{"product_id":"an-awfully-big-adventure-by-beryl-bainbridge","title":"An Awfully Big Adventure by Beryl Bainbridge","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShortlisted for the 1990 Booker Prize, and with a new introduction by Yiyun Li, a darkly comic novel of class, the long shadow of war, and unrequited first love. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-ccp-props='{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":0,\"335559740\":240}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\"\u003eLiverpool, 1950. Sixteen-year-old Stella is hired as assistant stage manager by a repertory theatre company and soon falls into a heady infatuation with the director, Meredith – failing to notice how he shows not only no interest in her, but in any woman. When the celebrated actor O’Hara arrives to take the lead in their production of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\"\u003ePeter Pan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\"\u003e, it sets in motion a drama offstage of lost innocence, tragedy and miscommunication. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-ccp-props='{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":0,\"335559740\":240}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-ccp-props='{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":0,\"335559740\":240}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\"\u003ePeopled by a cast of eccentric characters and the air thick with the scent of greasepaint and cigarettes,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\"\u003eAn Awfully Big Adventure\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\"\u003eis an evocative and sharp-edged novel for fans of Penelope Fitzgerald, Muriel Spark and Camilla Grudova.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-ccp-props='{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":0,\"335559740\":240}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TextRun SCXW100440788 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW100440788 BCX8\"\u003e‘Showcases Bainbridge’s incredible ear for dialogue . . . the perfect introduction to her world where a distinct northern grit is blended with a surrealist’s eye for the absurd.’\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCRACK Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormat:Paperback \/ softback 288 pages\u003cbr\u003ePublisher:Daunt Books\u003cbr\u003eImprint:Daunt Books\u003cbr\u003eISBN:9781917092500\u003cbr\u003ePublished:12 Mar 2026\u003cbr\u003eClassifications:Modern \u0026amp; contemporary fiction (post c 1945), Crime \u0026amp; mystery\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wave of Nostalgia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63836345139549,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0934\/8838\/2301\/files\/9781917092500.jpg?v=1773416921","url":"https:\/\/waveofnostalgia.co.uk\/products\/an-awfully-big-adventure-by-beryl-bainbridge","provider":"Wave of Nostalgia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}