- Paperback: 308 pages
- Publisher: Ebury Press; Reprint edition (1 Aug 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0091882087
- ISBN-13: 978-0091882082
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 13.4 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 694,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
One Hit Wonderland
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Product Description
Review
The author of the international bestsellers Round Ireland With a Fridge and Playing the Moldovans at Tennis scores again with his attempt to repeat his 1988 pop music success. This new adventure takes him around the world in a search for an elusive follow-up hit from the Nashville studios to Amsterdam coffee bars; from the plains of Sudan to the wilds of Tasmania. But will his song You Broke My Heart Like a Bird's Egg [But Now the Yolk's On You] ever be a hit anywhere ?
Manchester Evening News
"The missing link between Paul Theroux and Paul Whitehouse"
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If, as I did, you have read Hawks' first two books and loved them, then you'll find it hard to be disappointed. Tony's new challenge, for once not taken on under the influence of alcohol, but rather an attractive lady, is to have a Top Twenty Hit anywhere in the world, in order prove that as the creator of "The Stutter Rap" , he is no One Hit Wonder. He has two years to do it, but this time round there is no clear-cut forfeit like money, or even dignity! With no tangible forfeit should he lose, you'd be forgiven for wondering if Hawks was undertaking a half-hearted challenge - however, what touchingly emerges as the real prize of success is Hawks' self-belief in his abilities as a songwriter.
Like his previous bets, Tony's new task takes him all over the world. He scours Nashville, Sudan, Holland and finally Albania in his search for a hit, amassing a small but varied catalogue of songs as he goes. As ever, his dry observations of the people and places elicit quite a few chuckles. However, it's the sections covering his time in Sudan and Albania that really stand out. Hawks' primary objective in Sudan is to write on his experiences, in order to raise funds for UNICEF, and as in Moldova, Hawks' writes with touching empathy as he describes the conditions in Sudan and the daily troubles of its people. However, the moving subject matter doesn't drag the lighter moments down, and the introspective moments blend well. The Albanian section however, is a real joy, mainly due to Hawks' ability to wrest every comic ounce out of the ludicrous situation he has found himself in. Hawks recalls that Norman Wisdom is adored and revered in Albania (and readers are left in no doubt as to just how much), so Tony, along with Sir Tim Rice (yes, Sir Tim Rice!), pen a catchy song to this effect. Add to this a backing band, some toy instruments and a tour of Albania with Sir Wisdom himself, and you have a laugh-out-loud funny and upbeat (if slightly surreal) end to the challenge.
If there is a downside to the end of the book, it's the feeling of unfinished business with both the instigator of the bet, and a well known record producer, who Tony met along the way. The book does conclude on an upnote though, and at the reader can at least look forward to the prospect of Hawks' making a certain somebody eat their words (or a large novelty-shaped cake).
I won't reveal whether or not Tony met his challenge, but I'm positive that "One Hit Wonderland" will be a hit in its own right.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As in his previous two books, Hawks stops every couple of pages to remark on how crazy the quest he has embarked on is, and how very very nutty he himself must be. As before, he also has the thinnest imaginable motivation for starting it in the first place, unless you read the glaring message between the lines, which is that he is trying to have a hit so he can write a book about it.
These minor irritations aside, Hawks is an amiable companion, and he scores over others in this field - Bryson, McCarthy et al - because he knows how to write and tell the occasional joke. By far the most enjoyable section is the last, in Albania, and it just about makes up for the faintly disappointing earlier bits in Nashville and the Sudan.
Quite good fun, all in all.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Tony Hawks, loveable author of the superb "Round Ireland with a Fridge" is back again, after beating the Moldovans at Tennis.
This time, you have to worry about his sanity, as he's made a bet with someone at a dinner party that he'll get another top 20 record back in the charts, after his debut with "Morris Minor and the Majors". However, the person at the dinner party really doesn't seem bothered about the whole thing, and you have to wonder whether Tony just saw another opportunity to throw together a lightweight bestseller.
To give him credit, he certainly goes the distance, experimenting with World Music remixes, East-European duets and flying to Amsterdam dressed as a Pixie. It's not until the surreal combination of Tim Rice and Norman Wisdom enters the frame that he has a chance of success.
Tony's humour, sense of adventure and madcap optimism makes this a very fun read. I got the feeling that the whole thing was a little strained though - did anyone but Tony really care about the bet this time ? Perhaps this pervades his adventures a bit, too, as he seems to have real difficulty getting people in to the spirit this time.
Of course, it doesn't stop this being extremely funny in parts, but it's all getting a little formulaic. If you're a fan of his other books, give it a go !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mediocre!
I thought this was a reasonable read but it wasn't as good as Hawk's Round Ireland With a Fridge which is brilliant! One Hit Wonderland
Published 18 days ago by Dazzler
YoU WilL LovE ThiS HiT!!!
This is an extremely funny book which made me laugh out loud on so many occasions that my wife actually thought that I was finding the rubbish she was watching on the television... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Craigy The Magnificent
Like So Many Other People
Like so many other people I bought this book with the rest in the series to read it and it's still on the shelf of books that I will eventually read. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Chris Waywell
A miss
Mindless, contrived, witless, humourless drivel. Tony Hawks uses show business contacts to find himself in situations involving music recording. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Baby Blue
Not what I had hoped.
It might have been because I heard him plugging the book on a radio station (Talk Sport) and therefore the outcome was discussed. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2009 by S. L. Quinn
It's a hit with me!
Before I read this book, I was only vaguely aware of Tony Hawks' existence via the BBC programme "Grumpy Old Men", but now he is one of my favourite comic-travel writers. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2008 by David Jones
Enjoyable nonsense
The premise of this book is that Tony Hawks, lead singer of 80s one hit wonders 'Morris Minor and the Majors' accepts a wager that he'll never have another top ten hit in his... Read more
Published on 28 April 2008 by SilentSinger
Up to Tony's Usual Standard
This book comes in three sections all of which are very Funny.
Part 1 Tony's inital bet and visit to America. Read more
Part 1 Tony's inital bet and visit to America. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2008 by E. R. Evans
I somehow expected better........
I've not read 'Tennis...' or 'Fridge...', so my first experience of Hawks' written-word could have (apparently) been better. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2007 by N. Kaye
Great book!
I really enjoyed this book and rate it alongside the rest of Tony Hawks' books, although I think 'Playing the Moldovans at Tennis' is my favourite. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2007 by Ms. C. V. HARRISON
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