Has any one ever read any of Deric Longden's books?

[henshake]

Just wondered if any of you had ever come across Deric Longdens books, they had me in stitches and tears. I think he is absolutely wonderful. If you have never read any of his books, did you see Thora Hird in Lost for Words. That's one of his.

i loved them too. I'm a big cat person adn i loved the books about his moggies. also very moving in parts dealing with his wifes health problems .

Yes and I love them - they are very, very funny and Lost for Words is so moving and poignant too. His character observation is spot on. Having said that, I haven't been as keen on his later ones - there's one called (I think) "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" and I didn't like it anywhere near as much as Lost for Words and The Cat Who Came in from the Cold.

These are ones i can read over again and still sit laughing to myself.

Dianas story was wonderful.

In 1971 Deric Longden's wife Diana fell ill with the mysterious disorder known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis). She was unable to move without a wheelchair, and was in almost constant pain. Equally distressing, perhaps, was the fact that every doctor she saw was unable to diagnose what was wrong with her. Deric, devoting more and more time to looking after Diana, watched his business gradually fail, and had to neglect his developing career as a broadcaster. He became househusband, nurse and caretaker of the woman he loved.

Diana's Story is told by a writer who can transform the bleakest moment with his warmth and wit. It is an extraordinarily funny account of a marriage based on love and on an exceptional sense of humour.

Really sad and really funny.

LOVED lost for words and the cat that came in from the cold is fab also.

I've had to be concentrating on things other than mumsnet recently so was quite shocked tonight when I saw responses to this thread. I have to say that I'm a stranger here myself was what got me hooked onto Deric's books.

I sat on an 8 hr flight to the USofA and obtained quite a few funny stares, a near divorce and quite a few comments, some quite friendly, due to the and the only way I can describe them is bloody great big guffaws. Followed frequently by what are known in the family as Basil Brush moments, (laughs that occur when you have no breath left so you start to collapse).

I spent the next two weeks desperately searching book stores for any of his books. I hit WH Smith with a vengance on my return to good old blighty.

I think he is bloody great and Thora Hird plays a wonderful part as his mother.

I've never managed to see Wide Eyed and Legless which is the TV adaptation of Diana's Story but if Lost for Words is any thing to go by then I'm sure it would be good.

I have to say I have never laughed or cried (sobbed uncontrollably) as much reading other books.

Has Deric Longden got any new books out?Heard there was to be one in June this year but heard no more. I have read them all and i cant put them down!