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Our Doris
The Partridge Mews Women's Institute have announced a Garden Safari and Doris Copeland, pillar of the community with a tenure as Maria in the Sound of Music that involved an awful gastrointestinal bug, plans on securing her position as fifth house.
Join her as she battles ne'er do well slugs, searches for the perfect artisan sausage and comes against her mortal enemy Janice Dooley of Little Street, all whilst maintaining a perfectly Silvakrinned hairstyle.
Join her as she battles ne'er do well slugs, searches for the perfect artisan sausage and comes against her mortal enemy Janice Dooley of Little Street, all whilst maintaining a perfectly Silvakrinned hairstyle.
190 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2015
7 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
Charles Heathcote
7 books97 followersCharles Heathcote has always lived in Macclesfield and very rarely leaves. A Creative Writing graduate, his poetry has appeared in Butcher's Dog Magazine, The Greenhouse Magazine and he has previously been listed for a number of poetry competitions. He is the creator of the Our Doris series of books, of which the final book Royally Doris was released in 2022.
In 2023, he released his debut poetry collection, Shepherd's Delight which discusses his relationship with his family's agricultural background.
In 2023, he released his debut poetry collection, Shepherd's Delight which discusses his relationship with his family's agricultural background.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 23, 2021
A really fun read – great characterisation and wonderful writing.
August 8, 2016
Ten gems of wit, insight and Matrimonial Survival present “Our Doris” to the world.
Heathcoate reaches back into distant BBC radio comedies, elderly sitcoms and literary characters who are neither politically correct nor apologetic. Indeed, his experience in writing radio plays explains not only the former, but gives Our Doris and her Family, Friends and Feuders a crisp dialogue that builds on the situational hilarity.
And hilarity is the operative term here – seldom have I actually laughed out loud at a book, but Heathcote has a wonderful eye for the absurdity of the mundane, while maintaining a warm and ultimately loveable cast headed by the inimitable Our Doris.
While Our Doris will be temperate to the UK market, the universal humour will appeal to anyone who can communicate in the mother tongue. For the colonies and the US, it is well worth taking a few minutes to acclimatise as the comedy, humour and tightly crafted dialogue make this a wonderful read.
Our Doris will instil the warmth and comfort of an era not-quite-passed-by.
Heathcoate reaches back into distant BBC radio comedies, elderly sitcoms and literary characters who are neither politically correct nor apologetic. Indeed, his experience in writing radio plays explains not only the former, but gives Our Doris and her Family, Friends and Feuders a crisp dialogue that builds on the situational hilarity.
And hilarity is the operative term here – seldom have I actually laughed out loud at a book, but Heathcote has a wonderful eye for the absurdity of the mundane, while maintaining a warm and ultimately loveable cast headed by the inimitable Our Doris.
While Our Doris will be temperate to the UK market, the universal humour will appeal to anyone who can communicate in the mother tongue. For the colonies and the US, it is well worth taking a few minutes to acclimatise as the comedy, humour and tightly crafted dialogue make this a wonderful read.
Our Doris will instil the warmth and comfort of an era not-quite-passed-by.
January 29, 2023
Through a series of monologues by Doris’s husband, Harold, we come to know their lives—which are generally quiet and small, yet filled with much joy and drama. The impetus is Doris goal of wanting to do well in a garden safari competition, and the subsequent chapters nicely dovetail from the ending of that into the next obstacle, as Doris tries to essentially be very well regarded by the women’s institute.
You won’t believe the places it goes nor how funny and full of verve this is! I couldn’t help but picture Maggie Smith’s character in Downton Abbey, only middle class and with a much smaller family. The personality is similar; she is full of interesting contradictions, making her a capital C character.
And, interestingly, it’s all the while from Harold’s perspective, so there are things the reader will likely know before our simple man, who just wants to eat food ideal for his dentures and watch some specific television shows, or else nip off to the pub with the lads. He has some insight into Doris, don’t get me wrong, and it’s very much a generational marriage. Sometimes it’s antagonistic but it’s always adoring, too. You’ll be with them through all manner of trials and tribulations, and all of them make sense for who they are and their age, while not being ageist about it one bit. I dare say it even breaths some humanity into the more conservative aspects to Doris, who is not even remotely a saint. But if she were, she wouldn’t be a Character.
