Tony Hawks

After hitch-hiking around Ireland with a fridge, enlisting the help of Norman Wisdom and Tim Rice to have a one hit wonder, playing the Moldovans at tennis and doing something with a piano in the Pyrenees (not sure what exactly as I haven't read that particular book yet), Tony Hawks takes on his biggest challenge yet - moving with partner Fran from London, his home for 30 years, and buying a cottage in rural Devon. There, they have to get used to a change of scene, change of lifestyle and show more change of pace.

Tony and Fran embrace their new surroundings and new neighbours, and meet the challenges that are thrown at them with enthusiasm and gusto (if not always unqualified success). When they discover that Fran is pregnant, Tony realises that there is time for just one more challenge - cycling coast-to-coast with a micro pig named Titch.

I have always enjoyed Tony Hawks' books and this one was no exception. At many times it is laugh-out-loud funny - and I do mean literally - laugh-out-loud. I found myself bursting into giggles on a number of occasions (the scene where Tony attends a Zumba class had me in stitches). He also adds in his own thoughts about the environment and man's effect on it, and impending fatherhood. The book ends on a sweet note which I am reluctant to spoil for other readers, so I won't!

Overall, if you have enjoyed Hawks' other books, I am sure you will enjoy this one too. If you have never read him before, don't delay any longer! This is extremely enjoyable, funny and heart-warming. Oh - and I adored the micro pig Titch! show less

It started out as a bar bet. Tony Hawks, and his buddy, Arthur, were watching a football/soccer match between England and Moldova. Somehow, by the end of the game, Hawks had bet that he could beat all 11 of the Moldovan football players at tennis.

The rest of the book is the story of Hawks' quest to win the bet. He had lots of obstacles to overcome, starting with getting a visa to visit Moldova. Since Moldova issues visas only to people who have been invited by a citizen, Hawks had to find a show more citizen to extend an invitation to him. He would cross one hurdle only to find another one in his path. He spent most of his time in Moldova trying to make contact with team officials and/or the players themselves. At the time of his visit, Moldova had been an independent nation for only half a dozen years, and there were deficiencies in its infrastructure. No task, even a phone call, was simple. The Moldovan acquaintances he accumulated during his visit were pessimistic that he would succeed in his quest, yet they went to great lengths to help him.

This would have been a dull book if it had been nothing more than a description of 11 tennis matches. However, much of the book is filled with Hawks' experiences with his translator and his host family. He spent most of his time in Moldova with at least one of these five people, and it's through their conversations and shared experiences that he (and we) glimpse what life is like for the average Moldovan. Hawks' skills as a comedian are well suited for observing a different culture. Hawks finds humor in situations, but not at the expense of others.

I don't have any more desire to visit Moldova after reading this book than I did before I read it, but I do have an appreciation for the Moldovan people, and I hope that their economic condition has improved in the decade since Hawks' visit. show less

This is quite possibly the most perfectly descriptive book title ever conceived. In this book, our hero wakes up to discover he bet a friend 100 pounds that he would hitchhike around the perimeter of Ireland for a month, with a refrigerator. This book is that travelogue of the trip. It's full of interesting, quirky characters that offer Tony a place to stay, or a pint, as he makes his way 'round Ireland, towing a refrigerator behind him. And drinking, lots and lots of drinking. He is in show more Ireland! I don't think this trip would have worked out nearly as well if he had tried it in England, or France. There is something special about the Irish, and that specialness shines through in this book. show less

I read this book originally when it was first published. Who could resist a book about a man travelling around Ireland carrying a fridge? I've always liked Tony Hawks his writing style is very similar to his comedy presentation easy going with some interesting and quirky observations. I wont spoil the plot because it just does what the title says.

Since reading the book I have also had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook which is also read by Tony. The fact he is reading it takes you show more into the situations in a very personal way. His observations of Ireland and it's people are quirky but also respectful. This book is not a literary masterpiece but its enjoyable and I find it a comfortable go back to read and listen. It stands up to multiple Listens and reads well. I really like listening to it on long slow runs where if you miss some of it due to the outside environment it doesn't matter as you can easily slip back into the comfortable world of the Story and Tony Hawks. show less