All the Fun of the Fair
It’s 1996, summer is coming, and eleven-year-old Fiona Larson is determined to make this her best year yet…
‘Completely hilarious’ LUCY VINE
‘Incredibly poignant’ BETH O’LEARY
‘The new Adrian Mole’ NICOLA MOSTYN
‘Sheer joy’ CATHY BRAMLEY
* * * * *
The Fair is the only good thing that happens every year. And Fiona Larson is the only person in town who’s never been.
She’s pretended to go – but she’s never been allowed. Because, before Fiona was even born, her sister died there.
This year, everything will be different.
Fiona is about to turn twelve – older than her sister was. This summer, Fiona will save some money, make new friends, and finally have some fun at The Fair.
But what she’ll actually do is:
– Find a mysterious bag in a bush
– Spy on everyone
– Lose her only friend
– Make a lot of lists
– Learn the truth about what happened at The Fair…
Fresh and hilarious, All the Fun of the Fair is a deeply poignant coming-of-age novel from sensational talent Caroline Hulse.
* * * * *
PRAISE FOR CAROLINE HULSE (and Fiona Larson)
‘Fresh, unique, powerful… and, of course, hilarious too! Fiona will no doubt capture many hearts’ BETH O’LEARY
‘Fiona Larson is one of the most memorable characters I’ve read for a long time. If you liked Adrian Mole or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time then you’ll love this’ EMMA COOPER
‘Sheer joy from the first page to the last’ CATHY BRAMLEY
‘Quirky, original and charming … I could not love Fiona more’ Sarah Turner, aka THE UNMUMSY MUM
‘An absolute JOY … The hilarious, beleaguered protagonist, Fiona Larson, is the new Adrian Mole’ NICOLA MOSTYN
‘One of my books of 2021. I can’t recommend it enough’ LUCY VINE
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Reviews
Always such a treat to read a Caroline Hulse novel! I loved The Adults and Like A House On Fire, but I think this is my fave of them all. Quirky, original and charming, with plenty of school years nostalgia. I could not love Fiona more.
All the Fun of the Fair is an absolute JOY. Funny, clever, and with its mid-90s setting, brilliantly nostalgic. The hilarious, beleaguered protagonist, Fiona Larson, is the new Adrian Mole. Though she'd probably say Adrian had it easy, being a boy and all...
Fiona Larson is one of the most memorable characters I've read for a long time. If you liked Adrian Mole or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time then you'll love All the Fun of the Fair.
Fresh, unique, powerful and incredibly poignant. And, of course, hilarious too! Fiona is a wonderful character, completely three-dimensional and real, who will no doubt capture many hearts
I LOVED this book SO much. I defy anyone not to fall completely in love with Fiona Larson. Even when she's being a bit awful. Especially then. I laughed out loud throughout. Read it. It makes everything feel that bit better.
How can something be so completely hilarious, and so utterly heartbreaking? From page one of All the Fun of the Fair I was totally enthralled by Fiona and her tragically relatable (and relatably tragic) life. The immensely compelling writing would be enough to make this one of my books of 2021, but the captivating and brilliant story makes Hulse's newest novel something extra special. I can't recommend it enough.
Caroline Hulse at her absolute best... I defy anyone not to fall in love (and empathy) with Fiona Larson. I haven't felt so moved by a narrator since The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Nostalgic, moving, hilarious and heartbreaking, this painfully astute book has it all. I demand a sequel please.
Quirky, funny and touching. Sheer joy from the first page to the last.Another absolute belter from Caroline Hulse.
Sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking, it's compelling and beautifully written
A nostalgic trip down memory lane with a heroine it's impossible not to love.