Are We Having Fun Yet? by Lucy Mangan

Are We Having Fun Yet? Reviews

• 
  Ceecee

  Five big fat stars.
  
  This is one of the funniest books I’ve read in ages - really laugh out loud funny! This is Liz's diary of her year as wife to Richard and mother to Thomas (7 1/2 at the start of the year, a romantic, earnest, sweet, a dreamer and utterly gorgeous) and Evie (definitely a sociopath in the making at 5, takes no prisoners and is incredibly funny). Liz's day may go like this:- get up, spin plates hopefully not with breakfast on them, load washing machine/ dishwasher, spin more plates not in the machine, hurtle kids to school, hurtle frantically to work hopefully wearing matching shoes (yes, I really did) hurtle home and collect kids from school or child minder, spin dozens of plates while cooking a meal without burning and with vague nutritional value, spin more plates and collapse exhausted in a heap as husband looks on quizzically. Resonate some? Here is a sample Liz type checklist, tick all that apply, then read the book, it’s brilliant.
  
  Maternal guilt? Oh yes.
  Paternal guilt? Well I might if I was a bloke
  An incredible mother who can rewire the house, fix loose roof tiles, complete the housework to Mrs Hinch standards, weed the garden, walk the dog, stock the freezer and do a million good works before 9am? Yes. Exhausting to watch.
  A domestically competent father? NOPE but Liz does.
  Husband who is a blind mole? Yes. If it’s not flashing with neon ... and even then ....
  A blind mole who snores? Grrrr, YES
  Hold a coven like drunken meetings with friends like Céline, Nadia, Fiona and Claire? Definitely
  A neighbour as capable as the indomitable Mrs Bradley? Yes, that’s you Joanne.
  Have in your head a retort you wish you could make but are much too polite? Yes but mine come pop into my head ten minutes too late
  A child like Evie? Er no.
  Competitive parenting? Witnessed it, can’t be bothered and I’m sure not into competing child naming, poor Oenone and Olivid, doubly so with a mother like Savannah.
  
  It’s so well written and an absolute blast from start to finish. Highly recommended, no surprise there!!
  
  With thanks to NetGalley and Serpents Tail/Viper/Profile Books
  I have received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest unedited review.
• 
  Pat

  That was funny. Laugh out loud, pee your pants funny! And totally irreverent, and spot on and I have pre-ordered it to torture my elder daughter with as she is about to have my first grandchild (insert evil laugh - it’s payback baby)!
  
  This book is in the form of a diary of one year in the life of Liz, wife of Richard and mother of 7-8 year old Thomas and 5-6 year old Evie. Thomas is painfully easygoing and unambitious, content to be mediocre at many things. Evie is a hyper intelligent snarky budding sociopath (according to her mother). Richard is, well, Richard. Liz is best friends with Fiona whose son David is in Thomas’s class. They are also friends with Celine (she is French!) and Nadia. These four form ‘the coven’ (it’s a joke) and then there’s Claire who is desperate to become a mother herself (but why?)
  
  I can’t think of a book that made me laugh more. Except maybe the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, but that was so long ago it doesn’t count. Lucy Mangan clearly ‘gets’ motherhood. I found myself nodding and agreeing with so many sentiments. It would be scary if I hadn’t survived it all and can now look forward to grandparenthood with a small amount of glee! Nothing is sacred as the author mercilessly picks at all the scabs that parenthood can dish up. If you’ve been there it’s hilarious, if not …. oops!
  
  The characters, this book is all about the characters and they were just wonderful! So accurate. I’m still leaking empathy all over the place. And don’t think of this as a ‘chick-lit’. I curate my husband’s reading, basically anything that gets 4 or 5 stars goes on his list and this one is going on his list.
  
  I have one small, no two small reservations which is the only reason this doesn’t get the full 5 stars. Firstly - if you don’t like big and/or obscure words and shudder at sentences that may be half a page or even longer with lots of complicated punctuation - you may not enjoy this book (I loved it). Secondly I did think it was a teeny bit long. It could have done with maybe 50 pages less although I don’t know how on earth you would achieve that as it is in diary form and you can’t just skip a month or something equally dramatic. Many, many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher and the author for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
  
  4.5 stars.
  
• 
  Bianca

  I'm in no mood for "proper" reading but thought I should try an audiobook to take a break from my incessant playing of the same two albums.
  
