I read the original Diary and the follow up Growing Pains, I then lost contact with the Mole household, catching up with Rebuilding Coventry. The Cappuccino years is another catching up episode for me.
Overall, this book had me laughing out loud, and since I was always alone when I read it, I believe this is something potentially psychologically serious for me. It was worth it. In addition, I don't know whether I'm alone in this; but I always seem to find myself reading about myself in the Mole books. Not so obviously faux intellectual, you understand, but too near the knuckle to be comfortable at times.
Sue Townsend has lost none of her Moley powers since Adrian was 13¾. I did feel, though, that the first 150 pages or so were a new style: in the earlier parts of the book especially, some of the diary entries were incredibly long: far too long for anything but a politician's diaries (of which I have read zero).
Once back on track, Mole was the clown, the loser, the self righteous Adrian that we came to love. Of course, he has insights; but anyone who only really half lives, never really loves and then loses just about everything has to be more pitied that scolded.
Two cameos leapt off the pages for me: the Christmas gift episode on pages 278-9 (hardback edition)

… apart from my mother, for whom I already have a gift. It is a set of mini toiletries from a boarding house I stayed in last year: shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, sewing kit, cotton buds and a shoeshine pad. I plan to place them in a wicker bread-basket and cover them with cling film. She will never know it is not a bone fide shop bought present.

This is my wife to a tee, honest!
The second cameo comes from pages 335-6 and concerns young boys getting ready in the morning:

William carries on like the Last Emperor, petulantly rejecting all the cereals offered until it's too late and he has to eat a piece of fruit in the car. And Glenn is so slow. It infuriates me to watch him spreading butter on his toast; how he covers the four corners of the bread then goes back to the centre and starts the whole tedious business again.
Well, how about 13 year old son for this one? Mine, that is, not Glenn. It's spot on.
I suppose the final message for Mole is that Pandora's not worth a light. He got her into bed but did the decent thing and left her alone. She's a terrible piece of work and he really should move on. The attraction of Mole's diaries includes his inability to get rid of this woman!
Buy the book and enjoy the experience.

© Duncan Williamson
25 August + 22 - 23 November 2001