Paperback
Obstacles to Young Love
By David Nobbs
From one of the greatest comedic writers of a generation comes a story of love, faith and taxidermy.
‘Three mighty obstacles threaten the burgeoning love of childhood sweethearts Timothy Pickering and Naomi Walls. They are Steven Venables, a dead curlew and God.’
1978: Two lovers perch precariously on the cusp of adulthood. Timothy’s father decides it’s time for him to take on the family taxidermy business; while Naomi dreams of a career on the stage.
Across the decades their lives continue to interweave, and occasionally cross – bound by the pull of intoxicating first love. But will their destinies ultimately unite them?
Nobbs moves his exceptional comic talent to a new-found depth. Memorable and moving, a tale of love won and love lost. You will never look at the art of taxidermy in the same way again.
Praise for Obstacles to Young Love: -
”'Painfully hilarious, wonderfully observed and slight sour at the same time.” - Guardian
”'Thank goodness for David Nobbs! He carries on the comic tradition of P G Wodehouse with this marvellous new book; a sweet and touching love story written with his trademark sly and subversive humour. A perfect antidote to these dark times.” - Joanne Harris
Praise for David Nobbs’s novels: -
”'Probably our finest post-war comic novelist” - Jonathan Coe
”'A delicious entertainment, as comic and sharp as they come” - Guardian
”'The most satisfying novel I have read in years” - Express
”'A marvellously comic novel” - Sunday Times
”'One of the most noisily funny books I have ever read” - Michael Palin
”'Very funny sketches of provincial newspaper life” - Sue Townsend
”'We should be thankful for the continuing brilliance of David Nobbs … Going Gently is richly funny and rich in many other ways. Buy it” - Mail on Sunday