8. Political Awakenings

Adrian's interest in politics is heightened when war breaks out in the Falkland Islands.

He and his friends form The Pink Brigade.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ is the first book in the Adrian Mole series of comedic-fiction.

It's 1981 and Margaret Thatcher is in power; Britain is at war in the Falklands and teenagers are growing up in a world without mobile phones or computer games.

While his parents are downstairs, drinking, smoking and arguing about their failing marriage, Adrian is upstairs in his bedroom listening to ABBA, reading great works of literature, writing poems, and penning letters to the BBC.

Abridged by Sara Davies.

Read by Harry McEntire.

Producer: Alexa Moore

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2017.