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Book review: Funny Girl by Nick Hornby

9/10/2015

8 Comments

 
My latest book club meeting was to discuss our summer read; Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
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Set in the golden era of light entertainment, Funny Girl tells the story of Barbara Parker. A girl from Blackpool who most would described as a bombshell. But there is more to Barbara than the curves and hair; she is funny and wants to be a comedian like her hero Lucille Ball. Barbara turns down her 1964 Miss Blackpool crown (keeping it would mean a year stuck in Blackpool) to escape to London where she changes her name to Sophie Straw and lands a role in a sitcom aptly called Barbara (and Jim).

From here the author is very clever. We only catch a glimpse of what Barbara (and Jim) is actually about, instead we are immersed in the lives of it's stars, Sophie and Clive, the script writers and production team and the ties that bind them together. Along the way the storyline shows us how it was virtually impossible to be openly gay in the 60's (you'd be arrested) and how difficult it was for a woman to break into the male dominated world of the BBC.

But the book doesn't take us too far down the rabbit hole of repression and inequality, instead it mirrors the tone of the era it is paying homage to. It makes us feel all wrapped up and cosy, like we are watching along at home on our sofas laughing along with the characters. Until the final chapter brings us back to reality proving that the laughs can't go on forever.

Overall I thought this book was charming and very very well grounded. I spent the first third of the book convinced Sophie Straw was a real person. It all 'feels' so right and captures the feel of sitcom so perfectly. I'd recommend if you are looking for a book to read which feels like an old friend coming over for a cuppa.

But I can't help wonder what on earth she was planning on doing with the teapot...

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8 Comments
Heather Keet link
9/10/2015 10:09:15 pm

Well color me intrigued. I was looking for a new book and this is it.

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Catherine link
12/10/2015 07:32:21 am

I really enjoyed About a Boy and this sounds like a great read too (I'm intrigued by your teapot comment!).

#readwithme

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Tattooed Mummy link
12/10/2015 10:47:12 am

Sounds like a great read #readwithme

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maddy@writingbubble link
12/10/2015 12:40:41 pm

I like the idea of a book that feels like an old friend coming over for a cuppa and also something that makes me feel 'wrapped up and cosy'. Sounds like it has some big issues contained within it too though. Think I might put this on my reading list! #readwithme

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chantelle hazelden link
12/10/2015 12:48:43 pm

I've read this and I felt the same as you, it's a nice easy read, one that you can dip in and out of. thank for sharing with #readwithme

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Amy 2boys1mum link
13/10/2015 01:00:11 pm

This has been sitting by my bed since I bought it in June! Think this review will finally get me to open the cover!! Thanks :) #readwithme

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Mrs H link
17/10/2015 08:34:09 am

I need to know about the teapot. You can't leave me hanging like that. I guess I need to read the book myself. I have always enjoyed the Nick Hornby books that I've read in the past and this looks really interesting. Thanks for linking up with #SundaysStars. Hugs Mrs H xxxx

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Sarah
5/9/2024 12:08:57 am


Infertility is not something any woman is supposed to go through in life. I will therefore recommend that you read this. I'm Sarah Weston. I'm from Wisconsin, USA. Married for 11 years with infertility, my infertility journey has ended with the help of Lord Krish Spiritual. I have joined many infertility journey blogs online, and did IVF for 2 years. I searched for solutions to my problem and never relented which has helped me to find the right connection to help me cure this devastating problem. As a patient of endometriosis stage 3, it was really difficult to have a child but with the help of Lord Krish, I got fertile and conceived within days of the herbal treatment which he sent to me through DHL and before I knew it, my womb was opened and I conceived and was finally pregnant with twins babies. I never believed it was possible after 11 years of marriage. I gave birth to twins, Dale and Diane. I want to say thank you to Lord Krish and to everyone who has helped me both mentally and emotionally through this journey. Lord Krish solved my problem for me and I promised him to manifest his work to other people and friends. His Email to reach out to him is ([email protected])

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