Turn the TV off. Disconnect the WiFi. Put your phone on silent. Forget about all the terrible happenings in the world today. Pick up a good book...This book! Rob Harris paints a perfect picture of the sadly declining interest in local newspapers and their battle for survival in a world overburdened with social media and fake news. The characters are so well drawn I almost expect to bump into one of them the next time I walk down the High Street. And the next time I go shopping I will be sure to buy the local paper (for the first time ever). I can't recommend this book highly enough.
I rarely give 5 stars, but this book deserves it. Funny, vulnerable, well written, with a relatable and likable main character. Good descriptions and development of other characters. You will laugh and cheer on Alan! A delightful book!
"Absolutely loved this book, an homage to the helpless majority who just want a quiet life. It's classic farce, but with a 21st century setting, a cast of misfits, chancers and even a dancing bear! Looking forward to the next one, it could be the Welsh Dublin trilogy..."
"After the phenomenal ending to book one, you would be forgiven in wondering if the second story could match it – well it does! There are many wonderful and lovable characters involved here but one of my absolute favourites is Romeo’s new pal amour, the feisty hard drinking Delores – she’s quite a gal! This is another lovely story and I am looking forward to reading the third part of the trilogy!"
"I have to tell you about this book! It’s going to be in my Top 10 this year. I can hand on heart tell you that this is THE funniest book I have ever read. Seriously, I laughed out loud so many times. It’s genuinely hilarious, but with an undercurrent of warmth and humility, plus it’s full of down-to-earth (if not a bit bonkers) characters. If you enjoyed films like The Full Monty, Billy Elliot, The Bank of Dave, and you’re looking for something a bit different to your usual read, then give this a go. I guarantee Barry White will make you smile."
"I had such a blast narrating this one - Rob’s writing has the ability to deliver poignancy, off-the-wall absurdity and acerbic Welsh wit, all in the space of a paragraph; one particular description of a desperate run for the try line in a certain rugby match had me doing multiple retakes on account of my own laughter! Big, bold characters with a lot of heart - if you’re fan of 𝙏𝙬𝙞𝙣 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙂𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙮, 𝙐𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧; rugby fans, this one’s for you!"
"Is nothing sacred? Not in this laugh out loud comedy by Rob Harris. He targets everything and everyone, and hits the bullseye with every shot. If you read one comic novel this year, make it 'The Absurd Life Of Barry White'."
"I have just finished reading a really lovely cricket book called Won't You Dance for Virat Kohli? If you would like to meander through life with a cricket story then this is one you should read."
"This is a truly splendid book, written by a man whom all cricket enthusiasts can easily identify with. The author deserves any amount of praise for an excellent book."
"A beautifully written book that I enjoyed immensely. It was funny, it was sad, it was emotional, it shocked. It flowed from page to page then reversed itself and made me feel how important cricket was and is in our lives."