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I'm Just a Teenage Punchbag

Poignant and Funny: A Novel for A Generation of Women

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I'm Just a Teenage Punchbag

By: Jackie Clune
Narrated by: Jackie Clune
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About this listen

Warning! This novel may lead you to make rash and life-changing decisions!*

*Probably don't listen if you fear you may be ripe for liberation. Or if you sometimes wee when you laugh....

First there was Having It All, then there was Bridget Jones's Diary and I Don't Know How She Does It. Now there is I'm Just a Teenage Punchbag.

I'm Just a Teenage Punchbag is a laugh-out-loud, sob-on-the bus journey through the so-called life of a middle-aged woman.

Ciara is mother to three ungrateful, entitled teenagers, is married to steady Martin, a man with hairy udders, and is grieving for her mum who now lives in the wardrobe in a cardboard box from the crematorium. She finds solace in her anonymous blog and in the daily chats she has with her mum's ashes (often the best conversations she has all day.)

Despite the menopause, the invisibility of middle age and the daily self-esteem bashings, courtesy of her kids, Ciara manages to navigate the stormy waters of grief and family life - until her mask slips and she is cast out from the family bosom. She embarks on a mission to fulfil her mum's dying wishes to have her remains sprinkled from the top of the Empire State Building, finding company, distraction and - ultimately - herself in the process.

If motherhood is a job - who says you can't resign?

©2020 Jackie Clune (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Women's Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant  
Great book. should be handed out to parents at primary school induction day . loved it.

wow

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. First chapters tell about my life at the moment. Last half after she goes to US and the ending was a bit cliche. Having said that I totally agree with her that we, mums, should not devote our life to children all together. We need to find a way to be “me” as well as a mum.

First 15 chapters tell my life

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Brilliant from start to finish. I was expecting another life with teenagers factual book but was blown away by this terrifically spot-on description of mum life in hilarious and inspiring story form.

Mum of teenagers? Download this now!

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You either laugh or you cry? This book will make you smile until you start saying to yourself.. wow yeah that’ actually does happen! Fantastic listen

Real!

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Just happened across this book looking for something new to read…..so pleased I found it. Very funny but also very relatable. Hope you write more soon x

Laugh out loud funny

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At some points you may get a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye, but for the majority of this excellent book I had a broad smile on my face and just so many spluttering of drinks and laugh out loud moments that I couldn’t stop listening. As a similarly aged 50 year old mother going through her own mid-life crisis, I found this book an absolute joy.

Such a laugh!

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I liked it all to be honest, I’m going to see what other books she has written

Really enjoyable, Thankyou x

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Loved the whole story and how the narrator was very good voicing the different characters. A hilarious listen… couldn’t put it down . A light hearted listen on a subject about modern difficult teenage behaviour. I could really relate and made me laugh more! Loved the whole story of one woman’s mundane life living with teenage children/ a drab husband and her mothers urn anc what she does with it! Thoroughly recommended

I’m Just a Teenage Punchbag-Fantastic listen

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So much of this felt like my life - the relentless thankless task of being a Mum to teenagers.
A book that will make you laugh and cry in equal parts. Very well written - I can’t wait for Jackie’s next book.

Very real depiction of Mum of teenagers

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made me think about things I need to change in my own life and what a difficult call and fine balance that is. easy read.

loved it laughed and cried

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