by Sara Crowe
Sara Crowe is an award-winning British actress, starring in films such as 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', and the West End productions of 'Private Lives' and 'Calendar Girls'. This is her first novel, and what a cheeky little bundle of fun it is! It is a comedic and romantic farce, but with little serious bits in the middle. I did truly laugh out loud in most of her chapters. It took me about a chapter to realise that the horrendous spelling and grammatical mistakes were in fact intentional and just added to the hilarity of the book.
Sue Bowl is 17. She decides to go and stay with her Aunt Coral at her aunt's gigantic 16-room manor house, 'Green Place'. Her reasons are two-fold - to write her novel, and to get away from her father and his new girlfriend, Ivana from Denmark. Sue's mother, Buddleia, committed suicide in their local library a year previously (leaving no note) after finding out about her husband's affair, so Sue can never forgive her father nor face Ivana. Now I know that doesn't sound very hilarious so far, but please bear with it.
Once she enters Green Place, she and her aunt decide to run a writer's group, and it's from here that the fun starts. We are introduced to some colourful characters, including the Admiral who rents out a wing in the house, Delia who rents out another wing in the house, Delia's daughter Loudolle, Joe and Icarus from the local café 'Toastie' where Sue gets a part-time job, and many more besides.
It is during her stay with her Aunt that Sue discovers more than just her love of writing. The mystery of her mother's suicide note, the true story behind her parent's marriage, the revelation of the truth behind a family member, and how love can be right under your nose and you still can't see it.
If you're looking for a chuckle, look no further than this book.
