The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾
Encyclopedia
For the TV-series, see The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (TV series)
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ is the first book in the Adrian Mole
series of comedic fiction, written by Sue Townsend
. The book is written in a diary
style, and focuses on the worries and regrets of a teenager who believes himself to be an intellectual. The story is in 1981 and 1982, and in the background it refers to some of the historic world events of the time, such as the Falklands War
and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Apart from the humorous events described in the diary, a lot of the book's humour originates from the unreliable narration
of Mole, who naïvely, yet confidently, misinterprets events around him.
The book was first published in hardcover by Methuen
on October 7, 1982. Sequels include (in chronological order):
in 1984 with music by Ken Howard
and Alan Blaikley
for a 1985 television series. A film was planned for 2009..
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (TV series)
The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ is a British television series based on the book of the same name written by Sue Townsend. It started in 1985 and starred Gian Sammarco, as the title character Adrian Mole, Stephen Moore as Adrian's father George Mole and Julie Walters followed by Lulu as...
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ is the first book in the Adrian Mole
Adrian Mole
Adrian Albert Mole is the fictional protagonist in a series of books by English author Sue Townsend. The character first appeared in a BBC Radio 4 play in 1982. The books are written in the form of a diary, with some additional content such as correspondence...
series of comedic fiction, written by Sue Townsend
Sue Townsend
-Adrian Mole series:* The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ , her best selling book, and the best-selling new British fiction book of the 1980s.* The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole * The True Confessions of Adrian Albert Mole...
. The book is written in a diary
Diary
A diary is a record with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. A personal diary may include a person's experiences, and/or thoughts or feelings, including comment on current events outside the writer's direct experience. Someone...
style, and focuses on the worries and regrets of a teenager who believes himself to be an intellectual. The story is in 1981 and 1982, and in the background it refers to some of the historic world events of the time, such as the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Apart from the humorous events described in the diary, a lot of the book's humour originates from the unreliable narration
Unreliable narrator
An unreliable narrator is a narrator, whether in literature, film, or theatre, whose credibility has been seriously compromised. The term was coined in 1961 by Wayne C. Booth in The Rhetoric of Fiction. This narrative mode is one that can be developed by an author for a number of reasons, usually...
of Mole, who naïvely, yet confidently, misinterprets events around him.
The book was first published in hardcover by Methuen
Methuen & Co. Ltd.
Methuen Publishing Ltd is a British publishing house. It was founded in 1889 by Sir Algernon Methuen and began publishing in London in 1892. E. V...
on October 7, 1982. Sequels include (in chronological order):
- The Growing Pains of Adrian MoleThe Growing Pains of Adrian MoleThe Growing Pains of Adrian Mole, a novel by Sue Townsend, is the 2nd book in the Adrian Mole series, following on from The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾. It focuses on the worries and regrets of a teenage intellectual...
- The True Confessions of Adrian Albert MoleThe True Confessions of Adrian Albert MoleThe True Confessions of Adrian Albert Mole, Margaret Hilda Roberts and Susan Lillian Townsend is the third book in the Adrian Mole series, written by Sue Townsend. It focuses on the worries and regrets of a teenage intellectual...
- Adrian Mole and the Small Amphibians (all of which were contained in Adrian Mole: From Minor to MajorAdrian Mole: From Minor to MajorAdrian Mole: From Minor to Major is a compilation of the first three books The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾, The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole and The True Confessions of Adrian Albert Mole. The book also contains the specially written bonus, Adrian Mole and the Small Amphibians . It was...
) - Adrian Mole: The Wilderness YearsAdrian Mole: The Wilderness YearsAdrian Mole: The Wilderness Years is the fourth book in the Adrian Mole series, written by Sue Townsend. It focuses on the worries of the, now, adult Mole. The book was first published in 1993 by Methuen...
- Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino YearsAdrian Mole: The Cappuccino YearsAdrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years is the fifth book in the Adrian Mole series, written by Sue Townsend. The book was first published in 1999 by Michael Joseph. It is set from April 30, 1997 until May 2, 1998. Adrian is 30 years of age...
- Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass DestructionAdrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass DestructionPublished in 2004 by Penguin Books, Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction is Sue Townsend's sixth full Adrian Mole novel . It is set in 2002/3 and Adrian is 33¾ years of age...
- Adrian Mole: The Prostrate YearsAdrian Mole: The Prostrate YearsAdrian Mole: The Prostrate Years is the ninth installment in the popular Adrian Mole series. It was released on November 5, 2009.- Synopsis :...
Adaptations
A 7-part radio series on BBC Radio 4 featured extracts from the book read by Nicholas Barnes. Townsend adapted the book for the stageStage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
in 1984 with music by Ken Howard
Ken Howard (composer)
Ken Howard is an English songwriter, lyricist, author and television director.-International hits in the 1960s and 1970s:...
and Alan Blaikley
Alan Blaikley
-Early life and career:Born in London, where he survived the Blitz, Alan Blaikley was educated at University College School , Hampstead, and Wadham College, Oxford, where he read Classical Moderations and English, and was Reviews Editor of the university newspaper Cherwell.After coming down from...
for a 1985 television series. A film was planned for 2009..