Funny Girl (novel)
.jpg) First edition | |
| Author | Nick Hornby |
|---|---|
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | Penguin/Viking |
Publication date | 6 November 2014 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 342 (hardcover edition) |
| ISBN | 978-0-670-92280-2 |
| Preceded by | Juliet, Naked |
Funny Girl is a 2014 novel by the British writer Nick Hornby.[1] The book was adapted for television as Funny Woman, broadcast by Sky Max in 2023 starring Gemma Arterton.[2]
Synopsis[edit]
The novel is about Barbara Parker, Miss Blackpool of 1964, who decides to abandon the idea of becoming a beauty queen. She heads for London, determined to make her mark as a television comedian, inspired by her idol Lucille Ball. After finding a job on a cosmetics counter in a London department store, she meets a theatrical agent, Brian Debenham, who finds her an audition for a television sitcom pilot based around the domestic life of a newlywed couple. Taking the name Sophie Straw, she becomes a star thanks to the leading role in the fictional Barbara (and Jim).
Reception[edit]
The Guardian praised the consistency of the lighthearted tone of the novel with the style of British comedy television in the 1960s, which Hornby defends resolutely.[1] Similarly, The New York Times comments positively the position of the author towards pop culture, defining Hornby "competent and humane".[3] The Independent criticized the change of focus in the novel, stating "it's a shame that Hornby abandons his funny girl halfway through for more of his hapless men."[4]
Both the Los Angeles Times and the Library Journal report a level of flatness in the writing.[5][6]
Adaptation[edit]
The novel was adapted for screen by writer and comedian Morwenna Banks as the six-part Sky Max series Funny Woman (2023), starring Gemma Arterton as Barbara Parker.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Preston, Alex (3 November 2014). "Funny Girl review – Nick Hornby's tribute to the golden age of light entertainment". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Lynch, Donal (22 January 2023). "Funny Woman and That '90s Show fail to recreate halcyon days of telly laughs". Independent.ie. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Williams, John (11 February 2015). "Nick Hornby's 'Funny Girl'". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Jones, Alice (30 October 2014). "Funny Girl by Nick Hornby, book review: The rise and faltering of a sitcom star". The Independent. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Ulin, David L. (23 January 2015). "Nick Hornby's 'Funny Girl' traces the road to stardom". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Driscoll, Molly (2 February 2015). "Nick Hornby's 'Funny Girl' receives mainly positive reviews". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (9 February 2023). "Funny Woman review – Gemma Arterton is absolutely captivating in this Nick Hornby adaptation". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
External links[edit]
- Funny Girl at Nick Hornby's official website
- Funny Girl in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
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