Stephen Fry Books

What I love most about the British is their unapologetic irreligiosity. This irreverent and highly entertaining novel is a good example of what I mean. The story is simple. An aging alcoholic poet with plenty of failings but a basically kind heart is given an absurd mission and has funny adventures and insights along the way. His task is to investigate some alleged cases of miraculous healing in a friend's family. His friend hopes that they will be proven authentic, the skeptical poet simply goes along for the money and free alcohol. You probably won't be too surprised by the ending, but that's not the point. The lively prose style makes the horrible yet weirdly likable protagonist come to life in a thoroughly enjoyable way. If you have ever wondered if poets are really so different from other people, and if so what goes on in their minds, you might find the answer here.

I'm a big consumer of comedy, and as such I've seen about everything with Stephen Fry and read a couple of his books as well, this being the first. I must admit, that I had no idea what it was gonna be like with "The Hippopotamus". I thought it was gonna be a laugh, and oh my was it ever a laugh... The character of "Tedward" is absolutely brilliant. His musings of this and that and everything in between made me laugh out loud, which I very rarely do. The other characters are perhaps not that well developed, but it dosen't really matter. They bring a couple of laughs here and there and, I guess, acts more as framework for our drunken poet Edward to unfold within. The story is fairly simple and yet sports a couple of very odd and very unforseen twists, that are absolutely hillarious while at the same time being, if not outrageous, then at least quite interesting.

Very highly recommended. Especially the audiobook version read by the author is very good.

I've enjoyed Stephen Fry's work as an actor and comedian, and looked forward to my first crack at one of his books. But "The Hippopotamus", while loaded with clever lines, completely failed as a novel for me because of the author's intense desire to shock the reader and thus "prove" his superiority. Fry apparently believes he has accomplished this with a plot involving bestiality, but he is unable to sustain the kind of intense focus it would take to really explore the dark world of mental delusion he temporarily assigns to one of his characters, an adolescent boy. By the end (SPOILER coming up; stop reading if you don't want to know), everything has reverted to a happy, sunny world. The boy who suffered the delusions has instantly forgotten them and, even more inexplicably, a complete cipher of a character has agreed to go on a date with the narrator, despite the fact that his idea of attracting a woman is to promise to "lick her like a lolly". Fry really gives away his underlying lack of grit when he equates a liking for McDonald's hamburgers with mental health. (Mickey D's advertising sure works well.)

It's too bad that Fry's goal of being shocking supersedes his interest in creating believable characters and situations, because he definitely has talent as a writer. His style is engaging and intelligent. I may try one of his other books, but I can't recommend this one.

I hihgly recommend getting this book in audio format. To hear Stephen read this book or any of his books is a rare treat. You cant help but fall in love with cantankerous old git, Ted who for all his faults sees humanity at its best and worst but always summerized in caustic honesty. `Mother Mills` of the `wit tied up in frilly bows` is an amazing character (again, more fun to have Stephen read this to you then to read to yourself). I love this book and listen to it often. Hurry and write another Stephen!!

This novel, published in 1994, has reminded the critics of certain other writers. I can myself see a resemblance to the narrator of Kingsley Amis's The Green Man in this story told by an ageing, bibulous, randy has-been putting up a show of curmudgeonliness much as Amis himself liked to do. I suppose there are distant echoes of Waugh too, the Waugh of the Diaries and Brideshead Revisited. On the other hand, readers of the Guardian newspaper around 1994 will remember a character created by the clever and wicked cartoonist Posy Simmons who is very similar indeed to Fry's Ted Wallace (the hippo in person) - struggling writer and schoolmasterish spelling pedant in addition to the characteristics already mentioned. That resemblance, whichever way the influence worked, is altogether too close to be coincidence. I sensed another possible influence too, from 25 years earlier. There is an odd film by Pasolini 'Theorem' about a young man who exerts untoward sexual influence over all around him, and for all the countless differences of tone and style from this book I can't help suspecting a kinship with that too.

The theorem here is one that perms situations of, shall we say, a kind we don't much encounter in our humdrum daily lives. It is not about characterisation at all. The characters are a harlequinade of weirdos, meant as vivid and not as realistic. The revelations they seem to take in their stride without missing a step are surreal, but I actually think I'm even more amazed by the mental agility, not to say the emotional pliancy, that they display at the end when Ted himself (either stepping out of character or reverting to his earlier persona briefly mentioned in a previous chapter) explains all. What it all seems to me to come down to is this - if someone is as brilliantly witty and ingenious as Stephen Fry is, then his novels will be more about a peacock display of the wit and ingenuity than about anything else. The phrase-making is coruscating, the eye for people and the ear for the way they talk are acute, and the repressed but desperate sense of how ridiculous everyone and everything are pervades chapter after chapter. As you might expect, there is a darker side to a personality like this, and that comes through explicitly in the scene in nazi Germany. It also comes through in the incident of the boy and the horse, but if that stops you in your tracks I urge you to continue, because you will get not one subsequent surprise but two.

