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Lessons in Laughing Out Loud
Lessons in Laughing Out Loud
Nov 16, 2025 5:08 PM

Author:Rowan Coleman

Lessons in Laughing Out Loud

Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Dorothy Koomson and Liane Moriarty, this is an uplifting and heartfelt novel from the author of The Memory Book, which was featured in the Richard & Judy book club 2014

'I immediately read The Memory Book and it's WONDERFUL ... I'm so happy because she's written other books and its so lovely to find a writer you love who has a backlist' Marian Keyes

Willow and Holly are identical twins. They are everything to each other. Holly calls Willow her rock, her soul mate, her other half. And Willow feels the same about Holly. They are alike in every respect except one - Willow is afraid on the inside. And all because of a secret - one that binds the sisters closely together and yet has meant their adult lives have taken two very different paths.

Willow often feels there are large parts of her missing, qualities she only knows she's lacking because she sees them in her sister. For a very long time Willow has felt separated from Holly by one terrible moment in time - a moment that meant Willow's life was never the same again. And when the past catches up with her, Willow realises it's finally time for her to face her fears, and - with Holly's help - learn to laugh out loud once more...

Reviews

I immediately read The Memory Book and it's WONDERFUL ... I'm so happy because she's written other books and its so lovely to find a writer you love who has a backlist

—— Marian Keyes

Well-written

—— Daily Mail

A powerful, humane novel

—— Evening Standard

One of the finest writers alive

—— Sunday Times

McEwan writes as beautifully and elegantly as ever, his prose quintessentially English in its restraint, one meticulously chosen word hinting at depths of emotion

—— Washington Post

A finely written, engaging read… Poignant, challenging and lyrical

—— Sunday Express

A class act by one of our finest novelists.

—— Viv Groskop , Red

A compelling moral dilemma [with] a moving and heartfelt denouement.

—— Tatler

Shows McEwan as a master of fiction.

—— Olivia Cole , GQ

It is one most extraordinary, powerful, moving reading experiences of my life. It is an utterly remarkable novel, delicately balanced, perfectly crafted, beautifully written.

—— Alberto Manguel

Every word counts: one has the sense of a complicated piece of music played by a master soloist.

—— Christina Hardyment , The Times

Fascinatingly complex and finally heartbreaking… A quite beautiful work of fiction.

—— John Sutherland , The Times

A great writer. One of the most acute chroniclers of modern life and its discontents ... The Children Act is both gripping and highly topical…Entirely entrancing

—— Andrew Marr

Prose of uncommon clarity, unshowiness and control … Masterly

—— Kate Kellaway , Observer

Another notable volume from one of the finest writers alive.

—— Ron Charles , Washington Post

A masterclass in the power of precision and restraint … McEwan is brilliant on the details that form the backdrop to public and private tragedy.

—— Christina Patterson , The Sunday Times

Although thrillingly close to the child within us, McEwan nonetheless writes for, and about, the grown-ups. In a climate that breeds juvenile cynicism, we more than ever need his adult art.

—— Boyd Tonkin , Independent

McEwan brings to the analysis of justice a distinctive combination of literary skill, empathy and legal knowledge… A welcome addition to the class [of novels about judges].

—— David Pannick QC , The Times

A classic McEwan novella, swift and compelling, asking to be read in a single sitting despite its 200-odd pages… He makes it look simple yet few other writers have anything like his mastery of such prose… So skillfully composed and fluently performed, it’s a pleasure from start to finish, one not to be interrupted.

—— David Sexton , Evening Standard

A brave and enormously interesting subject.

—— Amanda Craig , Independent on Sunday

A dazzling tapestry… Another magnificent work by McEwan, important and meticulously crafted.

—— James McNair , National

A svelte novel as crisp and spotless as a priest’s collar.

—— Ron Charles , Washington Post

Pacy and gripping, with a fascinating premise… McEwan skillfully brings complexity and depth to the characters.

—— Stylist

Beautifully told with pared-down emotional honesty, this 13th novel from the Booker Prize-winner is fiercely clever and incredibly moving.

—— Hello!

A gripping new novel which brings into question morality, religion and the very nature of life itself.

—— Hunts Post

McEwan masterfully weaves a gripping personal story.

—— Peter Donaldson , Gazette (Colchester)

I feel that both Fiona and the boy somehow sort of transcended naturalistic character

—— Mark Ravenhill , Saturday Review

Emotionally wrenching and visceral.

—— Elle

Gripping.

—— Mail on Sunday

A short novel of great subtlety and tenderness.

—— UK Human Rights

Executed in his trademark elegant prose and is evidently meticulously researched.