If you’re looking for a character with instant recognizability but is against type, has a very cozy vibe, wholesome humour, and easy flow, stemming from a conversational authorial voice—this one is probably for you!
You won’t believe the places it goes nor how funny and full of verve this is! I couldn’t help but picture Maggie Smith’s character in Downton Abbey, only middle class and with a much smaller family. The personality is similar; she is full of interesting contradictions, making her a capital C character.
And, interestingly, it’s all the while from Harold’s perspective, so there are things the reader will likely know before our simple man, who just wants to eat food ideal for his dentures and watch some specific television shows, or else nip off to the pub with the lads. He has some insight into Doris, don’t get me wrong, and it’s very much a generational marriage. Sometimes it’s antagonistic but it’s always adoring, too. You’ll be with them through all manner of trials and tribulations, and all of them make sense for who they are and their age, while not being ageist about it one bit. I dare say it even breaths some humanity into the more conservative aspects to Doris, who is not even remotely a saint. But if she were, she wouldn’t be a Character.
If you’re looking for a character with instant recognizability but is against type, has a very cozy vibe, wholesome humour, and easy flow, stemming from a conversational authorial voice—this one is probably for you!
May 26, 2020
A Funny Read
A very strong 4.5 stars! I haven’t quite read a book like this before. I was introduced to Charlie’s writing via his YouTube channel and I’m so glad I decided to give his writing a go.
In picking up Our Doris, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I didn’t expect at all was how well crafted the book is. It almost reads like a short story collection with one arching plot connecting the stories, never mind all the characters that do likewise. At the same time, Our Doris can be read, and I would say, should be read, as a novel, from beginning to end. Otherwise you might find yourself lost.
The characters in Our Doris are the type that feel absolutely real. They’re all flawed, like real people are, and have trouble seeing their own flaws, as real people do. Most importantly, they’re funny as hell to follow.
In it, we follow a married British couple, Harold and Doris, as they (and by they I mean Doris) compete for 5th House within the Women’s Institute. Doris isn’t exactly the easiest person to be married to, but Harold and Doris have made a good go of it for fifty-four years. So why stop now? The comedy in this book is quite intelligent, constantly poking fun at the characters and the situation’s they often find themselves in.
Our Doris is a fun, lighthearted read. Recommended! Some of the comedy is very British, but it didn’t hamper or get in the way too much. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
A very strong 4.5 stars! I haven’t quite read a book like this before. I was introduced to Charlie’s writing via his YouTube channel and I’m so glad I decided to give his writing a go.
In picking up Our Doris, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I didn’t expect at all was how well crafted the book is. It almost reads like a short story collection with one arching plot connecting the stories, never mind all the characters that do likewise. At the same time, Our Doris can be read, and I would say, should be read, as a novel, from beginning to end. Otherwise you might find yourself lost.
The characters in Our Doris are the type that feel absolutely real. They’re all flawed, like real people are, and have trouble seeing their own flaws, as real people do. Most importantly, they’re funny as hell to follow.
In it, we follow a married British couple, Harold and Doris, as they (and by they I mean Doris) compete for 5th House within the Women’s Institute. Doris isn’t exactly the easiest person to be married to, but Harold and Doris have made a good go of it for fifty-four years. So why stop now? The comedy in this book is quite intelligent, constantly poking fun at the characters and the situation’s they often find themselves in.
Our Doris is a fun, lighthearted read. Recommended! Some of the comedy is very British, but it didn’t hamper or get in the way too much. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
August 17, 2015
Our Doris by Charles Heathcote
Review copy supplied by author.
Our Doris should come with a warning to avoid food and drink while reading, because if you ‘get it’, this book is sprinkled with moments that might literally choke you with laughter.
Written as a series of monologues, it introduces Our Doris, a character somewhat reminiscent of Hyacinth Bucket of the British sitcom, Keeping Up Appearances, perhaps a distant cousin. Our Doris is spawned with the same devilishly-haughty mix of faux-superiority and the assumption of perfect manners, a blend which transforms an ordinary high maintenance woman into walking purgatory. The tale is told in the voice of Doris’ husband, Our Harold, a paragon of forbearance not without his own quirks. The elderly pair have been married for more than fifty years, and in a different reality, you might picture Harold as being perfectly justified in calmly and honestly stating, “And that Your Honor, is why I killed her.”
Our Doris is obsessed with her garden and its upcoming placement in the local garden safari, a neighborhood affair more important than national defense. Doris will go to any lengths to showcase herself as a “horticulturist visionary” and end up the winner. Naturally, she views her competition, the members of the local ladies group, as wholly unworthy of comparison with her skills, and she’s not shy about jockeying her way through the minefield of British propriety with insults and blackmail to maintain her advantage. Throughout, the saintly-patient Our Harold grudgingly assists, deftly avoids, or unashamedly warns the local lads about Doris’ manic and maniacal plans. And of course, lifelong marriage has also shown him the definitive advantages of escape through heavy drinking.
The Good: The authentic feel of this slice of British life is truly marvelous, and the laughs are genuine and liberally supplied.
The Bad: There is no correct answer when an author attempts to balance authenticity against readability for a broad audience. Our Doris is likely a fast and wonderfully easy read in Great Britain, but ‘across the pond,’ it may take a bit of googling to understand the British slang, colloquialisms, etc. that have no common reference. Naturally, some of the humor is dependent on such understanding; for example, one reference to Ben Nevis, which is a mountain, not a person. Ergo, this is not an effortless read for the author’s American cousins, but even with this caveat on readability, if you love British humor as I do, Our Doris is ‘simply lovely.’
Rating: Four Stars, and I almost feel guilty deducting one for readability.
Review copy supplied by author.
Our Doris should come with a warning to avoid food and drink while reading, because if you ‘get it’, this book is sprinkled with moments that might literally choke you with laughter.
Written as a series of monologues, it introduces Our Doris, a character somewhat reminiscent of Hyacinth Bucket of the British sitcom, Keeping Up Appearances, perhaps a distant cousin. Our Doris is spawned with the same devilishly-haughty mix of faux-superiority and the assumption of perfect manners, a blend which transforms an ordinary high maintenance woman into walking purgatory. The tale is told in the voice of Doris’ husband, Our Harold, a paragon of forbearance not without his own quirks. The elderly pair have been married for more than fifty years, and in a different reality, you might picture Harold as being perfectly justified in calmly and honestly stating, “And that Your Honor, is why I killed her.”
Our Doris is obsessed with her garden and its upcoming placement in the local garden safari, a neighborhood affair more important than national defense. Doris will go to any lengths to showcase herself as a “horticulturist visionary” and end up the winner. Naturally, she views her competition, the members of the local ladies group, as wholly unworthy of comparison with her skills, and she’s not shy about jockeying her way through the minefield of British propriety with insults and blackmail to maintain her advantage. Throughout, the saintly-patient Our Harold grudgingly assists, deftly avoids, or unashamedly warns the local lads about Doris’ manic and maniacal plans. And of course, lifelong marriage has also shown him the definitive advantages of escape through heavy drinking.
The Good: The authentic feel of this slice of British life is truly marvelous, and the laughs are genuine and liberally supplied.
The Bad: There is no correct answer when an author attempts to balance authenticity against readability for a broad audience. Our Doris is likely a fast and wonderfully easy read in Great Britain, but ‘across the pond,’ it may take a bit of googling to understand the British slang, colloquialisms, etc. that have no common reference. Naturally, some of the humor is dependent on such understanding; for example, one reference to Ben Nevis, which is a mountain, not a person. Ergo, this is not an effortless read for the author’s American cousins, but even with this caveat on readability, if you love British humor as I do, Our Doris is ‘simply lovely.’
Rating: Four Stars, and I almost feel guilty deducting one for readability.
May 7, 2018
A very high 4 and a half stars read for me. I adored Doris. This book is just so clever and witty I was blown away by it. Charles Heathcote has such a sharp mind and this novel was reminiscent of great comedic works by great northern comedians such as Peter Kay and Victoria Wood. He gets extra brownie points from me for calling a cup of tea a brew in this book as well! I loved Harold and Doris’s relationship. I loved the dichotomy of Doris’s character. I loved the colloquial dialect of Harold’s monologues. It was just so well fleshed out and laugh out loud funny. Well done Charles! And I am so excited to be diving into Indisputably Doris this afternoon. I would recommend this book to anyone and I think Charles really represented the elderly community well in this novel.
June 20, 2015
Our Doris is a series of monologues which create an amusing reflection on old age and the desperately middle class. Filled with a variety of entertaining, and utterly believable, characters, it's easy to get wrapped up in the lives of our Doris and her suffering husband 'Arold.
This book is the first in what I'm told will be a series, and it explores our Doris's desperation to obtain a first-class position in the local garden safari. There is little she will not stoop to in pursuit of this, including lies, blackmail, and bribery. I wouldn't disbelieve any of it for a second.
Each monologue runs us through our 'Arold's narration of a specific event in the overall plotline of the safari. They work well alone, and even better together, giving a satisfying story.
More importantly, Our Doris is hilarious. I've struggled to contain snorts of laughter while reading this.
Heathcote certainly does a brilliant job in illustrating a small part of British society. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
This book is the first in what I'm told will be a series, and it explores our Doris's desperation to obtain a first-class position in the local garden safari. There is little she will not stoop to in pursuit of this, including lies, blackmail, and bribery. I wouldn't disbelieve any of it for a second.
Each monologue runs us through our 'Arold's narration of a specific event in the overall plotline of the safari. They work well alone, and even better together, giving a satisfying story.
More importantly, Our Doris is hilarious. I've struggled to contain snorts of laughter while reading this.
Heathcote certainly does a brilliant job in illustrating a small part of British society. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
January 6, 2023
5 out of 5 stars
This is the first in the series and I love the way the author sets up the characters. I love Harold who is telling the story, he is so warm. Doris is so fiesty and someone you wouldn’t mess with. Village community is so close and I loved the structure of it. Harold is Doris husband and the way he supports her is so great and funny too. I found myself laughing so often and I really enjoyed picking this book up. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and recommend that everyone picks this up especially if you like books on communities and family’s.
This is the first in the series and I love the way the author sets up the characters. I love Harold who is telling the story, he is so warm. Doris is so fiesty and someone you wouldn’t mess with. Village community is so close and I loved the structure of it. Harold is Doris husband and the way he supports her is so great and funny too. I found myself laughing so often and I really enjoyed picking this book up. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and recommend that everyone picks this up especially if you like books on communities and family’s.
Read
August 24, 2019Hilarious and heartwarming! (And thoroughly British!) Do read, do read!
February 4, 2021
5 STARS!
The Book
Doris Copeland is a stalwart of the Partridge Mews community. Determined, driven and with a particular dislike for slugs she has her sights set on being allocated fifth house in the Garden Safari, because why should the likes of Janice Dooley of Little Street or Violet Grey get the last word in by making her first house either way?
Harold and his monologues share with the reader what life with a wife who has been compared to Hitler is like, all the while having to contend with The Look, which after 54 years of marriage still sends his blood running cold, and a desperate focus on not sending his own blood pressure to boiling point as he tries to help his wife obtain the highly sought after house placement.
Rock n Roll, sausages, slugs, community events and gossip abound in this brilliantly witty and captivating book.
I loved
1. Harold. Honest to god, Doris was my favourite, and then he just had to go be all loving and patient and husbandy… don’t tell her I changed my mind.
2. Britishness. I read this book and was reminded of some of the bizarre stories my late granny shared with us. The Brit humour, dry as a cracker-bread and totally side-splitting is strong in this book.
3. Doris. She’s a bloody machine she is, but she's so damned bizarre at the same time.
I didn’t love
Nothing. Seriously. It’s on point in every way.
