Ladies of Letters: Take a Cheeky Peek at Irene and Vera's Private Correspondence

by Lou Wakefield, Carole Hayman, Sue Townsend (Foreword)

As heard on the hit Radio 4 series, this book includes the letters of two penpals and provides a hilarious insight into suburban friendships.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, British Literature, Audiobook

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody does snark like two British OAPs. Vera and Irene first meet at Irene's daughters wedding and soon become friends and pen pals even though it turns out they don't actually know who each other are and their memories of the event are less than clear. What follows is several years of letters between the two ladies and some of their friends and family. The entire book is just a collection of letters so we never get to see events directly but see them through the, often very different, recollections of the ladies in their letters to each other. Although continuously declaring their friendship to each other their letters are full of sarcasm, back handed compliments and outright bitchiness.
The book is very funny and you really get to feel for both the ladies and have a real sense of their individual personalities. I found myself changing my loyalties from one to the other depending on who was making the better argument or the most sense. There are some hilarious moments when they can't properly understand modern culture or vocabulary.
The book isn't quite a home run as it does go a little screwy as it goes along but all in all it is a great, fun and easy read.

[Edel Waugh Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the funniest books I have read this year. The lives and letters of these two ladies is filled with sarcasm, wit and acid dripped humour. Vera and Irene meet at a wedding and from there they begin a friendship that is mostly based around their letters to one another telling each other about their lives and families. These are often stomach achingly funny and there is more then just a few bitchy remarks throughout the book. These two ladies share the up's and downs of life and we get to come along for the ride being backseat passengers in this hilarious tale. Witty and wonderful!!!!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sadly too short. I'd love to see if there are more available. I had a great time laughing through this one. These two actresses are delightful. They really make the book come alive. Highly recommended. I was really getting into it and suddenly it was over. I admit that it was a good stopping place, but I'm dying to know more. My husband had trouble understanding the accents and gave up. I think perhaps he just didn't hear it as well as he might and was distracted while cooking.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously -- almost never anything but riotous, outrageous and funny, this apparent correspondence between two widowed women of a certain age is crazy British humour that has been broadcast by BBC Radio4 and is wonderful in book form too. It is un-put-down-able.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a great start and then went a little haywire. I realize now that it is part of a series and British humour can be a little over the top. Once I caught the rhythm of the humour and the intent, I calmed down and enjoyed the rest of the read. Fun stuff.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious correspondence between two English ladies.

[Sophie_Faith GlowUp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining diversion.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the beginning, interesting idea & format, but then got too silly.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny and delightful.

[Nikki Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious

[Charlotte Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Loved it.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic British humor of 2 older lady frienemies exchanging emails. Quick listen.

[Colin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A major disappointment, perhaps because I expected more from what on TV is a very funny series. It may be that it needs the voices of Maureen Lipman and Anne Reid to lift the quality. That's not to say that it's a bad book -- it's not memorable enough for that.

[Kerry]

Very disappointed had none of the characteristics of the Tv programe which was extremly entertaining. Was basicaly corrosopondence between two friends which has no meaning to anyone else.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing :(

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

listened to this one years ago remember I enjoyed the silly humor

[Sarri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hillitön. Kaikki mitä tästä ymmärsin, upposi kuin kuuma veitsi voihin.