Rating: 
Summary: the more things change, the more they stay the same
Review: I dipped into the latest installment detailing Adrian Mole's chaotic life with the anticipation of his showing some growth, either socially, intellectually or professionally. Adrian, however, remains inept on all three fronts, yet still manages to survive. Rather than be frustrated with Mole's inability to learn from his past and to put hard-won life lessons to work for himself, author Sue Townsend may be subtly pointing out that we all, regardless of advancing years, repeat the patterns that we have established when we were also children.It is also a great treat to have that other notorious British diarist, Bridget Jones, make a cameo appearance in Adrian's life. Though the narrative retells a plot that is wearing thin (let's show just how big a screw-up Adrian is), it made me smile, even laugh aloud once or twice at Adrian's ineptitude. Read the book, for sheer fun, but don't expect to witness any growth or greater self-awareness come to Adrian. The ingenuousness of a 13-yr-old Adrian does not wear well on a man in his 30s.
Rating: 
Summary: Adrian Mole returns
Review: I grew up on Adrian Mole. Everything he has gone through, I have gone through too, which in itself says alot about me *shudder at the thought*. Adrian our clueless hero finds himself again in the twist of his past. He bungles through his 30s in the most 'uptight, starched shirt' sort of way, which provides humour unlikely any other. My fave part of the book is when Sue Townsend takes on Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones. It has me in stiches. If you fancy a good ticke to the funny bone, this book is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Ultimately a disappointment
Review: I have read and enjoyed all the previous books in this series, but "Cappuccino Years" left me somewhat flat. Why? Well, in the last book, Adrian Mole appeared to finally grow up. It had one of the best endings of any book I can recall, with Adrian running to meet his new love at an airport, at peace with himself and apparently finally understanding his creative talents. But at the start of this book, he has of course lost it all and through the course of the book everything just gets worse for him, culminating in him discovering he has a 12-year-old son he didn't know about and having his house burn down! There are amusing patches in this and it's still well written as the others, but more farcial and less "real" than the other books - I remember reading the first, "The Diary of Adrian Mole, Age 13 3/4" when I was close to that age and struck by how honest and real it seemed. This time out, Adrian Mole is just a cartoon character, and I find that kind of sad.
Rating:
Summary: 'Offal'ly unputdownable...a little depressing though
Review: I love Adrian Mole, he's awesome. I have read every Mole diary since the 13-3/4th book and I'm truly amazed at how Ms.Townsend has so wonderfully captured the mind of the underdog male in her writing. The whole concept seems quite similar to the excellent TV series 'The Wonder Years'. If you dont look at the author's name, you would probably not expect it to be a woman. In other words, she seems to have fully understood the mind of the opposite sex. That said, I found this book to be a little too depressing albeit there is a lot of humour. Of course you have got to read the first book at least, if not all of them to understand what is going on in this one. There are lots of references to characters from earlier diaries. They are so interesting and yet so down-to-earth that they almost become a part of your life. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because I don't like how the author projects Adrian as a loser at many things. His family is still as dysfunctional as ever. I'm not going to give away anything as to how Adrian does in the end. But the story could do with a little more cheer. Anyway, its a thoroughly enjoyable book and worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Great prelude to Adrian Mole series...
Review: I've just finished reading Adrian Mole: The Cappucino Years and I'm throughly exhausted. It is extremely hilarious! Even after reading more than 4 or more of Adrian Mole's diaries, his wit and commentaries never fail to tickle the funnybone. He is still the same egoistic boy (inside a man) only now a so-called adult with a kid called William and a divorced Nigerian ex-wife. He is however now living in a storeroom in London and goes back now and then to The Lawns to see his parents and his son. As in all Adrian Mole's diaries, he comments on anything and everything he sees, hears, etc. He talks freely of the British government and is a staunch supporter of Pandora Braithwaite now awaiting to become the MP of Agriculture (i think), he bravely takes on his job at Hoi Polloi cooking Offals which later becomes somewhat popular in the student community. And he finally reaches celebrity status, if you can call him that, with about 4 fan letters. It is quite amazing that Sue Townsend is able to seamlessly connect all the diaries together and we receive the picture of his dysfunctional family and world through the eyes (and wit) of Adrian Mole. However, I have to say that the ending was quite disappointing. Before this, we were highly expecting a happy ending (although this is never the case) but again something horribly unfortunate happens and his fate is then returned to the bottom again. It's like a full vicious circle. The book begins dismally and ends miserably and for once we feel immense pity for the man. This is the reason I give it four stars. But for the humour and wit, I would gladly award it five stars (esp. because of Miss Bridget Jones' brief presence) !
