Summary

Chapter 1

Funny Girl by Nick Hornby, is a work of fiction, although the book is decorated throughout with fake pictures of cast members to make the book feel that it is an authentic artifact chronicling the lives of famous actors on a famous television show. The action takes place in 1960s throughout Great Britain, mostly in London.

In the first chapter, the main character, Barbara Parker, is introduced. She's a beautiful young woman who is sick of being judged for her looks. She has a sharp wit that she uses to cut down people who think she's all beauty and no brains. In fact, her dream is to emulate Lucille Ball. She idolizes her intelligence and ability to look silly while being confidant.

Barbara's family talks her into a beauty pageant in her home town of Blackpool, England, a town so small the...