My Friend Miranda

by I.M. Griffin

'Last night I dreamt that I was walking along the edge of the River Irwell with my friend Miranda. It was a summer evening and we were laughing and singing our favourite Billy Connolly songs. Miranda had bought a bag of sherbet lemons and we sucked them hard until the sherbet came shooting out of the ends, leaving a hollow sugar shell behind. There was a row of pebble-dash houses, with a man outside one of them painting his fence with creosote. We stopped for a while to inhale the heady chemical smell, the essence of suburban summers.' A tale of friendship, of growing up and of falling apart. 'A treat for those who are growing up or who ever managed to do so.' Kitty Wakes, (Steal Softly Thru' Sunshine) 'Oh Manchester, so much to answer for.' Morrissey (The Smiths)

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2012

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought back memories of that dreadful transition stage at the point you leave primary to boldly or not so boldly venture into the valley of death. A moving tale - well told.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought back good and bad memories of starting high school. Made me wish I had made different decisions with friends at that time.

[Miffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a freebie, yet I couldn't work out how the first chapter related to the ending as I had expected them to. Nice and easy to read.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who went to an all girls' grammar school - quite a few years ago - this book really sent me on a trip down memory lane and I could absolutely 100% relate to so much of it - particularly the latin and the dreaded needlework lessons with dodgy sewing machines! This book is a brilliantly written story about the relationship between Janet and Miranda who become best friends at the start of their time together at grammar school, and is a very touching account of their first year in the school. Neither of them are part of the "in crowd, trendy set" they are just normal little girls who like wagon wheels, hopscotch and guinea pigs, who have been thrust into "big school" and facing the single most important decision of their school life "who will be my best friend?"

At heart it is a very poignant tale of the effects of bullying in the classroom, particularly at a time when a young girl's hormones will be all over the place anyway and coming under pressure to conform to the latest fashions etc as dictated by the "in crowd" at school. All the characters, especially the schoolgirls, are extremely believable and I'm sure anyone reading it can recognise several of their old classmates in this story.

Although there are some very light hearted moments in the book, it is a very sad read and I finished reading it with a definite lump in the throat. Highly recommended.

[MetLineReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is based on my old school. From the location in fallowfield opposite a boys grammar school, to the exact colour of the uniform,the description of the layout AND the awful needlework teacher who "taught" us to make an apron, a skirt and a nightie and called everyone a LEMON if they weren't gifted at needlework!!!! Aaaargh, Mhsg girls read it and reminisce!!!

That apart, it's a pretty ordinary book - first chapter hints at a more interesting storyline ...