If you’re a fan of British comedy and humour, you’ll love this book. You may battle to follow some of the dialogue and references, but I guess Google can help out there. If you know of and enjoyed the characters Hyacinth and Richard Bucket – this is the book for you.
The Book
Doris Copeland is a stalwart of the Partridge Mews community. Determined, driven and with a particular dislike for slugs she has her sights set on being allocated fifth house in the Garden Safari, because why should the likes of Janice Dooley of Little Street or Violet Grey get the last word in by making her first house either way?
Harold and his monologues share with the reader what life with a wife who has been compared to Hitler is like, all the while having to contend with The Look, which after 54 years of marriage still sends his blood running cold, and a desperate focus on not sending his own blood pressure to boiling point as he tries to help his wife obtain the highly sought after house placement.
Rock n Roll, sausages, slugs, community events and gossip abound in this brilliantly witty and captivating book.
I loved
1. Harold. Honest to god, Doris was my favourite, and then he just had to go be all loving and patient and husbandy… don’t tell her I changed my mind.
2. Britishness. I read this book and was reminded of some of the bizarre stories my late granny shared with us. The Brit humour, dry as a cracker-bread and totally side-splitting is strong in this book.
3. Doris. She’s a bloody machine she is, but she's so damned bizarre at the same time.
I didn’t love
Nothing. Seriously. It’s on point in every way.
If you’re a fan of British comedy and humour, you’ll love this book. You may battle to follow some of the dialogue and references, but I guess Google can help out there. If you know of and enjoyed the characters Hyacinth and Richard Bucket – this is the book for you.
February 10, 2017
I bought this book after listening to Charles give a reading. The rhythm of Harold's speech is effortless and flows so you turn the pages almost without realising.
The story focuses on a minor event which explores the ups and downs of marriage, compromises, arguments, long term co-habitation and the subtle ways people support and appreciate their loved ones.
The story focuses on a minor event which explores the ups and downs of marriage, compromises, arguments, long term co-habitation and the subtle ways people support and appreciate their loved ones.
October 26, 2018
Hilarious! 4.5 stars! You'll love the characters!
October 15, 2024
I know it's a favourite amongst British people, and I can see why. This novel is about older people livingn in the suburbs, I bet the British people know lots of people like them and/or that it brings nice memories to them. However, there were many, many references to British life that went completely over my head, even if the worst part for me was... Doris. I can't stand her. She doesn't much care about other people, she wants to be a high-class woman that everybody looks up to, and of course she's not. I just couldn't like her.
June 4, 2018
I watch Charlie on YouTube, where he talks about the books he reads and the writing process. I do something much the same myself. I first started to get hooked on his content through his woolgathering monologues, where he sits in his car and talks about life.
If you find those videos entertaining, you’re going to love this. Our Doris is a beautifully put together indie release that nails everything from the cover and the layout to the contents inside of it. It has a very northern British sense of humour and reminds me of what Douglas Adams would sound like if he was from Wigan.
It’s a lot of fun, and probably the best indie book I’ve read this year so far. It’s also likely to make it into my top ten books of the quarter. I think you’re either going to love this one or just not going to get the humour, there’s no real middle ground. But it’s definitely worth a shot and I loved it.
If you find those videos entertaining, you’re going to love this. Our Doris is a beautifully put together indie release that nails everything from the cover and the layout to the contents inside of it. It has a very northern British sense of humour and reminds me of what Douglas Adams would sound like if he was from Wigan.
It’s a lot of fun, and probably the best indie book I’ve read this year so far. It’s also likely to make it into my top ten books of the quarter. I think you’re either going to love this one or just not going to get the humour, there’s no real middle ground. But it’s definitely worth a shot and I loved it.
June 3, 2018
I adored this book. It had me laughing out loud from start to finish and left me so happy that I picked it up. If you're interested in a truly funny read, definitely give this a go, because I loved it.
