Mrs Mills Solves All Your Problems: Wit and Wisdom from the Sunday Times Agony Diva

by D.J. Mills (Editor)

Modern life can be hideously complicated—hooked up to the internet, emailing compromising videos while texting obscene messages, we still worry about how to cope with lobster thermidor, flatulent aunts, floppy husbands, and vulgar neighbors. From table manners to childcare, travel arrangements to sexual health, Mrs. Mills has been handling the social and emotional dilemmas of the readers of the Sunday Times for the past 10 years. She understands the heartbreaking problems of married life ("My husband is having an affair with my brother") and the difficulties of angry disputes with neighbors over their noisy lovemaking and quick-growing conifers. So, whether you are deeply concerned about the importance of a vigorous sex life to a successful marriage and how to cope with a cross-dressing boyfriend, or you just want to snigger, this is the book for you.

170 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2007

Reviews

[Poonam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never knew of existence until spotted it on a library bookshelf. Hugely funny and witty answer by this agony aunta-diva.

Some of the queries sent by English readers are funny in first place itself - on the etiquette to use a bidet (ahem), type of toilet paper to use (soft or hard - they were many takers for hard as well), in which drawer should one keep lingerie, Queries like husbands burp, fart, snore etc. Neighbours seems to be having the most trouble - they worry about the clothes they wear (one gentleman wanted to know if it was okay to put back lady's breast into her low-cut blouse; another lady was worried to see transparent panties drying on her next door neighbour - a single young man's clothesline), they complain about loud-moaning of young couple having sex next door and what not. :) Mrs. Mills' replies are irreverent and full of caustic humour. Reading a collection of responses, I do like to believe that there are several things Mrs Mills deals with compassion without it being very apparent, but I pity those who are at receiving end of her acerbic wit. Sample this:

I do not like my bottom. What do I do?
Mrs. Mills - That is very subjective. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean everyone else shares your opinion. Bear in mind you have the worst view of it, too - all that twisting round to look at it in the mirror. Seek other opinions and have it photographed so that you can assess it properly. I have no doubt you will be surprised at its many fans.

Why it is that as soon as I mention I am broke - women pack off immediately. This when uptill this time they had been swearing to love me madly. Am I out of touch with reality?
Mrs. Mills - It amazes me that anyone could ever have thought men were the superior sex.

There are lot more cheeky ones, but can't reproduce them all here.

[Roth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to read Mrs Mills every week. I remember her being witty, arch and occasionally brutally blunt. Unfortunately, some of her answers haven't aged well. If you're already a fan this may be worth dipping into every now and then.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

bought for my daughter who loves Mrs Mills weekly witty advice in the Sunday Times. Fun to dip into.