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All the Fun of the Fair

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What to expect

One summer her sister never came home from the fair.
This summer she's determined to find out why.

'Quirky, original and charming' Sarah Turner ? The Unmumsy Mum

'Fresh, unique, powerful and incredibly poignant. And, of course, hilarious too!' Beth O'Leary

The fair is the only good thing that happens every year. And Fiona Larson is the only kid in town who's never been.

She's pretended to go - but she's never been allowed. Because, before Flora was even born, her sister died there.

This year everything will be different.
And Fiona Larson will find out what really happened.

Set in the summer of 1996, All The Fun of the Fair is a bittersweet, nostalgic, hilarious and heartbreaking mystery, perfect for Beth O'Leary, Ruth Jones and Marian Keyes.

Critics Review

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking, it's compelling and beautifully written
Daily Mail
A nostalgic trip down memory lane with a heroine it's impossible not to love.
The Sun
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.
The Unmumsy Mum
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...
Nicola Mostyn
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.
Emma Cooper
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
Beth O'Leary
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.
Charlotte Levin
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.
LUCY VINE
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.
CHARLOTTE DUCKWORTH
Quirky, funny and touching. Sheer joy from the first page to the last.Another absolute belter from Caroline Hulse.
CATHY BRAMLEY
Author Caroline Hulse
Narrator Eleanor Jackson
Duration 10 hours
Release Date
ISBN 9781409197270
Format Audiobook
Publisher Orion
Genre Conjuring and magic, Crime and mystery: cosy mystery, Family life fiction, Fiction: general and literary, Modern and contemporary fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Satirical fiction and parodies
Availability AU, GB, IE

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