The final surprises come, hardly surprisingly, at the end. You would never guess the real situation, but there is no inevitability to it. It is just dam' ingenious, and it's about being ingenious and nothing else, not even about being convincing. A hundred other endings would have done just as well, provided they were clever enough. It's not hard to hear the black dog of depression baying through the music of this elegant masked ball, but if you have a good ear for overtones I believe you ought to hear something else as well. There is a real tone of human sympathy and downright kindness in Fry. It's something I sense in his public persona as an actor and entertainer, and something I sense in at least some of his novels. I won't say that it's what I read them for, because I read them for the brilliant chatter more than anything else, but there is an odd but agreeable aftertaste to it all, strange as it may be at times and of course strictly not for the Moral Majority, at least not when they are in full moral mode. I have a hunch that the poet (whom I adapt with apologies) spoke for Fry before Fry was born

The stars did not deal him the worst they could do:
His pleasures are plenty, his troubles are two.
But O, his two troubles, they reave him of rest,
The brains in his head and the heart in his breast.

This book written for young adults is well written and thoughtful. The suggested age is 9-12, but I would say it is best for ages 12-14 as some of the subject matter is mature. This books' strength is in it's character development, following a man who reinvents himself. The process of his reinvention is captivating, and there is enough action and humor to keep you reading. This book is a series, and it's sequels are also quite good.

Montmorency is such a fascinating, well-written series--you must NOT miss any of these four books, and if you love them, please please please write to Eleanor Updale's publisher in London and tell her how much you want to read a fifth book, as her new editor is apparently undecided as of yet if there WILL be a fifth book! You will want to tear through every single page to get to the end of the fourth book, which leaves you hanging unpleasantly, but I'm sure things will turn out well in the fifth book! (Oh please let there be A FIFTH BOOK!)

A common criminal falls through a skylight, and no one has a doubt that he will die. No one except Dr. Farcett, that is. Repairing the thief's broken and bloody body, the young surgeon restores him to almost full health. Montmorency, as the crook becomes know as, is exhibited as a miracle of medicine at the Scientific Society while serving his prison term. When at the meetings, Montmorency hears of London's new sewer systems, and a brilliant plan begins to form in his mind. However, for his scheme to work, Montmorency must live two lives: A life of luxury, and a life of lies.

By Eleanor Updale, "Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?" is an excellent novel. The story begins as, in prison; Montmorency plans his get-rich-quick plot. Using the sewers, he will pull off theft after theft, and disappear down the manholes before the police arrive. Soon after he is released, Montmorency becomes one of the upper class residing at the Marimion Hotel, giving the name Scarper to his alter ego who commits the crimes. As Montmorency settles into the high life, his friend proposes a job to him which could prevent England from plunging into another war, and make Montmorency two thousand pounds richer. After completing the task, Montmorency is offered a job as a spy, and leaves his criminal career behind him. "Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?" is a magnificent book, with a level of "Young Adult" but a good read for anyone.

One aspect of the novel that I appreciated is its twisting plot. In the beginning, Scarper lives the life of a nomad, searching for tools necessary to attempt his daring scheme. Later, Montmorency, who has just entered his new, rich life, carefully tests the skills he has acquired, always worrying that someone may uncover him. Finally, an unexpected job offer surprisingly sends Montmorency away from his life of crime forever, or at least until the sequel.

Another feature of the book that I enjoyed is Montmorency's criminal ingenuity. First of all, simply thinking up his plan was a stroke of genius, and took someone incredibly clever and resourceful to execute it correctly. Soon, Scarper would become a master of the sewers, knowing every passage, pipe, and manhole. And most importantly, Montmorency used a variety of tactics and techniques to insure that no one ever had anything more than a suspicion about the true life that he led.

One more part of the novel that I found interesting was the adaptations Montmorency had to make to enter the upper class society. For example, while he was still in prison, Montmorency was taught by his cellmate, Frank Halliday, to mimic others' expressions, gestures, and movements, which eventually helped him copy the people of higher society. Once at the Marimion Hotel, Montmorency carefully plans his time in his room and leaving and entering the hotel so as he and Scarper are never in the same place at the same time. Finally, when Montmorency is caught with a question or situation that even he hasn't thought about, he is always quick on his feet, sparing himself from looking ignorant, suspicious, or embarrassed.

Probably my favorite part of the book is its suspense and close calls. As his whole new life emerged from lies and tricks, Montmorency is sometimes very close to being discovered. Once, Montmorency's hatter, Mr. Rigby, discovered that Montmorency was wearing another rich man's hat, which Montmorency had in fact stolen earlier. However, by writing a few notes and talking to a few people, he was able to neutralize the threat of anyone suspecting him. Later, Montmorency, going out as Scarper, ventured into the sewers without taking notice of the growing thunderclouds in the sky. The resulting storm flooded the sewers and nearly cost Montmorency his life, not just his reputation. "Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?" is an exceptional story, a clever mystery filled with thrills, action and suspense.

Wade H.

When a petty thief falls through a glass rook in his attempt to escape from the police, what should have been his death was actually the beginning of a brand new life. After his broken body is reconstructed by an ambitious young doctor, he is released from prison, and -with the help of Victorian London's brand new sewer system- he becomes the most elusive burglar in the city. At the same time, he develops another existence as a wealthy, respectable gentleman named Montmorency, as well as Montmorency's servant. But while trying to enjoy his riches, Montmorency must always be on guard- the slightest mistake could disclose his secret and ruin his two lives.

