The Secret Life of Sue Townsend (Aged 68 3/4)

[Gonk the Insane]

I saw this documentary on BBC2 last night about the life of the creator of Adrian Mole, and really enjoyed it. I grew up reading the Adrian Mole books (my parents regretted buying me the first one and eventually banned me from reading them in the living room because I didn't stop laughing as I read) but never really knew anything about Sue Townsend, the creator of Mole. I thought the documentary was interesting and revealing, and I had no idea that Townsend had gone through so much hardship before (and after) getting published and becoming successful. Overall I thought it was a great documentary with interviews with friends, family, and a couple of celebrities. Narrated by the wonderful Julie Walters as well.

Did anyone else happen to catch it? What did you think?

 

[Steve S]

I really enjoyed it too - fantastic doc. Sue Townsend's life story was fascinating, to create something so remarkable and so powerful through such hardship was an amazing achievement. The Mole books for me reach that sweet spot for comedy: incredibly, laughout-loud funny, but with a tough streak of social comment. I always remember the scene where Adrian watches his father (who is watching a children's TV programme) is pretending to an acorn growing into a tree - undeniably funny but also painfully sad, as his father sinks into misery and hopelessness from the effects of unemployment (not alas unusual in 80s Britain).