Product Description

All I knew about Moldova were the names of eleven men printed on the inside back pages of my newspaper. None of them sounded to me like they were any good at tennis ...' An eccentric wager finds Tony Hawks, a man who loves an unusual challenge, bound for the little-known Eastern European state of Moldova. His mission: to track down members of the country's football team and persuade them to play him at tennis. The bizarre quest ultimately has little to do with tennis or football, but instead turns into an extraordinary journey involving the Moldovan underworld, gypsies, chronic power shortages, near kidnap, and a surprisingly tender relationship with his host family.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113696 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

Sarah Champion

Tony Hawks' debut book, The Round Ireland with a Fridge, was an irreverent satire. The topic of the sequel is even more absurd. Like Round Ireland, it supposedly originates from an obscure bet. This time, Hawks bets he can't track-down the Moldovan football team and beat them all at tennis. The loser must perform the Moldovan national anthem naked on Balham High Road. However, knowledge of tennis and/or football isn't required to enjoy the book.

Hawks' Irish trip was characterised by willing accomplices who joined in the fun. In Moldova, Hawks also expects a good laugh. Despite the rarity of visitors, he receives an apathetic welcome as his mission provokes little more than weak smiles. Tracking down the footballers and persuading them to play turns becomes almost impossible.

The book treads a fine line between brilliant and juvenile, between Jeremy Beadle and the genuinely witty. Hawks' sixth-form joke of presenting a round table to Moldova's new King Arthur is especially cringe-worthy. His experience as a second-division stand-up leads to innumerable trite quips. Still, overall Playing The Moldovans At Tennis is an entertaining, easy read that will make you chuckle. It provides an interesting view of Eastern Europe's post-Communist life, while keeping you in suspense: Will he? Won't he? Suffice to say that, yes, at the end of the book someone does end up naked and singing outside a South London Woolworths. --Sarah Champion --

Review
'Even if you hate tennis and couldn't find Moldova on the map, you'll be charmed. Utterly recommended', FHM .'Surprisingly touching as well as incredibly funny', The Oxford Times .'I expected to find this book funny, which it is; I didn't expect to find it illuminating and rather moving, which it is too', Daily Mail .'This immensely readable account, enriched with moments of true hilarity is, quite honestly, a bit of a gem', Living Abroad Magazine

About the Author
As a musician Tony had a #3 smash with “Stutter Rap” as Morris Minor and the Majors. As a TV comedian he has appeared many times on Have I Got News for You, They Think It’s All Over, Just A Minute, Paul Merton, Absolutely, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and Red Dwarf, to name just a few. In radio, Tony is a regular guest on Just A Minute, Room 101, Weekending, Loose Ends, etc.

Customer Reviews

An "off the wall" classic
How to come up with a novel concept!!!! While watching the England football team's opponents a minor celebrity friend challenges the author to play & beat each of them at tennis!!! The book takes you on the authors round the world (or is it twist)journey which becomes strangely compelling and will undoubtedly have you willing on our hero. Against the odds - game set and match Tony Hawks!!

No fridge, less humour, but more interesting in some ways
After going round Ireland with a Fridge, Tony Hawks' next bet was to beat the entire Moldovan Football Team at Tennis.

Heading off to Moldova with a round plastic table, Hawks found less to be humourous about, but instead has managed to paint a picture of life in a former Soviet State that is at times disturbing and at others heartwarming. His encounter with a local mobster, and the descriptions of the state of the medical system (his Doctor host at one point is paid with a freshly-caught fish) help you understand how different - and often difficult - life is over there. The fact that Hawks has since started a Charity to take medical supplies over there speaks volumes - and that comes across in the book too.

The twist that happens in Israel helps set the book up for a rousing climax that would see a man standing trouserless in a London Street trying to sing the Moldovan National Anthem: but it's the descriptions of life in Chisnau that will stay with you the longest.

If you're expecting a no-holds barred funny account of another drunken bet - this is not for you. If however you appreciate some well-written travelogue with a twist, I recommend this highly.

The Man is back without the Fridge!!!
Well, if you thought the whole fridge think was mad - Tonys next bet is to play the Moldovan football team at tennis! Not daft in the slightest.

He certainly takes his bets to heart does the guy and never shirks from his (drunken!!) promises. But how the heck do you go about arranging something like that? Read this book and find out - Funny, interesting and completely readable.

You will be perched on the end of your seat as you find out whether or not he reaches his goal and win the bet (much more exciting than many a thriller read) - another absolute must read book.

What is his next bet? ....... I am afraid I can only guess, but it will probably include alcohol somewhere along the line!!! and possibly a bathroom appliance - the mind boggles!!!!!!!!