The Diary of a Teenage Health Freak

by Aidan Macfarlane, Ann McPherson

A fully revised and updated edition for the 21st century, this is the book that teenagers can rely on to give them the facts of life - and make them laugh. When Pete Payne's diary was originally revealed to an unsuspecting world the result was astonishing; teenagers piled out from behind the bike shed to grab it from their friends; relieved teachers and startled parents were to be seen surreptitiously checking facts in well-thumbed copies. For teenagers who want to know but are too embarrassed to ask, for parents who know some of it but are too embarrassed to answer, and for teachers who know most of it but don't have the time to explain.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Comedy, Humor, Novels, Childrens, Diary

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Cláudia]

Lembro-me de implorar aos meus pais para me darem este livro. Não demorou muito - uns dias depois, era Natal. Lembro-me de o ler vezes sem fim, de o trazer sempre comigo, de me rir com as situações, com a linguagem que era tão minha e dos meus amigos, das dúvidas sobre sexo e sexualidade, sobre os rapazes, sobre se o resto do mundo também tinha tantas, tantas dúvidas. Lembro-me de dormir com este livro na mesinha-de-cabeceira mais perto de mim. Lembro-me de ter adormecido inúmeras vezes com ele ainda aberto. Lembro-me do conforto e da alegria que me trazia.
Há pouco tempo atrás, resolvi lê-lo para os meus alunos. Confesso que foi mais por mim que por eles, mas descobri que os anos passam, mas adolescentes serão sempre adolescentes. E todos temos as nossas manias. É um livro fabuloso, sem dúvida alguma.

[Nick Cox]

In 1993 I was lent this book by my girlfriend at the time. I wonder if she was implying something?

As it was published in 1987, I assume that the title and diary format were an attempt to latch on to the popularity of the Adrian Mole books at the time. The protagonists of both books are neurotic adolescents, but whereas Adrian is obsessed with overcoming his working class origins and being recognised as intellectual, our hero in this book is simply a cipher for the author's aim of giving young readers a wealth of health information. It's interesting that his obsessions begin with reading leaflets in doctors' waiting rooms, because the book as a whole is as informative and entertaining as a book-sized health leaflet. There's no real plot or character development, just a series of faddish obsessions as the hero moves from dealing with acne to healthy eating, exercise, dental hygiene and other basic general health issues.

As I say, it was ultimately no more interesting or fun than a series of health leaflets picked up in a surgery. Consequently it was a pretty forgettable reading experience and if there was anything I didn't already know in the book, I neither noticed nor remembered.

[Rachel]

This book is written as a diary from the eyes of Pete Payne a 14 year old boy. As we read about his life we come across many aspects that teens in our society can think, do or encounter. It also gives tips, advice, answers the questions that we don’t necessarily know and gives facts. Very good book and honestly would recommend it to any teenager.

[Anderson Costa]

O melhor livro que já li. A história é ótima e prende a atenção do leitor.

[carolina]

é engraçadinho, mas meio esquisito
só li porque estava em cima da mesa da minha sala e pareceu ser curtinho

[Rushmi Sethi]

An excellent black comedy story of growing up as a teenager and the typical range of health issues that you may encounter in growing up.

[Aamina]

This book was published in 1987 ( so yeah i picked it up 28 years later that is really late)
fortunately it up to date with 21st century (somehow)
and it really helps and its funny
i think its because we as teenage have a aloof problems and reading about other peoples problems kind of lessens ours?
well it did though the main character is a year younger than me.

i recommend this book to everyone (even adults), it has everything in it including some stuff i felt really uncomfortable reading about

[Sarah]

Written in 1987 - no internet, no mobile phones - but otherwise a good stab at providing sound information in a humorous context. I started reading it in the (charity) shop and thought I'd test my knowledge (pretty good) even though it is a bit late now (no children left under 18 years. Michael asked if I'd bought it for him.... but it's more for me to answer all the difficult medical questions he asks me after looking them up on the internet anyway. So useful, but needs updating.

[SC]

Read this (and the sequel that was the sister's diary) a long time ago - it's really an entertaining read and comparisons to Adrian Mole are inevitable.

If I was thinking of giving this to a younger person, I would get an updated version for them.

[Joana Gomes]

Li-o numas férias de verão, entre o 7º e o 8º ano e adorei! Acho que nessa altura nunca tinha lido nada cómico nem tão sério ao mesmo tempo! Recomendo aos adolescentes, mesmo que não sejam hipocondríacos!!

[Beatriz Albuquerque]

Reparei que ele (o adolescente a quem pertence o diário) nunca raramente escreve em dias seguidos.
Não aconselho a ler antes dos 15 anos, mas como é um conselho vocês é que escolhem se querem seguir ou não.

[Aline]

Lots of laughs.

[Elia Torres]

El vaig llegir quan era xiqueta i hem va agradar molt. Recorde amb estima la dinàmica de la familia que tenia el protagonista.

[Mariana]

An educational Adrian Mole.