Lead Review (Fabulous & Furious)

• Book: Fabulous (and Furious)
• Location: Charmouth
• Author: Harper Ford

Review Author: tripfiction

Nell is 55, she is a grandmother, she works in a veterinary practice and lives in Charmouth in Devon. And she is on a rather short fuse, everything and everyone are testing her patience. Her new boss is grim (he is sexist and snaffles the practice’s box of biscuits for himself), the people seeking the services of the vet are annoying and the book opens as she challenges a children’s entertainer about his choice of winners when games have been set.

For Christmas she is given an envelope which contains three sessions at Charmouth’s newest hotspot, THE RAGE ROOM. Clearly those around her have noticed her irascible urges. She bowls up as commanded but apparently she is expected to come in a pair; of course, it’s just her and already she is having to assert her singularity. Further rage ensues but she does find someone who is interested in accompanying her to the second session.

Incels and the patriarchy: cue further angry outburst. Unresolved memories and experiences from school (“I had a rotten time at school”) have fuelled her wrath, but maybe a bit of judicious therapy might have tempered her tantrums?

The long and short of the story is that she sets up a space called Rent-a Rant, where the women at her work can off-load, whether it’s about people who hang windchimes all year round in their gardens or supermarket etiquette.

The author has clearly devised a vehicle (ie written a novel) where she can let rip about the things that annoy us all, some more than others. It is written with wit, and it is funny at times, although it inevitably strays into ranting territory at times.

This is a quick read. Not at all strong on setting.

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