The book "Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?" is about a petty thief who fell through a glass ceiling while trying to escape the police. He was as good as dead, but a young experimental doctor, Doctor Farcett, decided to test his theories on this criminal. The criminal, Number 493, took on the name "Montmorency" from the name of the good that he was attempting to steal. Doctor Farcett managed to put Montmorency back together satisfactorily, so the doctor would occasionally bring Montmorency to scientific meetings to show the scientific public his work. At one of those meetings, Sir Joseph Bazalgette was showing a map of the new sewer system of London, in which he designed. Montmorency was one of the people told to hold up the map, but his pants fell down, which greatly embarrassed him. The event was permanently etched into Montmorency's mind, which included the map of the sewer system. While pondering in his jail cell, Montmorency had a very clever idea. He decided that, after he got released from prison, he would continue to steal, but he would travel through the sewers to make a quick getaway. Montmorency also wanted to be a gentleman and he figured that he would need a partner, but, after an unsuccessful search, he decided to become his own partner in crime, by the name of Scarper. Once Montmorency got out of prison, he stole things the way he normally did; breaking into someone's house and walking away, or pick-pocketing. Montmorency rented a cheap room and then began his new life of crime as Scarper. He stole the necessary supplies from workers and then traveled the street by sewers, fooling the police every time. After "Scarper" collected enough expensive items and money, he checked in at the exquisite Marimion Hotel as Montmorency. He bought all the clothes, books, and hats that any English gentleman would have (as well as books on etiquette to learn how to act gentlemanly) and began his double life. By night, he was Scarper, scurrying through the streets and sewers, and stealing from London's richest. But by day, he was Montmorency, going to operas, shopping at the most expensive stores in the city, and making friends of high status. Montmorency/Scarper continued this life successfully, with only few accidents here and there. One day, however, Montmorency saved a man from a runaway horse, and made friends with this man. His name was George Fox-Selwyn, a British noble who had all the right connections with society. After a few weeks, Fox-Selwyn told Montmorency about a potential political scandal. The British government had reason to believe that the people of Mauramania were going to revolt on the king, who was a relative of England's queen. The British government needed to take action, but they couldn't without finding out whether this information was true or not. They put Fox-Selwyn on the job, but he couldn't get in to the Mauramanian embassy. Montmorency knew he could through the sewers, and told Fox-Selwyn that he could penetrate the Mauramanian embassy before the week ended. Fox-Selwyn offered a great sum of money to him if he could, and sure enough, Montmorency got in. He heard that one of Fox-Selwyn's friends was actually one of the arms dealers and he heard a lot of other useful information as well. Montmorency brought evidence that he was in the embassy, and the government was very pleased. They offered Montmorency a job, to help with the espionage, and Montmorency accepted. Montmorency then checked out of his home, the Marimion, and left his life of Scarper behind.

"Montmorency" was an excellent book because it had all the elements of great literature. It included suspense, well-written characters, and happiness.

"Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?" was stuffed with suspense. One of the examples was when a terrible storm began while "Scarper" was in the sewers. Scarper was carried through the rough current and thrown out in the River Thames. He got lucky and was rescued by a fisherman, and escaped with only a few bruises. Another suspenseful part of the book was when "Scarper" was down in the sewers and he heard voices. Thinking they were the police, Scarper hid, and anticipated the worst. But it was only repair men. The most suspenseful part of "Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?" though was when Montmorency broke into the Mauramanian embassy. If caught, Montmorency would be hung for sure. Montmorency had gone through the sewers to get past the front gates, and then hid under a table at the dinner they were having. Montmorency then had to get out from under the table and go back through the sewers afterwards. But Montmorency managed to pull the whole thing off perfectly, and got a vast amount of useful information.

This book had a lot of very well written characters: Montmorency, Scarper, and George Fox-Selwyn were a few examples. Montmorency was very well-written because he talked like a gentleman, he walked like a gentleman, he tipped his hat to others, he was sociable, he read books, and he watched operas; just as a gentleman would do. Scarper (Montmorency's self-chosen other personality) was good because he portrayed a quiet thief very well. He walked with a hunch, he wasn't very sociable, he was very conniving, and he didn't draw very much attention to himself; just as an experienced criminal would do. George Fox-Selwyn was a good character because he was friendly, generous, thoughtful, and he lived large, plus he was always there for Montmorency if Montmorency ever needed him.

"Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?" had some happiness in it as well. The first example was when Montmorency was released from prison. Another example would be when Montmorency saved George Fox-Selwyn from a runaway horse and buggy, not only because Montmorency was declared a hero, but also because he made a good friend. The best example of happiness was when Montmorency was offered a job spying for the British government, because Montmorency could finally leave his criminal life behind and use his talents for helpful things.

"Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?" was an extremely well-written and exciting book. I would recommend it to anyone who wants something good to read, because it has well-written characters, suspense, as well as happiness.
-Elizabeth H =]

"Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman, written by debut author Eleanor Updale, is a completely original novel about the life of a criminal in London, 1875. After falling through a sky roof of a warehouse while trying to escape from the police, Prisoner 493 is sentenced to jail, with the exception of the very frequent visits to Doctor Robert Farccett who tries to repair Prisoner 493 from his long fall. 493 is burdened living life in a jail cell with horrendous living conditions until two years later when he is released and has to live on his own. Staying in a hideous hotel and going by the name Scarper, 493 figures out a plan to earn his living by stealing valuable products and escaping through the sewers. He then starts his other life as the rich gentleman Montmorency that lives in the fabulous Marimion Hotel going to the opera every weekend until one of his new rich friends want him to try and sneak into a country's government building and gather some information. Now Montmorency has to decide whether to help his friend, which would change his life forever and can make it possibly worse, or he can keep on living the way he is. Eleanor Updale thrusts handcuffs on the readers, hooking them in whole time. With Montmorency being her first novel, she does an outstandingly good job describing scenes but still lets the readers use their imagination through the suspense and mystery. Updale uses vocabulary that helps the reader fly through the story even faster with the excellent plotline. Telling it in third person, Updale informs the readers with the whole story in all aspects and tells the reader what the secondary characters are thinking. Any reader from ages 10 and up who loves suspense and historical fiction should read this novel. The reader's see that even being rich, doesn't make every thing perfect.

J. K. Rowling introduces to us in this fabulous story, the tale of a young boy who is anything but average. You see Harry is a wizard who has been sent to live with his muggle relatives after the death of his parents. His relatives try to thwart his becoming a wizard by any means possible. This causes Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to send Hagrid the game keeper to bring him to Hogwarts and thus begins the magical tale of how a young oppressed boy finds friendships, danger, and a mortal ememy who wants nothing less than his death. This is the fast paced tale of a high-flying sport, Quidditch, potions and spells, and intrigue where things are not what they seem. Highly recommended as the start of a classical series.

Well if you're looking at this product you're probably like me, busy and not the biggest fan of sitting down to read. I've always been a big fan of stories but I could just never find the time to read because of work and when I did I am admittedly an abysmally slow reader. After years of hearing how amazing these books, the Harry Potter series, were and loving every movie immensely it finally dawned on me to see if there was an audio book and there obviously is.

When I first started listening to the series I must admit I was a little turned off because Stephen Fray came across as a little dry and I was beginning to think the audio books weren't going to be much more tolerable than simply reading the books. As new characters are introduced though I was pleased to find that he managed to give most of them a unique personality and even more so that he maintains these personas not just through this single book but all the way to where I am now, The Half Blood Prince. Aside from just their vocal definition Fry also manages to display a diverse range of emotion for each individual character as if there is a separate actor for each character, it's really quite an amazing performance in my opinion. At certain times various audio filters are added for dramatic effect like echo and things of the sort and I guess that's really the only place this audio book comes up short for me is that there really isn't a whole lot to it other than Stephen Fry reading the books. This being my first audio book I can't really compare it to anything but I guess I was expecting at least some music between chapters or maybe some ambient sound effects but I still find the overall experience enjoyable without them.

There are probably hundreds of reviews for the books themselves so I'll keep my opinions on the series short and sweet. I believe the thing that I like most about the Harry Potter series is the overall charm of everything and the connection Rawling maintains to both the real world and real life. She really seems to nail human archetypes and the teenage inner dialogue and I can't help but think there are many pieces of her own children in this book. It showcases such an amazing insight as to the way people think and feel that I really can't help but be awe inspired. Like I said though, I'm not a big reader/listener so I imagine there are better books out there but that really doesn't take away from this series' ability to crack a smile on my face at work. I guess my only gripe is that it sometimes appears as if she has some favorite words or a limited vocabulary or perhaps people in England just find these words more common but there is an obtuse overuse of the words incredulous, glower, and one other that I will add in a couple of hours when I remember it. This obviously isn't a big deal but it can make me cringe a little.

Anyways, I work in science and listen to these all day when I don't have to read for work and I'm actually doing lab work and they have improved my enjoyment at work immensely so they come highly recommended by me. Each book is probably about 18-24 hours long off the top of my head so the whole series should take you a while to get through. I hope you enjoy!

Most decidedly curmudgeonly! Yes, that's it. One of the few remaining people on the planet who hadn't read any of the Harry Potter novels and, like Vernon Dursley, my initial reaction to all this wizard and magic rubbish was a very mugglish "stuff and nonsense". I admit it. As I read the first few pages, my initial thoughts were that this was all quite silly. Where had this Harry Potter phenomenon come from and what did everybody see in it?

But then, very quickly actually, JK Rowling, undoubtedly a graduate of Hogwarts herself, began to weave a most hypnotic magical spell and I was hooked. Transported to that child-like garden of delights at Hogwarts - a land of fantasy, witches, warlocks, trolls, spells, potions, charms and, for the readers, total enjoyment and smiles - I fell in love with Harry, Hermione, all of their Gryffindor classmates, and with Dumbledore's paternal wisdom and I cheered wildly as Harry, the team seeker, dove and swooped in quest of the Snitch during their quidditch matches.

