‘Funny Girl’ by Nick Hornby

‘Funny Girl’ by Nick Hornby is set in the 1960s and follows Sophie Straw, the former Miss Blackpool, as she runs off to London to pursue a career as a comedian.

When she arrives in London, Sophie quickly realizes that life isn’t as glamorous as she had imagined. She doesn’t know where to begin—but through luck and charm, she finds an agent and starts auditioning. What follows is a rise to stardom through the world of TV comedy, complete with behind-the-scenes tensions, personal dramas, and the shifting norms of the Swinging Sixties.

The book also touches on queer themes: at a time when sex between men is still criminalized in the UK, one of the main characters navigates his identity in secret. While this is only a subplot, it adds historical depth and highlights the oppressive atmosphere of the era.

Hornby’s writing is witty and affectionate, and the novel paints a nostalgic yet sharp picture of British pop culture, gender roles, and the media landscape of the time.

CW: homophobia (period-typical), alcohol and drug use, sexist language and attitudes, closeting