Woman who went to bed for a year (Penguin Books)

Sue Townsend, the bestselling author of the "Adrian Mole series", returns with "The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year", a funny and touching novel about what happens when someone stops being the person everyone wants them to be.

"Laugh-out-loud...a teeming world of characters whose foibles and misunderstandings provide glorious amusement. Something deeper and darker than comedy." ("Sunday Times"). The day her twins leave home, Eva climbs into bed and stays there.

For seventeen years she's wanted to yell at the world, 'Stop! I want to get off'. Finally, this is her chance. Her husband Brian, an astronomer having an unsatisfactory affair, is upset. Who will cook his dinner? Eva, he complains, is attention seeking.

But word of Eva's defiance spreads. Legions of fans, believing she is protesting, gather in the street. While Alexander the white van man brings tea, toast and sympathy. And from this odd but comforting place Eva begins to see both herself and the world very, very differently...Bestselling author Sue Townsend has been Britain's favourite comic writer for over three decades, "The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year" is her hilarious new novel."She fills the pages with turmoil, anger, passion, love and big helpings of wit.

It's full of colour and glows with life." ("Independent"). "Hilarious and totally Townsend. There were parts where I laughed until I cried." ("Daily Mail"). "Touching and hilarious.

Bursting with witty social commentary as well as humour." ("Women's Weekly"). "A funny, poignant look at modern family life." ("Daily Express"). Sue Townsend is Britain's favourite comic author.

Her hugely successful novels include eight Adrian Mole books, "The Public Confessions of a Middle-Aged Woman (Aged 55 )", "Number Ten", "Ghost Children", "The Queen and I" and "Queen Camilla", all of which are highly acclaimed bestsellers.

She has also written numerous well-received plays. She lives in Leicester, where she was born and grew up.