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Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction
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Read Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction
Adrian Mole: Book 6

Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction (2004) (edit title/settings)

by Sue Townsend (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Published in 2004 by Penguin Books, Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction is Sue Townsend's sixth full Adrian Mole novel (as opposed to and the Small Amphibians and the Guardian serial). It is set in 2002/3 and Adrian is 33¾ years of age. The life of the protagonist is covered for... read more

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Summary edit see section history

The story also deals with an issue that has affected Sue Townsend directly; she was registered blind in 2001, as a result of long-term diabetes. Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction was typed by Townsend's husband from dictation.

The novel is a bestseller due to the series'... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The story also deals with an issue that has affected Sue Townsend directly; she was registered blind in 2001, as a result of long-term diabetes. Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction was typed by Townsend's husband from dictation.

The novel is a bestseller due to the series' dedicated fan base, and has met with critical acclaim. Critics<who?> have praised the novel for its combination of sitcom-style humour with an underlying element of tragedy and pathos. Some consider it less comical and darker than the previous installment, Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years. Critics claim that Mole's immature and angst-ridden personality has lost its appeal as he approaches middle-age, where it was endearing in a younger man.<1>

The character of Adrian Mole arguably matures as this novel progresses. He becomes more realistic about his life and concentrates on his present problems and ambitions, rather than half-realised aspirations of fame and literary success. However, a completely different side to the character in this book is his descent into crushing debt as he continually and uncharacteristically makes rash purchases and lives in a loft apartment that he cannot really afford. Previously, the diaries showed him to be a cheapskate, especially Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years where Pandora gave him a long list of goods and services he did not spend on, down to cutting his own hair. Although the Mole of 2002-3 is a stark and, some might say inconsistent contrast to Mole's lifestyle in earlier books, in psychological terms it could be argued that he is filling a void in his life with both sons abroad (Mole's ex-wife Jo Jo has sole custody of their son William in Nigeria, and Glenn is fighting in Iraq) and his dreams unfulfilled. His naiveté, such as treating an offer to extend credit as a gift, is in line with previous instalments; additionally Townsend may simply have wished to address consumer credit as an issue.

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First Sentence edit see section history

Dear Mr Blair You may remember me-we met at a Norwegian Leather Industry reception at the House of Commons in 1999.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

  • the weapons of mass destruction: The title of the book refers to the weapons of mass destruction that were used as justification for the Iraq War. This is a recurring theme throughout the book, and bears true to the series' penchant for satire of contemporary social and political issues. In an uncanny prediction of future events, Adrian Mole suffers from debt and credit problems that were not particularly common in 2002/3 but would later characterise the end-of-decade credit crunch.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 6 of 7 in Adrian Mole. (standard series)

Preceded by Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years, and followed by Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Sue Townsend (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Country: England
Publication Date: 2004
ISBN: 0718146891
Page Count: 460

Classification edit see section history

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