A Play On Words - Deric Longden

Advantages: Beautifully written book about a true character
Disadvantages: None

...a book of her own. Mrs Longden senior marches to a decidedly different beat to the rest of civilisation, being possessed of a strange kind of logic that is inclined to cause chaos and confusion wherever she goes. As an example, she is asked to make a costume for the then five year old Deric's debut in the school play - A Midsummer Night's Dream. After labouring long and hard with papier mache and paint, poor Deric is escorted to school on the play's opening night dressed as a Brussel's Sprout! When told that he should have been a 'sprite', Mrs Longden explains her confusion by claiming that the teacher comes from Market Harborough and consequently she could never understand a word she siad. Besides, having watched the play, it would, in her opinion, have been all the better for the inclusion of a few sprouts. The first half of the book... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great book if you love Deric Longden's writing
Disadvantages: You would be better starting with an earlier book if new to his writing

...and in a world that is generally rushing hither and thither all the time it is good to relax with a book like this and reflect on life. Recommended retail price £14.99 - I got mine from Amazon for £8.99 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Bantam Press (7 May 2007) Language English ISBN-10: 0593054687 ISBN-13: 978-0593054680 Also by Deric Longden: Diana's story Lost for words The Cat who came in from the cold I'm a stranger here myself Enough to make a cat laugh A play on words... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: It will have you giggling away as you read
Disadvantages: There are some very poignant moments in there

...If you haven't read any of Deric Longden's books then you really are missing out on the opportunity to enjoy some lovely writing that will have you chuckling away as you read. He has a lovely style which I have to say appeals to my sense of humour. He can take the most mundane situations and relate them in a way that a good stand up comic will - emphasising the ridiculous things we do in every day life. This little booke entitled "Lost for Words" is the story of his own mother's life and her eventual decline into old age. You may have seen the film or DVD of this book which starred Thora Hird as his Mum and Peter Postlethwaite as Deric? Even if you have seen the film it is still well worth reading the book in order that you can enjoy Deric's style and humour first hand for, although the film is amusing and touching, it doesn't quite... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful