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The Mummyfesto
When Sam, Jackie and Anna successfully campaign to save their children's school lollipop lady, they are asked by a TV reporter if they fancy standing in the general election.
It is, of course, a crazy idea: Sam's youngest son has an incurable disease, Jackie is desperate for another child and her mum is struggling with Alzheimers, Anna's teenagers - and marriage - are in danger of going off the rails.
But sometimes the craziest ideas turn out to be the best. And just think what they could do if they got to run the country...
It is, of course, a crazy idea: Sam's youngest son has an incurable disease, Jackie is desperate for another child and her mum is struggling with Alzheimers, Anna's teenagers - and marriage - are in danger of going off the rails.
But sometimes the craziest ideas turn out to be the best. And just think what they could do if they got to run the country...
457 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2013
77 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Linda Green
81 books623 followersI was born in North London in 1970 and brought up in Hertfordshire. I wrote my first novella, the Time Machine, aged eight, shortly after which I declared that my ambition was to have a novel published (I could have been easy on myself and just said ‘to write a novel’ but no, I had to consign myself to years of torture and rejections). I was frequently asked to copy out my stories for the classroom wall (probably because my handwriting was so awful no one could read my first draft), and received lots of encouragement from my teachers Mr Roberts, Mrs Chandler (who added yet more pressure by writing in my autograph book when I left primary school that she looked forward to reading my first published novel!) and Mr Bird.
My first publication came when I was thirteen and my Ode to Gary Mabbutt won second prize in the Tottenham Weekly Herald ‘My Favourite Player’ competition. At fifteen I won the Junior Spurs Football Reporter of the Year Competition and got to report on a first division football match from the press box at White Hart Lane (I got lots of funny looks and none of the journalists spoke to me.)
At sixteen I embarked on ‘A’ levels and a journalism course at De Havilland College, Hertfordshire, and my college magazine interview about football hooliganism with local MP and football club chairman David Evans made a double page spread in Shoot! magazine (they never paid me) and back page headlines in several national newspapers (only a nice man at the Daily Star bothered to check the story with me).
I joined my local newspaper, the Enfield Gazette, as a trainee reporter at eighteen. During a ten year career in regional journalism I worked as a reporter on the Birmingham Daily News, news editor on the Birmingham Metro News and Chief Feature Writer on the Coventry Evening Telegraph, winning Highly Commended in the Feature Writer of the Year category of the 1997 Press Gazette Regional Press Awards.
I loved working on regional newspapers but by 1998 my features were getting too long and the urge to write a novel had become too great so I left my staff job to write my first novel and work as a freelance journalist. I have written for The Guardian, The Independent on Sunday, The Times Educational Supplement, The Big Issue, Wanderlust and Community Care Magazine. I’ve also had a short story published in Best magazine
I found the writing and working from home a very solitary process so also worked as co-ordinator of the Birmingham Bureau of Children’s Express, a national charity which runs a learning through journalism programme for young people and taught journalism to schoolchildren for the National Academy of Writing. After I moved north in 2001 I qualified as an adult education tutor and taught creative writing classes to students aged between 18 and 82 for the Workers Educational Association across Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
After more than a hundred rejections from agents for my first novel (and more rewrites than I care to remember) I finally got an agent but still couldn’t get a publisher. I started work on my second novel I DID A BAD THING in 2003, finished the first draft and gave birth to my son Rohan in 2004, rewrote the novel and got a new agent in 2005, obtained a two-book deal with Headline Review in 2006.
I Did a Bad Thing was published in paperback in October 2007, made the top thirty official fiction bestsellers list (and number 3 in Tesco!) and has so far sold more than 77,000 copies. 10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love was published in paperback in March 2009, reached no 22 in the official fiction bestseller charts (and no 4 in Tesco) and has so far sold more than 80,000 copies. Both novels were also long-listed for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
Following the success of my first two novels I got another two-book deal from Headline Review, with Things I Wish I'd Known being the first of these. I am currently working on my fourth novel.
I enjoy travelling.
My first publication came when I was thirteen and my Ode to Gary Mabbutt won second prize in the Tottenham Weekly Herald ‘My Favourite Player’ competition. At fifteen I won the Junior Spurs Football Reporter of the Year Competition and got to report on a first division football match from the press box at White Hart Lane (I got lots of funny looks and none of the journalists spoke to me.)
At sixteen I embarked on ‘A’ levels and a journalism course at De Havilland College, Hertfordshire, and my college magazine interview about football hooliganism with local MP and football club chairman David Evans made a double page spread in Shoot! magazine (they never paid me) and back page headlines in several national newspapers (only a nice man at the Daily Star bothered to check the story with me).
I joined my local newspaper, the Enfield Gazette, as a trainee reporter at eighteen. During a ten year career in regional journalism I worked as a reporter on the Birmingham Daily News, news editor on the Birmingham Metro News and Chief Feature Writer on the Coventry Evening Telegraph, winning Highly Commended in the Feature Writer of the Year category of the 1997 Press Gazette Regional Press Awards.
I loved working on regional newspapers but by 1998 my features were getting too long and the urge to write a novel had become too great so I left my staff job to write my first novel and work as a freelance journalist. I have written for The Guardian, The Independent on Sunday, The Times Educational Supplement, The Big Issue, Wanderlust and Community Care Magazine. I’ve also had a short story published in Best magazine
I found the writing and working from home a very solitary process so also worked as co-ordinator of the Birmingham Bureau of Children’s Express, a national charity which runs a learning through journalism programme for young people and taught journalism to schoolchildren for the National Academy of Writing. After I moved north in 2001 I qualified as an adult education tutor and taught creative writing classes to students aged between 18 and 82 for the Workers Educational Association across Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
After more than a hundred rejections from agents for my first novel (and more rewrites than I care to remember) I finally got an agent but still couldn’t get a publisher. I started work on my second novel I DID A BAD THING in 2003, finished the first draft and gave birth to my son Rohan in 2004, rewrote the novel and got a new agent in 2005, obtained a two-book deal with Headline Review in 2006.
I Did a Bad Thing was published in paperback in October 2007, made the top thirty official fiction bestsellers list (and number 3 in Tesco!) and has so far sold more than 77,000 copies. 10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love was published in paperback in March 2009, reached no 22 in the official fiction bestseller charts (and no 4 in Tesco) and has so far sold more than 80,000 copies. Both novels were also long-listed for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
Following the success of my first two novels I got another two-book deal from Headline Review, with Things I Wish I'd Known being the first of these. I am currently working on my fourth novel.
I enjoy travelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
July 14, 2017
Being the usual kind of book I'd pick up, I had high hopes for this. However, my expectations were not fulfilled; it was only because I had nothing else accessible when I had time to spare that I persevered, or I'd have stopped at the first chapter!
The entire premise was far more shallow than the blurb suggested; even for fiction-land, what those three women achieved in the matter of a few weeks was not just fanciful, it bordered on the ridiculous. The interaction between every character was so PC and 'right-on' it made my brain hurt, and every single occasion one of the women spoke to her children, it sounded like she'd swallowed a parenting guide.
Writing about gritty topics, when people behave and converse so unrealistically, demeans any point the author wants to make. If the three women really were pressured, why were they never short with anyone? Why did they never lose their rag, even for a moment, like every other parent - male or female - that I've ever met? Because that wouldn't fit in a world where five year-olds have the emotional intelligence of an OAP, and they're constantly upbeat and well-behaved; where the three main characters are only distinguishable by the people they live with, rather than their personality or characteristics; and in a country that decides to take a brand-new party seriously (despite being called The Lollipop Party) because of a few trending tweets.
The book's only saving grace was the sub-plot surrounding Oscar; his storyline, particularly at the end, was wonderfully moving and emotionally loaded. It's a shame something so truly hard-hitting was part of a wholly flaky, patronising and irritating tale.
My last words are for the proof-reader: what have you got against the word 'the'?!
The entire premise was far more shallow than the blurb suggested; even for fiction-land, what those three women achieved in the matter of a few weeks was not just fanciful, it bordered on the ridiculous. The interaction between every character was so PC and 'right-on' it made my brain hurt, and every single occasion one of the women spoke to her children, it sounded like she'd swallowed a parenting guide.
Writing about gritty topics, when people behave and converse so unrealistically, demeans any point the author wants to make. If the three women really were pressured, why were they never short with anyone? Why did they never lose their rag, even for a moment, like every other parent - male or female - that I've ever met? Because that wouldn't fit in a world where five year-olds have the emotional intelligence of an OAP, and they're constantly upbeat and well-behaved; where the three main characters are only distinguishable by the people they live with, rather than their personality or characteristics; and in a country that decides to take a brand-new party seriously (despite being called The Lollipop Party) because of a few trending tweets.
The book's only saving grace was the sub-plot surrounding Oscar; his storyline, particularly at the end, was wonderfully moving and emotionally loaded. It's a shame something so truly hard-hitting was part of a wholly flaky, patronising and irritating tale.
My last words are for the proof-reader: what have you got against the word 'the'?!
January 10, 2017
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started the Mummyfesto, and it did take me a little while to get into it, but I'm glad I persisted.
Sam, Anna, and Jackie swing into action when they hear their lollipop lady is going to be sacked. After a successful campaign, they decide to start their own political party and stand in the general election, while juggling children with differing needs.
Once the story got going, it was an engaging look at each woman's journey and what can happen when Mum's decide to do something about the wrongs they see. I enjoyed the authors note at the end explaining where the idea came from :)
It is also a tear-jerker, so be sure to have tissues at the ready.
Sam, Anna, and Jackie swing into action when they hear their lollipop lady is going to be sacked. After a successful campaign, they decide to start their own political party and stand in the general election, while juggling children with differing needs.
Once the story got going, it was an engaging look at each woman's journey and what can happen when Mum's decide to do something about the wrongs they see. I enjoyed the authors note at the end explaining where the idea came from :)
It is also a tear-jerker, so be sure to have tissues at the ready.
March 5, 2014
A bit ashamed to put this one on my shelf due to the awful chick lit name, and for the first half of this book I thought it was quite awful- but then by the end it was suddenly quite touching and moving, and dealt with some much deeper issues than the usual man-woman debacles that chick lit covers. Managed to polish it off in 24 hours so can't have been too bad. Strange language though - as an example I have selected a quote..
'I wanted to go to sweet shop,' I said 'That's why we crossed over main road. There were no need to cross it'. Is this constant leaving out of words supposed to represent some kind of Northern accent? I just found it annoying.
'I wanted to go to sweet shop,' I said 'That's why we crossed over main road. There were no need to cross it'. Is this constant leaving out of words supposed to represent some kind of Northern accent? I just found it annoying.
February 19, 2013
The Mummyfesto is a powerful and inspirational novel that forces people to not just complain, as they so often do, about the unfairness of politics but to actually stand up for their beliefs and change the world for the better.
Sam's youngest son suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy and when the children's hospital she works for faces yet more cutbacks she wants to fight for the hospital so it can continue to help the children and their families.
Anna is a counsellor for troubled teenagers yet when her eldest daughter is severely bullied she finds it much harder to deal with the implications on her already introvert child. She wants to make a difference by grabbing the problem at its core and making schools entirely bully free.
Jackie divides her time between caring for her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease and is prone to wandering the streets in a confused state, and trying for another baby with her husband in a desperate attempt to give her only child a brother or sister.
When the lollipop lady, a woman who helps the children safely cross the road, at the local school is at risk of losing her job because of cutbacks the three women start a campaign to show the politicians that nothing is more important to them than the safety of their children. Their campaign is a roaring success and quickly evolves into something much bigger. The Lollipop Party is born.
Anna, Jackie and Sam become the voice of the vulnerable people; children, the elderly and those with disabilities. These people are often the ones who need help the most but because they lack a strong voice they're also the ones who are quickly forgotten and are the first to suffer when the government decides to cut back on funding.
The women's love for their children is what gives them the strength to stand up for what they believe in and truly make a difference. Their passion and determination on their journey paints an inspirational picture to the reader. These women don't have a political degree or decades of experience working for the government to fall back on, but what they do have is compassion. They see the fundamental issues within our society and decide to actually change them. By voicing their concerns and standing up for what they believe in they inspire others to do the same in their own localities. Their sometimes unconventional yet highly sufficient ideas ripple like a breath of fresh of air through the dusty corridors of the government.
By creating these inspirational characters and touching upon difficult subjects such as taking care of a child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, author Linda Green in turn is also an inspiration to the reader. After finishing The Mummyfesto I found I had not only read a beautifully moving story but I too felt the urge to stand up and make a difference. If we would just change some of the issues touched upon within the novel we'd be living in a much more caring world than we are now.
Sam's youngest son suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy and when the children's hospital she works for faces yet more cutbacks she wants to fight for the hospital so it can continue to help the children and their families.
Anna is a counsellor for troubled teenagers yet when her eldest daughter is severely bullied she finds it much harder to deal with the implications on her already introvert child. She wants to make a difference by grabbing the problem at its core and making schools entirely bully free.
Jackie divides her time between caring for her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease and is prone to wandering the streets in a confused state, and trying for another baby with her husband in a desperate attempt to give her only child a brother or sister.
When the lollipop lady, a woman who helps the children safely cross the road, at the local school is at risk of losing her job because of cutbacks the three women start a campaign to show the politicians that nothing is more important to them than the safety of their children. Their campaign is a roaring success and quickly evolves into something much bigger. The Lollipop Party is born.
Anna, Jackie and Sam become the voice of the vulnerable people; children, the elderly and those with disabilities. These people are often the ones who need help the most but because they lack a strong voice they're also the ones who are quickly forgotten and are the first to suffer when the government decides to cut back on funding.
The women's love for their children is what gives them the strength to stand up for what they believe in and truly make a difference. Their passion and determination on their journey paints an inspirational picture to the reader. These women don't have a political degree or decades of experience working for the government to fall back on, but what they do have is compassion. They see the fundamental issues within our society and decide to actually change them. By voicing their concerns and standing up for what they believe in they inspire others to do the same in their own localities. Their sometimes unconventional yet highly sufficient ideas ripple like a breath of fresh of air through the dusty corridors of the government.
By creating these inspirational characters and touching upon difficult subjects such as taking care of a child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, author Linda Green in turn is also an inspiration to the reader. After finishing The Mummyfesto I found I had not only read a beautifully moving story but I too felt the urge to stand up and make a difference. If we would just change some of the issues touched upon within the novel we'd be living in a much more caring world than we are now.
January 16, 2013
Government cutbacks, bullying, infertility, disability, the hospice movement - all of these play a part in the story of what is essentially three ordinary women whose life experiences (along with the proposed redundancy of the school's 'lollipop' lady) compels them to stand in a general election.
Well worth persevering with, eventually The Mummyfesto turned out to be a fairly good read, it's only a shame that I had to read through so much of what I can only describe as political debate before I got to the point where picking it up became more of a pleasure and less of a chore.
Ultimately a real tear-jerker of a novel (I highly recommend you have a box of tissues at the ready), I know the book had a 'political' element to it BUT I think it had more than enough going for it chronicling the everyday lives and struggles of Sam, Jackie and Anna without the author investing so much time writing what, at times, felt too much like a party political broadcast.
DISCLAIMER: An Uncorrected Bound copy (according to the Press Release sent with the book The Mummyfesto is not available until the 28th of February 2013) read and reviewed on behalf of NEWBOOKS magazine I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
Well worth persevering with, eventually The Mummyfesto turned out to be a fairly good read, it's only a shame that I had to read through so much of what I can only describe as political debate before I got to the point where picking it up became more of a pleasure and less of a chore.
Ultimately a real tear-jerker of a novel (I highly recommend you have a box of tissues at the ready), I know the book had a 'political' element to it BUT I think it had more than enough going for it chronicling the everyday lives and struggles of Sam, Jackie and Anna without the author investing so much time writing what, at times, felt too much like a party political broadcast.
DISCLAIMER: An Uncorrected Bound copy (according to the Press Release sent with the book The Mummyfesto is not available until the 28th of February 2013) read and reviewed on behalf of NEWBOOKS magazine I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
June 27, 2016
What an emotional roller coaster! Struggled to get into this book initially, putting it down half way through and reading two others in the interim. However I'm happy that I did pick it up again. My initial thoughts of it being predictable were correct, on the one hand. But that doesn't mean it's not worthy of a read. Whilst I predicted the outcome I couldn't have predicted how much I wanted all of the characters to be 'ok' or how much involved you become in the lives of Sam, Anna and Jackie. All in all a good read that I'm happy to have finished. Certainly different from my usual choice.
August 3, 2018
I have only given up on one book in my whole life. But this is the second. Absolutely adore Linda Green books. But this, for me is a load of get your own political views across. I want a book to entertain me. Not feel like I’m being doorstepped to vote for something.
July 14, 2018
A wonderful story that will have you laughing and crying. Can not recommend it enough
July 5, 2022
What a corker!
A brilliant yet tear jerking book, Heartwarming yet heartbreaking.
I've never read anything by this author before but will certainly be reading more. Brilliant!
A brilliant yet tear jerking book, Heartwarming yet heartbreaking.
I've never read anything by this author before but will certainly be reading more. Brilliant!
April 20, 2013
When the lollipop lady outside the school Sam's young sons attend is told she is about to lose her job due to government cuts, Sam feels she must do something. The lollipop lady is important, keeping the local children safe as they walk to and from school. So Sam joins forces with with Jackie and Anna, fellow parents at the school and together they fight the governments decision.
Upon their success, Sam is asked whether she would like to form her own political party. Sam has never been particularly politically-minded before but she's fed up with how the country is being run and decides to form a new family-friendly party. With friends Jackie and Anna on board, they devise a manifesto - or rather a mummyfesto - stating their core values and the things they want to change, and throw themselves into the next general election.
When I first received The Mummyfesto I was worried it would be too politically heavy for my liking but I found the underlying story was about the three women and their family issues. Sam has two young sons, one of which has an incurable disease which has left him wheelchair bound and reliant on machines to keep him healthy. Sam works at a children's hospice and when she finds out their government funding is about to be significantly reduced, she's even more determined that things must change to support the nation's families.
Jackie has family troubles of her own. Not only does she have a six year old daughter to take care of, her mother is suffering from Alzheimer's and is needing more and more care. Anna's teenage children are causing her concern; her 15 year old son is hanging out with the wrong crowd while her 13 year old daughter is being bullied, something her school refuses to tackle.
Despite their family commitments, the three women forge ahead with their plans, determined to change the way the country is run, not only to benefit their own families but those of the whole country. The women aren't always supported in their plans but they are strong and courageous enough to put themselves into the political world and challenge what they deem to be major flaws. Each woman is different, bringing something unique to the party. I liked that they were parents and friends above all else and that they supported each other through their troubles.
The children in The Mummyfesto are extremely important in the book as they bring humour and warmth and are also a major drive for Sam, Jackie and Anna to form the party. The children aren't just in the background - children and family are at the core of the new political party and they're at the core of The Mummyfesto too.
Upon their success, Sam is asked whether she would like to form her own political party. Sam has never been particularly politically-minded before but she's fed up with how the country is being run and decides to form a new family-friendly party. With friends Jackie and Anna on board, they devise a manifesto - or rather a mummyfesto - stating their core values and the things they want to change, and throw themselves into the next general election.
When I first received The Mummyfesto I was worried it would be too politically heavy for my liking but I found the underlying story was about the three women and their family issues. Sam has two young sons, one of which has an incurable disease which has left him wheelchair bound and reliant on machines to keep him healthy. Sam works at a children's hospice and when she finds out their government funding is about to be significantly reduced, she's even more determined that things must change to support the nation's families.
Jackie has family troubles of her own. Not only does she have a six year old daughter to take care of, her mother is suffering from Alzheimer's and is needing more and more care. Anna's teenage children are causing her concern; her 15 year old son is hanging out with the wrong crowd while her 13 year old daughter is being bullied, something her school refuses to tackle.
Despite their family commitments, the three women forge ahead with their plans, determined to change the way the country is run, not only to benefit their own families but those of the whole country. The women aren't always supported in their plans but they are strong and courageous enough to put themselves into the political world and challenge what they deem to be major flaws. Each woman is different, bringing something unique to the party. I liked that they were parents and friends above all else and that they supported each other through their troubles.
The children in The Mummyfesto are extremely important in the book as they bring humour and warmth and are also a major drive for Sam, Jackie and Anna to form the party. The children aren't just in the background - children and family are at the core of the new political party and they're at the core of The Mummyfesto too.
February 15, 2013
I have never read anything by Linda Green before so I was very keen to start on The Mummyfesto.
Sam, Jackie and Anna are mothers with children at school. After successfully campaigning to save their children’s lollipop lady, they find themselves center of attention. As a reporter asks them if they’ve ever thought of standing in the general election that is coming up soon. This idea sticks and soon The Lollipop Party is formed, these are mums on a mission determined to change things for the better…
Wow – what a fantastic idea for a book! As soon as I had read the blurb on the back I was very intrigued – Mum’s running the country? Well why not! Surely with their experiences as mothers and members of the public, they’d be perfect candidates! I absolutely loved the idea of three mums banding together and standing in the elections, and their policies made a lot of sense too – anti-bullying, funded children’s hospitals and hospices, for example – causes that they and other mothers strongly believe in.
I really enjoyed this book – I admit it did take me a few chapters to get fully settled into the story and to get my head around the politics side of the novel. Although this story isn’t just about politics, policies and causes – there is so much more than that! With The Mummyfesto comes the very personal stories of three women, and their own struggles, hopes and dreams. I won’t say too much about what it delves into so as not to spoil the story, but I’m certain there are readers out there who will be able to relate to the situations and scenarios that the three women face in their everyday lives, and this brings the story to life, and makes it more realistic.
I thought the characters were very well-written and thought out. I very much enjoyed delving into their lives, understanding a bit more about their backgrounds and why they were campaigning for certain causes. As they progressed in their journey throughout the book, Linda Green opens up the characters a bit more so that we are shown more of their personality and what makes them who they are. I warmed to each of the three women and always looked forward to the next chapter.
As I mentioned previously, there are a lot of subjects explored in this story, and Linda Green deals with them sensitively and thoughtfully. The Mummyfesto is very thought-provoking with some moments that will touch your heart. However, there are also some scenes in store which lightens the mood. The Mummyfesto is a very well-written and enjoyable book which will have you cheering on mothers everywhere!
Sam, Jackie and Anna are mothers with children at school. After successfully campaigning to save their children’s lollipop lady, they find themselves center of attention. As a reporter asks them if they’ve ever thought of standing in the general election that is coming up soon. This idea sticks and soon The Lollipop Party is formed, these are mums on a mission determined to change things for the better…
Wow – what a fantastic idea for a book! As soon as I had read the blurb on the back I was very intrigued – Mum’s running the country? Well why not! Surely with their experiences as mothers and members of the public, they’d be perfect candidates! I absolutely loved the idea of three mums banding together and standing in the elections, and their policies made a lot of sense too – anti-bullying, funded children’s hospitals and hospices, for example – causes that they and other mothers strongly believe in.
I really enjoyed this book – I admit it did take me a few chapters to get fully settled into the story and to get my head around the politics side of the novel. Although this story isn’t just about politics, policies and causes – there is so much more than that! With The Mummyfesto comes the very personal stories of three women, and their own struggles, hopes and dreams. I won’t say too much about what it delves into so as not to spoil the story, but I’m certain there are readers out there who will be able to relate to the situations and scenarios that the three women face in their everyday lives, and this brings the story to life, and makes it more realistic.
I thought the characters were very well-written and thought out. I very much enjoyed delving into their lives, understanding a bit more about their backgrounds and why they were campaigning for certain causes. As they progressed in their journey throughout the book, Linda Green opens up the characters a bit more so that we are shown more of their personality and what makes them who they are. I warmed to each of the three women and always looked forward to the next chapter.
As I mentioned previously, there are a lot of subjects explored in this story, and Linda Green deals with them sensitively and thoughtfully. The Mummyfesto is very thought-provoking with some moments that will touch your heart. However, there are also some scenes in store which lightens the mood. The Mummyfesto is a very well-written and enjoyable book which will have you cheering on mothers everywhere!
April 6, 2013
I really didn't know what to expect with this book. I had heard lots of people raving about it on Twitter and so when it was on offer the weeks it was released I thought that I would pick it up. Initially I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to understand the politics of it all, but what I actually found was a book I was completely and utterly sucked into!
I read The Resolution before I read this book and so I had been introduced to all three of the Mums involved in The Mummyfesto. I really liked straight-talking teacher Jackie. I love the fact that she wears high heels even though they are completely impractical for her job as teacher and mum and I thought that her struggle throughout the book and her 'secrets' (which I won't reveal, of course) were really well written. I think that all three Mums, Jackie, Sam and Anna must have been quite difficult to write at some points in the story because they do all go through immense struggles, but I think that this is one of the things which is so endearing about the novel. The struggles that they face are real life struggles, and things that so many women and mums out there have to go through and yet they are handled so well and so explained so clearly in this novel.
I didn't think at the start of the novel that there would be so many bits that would make me cry, that it was just a jolly tale of three mums trying to take on parliament, but I found myself sobbing at more that one point in this book and yet this shows just how well the novel is written. You build up a relationship with these mums and their children, you get to know them, go through their ups and downs and cry alongside them when they cry. Readers should be warned not to read the ending of the book in public and run the risk of embarrassing themselves on a commuter train as I did!
All in all I think that there is something for most readers in this novel. There is excitement, some politics, some sadness and a lot of real-life funny moments. The writing is wonderful, everything is knotted together to neatly and with a real 'feel good' factor. I think that most readers will fall in love with the mums and enjoy sharing life's trials and tribulations with them. All that's left for me to say is-I hope there's a sequel!
I read The Resolution before I read this book and so I had been introduced to all three of the Mums involved in The Mummyfesto. I really liked straight-talking teacher Jackie. I love the fact that she wears high heels even though they are completely impractical for her job as teacher and mum and I thought that her struggle throughout the book and her 'secrets' (which I won't reveal, of course) were really well written. I think that all three Mums, Jackie, Sam and Anna must have been quite difficult to write at some points in the story because they do all go through immense struggles, but I think that this is one of the things which is so endearing about the novel. The struggles that they face are real life struggles, and things that so many women and mums out there have to go through and yet they are handled so well and so explained so clearly in this novel.
I didn't think at the start of the novel that there would be so many bits that would make me cry, that it was just a jolly tale of three mums trying to take on parliament, but I found myself sobbing at more that one point in this book and yet this shows just how well the novel is written. You build up a relationship with these mums and their children, you get to know them, go through their ups and downs and cry alongside them when they cry. Readers should be warned not to read the ending of the book in public and run the risk of embarrassing themselves on a commuter train as I did!
All in all I think that there is something for most readers in this novel. There is excitement, some politics, some sadness and a lot of real-life funny moments. The writing is wonderful, everything is knotted together to neatly and with a real 'feel good' factor. I think that most readers will fall in love with the mums and enjoy sharing life's trials and tribulations with them. All that's left for me to say is-I hope there's a sequel!
June 23, 2017
Three mothers and hard-working ladies who are friends, campaign to save the job of the lollipop lady outside the local school in Yorkshire. One of the ladies is a blogger with a mum's-type blog which gains a lot of followers so the campaign succeeds and they get local media attention. Inspired by the success, the three decide to stand as MPs in the coming election. Their manifesto becomes a 'mummyfesto' as they are all about standing up for kids and families and the weaker in society including seniors and children needing hospices.
It becomes hard for the reader to separate the ladies as they have similar voices and narrate in alternate chapters. So it's the one with the boy in the wheelchair, the one who's a youth counsellor with her own moody teens, the one with unexplained infertility who wants a second child. Which one has the mother with Alzheimers again? Whose husband is a jerk and whose husband is the painter?
Some famous names appear such as Patrick Stewart, George Galloway, Baroness Warsi, the kind of person that these ladies never thought they would meet and now sit next to at Question Time. The local people in Hebden Bridge are well painted, though homogenous; no Indian ladies in saris, no Polish building workers, no unemployed people in shiny track suits. Maybe there aren't any in Hebden Bridge. The campaigners are undoubtedly right to highlight what they believe is wrong, but never once give thanks for all they enjoy for free, such as free doctor and dental care, and free hospital treatment without private health insurance, which is not necessarily the case in other countries. The women each have an easily-foreseen closure of issues coming down the track and it does seem rather too neat that they all wrap up at the same time.
We could be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be a riotous, hard-hitting satire and flight of fancy like 'Queen Camilla' by Sue Townsend. However the tone is more realistic as is the outcome. The author describes the peaceful death of a child, towards the end, which may well upset some readers going through their own difficulties. Easily readable, with plenty of lighter moments and likeable characters, the tale may encourage us to make informed choices at election time and to help others.
It becomes hard for the reader to separate the ladies as they have similar voices and narrate in alternate chapters. So it's the one with the boy in the wheelchair, the one who's a youth counsellor with her own moody teens, the one with unexplained infertility who wants a second child. Which one has the mother with Alzheimers again? Whose husband is a jerk and whose husband is the painter?
Some famous names appear such as Patrick Stewart, George Galloway, Baroness Warsi, the kind of person that these ladies never thought they would meet and now sit next to at Question Time. The local people in Hebden Bridge are well painted, though homogenous; no Indian ladies in saris, no Polish building workers, no unemployed people in shiny track suits. Maybe there aren't any in Hebden Bridge. The campaigners are undoubtedly right to highlight what they believe is wrong, but never once give thanks for all they enjoy for free, such as free doctor and dental care, and free hospital treatment without private health insurance, which is not necessarily the case in other countries. The women each have an easily-foreseen closure of issues coming down the track and it does seem rather too neat that they all wrap up at the same time.
We could be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be a riotous, hard-hitting satire and flight of fancy like 'Queen Camilla' by Sue Townsend. However the tone is more realistic as is the outcome. The author describes the peaceful death of a child, towards the end, which may well upset some readers going through their own difficulties. Easily readable, with plenty of lighter moments and likeable characters, the tale may encourage us to make informed choices at election time and to help others.
February 21, 2013
Three women, who meet regularly in the school playground, have become close friends. The book begins with a typical and amusing journey to school for Sam and her sons. Then they hear that the school lollipop lady is being made redundant. They are horrified and decide to start a petition.. which, with the help of their friends, is wildly successful. They get on the local news and start brainstorming about what they would do if they were politicians. So Sam proposes starting a new political party that puts families first....
Most of the book then follows the rapid rise of the ‘Lollipop’ party, interspersed with events from family life for each of these three women.
The chapters alternate between each of the three, which works well to give their different perspectives., although I found that two of them had quite similar voices. It took a while to get into this book, but then the story moves faster, with difficulties piling high for each family, and towards the end I had to grab a box of tissues for a couple of chapters. What happened was not unexpected, but very moving.
I do have a few small niggles with the novel. I felt as if there were rather too many important issues just touched upon, with little realistic resolution. I was a disappointed that home education was only mentioned in passing, treated as if it were a poor alternative to school rather than a positive decision. There are a few unlikely scenes and coincidences; none a problem on its own, but overall, rather too many. I was irritated, too, that there were a couple of unecessary jibes at God, which were irrelevant to the story. I was also a bit disturbed by the amount of bad language in the book.
