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Jump to navigationJump to searchYes! I Can Manage, Thank You! by Virginia Ironside (view source)
Revision as of 17:34, 14 March 2015
, 17:34, 14 March 2015no edit summary
As mid-60s edges towards late, Marie Sharp has even more of life's challenges to grapple with and even more to give. Her beloved Archie has passed away and she feels it's time to take a new lodger. Maybe someone male and a little younger? There's also Melanie; a new gale force of nature next door neighbour now that the wind-chime-challenged Brad and Sharmie have moved on. Unfortunately Marie doesn't like her but this only gets worse when Marie realises that she's the ''only'' person who doesn't like her. However, not all is negative. Grandson Gene is now 7 years old and may be the link to a little part time work for Marie to keep her artistic hand in. If she could work out why one side of her tummy is a different size and shape to the other, life would be practically perfect. Or maybe it's best not to think about that at all?
Agony aunt and writer extraordinaire [[:Category:Virginia Ironside|Virginia Ironside]] brings Marie back to life for us again for a third time after ''No, I Don't Want to Join A Book Club'' and last year's wonderful [[No! I Don't Need Reading Glasses ! by Virginia Ironside|No! I Don't Need Reading Glasses]]. The really clever thing about the series is that it may be a fictional diary of someone who's autumnally-yeared but it resonates like a tinkling bell down the generations. If we haven't done what Marie has, we sure as heck know someone who has, enabling us to nod, smirk and guffaw sagely. While we're doing this Virginia seamlessly inter-weaves an authentic light on multi-generational issues.
Certain new arrivals like a barking dog and Melanie may become a pain to Marie but for us they provide some great set pieces. There are also some old friends among the cast such as Marion, Penny (and her smell by dates), the lovely James (who would date Melanie if he weren't gay) and Marie's ex-husband David who ''has'' dated Melanie. The wondrously snide Daily Rant jibes are there too.
