Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book 'cured' my bronchitis (though strictly speaking the penicillin finished it off), 20 April 2006
When I bought the first Timewaster Letters I was just about to go to my doctor with a horrible, horrible chest infection. I felt so terrible that as I walked down the street I was actually crying. But let us skip over that humiliating detail - I was early for my appointment so popped into the (warm - it was winter) bookshop, perused the book and bought it to cheer myself up. Then I had to sit outside the doctors (in January) because it was closed for lunch, and despite feeling SO ill (as evidenced by a hefty prescription, including an inhaler, see why I was crying now?) I actually had to stop reading the book because I thought the doctor wouldn't believe I was ill since I was laughing so much (and of course no longer had tears of breathing pain coursing down my face).
But that is all the long background to this second amazing book. It might not QUITE match the brilliance of the first but it is still miles ahead of any other comedy/'humour' book and can make me laugh (out loud! a cliche but a rarity for me, when reading at least) even when I reread letters over and over again. I love the recurring themes - wife's wretched ankle - and who could forget Parmaynu (I mean he IS an expert). Perhaps it's a pathetic thing to admit but it's a great book to flick through when I'm worried about a deadline or something and perks me up when I'm tired etc. Having written this, though, I'm realising that perhaps a more productive thing to do as I'm nearing a deadline would be to actually work... I really do have huge affection for this book.
Having said all this, the type of humour is just not going to appeal to some people (just look at some of the reviews below) - not because it's vulgar etc, but just as I can't rest until I see Lee Evans/My Hero/Jim Davidson banished from any media outlet recognisable to human senses, some people will bitterly regret buying this book. Have a look at the website mentioned in the main description, where you'll get a general idea of the kind of stuff in the book: there's even an unpublished letter or two there. I would say go to a bookshop but, you know, you're on Amazon...
The concept of this book is fairly similar to Henry Root but although I do love that quite a bit as well, I think this is better developed, better-natured and has more longevity (in terms of rereading).
I have never written a review before and to be honest don't intend to again. It's really a hassle. But surely this shows my love for this book - I truly recommend it.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easily the funniest book of the year., 14 Nov 2005
I'm so glad he's back!! My copy of the first Timewaster Letters is ragged from reading and re-reading so this has arrived just in the nick of time before it falls apart completely. After recommending this to friends, colleagues, parents, parent's friends, and boyfriend's friends (not to mention total strangers seeing me guffaw on the bus) as the funniest book I've read for YEARS I was anxious that a sequel might not live up to its brilliance. Well, I am overjoyed to say that this new volume equals, and dare I say? exceeds the hilarity of the first book. The letters are so silly, so insanely and addictively funny that I advise that you read them in small portions and resist the temptation to do the lot in one sitting (in the bath) as I did. Cooper for Prime Minister! (Night-time of course!)
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely hilarious, 30 Nov 2005
If in a moment of madness you "risk" picking up the RETURN OF THE TIME WASTER LETTERS by Robin Cooper, you will find yourself with a serious and incurable condition; a condition commonly referred to as Time Wasting Reading. It means that once you have started this book you will find yourself mesmerized, suffering from uncontrollable mirth and unable to stop reading.I started by reading just one of the letters, I found myself trapped and unable to stop, and so read three … utterly ridiculous I thought, as I laughed out loud with tears rolling down my face. So I bought the book and laughed all the way home on the bus. It is just wickedly funny and totally absorbing. A total waste of time certainly, but how I enjoyed it… the re-read was even funnier and the re-read of the re-read even funnier still. Robin Cooper’s humour is wacky and totally outrageous. I recommended it to anyone, especially people who are too busy to have any time to waste…
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by Robin Cooper
by Robin Cooper
