A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French.

A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French

Michael Joseph, 2010

Mo is about to hit the big 50. She doesn’t understand either of her teenage kids, which as a child psychologist, is fairly embarrassing. She has become entirely grey. Inside, and out. Her face has surrendered and is frightening children. Dora is about to hit the big 18 . . . and about to hit anyone who annoys her, especially her precocious younger brother Peter who has a chronic Oscar Wilde fixation. Then there’s Dad . . . who’s just, well, dad. A TINY BIT MARVELLOUS is the story of a modern family all living in their own separate bubbles lurching towards meltdown. It is for anyone who has ever shared a home with that weird group of strangers we call relations. Oh and there’s a dog called Poo.

Novel Kick’s verdict:

I was stupidly excited about reading this book. I love Dawn French.

I did like this book overall. All members of the Battle family get page space. I would have liked to have seen slightly more from ‘Dad Battle,’ but I think it explores family issues well (how easy it is to assume, how people are thrown together without much choice and how families can drift apart.)

Most readers would probably find it easy to relate to one of the characters. Mo is the mother trying to do too many things at once, the Dad is silent but always present. Dora is a little obnoxious (something many people expect from teenagers.) Her language (although a little much and unnecessary at times) has an endearing naivety to it. My favourite character, by far, is Peter, who seems to have an Oscar Wilde obsession; he did have me in occasional fits of laughter.

I do like books that have me guessing and the A-ha moment didn’t come to me until I was almost on top of it which was impressive.

I think you’re going to love or hate this book. I loved it. A great fiction debut.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.