Lost for Words

by Deric Longden

Deric Longden's mum was a wonderfully endearing, eccentric lady whose passions ranged from pot plants and her beloved pussycats to Buttercup Syrup which she consumed in vast quantities. She also provided comfort, advice and her own particular brand of wisdom in the years when Deric was struggling after the death of his first wife, Diana. Deric's many happy memories include the vision of his mother's unmistakeable backside as she charged through Marks & Spencers; the way in which she charmed everyone she met, including the surliest of youths, and her unusual technique of selling a house which involved plying potential buyers with iced buns whilst pointing out the damp patches and dodgy electrics. Strangely, it worked.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography, Memoir, Cats

283 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 1991

Reviews

[Renée Paule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longden gets straight to the bottom of things from the start with what I consider to be one of the best openings I've ever read in a book. Longden's description of the 'unmistakable backside' of his mother barging its way into Marks and Spencers and her antics on the escalator with a pot of cherry yogurt left me in stitches!

You'll be charmed by this ageing protagonist as her philosophy and unique brand of wisdom unfold. Her cats, plants and 'addiction' to copious quantities of 'Buttercup Syrup' combined with her unique way of 'selling' her house to potential buyers (by pointing out all its faults) cannot fail to amuse.

This book highlights the difficulties of declining into dementia from the point of view of her loving son who is also coping with the tragic loss of his wife and the difficulties of having a new partner who is blind.

The TV film based on this book seriously missed the 'plot'.

[David Bowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Saw the film a few years ago and I thought that Thora Hird was superb. The book even tops the film. It is rare that I laugh out loud to a book but there were so many occasions during this book that my wife thought that I had gone mad!

Beautifully written, Longden embraces joy and sadness, but even with the sadness, I found myself smiling. His Mum warms the heart with her eccentricity and joy! I recommend this book as a truly lovely read.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful tribute to Longden's mother. Heck, I wanted to bring her home. I loved the way Longden wrote, not just about his mother or family, but about pets and all those other things that surround us.

My favorite quote:

"There were times when I wondered who had created my world - perhaps it was Salvador Dali."

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deric Longden paints a tender picture of his ageing eccentric cat washing mother. The book is both funny and poignant as a stroke robs his mother of her favourite pastime - chatting.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read many books by Deric Longden in the past, probably including this one (written 1991) which was made into a film with Thora Hird and Peter Postlethwaite. It’s about Deric struggling to recover from the death of his wife who drowned in the bath after he’d spent 15 years caring for her as she lived with M.E, then he lived with a close friend of their’s, the author Aileen Armitage who is blind. They lived in Chesterfield but when he moved to her home town of Huddersfield to make a new start he was having to travel back frequently to support his mum who is deteriorating with dementia following strokes. By the end she has died (following breaking her hip). He died in 2013, Aileen is 95 and still alive.

[Linda Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this book came to me by mistake many years a go I ordered from WHSmiths shop but when I got home and opened it up well it wasn’t the book I ordered. A long story short I did keep the book and read it trouble was it was hard to read because I have never laughed so whole heartedly as much as I did with this one. Now I know humour can be easily made but done with such human nature the family and how we react to each it’s simply a brilliant book and I keep it close for it makes me smile inside and out thank you Deric Longden 📚🙏😁

[Ingrid Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deric can draw you into his world to hold your breath, to weep or to laugh ridiculously. This book, which is mainly about his mother, leaves you wondering if you know more about him than he'd like. His mother, a genuine, hard working woman, makes you fall in love with her and admire her, all from Deric's perspective. I enjoy his books - I am still trying to track some down - and the blend of humour, whimsy and seriousness concoct a lovely stew of words.

[Elizabeth Doyle-davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much..

For anyone who has eccentric people in their lives.... This book is for you. For anyone that has watched loved ones grow old, this book is for you. For anyone that will laugh with people rather than at them, this book is for you. I loved every word of it. It's my Nanna in a book.

[Wendy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deric Longden writes with such love and gentle, genuine humour that I would have liked him as my best friend. His late wife, new partner, mother, and his mother's cats are all lovingly portrayed. Even the sadness and tragedy is written with tenderness. What a pity he is no longer here to write more. Any of his books will brighten your day.

[Debbie Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book numerous times in my life, something I rarely do. Love it.

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply, superb

[Kristen Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly picked this up at a book store & read it on vacation. I was so glad I did! It was enlightening, encouraging, positive & spoke to my soul. One of my favorite reads of 2019.

[Gracel lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

A good read and follow on from Diana's story. Can't wait to read the next one now. Maybe some animals in that

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny & incredibly poignant. Only read on a train if you are immune to the odd looks & raised eyebrows that you’ll only see if you can tear your eyes away from the pages.

[Gia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I finished reading this, I ordered all books I could find by the author.
It's rare that you find a writer who can put so much humanity and emotion into words.

[Tracy Richings · Rating 5 out of 5]

always a great read

Takes you on an emotional roller coaster, from laughter to tears in a couple of pages. His take on life is warm and comfortable. Always a satisfying read.

[Laura Stanaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend to me by a patient, I absolutely loved this book and am very greatful for the initial recommendation. I ensured both my mother and mother in law read it too! It was so humbling, but so sad, and really hit home . I loved it so much I brought the film to watch .. which unfortuantly had big boots to fill in comparison to the book. Defiantly a book I would pick up to read again in the future

[Angela Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. A sad story written with humour and feeling. Some classic quotes.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lost for Words" is a poignant tribute to a truly great woman - Deric's mother - charmingly eccentric, yet wonderfully wise. It's easy to see where Deric gets his superb sense of humour, and zest his for the minutiae of everyday life. Deric reminiscences about his mother, her life, her passions and her sad decline in her later years. I never knew her, but I wish that I had.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read, feel good book.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this mans work - I do wish that he would write more!!

He is so funny - on a par with Bill Bryson...

His pathos and humour are brilliant...

[Yorky Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book - its by a local author and the mum just reminded me of my grandma - nicely written and equally funny/weepy! Would definitely recommend

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very enjoyable even the 2nd time round. Its both funny & sad.

[Christopher Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensitive, funny, sad, delightful

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time of reading this and enjoyed just as much even though I remembered a lot of the story.
I love the way he writes. So easy to see the things he's speaking about.

A favourite of mine!

[Hanna Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

love, love, love all of his work!

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just one of my favourite books. Both hysterically funny and heart breakingly sad, it is a warm, Intimate picture of an average Northern family.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, sad, sweet...loved it.