There is a benefit, of course, to having waited so long to read my first Harry Potter novel, you know. I've got six to go and now I can pick them up, one after another, just as quickly as I want to with no waiting for years at a time for the next book to be published. Eat your hearts out everyone! I claim membership in the legion of Rowling's happy fans.

Highly recommended.

Paul Weiss

I got the UK adult edition to add to my collection that complements the U.S. version. Unlike the U.S. versions however, all UK editions (for adults and children) do not contain chapter art.

I write this review from not only the viewpoint of a mother but also as an avid reader and new JK Rowling fan. I had bought the American (Scholastic) version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for my then 11 year old child several years ago. I, like many other parents, thought it nothing more than a children's book and did not really have much interest in reading it at that time.
It took 7 books and 5 movies, before I began to realize that maybe there was something to the Harry Potter books then just a children's tale. The 5th movie left me with a lot of unanswered and confusing questions to which my 17 year old replied,"If you want to know who, what, where, and when Mom, you NEED to read the books! I'm not going to tell you ANYTHING else!"
So, I picked up her first book and proceeded to read the rest of the books in a matter of two months. By that time, I found myself addicted. These books literally are quite difficult to put down once you start. So here I am with my OWN Harry Potter book for my own collection.
I find the UK version quite similar to the American version with perhaps a change in a handful of words here and there. I'm not sure why they felt the need to have an American version when the UK version reads perfectly fine.
As it was JK Rowlings first venture, I think there a couple of areas which could have been better developed, but otherwise, I find the Philosopher's Stone a great read for readers of all ages with more emphasis to the teenage to adult population. With it's recurrent dark themes, it's definitely NOT a children's book.
I recommend this book and this entire series to anyone who likes to read about a whole new world that exists in our imagination.

I have the feeling that if Stephen Fry was a teacher and I was his student, he'd be smacking my knuckles with a ruler in disgust after about five minutes:

Oh my God, Mr. Fry,
But your book is so dry,
And your skills at the verse so outweigh me!
I'm such a poor student
That it would be prudent
To allow me to sink and not save me.
I tried numerous times
To follow the lines
And keep up without going under,
But one night in bed,
Six chapters I'd read:
"What the hell is he talking about?"
I wonder...

See what I mean? Not to say I didn't learn anything from this book, I did. A lot! And it's fun to read, especially Mr. Fry's own poems (I wish he'd publish a book of his poetry, even though he says he won't). It's just...well, this ain't no light reading, as they say. Put your thinking cap on and concentrate (there's a glossary in the back, but if you're as ignorant as I am, keep the internet handy, too: 'Gesellschaften'...really?), and you will learn something about poetry, how it works, and how to write it yourself. Perhaps it's easier to think of writing poetry like drinking wine: the lingo may be intimidating and unfamiliar, but if you drink what you like, you'll be happy.

Stephen Fry did the impossible with The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within. He broke through all my inhibitions and not only introduced me to the forms of poetry but with such humor and excellence that I am now fascinated. He has taken away all the stumbling blocks to writing and presented the classic sonnet as a starter with examples to whet the appetite and not just the flowery sweet tones but challenging sonnets from Shakespeare's plays. Then, he provides exercises for the reader to attempt iambic pentameter. These exercises accompany the various forms and Fry takes you to the limerick, the ballad, free verse, all the possibilities that poetry has to offer. That Fry is an actor adds to his presentation. There is drama and humor in his writing that makes this book hook you from one moment to the next. This is not only a great read but a true teacher for those resistant souls like myself who always avoided creative writing. Now, I've joined a writer's group! Five stars. NO, SIX.

Even if you don't want to write poetry, this book is a good way to battle your aversion to poetry. If you have an aversion, that is. Fry makes the point that nobody advises children to try playing the piano just by "expressing themselves", but that's how "poetry" is generally taught.

The Ode Less Traveled is also a good introduction to Fry's work, which spans both genre and media.

With his writing, his podcasts,
his films and TV,
Stephen Fry is becoming ubiquitous.

In America, here,
we are happy to see
himself and his film crew come spik wit' us.

Thank you, Stephen Fry. My inner poet is now unleashed! This book takes the fear out of poetry writing and puts poetry where it belongs, in our everyday language. I will never be a 'professional' poet, but I can sure have fun with poetry. Teachers, buy this book!

Stephen Fry's "Ode Less Travelled" is a very good companion for all who wish to learn about poetry. It is, in a sense, just like any textbook you've seen in school. There are presentations of terms, rules and traditions and exercises for you to do, to show that you've mastered the before mentioned rules and terms. What makes it stand above all normal textbooks is, that although mr. Fry does bring examples from the works of Shakespeare and Blake and such, he manages to give the text a very modern and 'in-the-moment' sort of feel. His wit and intelligence shines through and lends a humourous hand to help us get through all the terminology and definitions of classic poetry with a smile.

I especially like the very matter of fact, mechanical even, apporach to poetry that mr. Fry takes. He makes it less about divine inspiration and feeling nature and other esoteric and, to my mind at least, useless frases, and more about learning meter and rhyme. That was very comforting and encouraging for me. It made the task of creating poetry more accesible and doable, more straight forward.

