Jennings' Diary

By: Anthony Buckeridge

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

"Hah-ooh cinosrepus! 'Selbanev, Nosnikta, Senoj-Nitram,' said Jennings. 'They're the names of people, I bet you can't guess who!' 'Russian agents? - Zulu tribesmen? - Ancient kings of Egypt?' hazarded Darbishire. 'No, no, no,' Jennings flipped his fingers in delight and danced ungainly ballet steps round the tuck-boxes. 'Oh, wacko! If you can't guess, neither will anybody else, so we can use it for the code.'"

When Jennings' new diary is made public, the thought of his most private thoughts being made public spur him to invent a secret language. Will anyone be able to decode it? And how does Jennings end up on the wrong side of the law? And what of the collection of ancient relics a visit to the Natural History Museum inspires Jennings and Darbishire to establish? Find answers to these and other questions, in this entertaining story by Anthony Buckeridge, narrated by the talented Simon Vance.

Jennings' Diary is one of a series of 25 books by Anthony Buckeridge. The Jennings stories originated in a series of radio plays for the BBC's Children's Hour, which proved so popular they spawned this delightful series of books. The tales make liberal use of Buckeridge's inventive schoolboy slang ("fossilised fish hooks!," "crystallised cheesecakes!," and others). Published between 1950 and 1989, these books were favorites among a vast assortment of kids all over the world. Jennings Goes to School and Jennings Again! were adapted for radio by Anthony Buckeridge and read by Stephen Fry, and Mark Williams (Aurthor Weasley in the Harry Potter films), recorded an abridged version of Jennings Little Hut, all produced by the BBC. Loved by kids and adults alike, the Jennings books were translated into several languages and have sold over six million worldwide. Described as "Harry Potter without magic, but funnier", and "P.G. Wodehouse for kids", you'll want to check out the other titles in this series available from Post Hypnotic Press.

©1953 Anthony Buckeridge Estate (P)2011 Post Hypnotic Press

Brilliant hilarious highjinks

So so funny - for kids and adults alike. Escape from the real world and enjoy the madcap world of a British school boy. Great reader, absolutely perfect purchase.

Appreciating Jennings And Company

This particular Jennings text helps readers gain insight into how family values influence the decision making of dear Jennings and his best friend, Darby. Darby is perpetually quoting his father’s words of wisdom, which often infuriates his school masters. I laughed aloud at many of these chapters. It was a pleasant experience and a respite from modern society’s angst, anger, and disconcertion.

took me back in time.

Took me back to my childhood. Very visual. Enjoyed it greatly. Well performed and perfect atmosphere.

Disappointing

What would have made Jennings' Diary better?

Better proof reading of the manuscript. At one point Mr Wilkins is called Mr Jennings. Jennings becomes Jenkins, and 80p becomes half a crown and then becomes 80p again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jennings and Derbyshire themselves are always entertaining

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Simon Vance?

He needs to cheer up, the problem was he read it like it was a James Bond novel not a tale of 2 school chums.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment, I grew up reading Jennings and this reading was just so flawed in so many ways,