- Paperback: 248 pages
- Publisher: Ebury Press; New edition edition (4 Jan 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0091874564
- ISBN-13: 978-0091874568
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.6 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 271,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Playing The Moldovans At Tennis
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More About the Author
Product Description
Sarah Champion
Tony Hawks' debut book, The Round Ireland with a Fridge, was an irreverent satire. The topic of the sequel is even more absurd. Like Round Ireland, it supposedly originates from an obscure bet. This time, Hawks bets he can't track-down the Moldovan football team and beat them all at tennis. The loser must perform the Moldovan national anthem naked on Balham High Road. However, knowledge of tennis and/or football isn't required to enjoy the book.
Hawks' Irish trip was characterised by willing accomplices who joined in the fun. In Moldova, Hawks also expects a good laugh. Despite the rarity of visitors, he receives an apathetic welcome as his mission provokes little more than weak smiles. Tracking down the footballers and persuading them to play turns becomes almost impossible.
The book treads a fine line between brilliant and juvenile, between Jeremy Beadle and the genuinely witty. Hawks' sixth-form joke of presenting a round table to Moldova's new King Arthur is especially cringe-worthy. His experience as a second-division stand-up leads to innumerable trite quips. Still, overall Playing The Moldovans At Tennis is an entertaining, easy read that will make you chuckle. It provides an interesting view of Eastern Europe's post-Communist life, while keeping you in suspense: Will he? Won't he? Suffice to say that, yes, at the end of the book someone does end up naked and singing outside a South London Woolworths. --Sarah Champion --
Review
'Even if you hate tennis and couldn't find Moldova on the map, you'll be charmed. Utterly recommended', FHM .'Surprisingly touching as well as incredibly funny', The Oxford Times .'I expected to find this book funny, which it is; I didn't expect to find it illuminating and rather moving, which it is too', Daily Mail .'This immensely readable account, enriched with moments of true hilarity is, quite honestly, a bit of a gem', Living Abroad Magazine
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Well, if you thought the whole fridge think was mad - Tonys next bet is to play the Moldovan football team at tennis! Not daft in the slightest.
He certainly takes his bets to heart does the guy and never shirks from his (drunken!!) promises. But how the heck do you go about arranging something like that? Read this book and find out - Funny, interesting and completely readable.
You will be perched on the end of your seat as you find out whether or not he reaches his goal and win the bet (much more exciting than many a thriller read) - another absolute must read book.
What is his next bet? ....... I am afraid I can only guess, but it will probably include alcohol somewhere along the line!!! and possibly a bathroom appliance - the mind boggles!!!!!!!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I only bought the book because it was cheap, but what a bargain!
Within 2 pages, I was hooked by the intriguing bet, and made sure I had the book open at every opportunity.
This is by far the funniest book I have read in the last year, and the way Tony Hawks effortlessly injects humour into even the most seemingly dull situation is brilliant.
Like the previous reviewer, I have ordered the "Round Ireland" book, and if it is half as entertaing as this, I won't be disappointed.
Have I mentioned brilliant yet?
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
How to come up with a novel concept!!!! While watching the England football team's opponents a minor celebrity friend challenges the author to play & beat each of them at tennis!!! The book takes you on the authors round the world (or is it twist)journey which becomes strangely compelling and will undoubtedly have you willing on our hero. Against the odds - game set and match Tony Hawks!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Quite good, but don't think the author is as funny as he thinks he is
I bought this book because I had visited Moldova. I quite enjoyed it - was certainly interesting to read about his experiences, however I don't find him as funny as a he seems to... Read more
Published 25 days ago by jojomy2k
Smashing!!!
I read 'Round Ireland with a Fridge' years ago, when my Mum leant it to me. Her book club were all reading it, and although while I'm not sure what a bunch of old crones would... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Craigy The Magnificent
Patronising and smug
Re-reading this book I am struck by how extraordinarily insensitive - crass even - it is. Hawks breezes into Moldova, a poor country struggling to recover from the Soviet era, and... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Baytree
A Good Read
I have now read 3 of Tony Hawks books and thoroughly enjoyed them all. This book is amusing and also looks at Moldova and the way Moldovans cope in very challenging circumstances. Read more
Published 14 months ago by MR P S HURST
You'll be Mold-ova by Hawks' memoir
Inspired by a bet with his friend, Hawks travels to Moldova where he must beat each member of the national football first team at tennis. Read more
Published 17 months ago by N. Addy
Hillarious! I couldn't put it down.
A wonderfully surreal bet proves the catalyst for an entertaining exploration of a little publisised corner of Eastern Europe. very funny.
Published on 23 Dec 2009 by P. Morgan
funny as
This is THE funniest book I have ever read, in fact I've read it 4 times and still laugh out loud everytime. His others are good but this is the best.
Published on 21 Oct 2009 by C. Kryzaniwski
Why this book actually works
As a die-harder on CIS traveling, I do my best in ready every travelouge written on the former Soviet republics - some works, some do not work and some are great. Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2009 by Jan Øystein Thorsnæs
More than 'just funny'
Yes this is funny and Tony is (as always) engaging with his razor sharp wit and off the wall observations, but the real beauty of this book is the huge contrast between Tony's... Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2009 by RFF
Brilliant read (made even better by the fact I've been to Moldova!)
Back in 2004 I went to Moldova for a football match between Moldova and Scotland... at the time there was only a handfull of books on Moldova. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2009
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