Highly recommended

The Count of Monte Cristo in modern Europe. Our protagonist is now the son of an English aristocrat, the Chateau d'If has become an insane asylum in Scandinavia, but the basic premise is the same. It's the extra twists, though, which make this book worth buying.

To be honest, I am anything but a fan of Steven Fry the comedian. I find his humour to be well, schoolboyishly undemanding. How is it that when sitting at his typewriter he is able to pen works of such quality and originality? This is an excellent read. The storytelling is gripping, the wordplay and constructions used conjur up images and provoke feelings on several levels. For those of us of a certain age, this book is at times gratifyingly embarrassing as it takes us back to those moments which, when recalled are ear-stingingly painful but at the time made so much sense.
Read this book. If you enjoyed "Perfume," you will probably enjoy this one too.

One of my favorite authors, Fry is wonderful! This book definitely lingered with me- made me rethink those thoughts on revenge and trust...

The title 'The Stars' Tennis Balls' looked promising, and the author was well known to me from television. Stephen Fry is the soul of imperturbable urbanity and enlightened sophisticated wit. I have heard him compared, with just a little hyperbole, to Oscar Wilde, a likeness helped by his large corporeal dimensions. When I actually read the book I found wit indeed, and sophistication, and enlightened liberal attitudes. I found a great deal else too. In particular I found myself baffled as to what Fry thought he was doing in writing let alone publishing a story like this.

The title turns out to be taken from Webster's Duchess of Malfi, where it is meant in dead earnest - `We are merely the stars' tennis balls, struck and banded/Which way please them.' This is much the same sentiment as in Housman's `mortalem uexantia sidera sortem' - the stars that blight our human lot - suggesting that we are helpless pawns at the mercy of blind uncaring fate and chance. I am completely unable to relate this smart and eye-catching title to the story, which is one of the most improbable I ever read. There is nothing wrong with that in an appropriate case - Gulliver's Travels is not very probable on the face of it. The personae of this drama, far from being buffeted by remote eternal forces, are themselves the agents and victims of brilliant and outlandish human ingenuity, although one early catalyst of what happens is admittedly a wildly flukish coincidence, the kind of thing on which bookmakers' odds would be hard to compute. The various transformations that the main character then goes through are the stuff of legend not reality as most of us would understand the term, more like a modern Arabian Nights. Above all what puzzles me is the complete disproportion between the ostensible and humdrum reasons for ill-feeling towards the `hero' and the inferno of horrors that he first endures and then inflicts. Apart from anything else, it all takes place in a world apparently devoid of any law-enforcement.

Two ways occurred to me to make sense of it all. One was to try to view it as fantasy, an outlandish backdrop to a display of Fry's pet dislikes, mainly petit-bourgeois snobbery and conservative and traditionalist outlooks. These outlooks certainly get short shrift from the author, in a manner familiar from a certain type of enlightened and bien-pensant English intellectual. However what it really suggested to me was the bloodthirsty imaginings of an 8-year-old boy who has taken offence at some of his schoolmates or playmates and who in his mind calls down on them supra-biblical and ultra-Dante horrors. On seeing the name Cade among the cast of characters it crossed my mind that Fry might have got some of his inspiration from Cape Fear, but what the final sequence reminded me of more than anything was some of the Vincent Price movies of happy memory, such as The Abominable Dr Phibes.

I shall own up to mildly enjoying it, but at nearer 400 pages than 300 I recommend reading it quickly. Put it down for too long and you're not likely to pick it up again.

Stephen Fry in the past has written some brilliantly original books that are so overflowing with humor and wit that they are can seem almost too clever. This however, is not 100% original, in that it updates the classic The Count Of Monte Cristo to the modern day. (I should point out that TCOMC is my favorite book of all time, and one that I have read many times in many versions).

The way Fry has transplanted the characters and applied the dot com touch to it, must have been like untangling a huge stubborn knot of string--but he succeeds.

The story touches most of the main points of the classic, each central character from Dumas' book has a Fry counterpart, and while there are changes, they are changes that are in keeping with a contemporise adaptation of the story.

Even though this is a very clever re-telling of such a classic story, and while I enjoyed it, I must say that this lacks the original's grace.

Perhaps the era in which the original story was set had in fact more grace to it, but the conclusion to this version seemed very abrupt and stark.

Dumas brilliantly showed us some of the inner torment that the Dante's character was suffering, while Fry showed nothing like that from Ned Maddstone, leaving a rather one-dimensional feeling in relation to the character. In fact, it was in some of Maddstone's "victims" that you were given greater insights to, especially leading up to their final scenes.

All in all, a fun read very cleverly composed, but nothing more...but I'm sure Fry being the frighteningly clever man he is, realized that his version would suffer in comparison.

Armchair Interviews says: Well worth the read.

A newspaper and magazine journalist for over 25 years, Stephen Booth was born in the English Pennine town of Burnley. He was brought up on the coast at Blackpool, where he began his career in journalism by editing his school magazine and wrote his first 'novel' at the age of 13.

There is no easy way to commit suicide, but Marie Tennent seems to have gone out of her way to make hers as difficult and uncomfortable as possible. She just seemed to have given up the will to live and curled up in the freezing snow and stayed there until her body was covered in a layer of frost, almost making her blend in with the countryside.

Marie's body is not the only one the police have to contend with as a baby is discovered in the wreckage of an old bomber aircraft and the body of a man is dumped by the roadside. All this coming at a time when snow and ice have left half of the Division out of action and Diane fry is forced to partner DC Gavin Murfin. Fry and Ben Cooper were never going to be the dream team but Ben is her soul mate compared to Murfin.

This is just the start of another murder from the pen/word processor of the author. This psychological thriller is well written, entertaining and thrilling (well in my experience not all thrillers are). I have read several of the author's books and this is as good as any.

This is the third Cooper/Fry mystery and although not as good as Black Dog,(the 1st in the series), it is better than Dancing with Virgins,(the 2nd). Right out of the gate the reader is greeted with an apparent suicide, a missing infant, an unidentified body dug up by a snowplow and the mysterious disappearence of a WWII pilot 60 years ago when the bomber he was flying crashed into a near-by hill. One would think this would be enough to fill 500 + pages, but alas for me, not so. For whatever reason the author inexplicably spends an inordinate amount of time on things inane. For instance one reads at length about the temperature people keep their houses during the dead of winter, characters' wet shoes and the lack of healthy personnel at the Edensdale police station, all with no purpose. The reader also spends a lot of time, (understandably so), with both Ben Cooper and Diane Fry. Cooper is a contradiction, young and naive one moment but wise beyond his years the next - diligent and hardworking but a dreamer none the less. His character just didn't gel for me. Fry is so unpleasant, (virtually one dimensional), that she becomes a caricature of herself half-way through the book and I simply couldn't take her seriously. Again all unfortunate because the storyline/plot is well thought out, the characters just fall painfully short.

Ben Cooper and Diane Fry are back with their third investigation. In the Peak District, several deaths need looking into. First of all, a young woman, Marie Tennent, is found curled up in the snow. Could she be a suicide or, perhaps, it is something much more sinister. Second, the body of a dead man is uncovered by a snowplow. His identity is unknown. Third, a woman from Canada has come into town to clear the name of her grandfather who piloted a plane into the remote mountainside in World War II. His body has never been found and he is considered to be a deserter. Ben becomes interested and wants to help in spite of his orders to stay away.
Stephen Booth's third novel is every bit as good as the previous two. His novels are long, at times, lugubrious, affairs. They are strong on atmosphere, depiction of locale and, most of all, highly realistic depictions of the characters.
It is truly remarkable that in so few books, Stephen Booth has soared to the highest ranks of crime writers in Great Britain. I still feel the books are way too long and have always complained about that. However, they are so beautifully written that they can completely absorb the reader into its pages so one forgets the time. This book is as highly recommended as the others.

The third in the Cooper / Fry series once again uses the rugged, picturesque landscape of the Derbyshire Peak District as a stark backdrop to another enjoyable police procedural.

It's January and the Edendale police are severely short-staffed thanks to terrible weather and the resulting high number of "slip and fall" injuries. Meanwhile the snow is falling and is creating havoc is a town that seems to be going through a bit of a crime wave. Beatings, missing children and a couple of dead bodies are discovered in the snow, one going unidentified and the other prompting more questions than are answered. On top of this comes an unusually high level of interest in a 57-year-old wartime plane crash that had taken place just outside of town. How had the plane crashed? Whatever became of the pilot? Why is there so much interest in it now after all this time?

Detective Constable Ben Cooper is still the hardworking, under appreciated officer who is more than willing to take on any task assigned to him. His immediate superior Detective Sergeant Diane Fry is still the antagonistic outsider who resents Cooper's popularity and hardworking ethics. Surely something's got to give between these two sometime.

This excellent series of books is continued by yet another strong entry. Powerful writing gives the feeling of being placed within sight of the beautiful peaks around Edendale.

The surprising thing about this author is that he isn't recognized more widely.
His writing is absolutely first-class, and his use of the
English language surpasses almost any other writing most us
encounter. In this narrow field of the "psychological thriller," his command of the language, and his fresh use of
the metaphor and simile, is unparalleled.
A serious reader will have to re-read some of his passages just
for the pleasure of how the mental picture developes as the
words are flowing.
In this outing, his "heros," Ben and Diane, remain at personal
odds, and they have a difficult time working together on their
rural Derbyshire Constabulary, but a series of crimes brings
them together again to work their particular magic on violent
felons.
A couple of dead bodies are found, apparently unrelated, but
investigation leads back to a WWII crash of a British bomber
in the rural mountains, and an amazing series of crimes begins
to unfold as evidence points to an ever-widening story of crime,
deception at multiple levels, and family relationships. The
details presented and analyzed will hold the reader's attention
throughout the book.
This author also has an unusual insight into how crime victims
react to the assaults on them, and some readers will almost
shrink from absorbing the details of that process.
This story is one that should not be missed by anyone reading
in the "crime" or "thriller" field, and we also learn a lot
about life in the rural England of today.
Rush to grab this one.

A newspaper and magazine journalist for over 25 years, Stephen Booth was born in the English Pennine town of Burnley. He was brought up on the coast at Blackpool, where he began his career in journalism by editing his school magazine and wrote his first 'novel' at the age of 13.