  This was another one of those lucky finds when Bianca saw a new audiobook addition to the library overdrive so she downloaded it without reading the blurb or reviews, in the hope that it will be good enough to take her away for a few hours from her musical obsession - (an endeavour strongly encouraged by the members of her family. :-)) Bianca will now stop referring to herself in the third person as she's not a sociopath. :-)
  
  Are We Having Fun Yet managed to be extremely relatable but also so damn funny, there were times I laughed with tears. I cry easily, rage even easier, I don't think I'm easily amused. So, it's no surprise that if someone/something makes me laugh, I'll go ga-ga over the author/book.
  
  The story is well known - a middle-class family with primary school-aged kids; busy lives; working mum dealing with a million work and domestic issues and dramas. The devil is in the details. This short novel had lots of good things going for it: a realistic depiction of a contemporary middle-class urban family, written with wit and a great dose of humour. The pacing was fast and the novel never lost steam.
  
  Lucy Mangan is not only an excellent writer, but she's also a brilliant narrator.
  
  I need more serendipitous finds like this.
• 
  Lis

  I love Lucy Mangan's writing for The Guardian, so was quick to request her first work of fiction despite the subject matter. A sort of Bridget Jones' Diary for elder millenials, 'Are We Having Fun Yet?' charts a year in the life of a working mother to young children and wife to a useless husband who talks like something out of Regency Britain and is apparently a successful barrister yet is incapable of Googling "how to deal with threadworms". If that describes your situation, you'll laugh, cry and rage at this book, which is warmly and wittily written, with (other than the ridiculous husband) really well-drawn, engaging characters. If it doesn't? You'll find yourself struggling with the fact that there is LITERALLY NO PLOT. Everybody is pretty comfortable and extremely ordinary. It's... nice. But it doesn't feel like a novel.
  
  Unlike other books I've read recently featuring an ensemble cast of Women Of My Age, Lucy has at least included a Glamorous, Jet-Setting and Completely Unrealistic Childfree Character for the Rest of Us, in the form of narrator Liz's younger sister - and, while it would have completely taken away from the point of the book, which is going to go down extremely well with its target audience, I really could have done with reading more from her. As it is, I got however many days of Liz complaining about her miserable existence, but with that underlying air of smugness about there being no better life that rubs non-parents up the wrong way. For example, there's a scene where Liz and all her mum pals check themselves into a hotel without children and husbands for the weekend, and dream about what it would be like to not have them. I actually read it... while checked into a hotel for a couple of days. It was even BETTER than the ladies described, because I didn't have to spend the whole time catching up on sleep. And yet, it's *my* choices that are strange and unusual?? *ME* that will never know love like it?? Okay, the second part is probably true but I already had it as a 100% worthy trade before I read this book and now I'm at at least 350%.
  
  Maybe it's that all my favourite podcasts coincidentally ran deep-dives on the concept of "weaponised incompetence" just as I was starting this book. Maybe it's that I was raised by a working mother who was the breadwinner, and who treated PTAs and dress-up days and school disco volunteer drives and the urge to compete with the stay-at-home Savannahs who can afford their own cleaners of this world with the contempt that they deserve (admittedly I also did not grow up in an aspirational middle-class enclave and there were no stay-at-home Savannahs who could afford their own cleaners, HOW IS THIS A REAL PROBLEM). But it's okay to say no. To co-parents who sleep through breakfast duty when you BOTH have work to get to. To children who refuse to write their own Christmas cards. To rich bitch SAHMs who sneer at screen time and expect you to bake for the Christmas fayre. And, yes, even to reproducing. If that's the life you want to live.
  
  If you DO have young children, please ignore this review and follow the five-star ones.
  
  Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, I am truly sorry.
• 
  Dee

  ⭐️ 2.5 ⭐️
  
  Are We Having Fun Yet was an extremely mixed bag for me.
  
  Written as daily diary entries spanning a year; it tells the story of Liz and her family. Once I realised that there’s absolutely no plot, I found it easier to read.
  
  The book is well written, but at times I did find it disjointed and repetitive. The characters are well developed, particularly the children - I did laugh out loud at some of their conversations. Liz came across as quite whiny (and ungrateful); none of it resonated with me and I found it hard to have any sympathy for her, or the complaints about her privileged, middle class lifestyle.
  
  I’ve read some rave reviews for this one, so I’m definitely in the minority - unfortunately not for me.
  
  Many thanks to Tandem and the publisher for my copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
• 
  Mina ☾

  OK!
  
  It's exactly what I have to say about this one... Just an ok read.
  
  I really liked the way that we see Liz (the main character) telling of her life: How it actually is to be married, having childrens (that aren't perfects) and having to work at the same time; how a mother and a wife struggle to mantain all in order (are "order" a thing?)
  
  But I wished to have more, something more that aren't about these topics, or even drama and plot twists, cause have times that the read had became really boring.
  
  ➛ 3,5 stars
• 
  As pequenas e grandes alegrias

  It’s really about nothing I live: Liz talks about her two kids, husband, friends and family throughout the year. But it’s so funny! I really laughed out loud several times, which was a delicious surprise.
• 
  Angela Lawman

  If anyone is looking to find out more about life as a mum of two, wife to one, whilst working alongside all of the kids/life/friends/house/admin/extended family/husband goings on, then this is the book for you!
  
  Liz, 39 and married to Richard with a small son and daughter between them, keeps a diary for a year that is laugh out loud, winceable, true to life and engaging throughout. Liz is carefully navigating that life of wife and mother and daughter and friend and colleague and sister, all at the same time, in a scenario that will be very familiar to women in their 30s and 40s.
  
  I sat and read this one hot summer’s day whilst my own son and daughter played in the garden so I have to admit to finding so much of Liz’s life to be completely relatable and entertaining. One not to miss.
  
  Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.
• 
  gem

  I couldn’t work out how to rate this because it was really funny and I liked the main character, but literally nothing happens. There’s no central conflict or issue to resolve, it’s just a straight forward year in the life of a mother… I can’t help thinking something more interesting needed to happen too, or for one of the side characters to be more involved. I listened to the audio which is narrated by the author and I didn’t quite think it worked. I can’t work out if it’s 2.5 or 3. Hmm.
• 
  Deborah

  *5 stars* Reading this book reminded me of hanging out with one of my fave friends 💕
  
  You know that friend who is observant, perceptive and brave enough to talk about what we’re all feeling, and talented in helping us find the funny side of life?
  
  That sort of friend is a treasure, and so is this book. Let them warm your heart and make you laugh 💖🤣
• 
  Jacki (Julia Flyte)

  Inspired by
  The Diary of a Provincial Lady (a book that I loved), this is the fictional diary of a harassed wife and mother of two young children. It takes place over the course of a year and focuses on the juggling act that is family, parents, neighbours, school and work.
  
  It's often very funny. You can pretty much open the book to any page and find something that will make you laugh or at least smile in recognition. But while a continuous stream of jokes works brilliantly in small doses, it gets tiresome over the course of a book. There is no plot, just a stream of life events.
  
  I think the mistake that I made was to read this as I would read any other book, whereas it screams out to be the book on the side, the one that you read a bit at a time and then put down. Everytime I picked it up, I really enjoyed the first few pages and then started to get disillusioned by the fact that it wasn't going anywhere. The narrator seemed to get unreasonably irritated by her husband who sounded quite lovely to me, and the children felt older than they were meant to be (particularly 5 year old Evie).
  
  This would have been hilarious as a weekly newspaper column, but as a novel it didn't quite work.
• 
  Nina

  I haven’t read lots of chick-lit this year, but I’m glad I chose to try Mangan’s book. Light, fun and entertaining. As a mother it felt refreshing to read about all the small challenges a family faces in this modern age.
• 
  Jenthe

  Very funny, enjoyed listening to the audiobook.
• 
  Steph Warren

  I’ve read quite a few fictional ‘mummy diaries’ and this one was by far my favourite!
  
  There are no big events here, no life-changing decisions or family disasters – no plot at all really! Just the daily dramas of ordinary life with children, friends, family and partner, told in a witty and very relatable way.
  
  Some of the moments were interestingly realistic to me as a reader, with some bad decisions having painful consequences but others being ‘let slide’ in the name of family harmony. I’m sure we have all known someone who has forgiven their partner’s mistakes in order to keep the status quo, and yet we rarely see that in fiction, where erring partners must be jettisoned immediately (and often replaced with improved versions before the book ends).
  
  I totally lived this year in Liz’s life right alongside her, and wasn’t ready to stop reading when it finished. In fact, I already owned Bookworm and have added everything else Lucy Mangan has written to my wish list now on the strength of those two – very different, equally excellent – reads. Plot or not, her style of writing really resonates with me and her stories thoroughly engage me.
• 
  Bokbabbel

  "The marital 'we' is one of the most cherished aspects of our life. It's the opposite of the royal 'we'. The Queen's means 'I'. Richard means 'You'. 'You need to find out what's wrong with the dishwasher'; 'You need to keep this place tidier'; 'You need to [insert any tedious, repetitive, unrewarding chore here].'
  Me finds it wearing."
  
  
  "She waves vaguely at me, her firstborn, who is but an indistinct non-grandchildshaped blur to her these days."
  
  
  Stundvis väldigt rolig och on point, men hade kanske önskat ännu fler skratta högt-ställen, och liiite mindre negativitet. Själv är man ju då förstås en enda ray of sunshine :P.
  Men riktigt lämplig chick lit-ish för typ mammor med små-/skolbarn!
• 
  Trish B

  Goes between being very, very, funny then brutally, painfully, true about life with primary school aged children and a not-entirely-competent (though better than most) husband. Like Liz, I long to be left alone with a good book and a cup of tea, and no one asking me for anything. That would be the dream!
• 
  Jess

  (listened to via audiobook). oh this was just so much fun to listen to, I found myself laughing out loud because it was so funny and I loved how the portrayal of parenting was so realistic. overall was just a fun read, won't stick with me but it was good!
• 
  Lauren

  Funny.
• 
  Victoria Bowmer

  DNF
  
  Middle class mum whinging- some laughs but more moaning
• 
  Milou

  3,5 🌟
  Ik kon er eerst totaaal niet in komen, maar uiteindelijk met het audioboek op de achtergrond kwam de humor veel beter naar voren en was het best leuk
• 
  Ergative Absolutive

  Just a delight, in every way possible. The DNA of Diary of a Provincial Lady is still visible, even after the re-titling that obscured all the original marketing that made us buy it in the first place. But if we hadn't known that its original title was Diary of a Suburban Lady we would have missed this gem, and our lives would have been poorer for it.
• 
  Nomes

  What a book to start the year with! Hilarious, wet-your-pants funny, feel-good and insanely observant, this was both addictive and a balm to my soul. I already can't wait for the reread ~ can't stop smiling thinking of this family. I had an actual pang of sadness when it was over, I'd happily keep reading about Liz's family as the years go on. This book reminded me why I love reading so much, to be whisked away chuckling to myself, it really was utter bliss, being in Liz's world.
• 
  Katie

  This book is perfect to read curled up with of a big slab of cake and a cup of coffee. It’s funny, witty and relatable and I adored the family that it centred around. The main character also loves reading which Is always an added bonus.
  
  The story centres around a family of four, mum, dad and a boy and girl (and their pet cat). It covers a vast range of subjects, some happy, some sad but there is something that every one of us could relate to in the book.
  
  The story isn’t ground breaking by any stretch of the imagination and it focuses largely on characterisation. However, it’s a light hearted read (mainly), laugh out loud in parts and perfect to cosy up with if you want some me time. It’s also not a book that I’ve seen everywhere which is nice.
• 
  The Grim Reader Podcast

  Meet Liz, a working mom who just wants some peace and quiet (every woman’s dream). Her family have other plans however and we watch as Liz juggles the madness of her own life as well as her family’s.
  
  This is a fun book with many laugh out loud moments. As a teacher some of the questions that Liz’s children ask her were far too accurate at times. Although I liked Liz, her daughter Evie has to be my favourite character. A budding sociopath according to her parents, Evie is hilarious and there are too many funny moments to just pick one. Liz’s husband however is rage inducing at times, I question how he made it to adulthood without being able to do anything for himself. The man does nothing!
  
  I think what stopped me enjoying the book as it progressed was that it got a little repetitive with no development. Essentially there is no plot. I enjoyed the diary format, but I was following a person’s everyday life over the course of a year where nothing really changed. I had hoped that her husband might realise that he needed to pull his weight, that Liz might find a solution to give her some peace and quiet, etc. But no, it was pretty much the same throughout and the humour couldn’t make up for this by the end.
  
  Thank you to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail for the copy of this book. My review is unbiased and honest.
• 
  Lucy Hiles

  This book made me laugh out loud from start to finish. Its relatable, funny and so real. The way that Lucy has written this feels like it's my own life at times. All mums must read this! It definitely cheers you up and you will laugh from start to finish! I love Liz, I wish I was her friend I need a Liz in my life! Lol ! If you want a funny, honest, uplifting read, this is it! I cannot recommend it enough x
• 
  Chloë Dowman

  As predicted I absolutely loved this book. Never before has a book that claims 'laugh-out-loud' on the cover actually made me do it. This book did....at least 4 times, once at about 3am when I couldn't sleep!
  
  Anyone who works and has kids should read it. I lost count of the number of times I related to what was happening to or being said by Liz. It just captures family life so well and made me feel much less alone in my daily struggles. Can't wait for the next one...I hope there will be one.