Still, these are minor complaints. The book as a whole was amusing in places, highly emotional in others, and written with a great pace.
Recommended.
Most of the book then follows the rapid rise of the ‘Lollipop’ party, interspersed with events from family life for each of these three women.
The chapters alternate between each of the three, which works well to give their different perspectives., although I found that two of them had quite similar voices. It took a while to get into this book, but then the story moves faster, with difficulties piling high for each family, and towards the end I had to grab a box of tissues for a couple of chapters. What happened was not unexpected, but very moving.
I do have a few small niggles with the novel. I felt as if there were rather too many important issues just touched upon, with little realistic resolution. I was a disappointed that home education was only mentioned in passing, treated as if it were a poor alternative to school rather than a positive decision. There are a few unlikely scenes and coincidences; none a problem on its own, but overall, rather too many. I was irritated, too, that there were a couple of unecessary jibes at God, which were irrelevant to the story. I was also a bit disturbed by the amount of bad language in the book.
Still, these are minor complaints. The book as a whole was amusing in places, highly emotional in others, and written with a great pace.
Recommended.
May 5, 2014
4.5 stars
I give my ratings for each book judged in its genre. Not comparing each piece of writing to Austen/Dickens/Rushdie. So to give this a high rating means it's an excellent example of a comedic family drama, an easy read, one with a good amount of emotion, laughs and entertainment.
Don't expect War and Peace. But you can expect quite a moving story. One about three regular mums, all with families and family problems. One fears infertility whilst wishing for a second child. One has a secretive teenager and a daughter being bullied. And one has a severely disabled son.
And in the midst of their own stories, they decide to form a political party and stand in the upcoming general election. All very far-fetched, but very well-handled I thought. All the details I wondered about (okay, but how will they be funded? Alright how will they make it official?) all all covered. The fun part is when they announce their decision and the country takes an interest and helps them form their policies.
I love their policies and the Mummyfesto of the title. I wish theirs was a real party - they'd have my vote!
The social media angle is well used, feeling very current and quite possible.
The family angle is interesting and moving. Each mum's story takes its own share of the story, and I'll admit I was in tears more than once as I walked to work listening to the audiobook.
It's a light read but one that does delve into several deep issues. Highly enjoyable and if you're in the mood, one where you'll need the odd tissue too. And a desire to vote.
I give my ratings for each book judged in its genre. Not comparing each piece of writing to Austen/Dickens/Rushdie. So to give this a high rating means it's an excellent example of a comedic family drama, an easy read, one with a good amount of emotion, laughs and entertainment.
Don't expect War and Peace. But you can expect quite a moving story. One about three regular mums, all with families and family problems. One fears infertility whilst wishing for a second child. One has a secretive teenager and a daughter being bullied. And one has a severely disabled son.
And in the midst of their own stories, they decide to form a political party and stand in the upcoming general election. All very far-fetched, but very well-handled I thought. All the details I wondered about (okay, but how will they be funded? Alright how will they make it official?) all all covered. The fun part is when they announce their decision and the country takes an interest and helps them form their policies.
I love their policies and the Mummyfesto of the title. I wish theirs was a real party - they'd have my vote!
The social media angle is well used, feeling very current and quite possible.
The family angle is interesting and moving. Each mum's story takes its own share of the story, and I'll admit I was in tears more than once as I walked to work listening to the audiobook.
It's a light read but one that does delve into several deep issues. Highly enjoyable and if you're in the mood, one where you'll need the odd tissue too. And a desire to vote.
March 21, 2013
The Mummyfesto centres on the lives of three friends: Sam, Jackie and Annie who in different ways are struggling with issues in their home life. After saving their local lollipop lady, they decide to campaign to stand in the election focusing on the issues faced by mum’s using their experience as mum’s. On their way through the minefield of politics they are challenged by juggling family life with their determination to stand in the election.
The Mummyfesto was a deeply surprising book for me. Before reading this book I am sad to say that I did judge this book as I thought that it would be an average read that would be aimed at the ‘mummy’ market. However The Mummyfesto was both moving and poignant with some unexpected turns to the storyline. Linda Green explored issues faced by families every day such as infertility, bullying and the loss of a loved one. Be prepared to both laugh and cry and get those tissues at the ready!
It was well-written, warm, compassionate and very inspiring. I haven’t enjoyed a Linda Green novel so much since I Did A Bad Thing and I would highly recommend it.
The Mummyfesto was a deeply surprising book for me. Before reading this book I am sad to say that I did judge this book as I thought that it would be an average read that would be aimed at the ‘mummy’ market. However The Mummyfesto was both moving and poignant with some unexpected turns to the storyline. Linda Green explored issues faced by families every day such as infertility, bullying and the loss of a loved one. Be prepared to both laugh and cry and get those tissues at the ready!
It was well-written, warm, compassionate and very inspiring. I haven’t enjoyed a Linda Green novel so much since I Did A Bad Thing and I would highly recommend it.
February 7, 2015
This book tells the story of three women living in Hebden, North Yorkshire as they embark on political careers sparked by the realisation that an alternative political voice is needed to ensure that the real people of the country are represented. Encouraged by their success in saving the job of the school lollipop lady, they form their own party and whilst they are enjoying political success, they still have to deal with their own family crises.
