The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾, By Sue Townsend
"Perhaps when I am famous and my diary is discovered people will understand the torment of being a 13¾ year-old undiscovered intellectual." So Adrian Mole prophesied in 1982, and he may well look back in smugness as a 43¾ year-old today.
His diary was discovered by a generation of young and adult readers and has since become a crossover classic.
This 30th anniversary edition proves it has lost none of its spark: entries catalogue daily indignities from acne breakouts to the torment of discovering that the object of his adoration, Pandora, is going out with his best-friend, Nigel (though this is short-lived).
Adrian's world encapsulates the growing pains of teenage-hood but also the wonder and hope.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies