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Product Description
From a man with far too much time on his hands comes this collection of barmy correspondence, guaranteed to put a smile on the face of even the most dedicated customer services assistant. Whether he's appealing to the British Lubrication Federation for advice on resolving his catflap predicament or making an enthusiastic request to Tiffany & Co. for Tiffany's autograph, Mark Hebblewhite knows how to make a nuisance of himself. If you have ever wanted to ask Mc Vitie's whether a custard creme is really just an albino bourbon, this book has the answer - as well as the answers to some other questions you might never have thought to enquire about.
About the Author
Mark Hebblewhite has been working in the Service industry for a long time, so he knows a thing or too about Customer Service. But even he is surprised that so many companies bothered to reply to his letters. He lives in the Isle of Man with his girlfriend who bet him he would never get a book published..
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The only other collection of hoax letters that I'd read prior to reading this was Cooper's Timewaster Letters. I must say that this collection compares unfavourably. Where to start? Hebblewhite's letters consist of large paragraphs that aren't easy on the eye. It's irritating to read large chunks of text in small print. I keep skipping lines. Then there's no "end of correspondence" or "no reply" stamps where they apply. They just made things simpler and broke up the monotony.
Three: (and this is quite an elementary flaw) not many of his second letters got a reply! In fact, if I'm not mistaken, I think his first successful second letter came on page 60! In that sense these missives are the letter-writing equivalent of happy slapping or pressing a door-bell and running away. He doesn't succeed often in reeling in his victims and stringing them along like Cooper does. In some ways this is understandable or, if not, at least excusable.
However, what's less understandable is (four) failing to reply to a victim's letter. On a number of occasions his target replied to one of his letters and didn't appear to have sussed that this was a hoax. Yet Hebblewhite seems to have chickened out. I can't think of any other reason he'd let pass such opportunities to cause further mischief. Examples being Handlebar Club (p. 103), Welsh Black Breeders (p. 129) and Inspectorate of Mines (p. 217) to name just three.
Lastly, there was a definite lack of a theme to these letters. No unifying sense. I didn't detect a personality or character behind them. So I don't think we'll see The Wind-up Diaries a la Timewaster. Since all that would entail would be a person writing random hoax letters. To return to the Timewaster comparison, in some ways there are similarities. The humour is gentle, not malicious. There is the odd poem. Though there aren't many drawings or diagrams.
To conclude. This is funny in places and the perfect book to have on the coffee table to dip into occasionally. Don't attempt to read it cover to cover as it quickly becomes repetitive. Like I said, not as good as Timewaster Letters by Robin Cooper.
P.S. There is a missing letter! Between pp. 195-196 there should be another Hebblewhite letter. It is referred to in those that follow.
Three: (and this is quite an elementary flaw) not many of his second letters got a reply! In fact, if I'm not mistaken, I think his first successful second letter came on page 60! In that sense these missives are the letter-writing equivalent of happy slapping or pressing a door-bell and running away. He doesn't succeed often in reeling in his victims and stringing them along like Cooper does. In some ways this is understandable or, if not, at least excusable.
However, what's less understandable is (four) failing to reply to a victim's letter. On a number of occasions his target replied to one of his letters and didn't appear to have sussed that this was a hoax. Yet Hebblewhite seems to have chickened out. I can't think of any other reason he'd let pass such opportunities to cause further mischief. Examples being Handlebar Club (p. 103), Welsh Black Breeders (p. 129) and Inspectorate of Mines (p. 217) to name just three.
Lastly, there was a definite lack of a theme to these letters. No unifying sense. I didn't detect a personality or character behind them. So I don't think we'll see The Wind-up Diaries a la Timewaster. Since all that would entail would be a person writing random hoax letters. To return to the Timewaster comparison, in some ways there are similarities. The humour is gentle, not malicious. There is the odd poem. Though there aren't many drawings or diagrams.
To conclude. This is funny in places and the perfect book to have on the coffee table to dip into occasionally. Don't attempt to read it cover to cover as it quickly becomes repetitive. Like I said, not as good as Timewaster Letters by Robin Cooper.
P.S. There is a missing letter! Between pp. 195-196 there should be another Hebblewhite letter. It is referred to in those that follow.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is my favourite book to date! I laughed until i was in pain! Seriously fantastic, each page i read i couldn't believe what was being said. It makes you laugh out loud and makes you go into work the next day desperate to tell someone about it! Please please please write more!!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I got this book for Christmas, and I've enjoyed reading every single bit of it. It's full of creative letters that'll inspire you to write your own to corporations and ask them the most obscure things you can think about. I especially enjoyed his diagrams, where he puts his most outlandish ideas and pushes it to companies for consideration. However I do feel sorry for some of his "victims" that replied in hand-written letters! The poems in the letters are most hilarious, and I only wish I could have seen the recipients' faces when the they read his letters. It's amazing what you can get just by writing a letter! Overall a most enjoyable book, perfect for a good weekend's read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
I laughed till it hurt!!!!
what an absolute hoot, this guy is genius
i keep reading the book over and over again, i never tire of reading these hilarious stich ups
it makes me laugh that some... Read more
i keep reading the book over and over again, i never tire of reading these hilarious stich ups
it makes me laugh that some... Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2008 by C. Mayne
Better than the Viking VK5 metal detector.
This is a fantastic book and far more economically priced than the Viking VK5 metal detector..... Using a circuit first introduced in 1976, the Viking 5 is a detector that has... Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2007 by Mr. Mj Hebblewhite
It made me cry with laughter!
This has got to be the funniest book i have read ever, it had me and my friend crying with laughter. Well worth buying if you have a stupid sense of humour and want entertaining!!!
Published on 18 Jan 2007 by A. E. Feeney
Not about clocks
I was really envious when I bought this book because I hadn't thought of it myself. If you've ever written a letter to a company or official body in an attempt to right a wrong you... Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2006 by Mr. N. C. Wilde
Very funny and enjoyable
This is the type of book you can pick up and read anytime - and then when you're feeling like a good ol' laugh once more, its worth reading again and again. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2006 by Carol A. Bassi
Reviewer of the same Parish
Once again Hebblewhite stuns the literary world into silence with this latest offering. Not content to sit on his laurels and basque in the success of the multi-award winning... Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2006 by Gary Milnes
Hilariously funny - The Wind Up Letters
Found some of the letters exceptionally witty and funny. Cracked out laughing. A 'feel good factor book'. Hope there's more to come.
Published on 16 Oct 2006 by Gina
Childish
and cringeworthy but not in a good way. Ideal for those clever types of teenagers who have difficulties making friends. Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2006 by James C
Call an ambulance, I've split my sides.
I'm already on my second joyful journey through this masterpiece, I'm reading it aloud to the wife and her 3 kids. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2006 by James Ward
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