The feel of this book reminded me of a play I'd once been in (can't for the life of me remember the name of it), but it had that air of humour and quality writing that just evokes the setting so perfectly. It was so hilariously English and so hilariously Cheshire. And while the events of this book were hysterical and a little farcical, I have to say that I know some people of Doris and Harold's age that would act quite similarly. I'm not sure if that's just a comment on the elderly people I know though...
Anyway, definitely check this book out because you will not regret it.
The feel of this book reminded me of a play I'd once been in (can't for the life of me remember the name of it), but it had that air of humour and quality writing that just evokes the setting so perfectly. It was so hilariously English and so hilariously Cheshire. And while the events of this book were hysterical and a little farcical, I have to say that I know some people of Doris and Harold's age that would act quite similarly. I'm not sure if that's just a comment on the elderly people I know though...
Anyway, definitely check this book out because you will not regret it.
June 13, 2015
I received this book through Goodreads first-reads.
A book of fictitious monologues from the point of view of a British husband of his wife and her actions. It is amusing to get a glimpse into the mind of a man towards his wife, especially one who seems to be a bit crazy. I suggest to enjoy this book one must have a bit of knowledge of the English way of life and culture in order to get some parts of the humor.
A book of fictitious monologues from the point of view of a British husband of his wife and her actions. It is amusing to get a glimpse into the mind of a man towards his wife, especially one who seems to be a bit crazy. I suggest to enjoy this book one must have a bit of knowledge of the English way of life and culture in order to get some parts of the humor.
January 30, 2023
This was fun. I don't tend to read humorous writing but I remembered the fearsome rivalries in the Women's Institute where I grew up and it struck a chord.
April 8, 2020
This was wonderful. We follow the trials and tribulations of Doris from the perspective of her long-suffering husband 'arold. Funny, sweet(on occasion), absurd - this is the perfect feel-good read. I will definitely be continuing with the series.
April 28, 2016
Our Doris is hilarious! I was hooked right from the first page, as I read about tales of marital woe, and bliss, as told by the long suffering husband, Harold. What I loved most about this book is the fact that I could relate entirely to all of the characters, because I saw them in older people from my own life throughout the years. If you need a comparison, I would say that Doris reminds me of Hyacinth Bucket from the television sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.
I chuckled and laughed all the way through this book, but there was a curious quirk that I developed. Doris Copeland is a very challenging woman to read about. I could only read one chapter at a time, because any more than that was just a bit too much for me to take in. That to me is a sign of bloody good writing.
5 stars all the way, and more!
I chuckled and laughed all the way through this book, but there was a curious quirk that I developed. Doris Copeland is a very challenging woman to read about. I could only read one chapter at a time, because any more than that was just a bit too much for me to take in. That to me is a sign of bloody good writing.
5 stars all the way, and more!
May 26, 2018
My friend gave me this book because I read and passed on to her book 2. Whilst this book is ok, it is not as good as the second one. I didn't find the eponymous heroine anywhere near as sympathetic in this 'first' meeting as I did in book 2.
For my part, I would suggest letting book 2 stand on its own. Skip this one.
For my part, I would suggest letting book 2 stand on its own. Skip this one.
September 27, 2018
Sweet and funny. This was so warmly written. Charlie clearly has an amazing insight and affection for this kind of older characters. Very reminiscent of old British comedy. I love the writing being in a Northern dialect and the use of comic descriptions and similes.
May 3, 2021
This is not my usual read. Save for essay collections and memoirs written by comedians I've been a fan of, I don't think I've ever read a humour book. And more than that, I often avoid books by people I "know." When I worked in Waterstones, a number of colleagues were also writers and I was always severely adverse to reading their books in case I hated them. This has continued on in my life, where I know of at least two other people who have written books which I will never pick up. And so, when I first started watching Charlie's Youtube channel, I had the same reaction - I really like this guy, I enjoy his videos...no way could I read his book. But I know a few others who have read and really enjoy his writing, and then a reading prompt for this year just seemed to be pushing me to break my life-long boundary. I'm glad, in this instance, that I did.
