Skip to content

2,071,694 books read so far

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾

Sue Townsend

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾

Subjects

Average rating

4 out 5

21 reviews

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ is the first book in Sue Townsend's brilliantly funny Adrian Mole series. Friday January 2nd I felt rotten today. It's my mother's fault for singing 'My Way' at two o'clock in the morning at the top of the stairs. Just my luck to have a mother like her. There is a chance my parents could be alcoholics. Next year I could be in a children's home. Meet Adrian Mole, a hapless teenager providing an unabashed, pimples-and-all glimpse into adolescent life. Writing candidly about his parents' marital troubles, the dog, his life as a tortured poet and 'misunderstood intellectual', Adrian's painfully honest diary is still hilarious and compelling reading thirty years after it first appeared. Bestselling author Sue Townsend has been Britain's favourite comic writer for over three decades. 'I not only wept, I howled and hooted and had to get up and walk around the room and wipe my eyes so that I could go on reading' Tom Sharpe 'A satire of our times. Very funny indeed' Sunday Times 'We laugh both at Mole and with him. A wonderful comic read, that, like all the best comedy, says something rather meaningful' Heat Sue Townsend is Britain's favourite comic author. Her hugely successful novels include eight Adrian Mole books, The Public Confessions of a Middle-Aged Woman (Aged 55¾), Number Ten, Ghost Children, The Queen and I, Queen Camilla and The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year, all of which are highly acclaimed bestsellers. She has also written numerous well-received plays. She lives in Leicester, where she was born and grew up.

Reviews

avatars/baskerville.png

I found this book quite sad, and slightly inappropriate for my age. Maybe should of left this one for the future.

Earl Cornelius Peanut-butter 16.08.2023

avatars/sophia.png

funny and relatable, great book overall

General Beany Sunshine 09.07.2023

avatars/dragon.png

Another recommendation from my mom and this book is pretty funny. Some of it is a bit old for me, but I still get it and find it funny.

Esquire Gator Chocolate-mousse 29.08.2022

avatars/willow.png

I didn't like the style of storytelling that much. It talked about doing it ( If you get what I mean) a bit too much. But he did so some exciting things on my birthday. I feel like I probably would have enjoyed the book a bit more of I were older.

Senorita Petronella Spinner 25.09.2021

avatars/space-chase-dog.png

This book is realistic fiction. I loved the character Pandora, because she was very clever and rebellious. This story is about a boy called Adrian Mole who goes through crazy life experiences and journals about it in his diary. I would recommend this book because it takes a lot of strange turns and can have some funny bits.

Anonymous 06.08.2021

avatars/izzie.png

It was funny especially when he threw away the phone bill which was £289.19 plus £40 reconnection fee, plus a deposit of £40.

Mademoiselle Blueberry Waltzer 03.08.2021

avatars/bookgirl.png

It was very funny. I learnt a lot of new words which challenge my reading. I am 12 1/2 so nearly Adrians age so the jokes were relevant to me.

Professor Harmonica Shortbread 15.01.2021

avatars/snook.png

A really interesting book and I always enjoyed reading it.

Inspector Flash Fascination 19.08.2020

avatars/snook.png

I liked Adrian Mole the best as he is funny and entertaining and I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to laugh

Captain Sandwich Menace 14.08.2020

avatars/medusa.png

Very funny.

Anonymous 29.08.2018

avatars/evie-1.png

I really liked this book because it explains it's not your fault if your parents are separating. My favourite character was Mum because tried was really kind to Adrian even when she was with Mr Lucas.I recommend this book to kids who have a hard time in school, with parents or anything else.

Anonymous 18.08.2018

avatars/medusa.png

I found this one a little too old for me and not as funny as I had anticipated.

Anonymous 04.09.2017

avatars/rani-1.png

Even though this book is a bit inappropriate, it is still a great book. This book is for people who like books set as diaries

Anonymous 13.08.2017

avatars/evie-1.png

A book that is suitable for older readers. SO FUNNY!!!

Anonymous 11.03.2017

avatars/aesop-1.png

I enjoyed the book but found some of the language and information too mature for a 10 year old.

Anonymous 20.08.2016

avatars/liv.png

I really like stories written in the form of a diary. Adrien is a 13-year-old "intellectual" with some issues at home, and this painfully relatable story pans out over a year of his life. I will definitely re-read this, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone still in primary school.

Anonymous 10.08.2016

avatars/minotaur.png

Loved all of the rude humour.

Anonymous 09.08.2016

avatars/unicorn.png

Adrian mole I would recommend this book to over tens. The life of a misunderstood intellectual who tries to survive with all the troubles in family, school, on the streets, his bedroom and his face.

Anonymous 25.08.2014

Information for adults

Schools

Visit our School Zone to access free resources and Challenge ideas for your class.

Families

Visit our Home Zone, full of useful Challenge information for parents, grandparents and carers. For information about supporting reading in the early years visit our Pre-School Zone.

Libraries

Visit our Library Zone to find libraries near you running the challenge, and how to take part.