simply don't know how i missed this sad news

so i found out the other day that louise rennison of the georgia nicholson and tallulah casey books passed away earlier this year. and that makes me so sad. i'd been hoping for another tallulah book, especially since the last one, the taming of the tights, ended on a cliffhanger, sort of.  i mean, things were sort of tied up, but it was also clear that there was more story to be told. and now it never will be. although i'm sure people have written some decent fan fiction, but it's pretty hard to replicate rennison's style. so i don't know that i'd want to seek that out.

i loved rennison's books because they always, always made me laugh out loud. and not just like a giggle. full-on belly laughing so hard i'm crying laughter. one of my favorite moments in all her books, that still makes me laugh, is in angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging when georgia accidentally shaves off her eyebrows. i think it's because i recall using a razor to "pluck" my eyebrows when i was a kid, though i never actually caused any major damage. but i can see how you go from having eyebrows to not so easily. and the w
hole thing just strikes me so funny.

just see for yourself:

2:00 p.m.
Found the tweezers eventually. Why Mum would think I wouldn't find them in Dad's tie drawer I really don't know. I did find something very strange in the tire drawer as well as the tweezers. It was sort of an apron thing in a special box. I hope against hope that my dad is not a transvestite. It would be more than flesh and blood could stand if I had to "understand" his feminine side. And me and Mim and Libby have to watch while he clatters around in one of Mum's nighties and fluffy miles.....We'll probably have to start calling him Daphne. 
God, it's painful plucking. I'll have to have a little lie down. The pain is awful--it's made my eyes water like mad.

2:30 p.m.
I can't bear this. I've only taken about five hairs out and my eyes are swollen to twice their normal size.

4:00 p.m.
Cracked it. I'll use Dad's razor.

4:05 p.m.
Sharper than I thought. It's taken off a lot of hair just on one stroke. I'll have to even up the other one.

4:16 p.m.
Bugger it. It looks all right, I think, but I look very surprised in one eye. I'll have to even up the other one now.

6:00 p.m.
Mum nearly dropped Libby when she saw me. Her exact words were "What in the name of God have you done to yourself, you stupid girl?"
God I hate parents! Me stupid? They're so stupid. She wishes I was still Libby's age so she could dress me in ridiculous hats with earflaps and ducks on. God, God, God!!!

10:00 p.m.
Maybe, they'll grow back overnight. How long does it take for eyebrows to grow?

the first time i read this passage i was on a train in boston. i was crying because i was trying so hard to keep my composure. i was not successful. and i read this passage and remember that moment and it's just happiness.

which is why i'm sad that there will be no more comedy from louise rennison. she had a gift for the absurd.