Summary of Nick Hornby's Funny Girl is a novel by writer Nick Hornby set in Blackpool, England in 1964. It tells the story of twenty-one year old Barbara Parker, a beautiful blonde, who wants to become a comedic actress like Lucille Ball.
Barbara wins the Miss Blackpool beauty pageant. Barbara wants more than anything to get out of Blackpool. When she realizes the title of Miss Blackpool commits her to a year of hospital visits and charity events, Barbara gives the title to the runner up and leaves for London.
Barbara gets a job working the cosmetics counter at Derry and Toms, a department store on Kensington High Street. She meets Marjorie, who works in the shoe department, and accepts an offer to become her roommate.
Barbara tells Marjorie she wants to become an actress. Marjorie suggests she buy a copy of The Stage, a trade paper that advertises auditionsâŠ