- Hardcover: 388 pages
- Publisher: Hutchinson; First Edition edition (28 Sep 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0091801516
- ISBN-13: 978-0091801519
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.2 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 601,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Stars' Tennis Balls
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Ned Maddstone has it all. He's handsome and talented; he has the love of a beautiful woman and in 1980, he stands at the brink of a glittering future. He rounds off an outstanding public school career with a sailing trip to Scotland, which is where his fortunes enter a terrifying tailspin. Determined to honour the dying wish of his sailing instructor, Ned returns to London, where the schemes of jealous classmates catapult him into a 10-year nightmare. Confined to a solitary Hell, believed dead by all those who loved him, Ned transforms from a terminally nice guy into a creature bent on revenge, a revenge both satisfying and apocalyptic.
Few writers can deliver so much in one package, but here Stephen Fry combines a riotous satire of the privileged classes with elements of the darkest thrillers. While the plot bounces from the sublime to the surreal, his characters remain acutely real. Ned's classmates, slow-witted hedonist Rufus Cade, and the Machiavellian climber Ashley Barson-Garland--who is aroused by the sight of straw boaters--are masterful creations. This novel has nothing to do with tennis, and everything to do with the cruel logic of Fate. Game, set and match to Mr Fry. - - Matthew Baylis
Review
“A Count of Monte Cristo for the dot.com generation…whatever Stephen Fry does, he has it — that rare, unlearnable quality. When he speaks, you listen. When he writes, you read.” — "Literary Review"
“Stylish…written up with zest and humour…a page-turner and full of fun.” — "Spectator
"
“A revenge tragedy for our times.” — "The Times"
“A taut thriller…a talent for terror and suspense-writing.” — "Sunday Telegraph"
“Stylish…written up with zest and humour…a page-turner and full of fun.” — "Spectator
"
“A revenge tragedy for our times.” — "The Times"
“A taut thriller…a talent for terror and suspense-writing.” — "Sunday Telegraph"
"From the Paperback edition." --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was my first attempt at reading a book by Stephen Fry although he already has converts in all my family, and I'm now seriously concerned it might have spoilt me for any other book. It is a gripping, engaging, erudite book from cover to cover and I couldn't put it down. Yes Ned turns from pathetic wimp to revenging angel, but who wouldn't under the circumstances ? And Neds' final action tells of his painful ending. Big words and all I couldn't put it down; I found it one of the most complete stories I've ever read. Bravo.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Note: `Revenge' is the same novel as `The Stars' Tennis Balls' re-titled for the American market
You can't go wrong with Fry's novels: his plots are unpredictable, his writing style is witty, intelligent and captivating, and his (dark) humour is ever-present ... what more could you ask for?
You can't go wrong with Fry's novels: his plots are unpredictable, his writing style is witty, intelligent and captivating, and his (dark) humour is ever-present ... what more could you ask for?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Is this book very very clever, or is it trying to make us think we are clever? There are a lot of distinct literary balls lobbed during this novel. Every major writing style, ditto. The school boy bit mimics the style of novels aimed at kids during a certain period; the characteristation of the hero (its the only word that applies) pre-island, is one dimensional, as though written by Adrian Mole. Even the source material (Othello, the Count) reminds me of what I read at that age. This is deliberate; Fry even lists the source material by name, hinting that he is up to something bigger. But what? We are gieven a clue in the desciption of the inmates angered by the invisible playing board. In this scene, the clever prisoner plays a mind game which maddens the mad. is Mr. Fry playing clever tennis with his readers? The second half of the book, right down to the German, Dutch and Swiss locations is straight spy thriller stuff. And the end? Jeffrey Archer meets John Webster? Is this post post-modernism? Is it pretend post-modernism? Or is the whole smoregesboard simply playing with post-modernism, as does with so many other genres? Its the best Stephen Fry book by far, a Gullivers Travels for the third millennium. Hold onto your first editions...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
shame
I love Fry. I will love it despite everything, even THIS book. The language enjoyable - as ever - but the plot... Sorry, who is supposed to be a reader? Read more
Published 3 days ago by fishkins
Excellent story that drags you in.
I loved this book, after the first few pages I couldn't put it down. I really wanted to know the outcome. I was concerned and cared about Ned but knew he would escape. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs Lynne Brawn
a modern day upgrade to a true classic...
this is a great take on the count of monte cristo. fry does superb work revamping the original classic into a modern day masterpiece. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gcrikey
Horrifyingly good
I took this as holiday reading and read the whole novel in a day, as couldn't put it down. I soon realised I was reading a re-working of 'The Count of Monte Cristo' (and thought... Read more
Published 8 months ago by RuthF
Both humorous and harrowing.
I first read this book a long time ago when I bought it as a member from a mail order book club, and then gave it to someone as a gift, so later I bought it again from Amazon to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Puss
Without wanting to sound melodramatic, the best book ever.
I must admit before I begin, I have never read The Count Of Monte Cristo and had no idea that this was a remake of it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nessecria8
Loved it!
What a cracking book!
I have enjoyed all of Fry's novels, but found 'The Stars' Tennis Balls' particularly engrossing. Read more
I have enjoyed all of Fry's novels, but found 'The Stars' Tennis Balls' particularly engrossing. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Alex W
Not very original!
When I was reading this book, all I kept getting flash backs to Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. Read more
Published 18 months ago by ZB
One of Fry's best
The mixed reaction in reviews has somehow shocked me slightly.
I guess were all looking for different things from a Fry book, and for me this delivered, while for others it... Read more
I guess were all looking for different things from a Fry book, and for me this delivered, while for others it... Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2010 by F. Wight
Another easy classic for Fry
Books this entertaining are an absolute joy, and I get the feeling that this was written very easily by the master writer Fry in a very fluid couple of weeks. Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2009 by Some Bloke
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