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, and yet strangely bizarre...
Review: If you've never read any of the Adrian Mole diaries, I'd recommend reading the previous books in the series (starting with "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4" before starting on this one. To those that do know the series well, "The Cappucino Years" still doesn't fail to live up to expectations. Adrian Mole, previously an acne-ridden teenager with hormones running rampant, is now faced with the reality of divorce, single parenthood, parents that are slowing crumbling, and eeking out an existance as Head Chef in a trendy Soho restaurant under an alcoholic, womanising employer. He is still in love with Pandora Braithwaite (his first teenage love) despite all the years and all the dramas, and fails really to see that the love will always be unrequited. Despite all this, Adrian always sees himself as "an intellectual", and sees himself as somewhat above everyone else in his life (except Pandora), but fails to have any insight on even the most simple commonsense things. It's his lack of insight combined with his need to be "intellectual" that lead to some hilarious passages. This book seems to have a far more exaggerated plot than the previous books, with far greater highs and far greater lows, and sometimes may appear contrived. Nonetheless, it still makes for a very funny read. If you have read everything else in the Adrian Mole series, don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, and yet strangely bizarre...
Review: If you've never read any of the Adrian Mole diaries, I'd recommend reading the previous books in the series (starting with "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4" before starting on this one. To those that do know the series well, "The Cappucino Years" still doesn't fail to live up to expectations. Adrian Mole, previously an acne-ridden teenager with hormones running rampant, is now faced with the reality of divorce, single parenthood, parents that are slowing crumbling, and eeking out an existance as Head Chef in a trendy Soho restaurant under an alcoholic, womanising employer. He is still in love with Pandora Braithwaite (his first teenage love) despite all the years and all the dramas, and fails really to see that the love will always be unrequited. Despite all this, Adrian always sees himself as "an intellectual", and sees himself as somewhat above everyone else in his life (except Pandora), but fails to have any insight on even the most simple commonsense things. It's his lack of insight combined with his need to be "intellectual" that lead to some hilarious passages. This book seems to have a far more exaggerated plot than the previous books, with far greater highs and far greater lows, and sometimes may appear contrived. Nonetheless, it still makes for a very funny read. If you have read everything else in the Adrian Mole series, don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Another Funny Adrian Mole Book From Townsend
Review: If you've read THE SECRET DIARIES OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13 3/4, ADRIAN MOLE: THE WILDERNESS YEARS, THE GROWING PAINS OF ADRIAN MOLE, ADRIAN MOLE: THE LOST YEARS or any other book by Sue Townsend and enjoyed it, you have to pick up ADRAIN MOLE: THE CAPPACCINO YEARS. Adrian is now thirty and as clueless and funny as ever. I have always been impressed with Townsend's talent: her ability to reveal information about Adrian that he himself is unaware of. The Adrian Mole books are some of the few books out there that will make you laugh out loud. This one is no exception.
Rating:
Summary: A great story continues
Review: It's a long time since I've read this extremely good book first. Lately, I've re-read it, and I've enjoyed it even more than the first time. Adrian Mole is the typical loser in life, so, in other words, he can be considered an "hero of our times". He can survive situations that would depress any strong person. Is he stupid? I don't think so. He lives as an eyewitness of any miseries and troubles that could happen in anyone's life, and also of incredible joys. The last pages of the book are very touching, giving the reader a warming surprise. Someone said that Mole is the greatest British "diarist" since Samuel Pepys; I don't know if this parallel fits well, but in this series of books (to be continued, hopefully), we can read the diary of a life that could be the mosaic of the lives of us all.
Rating:
Summary: Adrian Mole.. he's 30 1/4 with the mentality of a 15 yr old.
Review: Never read this book without reading the first few books. If not, you can't exactly get he's going through. His family's dysfunctional than ever, with a depressed dad, a desperate mum, and a loud-mouth sister half his age. The wit and humor is like that of the first book (Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4). He still has the teenage mentality even though he's 30 and has children. I found myself laughing with him. Least he doesn't sign his letters with "A. Mole" anymore, instead it's "A.A. Mole".
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