Adrian Mole is the main character. Since the novel takes the form of the diary he is writing, we see events through his eyes. From his diary entries we can form a very clear picture of Adrian. He is a kind of anti-hero, someone with flaws that make him seem human and therefore someone with whom we can identify. He dislikes sports, worries constantly about his health and his frequent outbreaks of acne, and believes himself to be an intellectual even though he has trouble keeping up with his schoolwork. He is frequently self-deluded. The poetry and prose he writes is hilariously pretentious. And, in fact, much of the humor of the book is to be found in the gap between Adrian's assessment of events and the reader's perception of them. For instance, he does not realize that his mother is becoming romantically involved with Mr. Lucas. He thinks she is merely being sympathetic to him after his wife leaves him. But from the details Adrian provides the reader can see what is really happening. Though he may be pretentious and boastful at times, Adrian has a generous heart, as can be seen by his relationship with Bert, the old man he takes care of. He may complain about Bert's grumpy nature and the filthy condition of his house, but he is there for Bert in times of crisis. Adrian often feels very sorry for himself when ill, but at the same time he deals without self-pity with a frequently harsh home life, and with his parents frequently too absorbed by their own issues to pay him much attention or even provide him with regular meals.