—— Carla McKay , Daily Mail

Incredibly moving, intriguing and quite perfect as piece of fiction.

—— Bath Chronicle

Yet another worthy addition to his canon.

—— EasyJet Traveller

The small morning scenes between husband and wife are superb.

—— Catholic Herald

Moving, sad and delicate.

—— Joanna Kavenna , Prospect

True to life [as well as] being well-written.

—— Catherine Taylor, family solicitor , Latest Homes

Very deft, urgent and morally plangent.

—— Lewis Jones , Oldie

Impeccably crafted.

—— Stephanie Cross , Lady

The Children Act is in part a tribute to the best of the legal profession and, as a wordsmith, his deep respect for the best of their prose… The book has some landmark McEwan features of skillfully created tension.

—— Lancet

He offers the reader a masterful study of a mind devoted to fairness… The Children Act is also a fascinating, painstakingly researched look inside the judicial process… Conveyed in crisp prose, this attention to detail elevates the moral conundrums…beyond the sensationalism lesser authors might have pursued. It is, in all respects, a novel that is carefully judged.

—— Irish Examiner

It explores the tension between cool-headed secularism and ardent belief. It is at times preposterous – and yet it has a magical readability and is slender enough to read in one intense, absorbing sitting.

—— Jason Cowley , New Statesman

In typical McEwan style, The Children Act is unputdownable and hauntingly beautiful.

—— Sushmita Bose , Khaleej Times

The Children Act is a…sophisticated exploration of how society treats children and how children’s welfare can be considered in the complex world in which we live, where issues about how children should be raised are not subject to consensus.

—— Carol Storer , Legal Action

If you have any unanswered letters on your desk, McEwan’s latest will have you grabbing your pen pronto.

—— Independent

The Children Act shows McEwan as a master of fiction who strives to teach us how to live.

—— Olivia Cole , GQ Magazine UK

Powerful and moving.

—— Sir David Bell , Times Higher Education

Taut, sparing and effortless, this is another exquisitely wrought novel from the master of the novella.

—— Good Book Guide

A subtly musical arrangement of urgently topical issues…it may be read at a sitting, but resonates for much longer.

—— Lewis Jones , Spectator

It’s absorbing and, almost a novella, it doesn’t outstay its welcome.

—— Nick Bevan , Times Higher Education

Definitely one of the best books I have read this year.

—— Natalie K. Watson , Church Times

This is a wonderful read with sharp, crystalline prose and, together with a superb moral dilemma, this is a beautiful and moving story.

—— Bath Chronicle

Offering a window into a compelling world of life or death dilemmas, this is told in prose as polished as you’d expect.

—— Daily Mail

The book is bursting of beautiful writing. You’ll want to read it all over again.

—— Kirsty Brimelow , The Times

A story of human behavior told in a raw, uncluttered, unforgiving way.

—— Cambridge News

Renowned author McEwan manages to surprise throughout this book, right to the last page.

—— Mayfair Magazine

A story of human behavior told in a raw, uncluttered, unforgiving way – and we could all have done with another couple of hundred pages.

—— Cambridge Magazine

McEwan writes in taut, sparing and effortless prose.

—— Good Book Guide

Ian McEwan writes stories of exquisite precision and clarity. This one is ace.

—— William Leith , Evening Standard

A page-turning novel

—— John Koski , Mail on Sunday

As one has come to expect, McEwan sets up the moral issues with delicacy and precision.

—— John Sutherland , The Times

Ian McEwan is at his most compelling with the story of Fiona Maye… Awesome

—— Marcus Field , Independent

A wonderfully readable and thought-provoking book

—— Kathryn Atkins , Bristol Magazine

A short novel that will linger in your mind for a long time

—— Woman’s Weekly

Another beautifully written masterpiece

—— Beyond

relevant, emotive, moving, this is beautifully written and a guaranteed page turner

—— Matthew Smith , H Edition

One of our best authors at his best.

—— Murray Neil , Hertfordshire Life

One of my favourite authors… McEwan’s fascination with judicial issues, with music and poetry, and with the moral conundrum of how far you place your religious beliefs above the life of someone you love, all feature in this book which will leave you thinking long after you have finished it.

—— Frances Colville , Frost Magazine

It's an enjoyable and often surprising novella.

—— Charlotte Heathcote , Daily Express

It asks fundamental questions in a sober, intelligent way about the choices we make and our blindness when it comes to our beliefs.

—— Francois Ozon, film-maker , Observer

Here he is again: vulnerable, insightful, passionate and utterly in control. He’s amazing.

—— Robert Webb , Mail on Sunday
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