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The Writing on the Wall

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The Writing on the Wall

By: Jenny Eclair
Narrated by: Jenny Eclair
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About this listen

From acclaimed writer and comedian Jenny Eclair comes a hilarious and heart-breaking story about a friendship against all odds.

Summer 1975: Helena is bored out of her mind—there's absolutely nothing to do and her supposed 'best friends' Gwen and Elaine are holidaying in the South of France without her. The only saving grace is that she's allowed to re-decorate her room—bring on the purple floral wallpaper.

Summer 2021: New to the north, Hermione's mum has moved her away from London and all her friends to start a new life with new boyfriend Paul, who resembles a slab of meat from the butchers. Just as well she can paint over that hideous wallpaper in her new room.

By some miracle, the girls meet....

When Hermione discovers Helena's writing under the wallpaper—she's transported back to Summer 1975 and the two instantly hit it off. But after dancing to the juke box at the infamous Blue Monkey café, and meeting Helena's multiple crushes, Hermione discovers a truth about Helena's future which suggests she is in great danger....

Hermione found the writing on the wall. But can she save Helena?

Jenny Eclair is one of the UK's most popular writers and performers—she is the author of a number of critically acclaimed and Sunday Times bestselling adult novels, including the Richard and Judy bestseller Moving. Jenny was the first woman to win the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award.

©2022 Jenny Eclair (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Difficult Situations Family & Relationships Fiction Friendship Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Science Fiction Funny Heartfelt Witty Feel-Good Time Travel

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All stars
Most relevant  
I know I’m not the demographic for this book – but being a big fan of Jenny Eclair I decided to give it a listen. It’s clever, sad, poignant and funny. Jenny reads and performs it beautifully.

Good storytelling is ageless, and Jenny has struck gold with this particular volume. What are you’re 16 or 60 (as I am) you will enjoy its twists and turns and you’ll be dying to know what happens at the end. Happy listening, and thank you Jenny.

Storytelling at its best

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I was 15 in 1975 and it was a perfect reduction of teenager hood in that time. Loved it

Riveting

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I haven’t laughed so much reading a book since the brilliant Sue Townsend gave us the Adrian Mole series! I laughed, cried and held my breath! This is my first novel by Jenny and I can’t wait to read the others! Jenny Eclair - you write so beautifully - thank you x

I feel bereft that I’ve finished it!!

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Despite this being teenage fiction I still enjoyed it as a very grown up grown up

Gripped to the end

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As with each and every book from Jenny Eclair, this is so well written. She has an incredible ability to focus in on details that make me feel connected to the carachters and immerse me in the unfolding story. Like many other reviewers, I am not the target audience, seeing as I will be 56 in a month's time, but I loved every minute of this story and feel it's surely as suitable for readers similarly aged to me, as we were there for '75 after all. I loved the references to food (Spangles!) and popular culture, Blackpool and of course, The Jackie to which I subscribed, though not until my teens. It's quite shocking to hear the utter nonsense we were reading relating to how basically our sole function on this earth as girls was to be pretty and to be pleasing to boys.
The story itself is frankly magical, on my first listen I was literally sitting with clenched hands, on tenterhooks as the book drew to it's close, hoping all would turn out well. No spoilers, you will have to listen for yourself.
I found Jenny's narration flawless, too, honestly something few authors are able to pull of in my experience.
I would really love to see Ms Eclair write a sequel to this, I realize it was written as a stand alone novel but I would dearly love to meet up with Helena and Hermione once again and loose myself in their lives and adventures.
I've already listened again many times, it never feels stale and always amuses and delights me.

A joy from beginning to end.

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Being a similar age to JE , it was great to be reminded of my teenage years and how it contrasts with the teenage ideas of the present day. A light enjoyable read with a good smattering of humour throughout .

A nostalgic trip back in time

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Well Jenny’s taskmaster shout-out worked and I downloaded this. I love her, and overall enjoyed this book though it took a little time for me to get into it (it felt more like young adult fiction than I was expecting). Once I did get into it though I really enjoyed it. A fun, easy listen and I loved exploring the 70s!

Easy listen if a bit slow to get into it

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absolutely loved it a great cross over memories of older times that we thought were great but now make you wince

the best

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I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s slow to start but when it does it rattles along and it’s difficult to put down. Really really good. Well done Jenny.
Your Taskmaster advertising worked.

Really good read

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Absolutely loved it. I wish it had been longer as I really didn't want it to end. Excellent, believable characters. Wonderful storyline - I thoroughly enjoyed it as a 40 something, but I think a younger person would also appreciate it. It is really well narrated by the author too.

Fantastic

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