This is a series of monologues from brow-beaten, beleaguered husband 'Arold, mainly detailing the quite honestly excruciating situations his wife Doris get him and herself into. Joined together, they make up a novel charting her battle to have their home (and status) become the prime fixture of the Women's Institute village garden show.
This is a sharply observed and very funny look at a woman and community of those desperate to be seen as upwardly mobile. The circumstances that Doris finds herself in - often with no one to blame but herself, though in her eyes it is never her fault - go from the ridiculous to the clench-inducing, but the author always manages to steer them just the right side of farcical. And seeing them through the eyes of 'Arold is a master-stroke, as his voice is so authentic you could actually imagine him telling these stories over a pint, complete with heavy sighs and resigned acceptance. 'Arold, for me, acted as a buffer. On her own, I think Doris would be a character that frustrated me to the point of violence, but there is a warmth and love in his tone which made me think there must be something in Doris, some deeper vulnerability and heart, that he alone could see.
I'm glad to report that the only awkward feelings I felt whilst reading this were not fears of having to say something nice about a book I hated, but just shame that I even for a second worried that I wouldn't enjoy Charlie's writing. I would definitely recommend his Youtube channel - Charles Heathcote - as if you like this dry, Northern wit then you'll love hearing it straight from the man himself.
This is a series of monologues from brow-beaten, beleaguered husband 'Arold, mainly detailing the quite honestly excruciating situations his wife Doris get him and herself into. Joined together, they make up a novel charting her battle to have their home (and status) become the prime fixture of the Women's Institute village garden show.
This is a sharply observed and very funny look at a woman and community of those desperate to be seen as upwardly mobile. The circumstances that Doris finds herself in - often with no one to blame but herself, though in her eyes it is never her fault - go from the ridiculous to the clench-inducing, but the author always manages to steer them just the right side of farcical. And seeing them through the eyes of 'Arold is a master-stroke, as his voice is so authentic you could actually imagine him telling these stories over a pint, complete with heavy sighs and resigned acceptance. 'Arold, for me, acted as a buffer. On her own, I think Doris would be a character that frustrated me to the point of violence, but there is a warmth and love in his tone which made me think there must be something in Doris, some deeper vulnerability and heart, that he alone could see.
I'm glad to report that the only awkward feelings I felt whilst reading this were not fears of having to say something nice about a book I hated, but just shame that I even for a second worried that I wouldn't enjoy Charlie's writing. I would definitely recommend his Youtube channel - Charles Heathcote - as if you like this dry, Northern wit then you'll love hearing it straight from the man himself.
April 20, 2021
The ins and outs of Setting a Tone
You have to admire a person who tells a weight loss clinician that "if you had wanted a career making people feel bad for doing what they enjoy, you should have been a vicar." Doris sees herself as an upper middle class resident of Shakespeare Lane with a vision for improvement. Our narrator, her long suffering 'arold, sometimes Harold when the occasion presents itself, is often the unwilling accomplice to Doris' schemes, it is easier to concede. Our 'arold is a fine narrator. You will enjoy this safari into Northern England with the cut throat maneuvers of the lady members of the garden club. It was a wonderfully amusing visit.
You have to admire a person who tells a weight loss clinician that "if you had wanted a career making people feel bad for doing what they enjoy, you should have been a vicar." Doris sees herself as an upper middle class resident of Shakespeare Lane with a vision for improvement. Our narrator, her long suffering 'arold, sometimes Harold when the occasion presents itself, is often the unwilling accomplice to Doris' schemes, it is easier to concede. Our 'arold is a fine narrator. You will enjoy this safari into Northern England with the cut throat maneuvers of the lady members of the garden club. It was a wonderfully amusing visit.
January 11, 2023
So many cultural details/Britishisms learned! So many pleasant hrs spent on wiki spirals learning what plimsolls (like converse) and Silvakrin (hair spray brand) and secateurs (pruning shears) are! V sweet, heartwarming. Full of love for all the inhabitants of Partridge Mews.
April 24, 2022
Doris as a character is nostalgic however her humour and wit is very current.
Laughed alot along the way.
Laughed alot along the way.
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