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.

About the Author

David Nobbs's first break as a comedy writer came on the iconic satire show That Was The Week, That Was, hosted by David Frost. Later he wrote for The Frost Report and The Two Ronnies and provided material for many top comedians including Les Dawson, Ken Dodd, Tommy Cooper, Frankie Howerd and Dick Emery. Apart from his twenty novels, David is best known for his two TV hit series A Bit of a Do and for The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. David Nobbs died in 2015 at the age of eighty.

Reviews

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

Book Information
ISBN 9780007286287
Author David Nobbs
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 300g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 26mm