Abacus, 2003, 203 p. First published 1989.

This is the tale of fifteen-year old Stella, taken on by a repertory company in post-World War 2 Liverpool to learn the ropes. She soon conceives a fancy for the director Meredith. This is unrequited. The reader soon realises Meredith is gay but of course Stella is ignorant of this – at least until nearly the end of the book.

Stella has been brought up by her Uncle Vernon since her mother left the city some time before the war. Of their seemingly endlessly recounted war experiences, “It was astonishing to Stella how fondly men remembered their darkest hours.” She also has encounters with male abusive behaviour, a member of the company spanks her with a newspaper, another comes out of the toilet still holding his penis, a reporter takes her to a cinema and manoeuvres her hand inside his trousers – all of which prompt her to reflect that “men were constantly worried that an essential part of themselves might have gone missing. They wanted instant access, just to make sure things were in place. What was more puzzling was why they needed everyone else to check as well.”

These incidents are just part of the ongoing nature of Stella’s existence, as she is coming to terms with adult life. They are scattered among the trials and tribulations of the company’s relationships – professional and personal. For a long time, though, it seems as though nothing is happening by way of plot, the major occurrence being an injury to a cast member during rehearsals for Peter Pan necessitating Meredith reluctantly calling upon the services of a relatively famous actor called O’Hara to play Captain Hook. Meredith and he have an antipathetic history. O’Hara’s arrival has ramifications for Stella and the reader’s understanding of her past for which Bainbridge has provided skilfully scattered clues.

Despite the slowness and the apparent inconsequentiality of proceedings it is this which elevates An Awfully Big Adventure to the status of literature even if what transpires does not quite live up to the implied promise of the title. Then again life (even a seemingly humdrum life has its moments) is an awfully big adventure.

Sensitivity warning:- there is a reference to a “nigger.”

Pedant’s corner:- “the curb” (kerb. Kerb was used later,) distainful (disdainful,) “which overlooked the booking hall or the station” (of the station makes more sense,) “a spring of crab apple” (a sprig is more likely,) “she couldn’t breath” (couldn’t breathe,) “she was stood in the wings” (she was standing.) “‘Mr Potter’s a Catholic!’ asked Stella, shaken.” (ought to have a question mark, not an exclamation mark,) “until her remembered” (he remembered,) “old time’s sake” (times’,) hiccoughs (hiccups,) “unearthly yet real of Mary Deare” (????) rarified (rarefied,) “‘in her case its aggravated’” (it’s,) accidently (accidentally,) “waited were he was” (where he was,) “‘before you go down to the nursery, he said, ‘may I remind you’” (is missing the end quote mark after nursery.