By Joanna Nadin (author) , Emma Block (illustrator)
"This 1920s YA charmer couples humour and coming-of age angst with the woes and wild ambitions of an aspiring Bright Young Thing."
Paperback In Stock £8.99 £8.09
View All Editions (1)
What an absolute hoot! Set in 1924, and galloping with coming-of-age giddiness, and the promise of parties and life-changing romance, Joanna Nadin’s A Calamity of Mannerings simply brims with vim.
Told in a diary format, it also boasts whip-smart writing that conjures the spirit of the era and its protagonist’s inner life, such as this early gem, one of a plethora of hilarious references to the male member: “It is a curse to be born a girl…In 1924, merely being in possession of a P-E-N-I-S still seems to guarantee one supremacy, regardless of talent or even aptitude”.
Alas, following the recent death of their darling Papa, the Mannering sisters’ lack of penises has plunged them deeper into financial precariousness - blasted patriarchal laws dictate their mother must relinquish Radley Manor to their late father’s closest male relative. Namely, gay cousin Valentine.
With the family compelled to move in with Grandma, diarist Panth resolves “to find myself a purpose!” Jittery about her future, she channels her energy into penning a romantic novel. At the same, time real-life romance might also be on the cards. Could Buck, a notoriously wild (and wealthy) American, hold the key to Panth’s heart (and her family’s fortunes)?
Or what about her dear friend Freddy, a Cambridge medic who’s known her since childhood? And will Panth ever realise her dream of becoming a Bright Young Thing?
Also taking in sexual awakening, same-sex love, and a glorious sense of living your best life, A Calamity of Mannerings offers readers a rollicking roaring 20s story world that’s decidedly difficult to leave.
'It is a curse to be born a girl...'
Take a peek into the diary of Panth (never enquire as to her given name), a young woman knocking on the gilded door of adult life and high society. But kicking up one's heels at the Cafe de Paris does not come easily to a girl navigating: 1. Poverty (even the genteel kind), thanks to her papa's sad demise 2.
A lack of any experience whatsoever with the opposite sex, of course not counting Freddie Spencer (and he wasn't that sort of experience, anyhow) 3. Multiple sisters with ideas, a grandmother with opinions and one recalcitrant sheep.
Panth knows there is more for her out in the world - it's 1924, for goodness' sake - and that could include swoonsome American with excellent teeth, Buck Buchanan.
The question is - how in the name of Tatler is she to claim it?
A hilarious coming-of-age story for fans of I Capture the Castle and Bridgerton . Cover illustration by Emma Block.
'I kept guffawing with laughter'- Natasha Farrant
'The book is bliss'- Hilary McKay
'I couldn’t put it down' - Emma Carroll
Joanna Nadin is a winner of the Fantastic Book Award, the Surrey Book Award, Blue Peter 'Book of the Month' and Radio 4 Open Book 'Book of the Year'. She has been shortlisted for the Booktrust Best Book Award and Queen of Teen, and Spies, Dad, Big Lauren and Me was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club. In 2011, Penny Dreadful is a Magnet for Disaster was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Joe All Alone was nominated for the 2016 C ILIP C arnegie Medal. She writes the Flying Fergus series with Sir Chris Hoy. Joanna previously worked as a policy writer for the Labour Party and a special adviser to the Prime Minister. She continues to freelance as a speechwriter and editor, and lectures in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University.
The LoveReading4Kids Best Children's Books of 2023
The 2024 Yoto Carnegies Nominations Announced
the best books for teenagers
Julia Gray and 1 more
The Silent Stars Go By
Flying Tips for Flightless Birds
'It is a curse to be born a girl...' Take a peek into the diary of Panth (never enquire as to her given name), a young woman knocking on the gilded door of adult life and high society. But kicking up one's heels at the Cafe de Paris does not come easily to a girl navigating: 1.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed A Calamity of Mannerings and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
A Calamity of Mannerings features in the following genres: Featured Books for Young Adults, Recommendations, Funny, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Historical Fiction, Romance / Relationship Stories, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
A Calamity of Mannerings was written by Joanna Nadin and published by UCLan Publishing
A Calamity of Mannerings has 418 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.