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]
.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 |
Synopsis
editThe 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
editThe 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
editThe 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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