What do you think?
Rate this book
Friends of Dorothy
After much searching, the happily married young couple, Amber and Stevie think they have found the perfect spot in Grimaldi Square. Despite the rundown pub across the way, the overgrown garden and a decidedly nosy neighbour, number 4 is the house of their dreams.
Stevie, a woman who has never left anything to chance, has planned everything so nothing can spoil their happiness. But upstairs in their new home, seated on an old red sofa is the woman they bought the place from - eighty-year-old foul-mouthed, straight-talking, wise-cracking Dorothy - who has decided that she's not going anywhere.
It turns out that Dorothy will be only the first in a line of life-changing surprises. Friends of Dorothy is a touching, funny novel about a family that is not biological, but logical; a story close to Sandi Toksvig's heart.
Stevie, a woman who has never left anything to chance, has planned everything so nothing can spoil their happiness. But upstairs in their new home, seated on an old red sofa is the woman they bought the place from - eighty-year-old foul-mouthed, straight-talking, wise-cracking Dorothy - who has decided that she's not going anywhere.
It turns out that Dorothy will be only the first in a line of life-changing surprises. Friends of Dorothy is a touching, funny novel about a family that is not biological, but logical; a story close to Sandi Toksvig's heart.
356 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2024
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Sandi Toksvig
113 books555 followersDanish/British writer, presenter, comedian, actress and producer on British radio and television. She currently presents The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and 1001 Things You Should Know on Channel 4. In October 2012 she succeeded Sheila Hancock as Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 29, 2025
A little more that 4 stars really
A delight…funny, poignant, and heartwarming.
A delight…funny, poignant, and heartwarming.
December 26, 2025
I hadn’t read anything by Sandi Toksvig before, but I picked this up when I was going to see Sandi live a few months ago, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a great premise, of buying a house with your partner and the former owner refuses to leave – what do you do?
What ensues is some chaos, secrets revealed, and difficulties to be overcome. The novel deals with topics sometimes considered controversial but which are a part of our society, they shouldn’t be seen as unusual or wrong – lesbians, gays, drag queens, same-sex couples having babies, and people struggling to accept who they are. It’s quite a comedic and feel-good story which restores some of your faith in humanity.
I loved Amber and Stevie as a couple, and Dorothy with her straight-talking approach but refusing to actually say important things. Jack, Arun, Birdie, Agnes, and other characters formed a diverse and interesting cast which explores so many different facets of society. The story shows how different people can live so closely together but that you might not know what goes on behind closed doors, but a little bit of kindness rather than hatred can bring communities together.
It was a funny and thought-provoking read and Sandi Toksvig’s voice really comes through in telling the story with her trademark wit and humour, and championing those who might struggle within society and suffer from hate because of who they are. It’s such a positive affirmation of being yourself unapologetically.
What ensues is some chaos, secrets revealed, and difficulties to be overcome. The novel deals with topics sometimes considered controversial but which are a part of our society, they shouldn’t be seen as unusual or wrong – lesbians, gays, drag queens, same-sex couples having babies, and people struggling to accept who they are. It’s quite a comedic and feel-good story which restores some of your faith in humanity.
I loved Amber and Stevie as a couple, and Dorothy with her straight-talking approach but refusing to actually say important things. Jack, Arun, Birdie, Agnes, and other characters formed a diverse and interesting cast which explores so many different facets of society. The story shows how different people can live so closely together but that you might not know what goes on behind closed doors, but a little bit of kindness rather than hatred can bring communities together.
It was a funny and thought-provoking read and Sandi Toksvig’s voice really comes through in telling the story with her trademark wit and humour, and championing those who might struggle within society and suffer from hate because of who they are. It’s such a positive affirmation of being yourself unapologetically.
November 8, 2025
[3.5 ✨].
Heel wholesome verhaal, maar vond het wat chaotisch geschreven m.
Heel wholesome verhaal, maar vond het wat chaotisch geschreven m.
November 7, 2025
If you're a fan of cosy stories, where everything works out in the end, this is for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2025
Truly heartwarming with a little bit of everything. Drama, honestly great humour, and even mystery...I'm so glad this book didn't disappoint, as I've been waiting for its paperback release for so long.
Set amongst true-to-life scenarios such as aggrieved neighbours, poverty-stricken communities and increases in hate crime, this story details how a newly-wed couple strikes an unlikely and unplanned friendship with the elderly ex-owner of their new house. What follows is a detailed yet light-hearted exploration of each character's lives up until the present day, along with how they are each intricately linked.
Definitely one I'll be re-reading in the future. Would even make a good shirt series/film.
Set amongst true-to-life scenarios such as aggrieved neighbours, poverty-stricken communities and increases in hate crime, this story details how a newly-wed couple strikes an unlikely and unplanned friendship with the elderly ex-owner of their new house. What follows is a detailed yet light-hearted exploration of each character's lives up until the present day, along with how they are each intricately linked.
Definitely one I'll be re-reading in the future. Would even make a good shirt series/film.
December 5, 2025
I absolutely adored this book!
January 13, 2026
One of my favorite humorous books ever!
Fun story, hilarious story telling, and perfect narration, done by the author. I couldn't stop listening.
Fun story, hilarious story telling, and perfect narration, done by the author. I couldn't stop listening.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews