Diary of a Mummy Misfit
Amanda Egan

Ever felt like you don’t belong?

When Libby Marchant and husband Ned made the monumental decision to sacrifice luxuries and holidays to see their only son Max through private education, they hadn’t expected to meet so many unsavoury and dislikeable personalities along the way.

Happily, the cruel jibes of the pompous ‘Meemies’ are made more tolerable by the lasting and loyal friendship they strike up with the affluent Fenella & Josh.

Follow Libby’s journey as she discovers the chasm between the Haves and the Have-Nots in her mad new world of school committees, designer handbags, bitching and botox.

With Fenella by her side, Libby is able to maintain her sanity. But what happens when the credit crunch bites, you’re desperate for another baby and your Asian neighbour is trying to match-make you with her infatuated son?

Diary of a Mummy Misfit is the debut novel by Brit-lit writer Amanda Egan. It is a fast paced and easy-to-read book which I found I was unable to put down, partly due to being written in brilliant diary format, as each of Libby’s entries leaves you thirsting for more.

You are quickly enticed into the story with the first entry of the diary, which leaves Libby Marchant waiting anxiously for the letter which she hopes will confirm that her only son, Max, has been accepted into the prestigious Manor House Prep school.

While Libby and husband Ned are initially over the moon to be offered a much sought-after place, their elation quickly turns to worry over the financial aspect. They knew they would have to sacrifice the luxuries and holidays that they should enjoy, but knew this was one thing they ought to forgo for their son’s education. The tale weaves effortlessly through life, school terms and school holidays (which are spent at the local park instead of fancy skiing trips, or visiting villas on luxurious private islands).

Libby is initially overwrought by the ‘meemies’ of the school gates (the “me, me, me” Mums, complete with shimmering blonde highlights and botoxed pouts), but quickly builds a budding friendship with the extremely rich, but fabulously down to earth, Fenella Hunter-Barnes. There is so much truth, and bitter ‘grimace worthy’ honesty in this book, it is sure to make anybody who has ever been a parent or pupil at this kind of school smile and nod. The nicknames invented by Libby and Fenella for the other parents at the school gates were adorably hilarious, as were the descriptions of the social gatherings between the parents and often coerced partners.

I found this book a hilarious insight into the world of a prep school parent, and also reflective of many other school gates. I myself have always been a Mummy Misfit, and proud! An excellent read, highly recommended and well worth five stars.

Rating: ★★★★★