace of William to counterbalance either, and Glenn's appearances were fleeting and mostly in letter. His two good kids were basically no-shows, but we got pages of Gracie.
Considering that Daisy left a man dying of cancer, she remained surprisingly sympathetic. She did her best and only actually left when Adrian as good as told her to. He didn't want the cancer to make her feel like she had to stay. Still cheated on him a tonne though, so kind of fuck her, just a little bit. (I could never hate you, Daisy.)
Pandora was lovely, and the suggestion by Townsend that she and Adrian got back together (possibly for good) at the end was very uplifting. I needed it, badly.
Nigel continues to be an Absolute Mad Lad.
Mr Carlton-Hayes had to close his antique bookshop due to ill health, which was also very sad and something my cynic arse took to mean that Adrian would die at the end. Because symbolism, or something. I now like to think that our boy might open a new one in the old man's honour, once he post-canon kicks cancer's arse, but that feels a bit too optimist for the world of Adrian Mole.
I love these books, even if I was too sad and anxiety-riddled to enjoy this one properly. There was one line in particular that made me just about cry laughing though. I'm mad that I can't remember it now. (Think it might have been when George and Pauline Mole talk about Adrian's fifth birthday. He invited the moon to his party, cried because it didn't show up, and then tried to throw a sausage roll at it come nighttime.)
See you again soon, Adrian.
tesslangley7727's review against another edition
4.0
The final book of one of the most endearing, funny and tragic characters I've ever had the pleasure to read. Adrian Mole was perhaps the most important character during my formative teenage years and I would not be the reader I am with his, or Sue Townsends awesome words. To know that there's never going to be a new Mole book is like knowing you'll never hear from an old and favourite friend again.
So to you dearly departed Sue, I remain, madam, you most humble and obedient servant.
So to you dearly departed Sue, I remain, madam, you most humble and obedient servant.
shosh0427's review against another edition
3.0
Uusally Adrian is good for a laugh, but this book just made me incredibly sad. While he isn't always likeable, I've always hoped for a happy ending for him.
status_woe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of my favourite Mole books and a fitting end to the series. Funny and touching in equal measure, and such a shame Sue Townsend died before she could write anymore Adrian.