Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A bit of a disappointment, 29 Aug 2002
By A Customer
I loved his first two books, especially playing the "Moldovan's at Tennis" which was superb. But this is a very hit and miss affair. I don't agree with other readers that this is a bit formulaic - part of his attraction is to see whether he can do what he set out to do. BUT - this time, it just doesn't feel the same. The basic reason for this is that he has two years to achieve his mission. In the other books, his mission seems to completely take over his life and his quest becomes the be all and end all. With this one, he's got two years to do it, and it's not as cluttered, real, completely funny as the other ones. The trip to Nashville and Sudan in particular seemed a bit dull. Albania, however was brilliant, precisely because, like in his first two books, nothing was planned and everyhting went (nearly) wrong. His next mission needs to be something short, sweet and absurd, not long, drawn out and a bit dull. Not a bad buy, just not his best book.
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than a One Hit Wonder., 1 Aug 2002
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.
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19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tony scores a hat-trick!, 5 Sep 2002
"Darling, you've done it again!"
Those were the words Noel Coward used to use if ever confronted by the tricky scenario of telling someone close that something they'd done was good when, quite plainly, he thought it wasn't.
Words vague enough to avoid upset but of course, deliver a verdict in Coward's own inimitable style.
And words which comic Tony Hawks also touches upon in his latest book.
But in this instance, I am glad to say that Hawks has indeed done it again.
And that's to come up with a laugh-out-loud, witty, entertaining and thoroughly absorbing tale, and perhaps, his best book yet.
To bring you up to date, Tony is the man who scored chart success with Stutter Rap with Morris Minor and the Majors before trekking round Ireland with a fridge and then beating the entire Moldovan football team at tennis.
And naturally, his latest book is in a similar deranged and surreal vein. This time, he's been given the task of notching up a Top 20 single - anywhere in the world within two years.
If he fails - embarrassment and misery all round. If he does it - Simon Cowell, Pop Idol's Mr Nasty gets to eat a huge hat-shaped cake.
Expect tales of Albania dentists, Sir Tim Rice playing a plastic toy saxophone, Norman Wisdom, hail-sodden Dutch telephone boxes and a Sudanese man desperate to get his hands on Tony's camera.
It's weird, wonderful and excellent stuff with a whole host of dry one-liners which will have you sniggering in public and drawing disapproving looks from others.
He might be a one hit wonder when it comes to music, but Tony Hawks has notched up a fabulous hat-trick with his latest effort.* Darren Burke
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