Darling Daisy - Softcover

Grose Forrester, Anouchka

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006551572 ISBN 13: 9780006551577

Publisher: Flamingo, 2001

Synopsis

A comedy of self-delusion, swirly carpets and the hell that is other people’s washing up.

When she follows her boyfriend of 24 hours from Las Vegas to the worst shared house in South London, Daisy’s sure that, at last, and at 29, she’s going to work out what to do with her unique talents (whatever they are). But while Rob’s off doing rocket-science, Daisy is left alone, penniless, bored and miserable and trying, futilely, to get along with loathsome Leni, nervy Sophia and fluffy-cardiganed Jo, and with only her diary to occupy her. At least her housemates’ horrible lives provide good material, although she needs to find out more about them, preferably when they’re out. With their rooms unlocked. No one could object to a little ‘research’ could they? After all, she’s a writer – sort of.

But if this is Daisy’s private diary, how has it fallen into the hands of the mysterious Editor, and how do we come to be reading it, along with nasty notes about the state of the kitchen bin, other people’s diaries, bad film-scripts, worse poetry, letters from distressed Spaniards and pages from the telephone message pad? Who, exactly, is telling this story, and can we believe any of it?

Excruciatingly funny and wickedly well observed, Darling Daisy is for everyone who knows they can do anything – when they can just decide what that is, and stop having to take everyone else’s phone messages.

About this title

Review:

‘Brilliant... consistently funny’ Independent on Sunday
‘[A] feel-good chortle... with a nice, self-mocking twist at the end’ Scotsman
‘An absolute gem. Don’t read it too quickly – every turn of phrase deserves to be savoured’ Vogue (of Ringing For You)

Synopsis:

Darling Daisy, You are, as you admit yourself, a bit of a flake, and now it's time to leave Las Vegas; the dead best friend, the McJob and the controlling but indifferent parents, to follow your rocket-scientist boyfriend of 24 hours to London, where you will rediscover your British roots, visit many famous landmarks and work out what to do with your life (as well as having a serious, grown-up relationship). But while Rob is reaching for the stars, Daisy is left alone in the worst shared house in South London, penniless, bored and miserable. Should she get a job? Have an affair? Become a poet? Slacker style, she manages to avoid doing anything either radical or useful and instead takes her mind off the swirly carpets and unspeakable wallpaper, by keeping a diary. But while Daisy's got a lot to say, she doesn't have much of a life, right now. There are always the repellently fascinating doings of her loathsome house mates to fill the pages, though, although she needs to find out more about them, preferably when they're not there. A bit of 'research' can't possibly do any harm, can it? After all, no-one will ever know.

Dark, funny and full of Anouchka Grose Forrester's excruciatingly accurate observations and witty literary games; this is a novel for all those twenty- (and thirty- and forty-) somethings who know they can do anything - when they can work out what that is, exactly.

About this edition

• Publisher: Flamingo
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0006551572
• ISBN 13: 9780006551577
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304