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to connect with all three of the protagonists and the daily dilemmas they were facing as mothers trying to balance life, work and all the other demands on them. I found some elements a little too far-fetched and jarring, including the apparent acceptance that they could have a wish-list for a manifesto with no real idea of how to fund it, and there were a couple or three too many references to a certain MP and his predilection for behaving like a cat. This wouldn't have mattered, but the rest of the novel was so realistic.
Some reviewers have said you need tissues at the end of this book and it's true, but you're still left with a sense of positivity.
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to connect with all three of the protagonists and the daily dilemmas they were facing as mothers trying to balance life, work and all the other demands on them. I found some elements a little too far-fetched and jarring, including the apparent acceptance that they could have a wish-list for a manifesto with no real idea of how to fund it, and there were a couple or three too many references to a certain MP and his predilection for behaving like a cat. This wouldn't have mattered, but the rest of the novel was so realistic.
Some reviewers have said you need tissues at the end of this book and it's true, but you're still left with a sense of positivity.
May 13, 2013
Most Mums will recognise the maternal instinct to protect their young no matter what. Fighting for justice and what's right for their children, their families and their community, three Mums plan to take their radical ideas all the way to the top. Up there with free public toilets and Government funded children's hospices, they are also proposing replacing the House of Lords with Mumsnet, skipping to be prescribed by the NHS, free hospital parking and colour coding road signs so that women stop getting lost! The Lollipop Party are driven by their love for their families as they take on the might of the British Government in the general election. You'll laugh and I expect you'll cry, this book NEEDS to be read.
May 2, 2013
Sam, Jackie and Anna are busy being mums, and living their busy, packed lives when the take on the endeavor of saving the Lollipop Lady's job, because Sam's sons were distraught when they heard that the council were cutting the job to save money.
Having successfully campaigned for it, they suddenly get into politics when they realize that the mainstream parties don't really care about issues that actually affect the majority of the people.
Of course, it isn't easy, with each of them having loads of worries and cares of their own. The book is such a warm, hopeful and heart-stirring read. Leaves you with moist eyes and hope.
Having successfully campaigned for it, they suddenly get into politics when they realize that the mainstream parties don't really care about issues that actually affect the majority of the people.
Of course, it isn't easy, with each of them having loads of worries and cares of their own. The book is such a warm, hopeful and heart-stirring read. Leaves you with moist eyes and hope.
November 20, 2013
You know you've read a good book when your husband wakes up just after midnight to find you crying your eyes out over the events in a book you're reading.
I have read previous books by Linda Green but The Mummyfesto is her best yet. Although it took a few chapters for me to really get into the book, I soon warmed to all the characters and their individual stories and as for the Lollipop party, they would fully get my support. Some beautiful writing about difficult situations. Would recommend this book to everyone.
BRILLIANT BOOK!!
I have read previous books by Linda Green but The Mummyfesto is her best yet. Although it took a few chapters for me to really get into the book, I soon warmed to all the characters and their individual stories and as for the Lollipop party, they would fully get my support. Some beautiful writing about difficult situations. Would recommend this book to everyone.
BRILLIANT BOOK!!
August 6, 2015
Wow was not expecting that. Tissues at the ready!
3 mums all wanting to make a difference to the world. I can relate to this, how you fight for your kids sake to make their lives better! 3 mums who wanted to change the face of politics, all with a family and different issues within.
This book really touched me. I felt a connection with all the main characters, and the end well had me in tears.
A great read.
3 mums all wanting to make a difference to the world. I can relate to this, how you fight for your kids sake to make their lives better! 3 mums who wanted to change the face of politics, all with a family and different issues within.
This book really touched me. I felt a connection with all the main characters, and the end well had me in tears.
A great read.
August 30, 2013
Wasn't sure how I'd get on with this one, as the main plot seemed so far fetched. But the author made the three central women, and their families & issues, so well written it didn't seem as implausible. Heart-breaking and heart-warming in equal measure, I'm so glad I gave it a go. Will definitely read more by Linda Green in the future.
May 19, 2014
Bit of a slow burner this one, in fact halfway through I thought about giving up. I'm glad I didn't. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I don't think I've ever cried so much reading a book. Would make an amazing film or series. Such like able and believable characters. I hope there's a sequel.
December 31, 2016
Loved this book and yes it made me laugh, made me cry but loved everything about the plot and the people. Well written apart from one or two word omissions in places made me have to read some sentences twice but did not detract too much from my enjoyment of this book.
January 15, 2017
So torn with this one. For the first half of the book I felt it was too far fetched to be taken anywhere near seriously, bordering on silly. But in the latter half I began to get the message and yes actually cried. If only it was a true story, perhaps the UK wouldn't be in the mess it is now!
June 23, 2013
Lovely book :)
June 7, 2015
This was ok and would probably make a good holiday read but it didn't grab me until the last maybe 20%.
I did cry at the end.
I did cry at the end.
July 22, 2016
I quite enjoyed this book which is all about the ability to dream the impossible and change your society. It manages to be both tongue-in-cheek and touching and deals with very relatable themes
February 6, 2017
hands down one of the most emotional books I have read. had me in tears at the end
August 23, 2017
I had tears rolling down my face whilst reading this on the beach ...if a book can make you cry then you have connection with the characters
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