Stephen gave up journalism in 2001 to write crime novels full time. He and his wife Lesley live in a former Georgian dower house near Retford, Nottinghamshire, in Robin Hood country.

The Peak District can be a beautiful place in summer and attracts visitors from miles around and one of the attractions that draws people to it, even though it is in one of the more remote areas is a ring of standing stone called the Nine Virgins. They carry a dark legend from the past. Now as winter begins to draw in and the attraction begins to draw less visitors, a tenth figure is added to the circle. The body of Jenny Weston is discovered. Her body has been arranged in some macabre position, so that she appears to be dancing . . .

Constable Ben Cooper is not your average English copper. He grew up under the firm guidance of his hero policeman dad, who died in the line of duty, but Ben now questions everything having to do with his job. Who's he supposed to be defending? A large proportion of the citizenry don't seem to want his services, except when there's a crisis. And even then, they aren't much help. Why can't he seem to get along with Diane Fry, who received the promotion he was expecting. Why is she back on his patch? And while he believes deeply in loyalty, to exactly whom is this loyalty owed?
Against this background of personal turmoil, Ben is called upon to solve a series of vicious crimes against women in the lovely and atmospheric Peaks National Park, where nothing- and no one - is truly as it seems. Some nice plot twists, a half dozen likely looking suspects, and 3 victims, interrelated though no one yet knows that, combine to make this a puzzle to the last few pages.
Most interesting, Watson.

This brilliant book is a prime example why the British crime writers are superior to their American counterparts. The plot of this novel is dark and twisted and the characters fully devolped. Everything is unfolding slowly as it would in real life and real investigation. All the characters, even passers by, come to life, for a moment touch your heart and move on with their broken lives.
The plot driven books, as most of American crime writing is,can not compare. We have to stop aiming our books and movies only to people who have hard time focusing.Thank you Mr.Booth.

The thing that I remember most clearly about _Dancing with the Virgins_ is that both of the detectives in it were a little annoying. Not drunken and rakishly annoying to women, but fussy and disorganized and at least a little bit thick at times. It takes courage to not give in at the last moment and not make your heros larger than life, and Booth at least has that courage. Unfortunately, the lasting enjoyment of the book may have suffered as a result.

I know that I enjoyed the book at the time I read it. It was a quick read and kept me well occupied in a week where I was home sick. My only complaint was that the plot felt a bit overdone, an occupational hazard of the genre. What I notice now that I sit (one week later) to write a review, I found it really difficult to remember who had done what to whom and why.

A woman's body is found in a ring of standing stones which legend has it are the remains of Virgins caught dancing on a Sunday and turned to stone. Bound up in the mystery are a woman with a disfigured face found wandering in the same location, a very angry farmer on the brink of ruin, and a missing girl with dreadlocks who nobody seems to be able to identify. Even while still being at odds, Ben Cooper and Diane Fry need to work together to solve the mystery.

Dancing with the Virgins would be an excellent book for the beach or for an airplane ride. Just do not expect too much from it.

Excellent mystery set in the north of England. Good sense of place, main characters well developed. plot complex and moves at a good pace. Detective Ben Cooper, a local copper with a good feel fo the locals is not led off on tangents like the others, particularly Detective Diane Fry, who has recently arrived from the south. The murder of Jenny Weston and attack on Maggie Crew appear to be related but it is only towards the end that the link between them becomes clear but is muddied considerably by the apparent link with a dog fighting business.

The resolution is slow coming but very satisfactory. The on-again-off-again relationship between Ben and Diane appears to be warming up but both have depths and secretes not yet available to the other.

Reminds me somewhat of the early books by Peter Robinson. rating 4.5/5

This is another beautiful story set from the series, but I have to admit that the voice of tigger is a bit annoying, other than that we still like it and it is definitely worth buying it, ...even if you prefer to skip the stories including tigger.

I love these tapes. My preschooler loves these tapes and has since age 2 or so. My sister gave them to me because she and her kids love these tapes. First of all, Winnie the Pooh is simply the best toddler/preschool character out there, as he's funny and not scary or naughty, (or loud), and they use lots of words and do things which are new and fun and interesting for your toddler/ preschooler. Second, this dramatization is unbelievably good--entertaining to adults as well as kids, the perfect mix of humor and gentleness. Another reviewer has said Tigger is annoying--I completely disagree. Tigger is FINE. I wonder if this reviewer has encountered Disney Tigger--now there's annoying! We have taken these tapes everywhere and now of course have lost or broken most of them so I HAVE TO buy some more. There are alot of books and tapes out there you can take out of the library--JUST BUY THESE

When I went to introduce my preschooler to Winnie-the-Pooh, I bought the big book with the complete stories and poems. It didn't take long for me to figure out that it wasn't quite right for my 3-year-old. Reading a story out of the original works takes a good 15-20 minutes, which is more than one can really expect from a preschooler or toddler. Also, the original Pooh is a bit like Sesame Street, in that there are phrases and indeed entire sections of the stories that adults will find amusing but which will just go over a child's head.

And yet, I didn't want to break down and go the route of the Disney-fied Pooh books, with their cartoonish illustrations and watered-down plots and characters.

That's why I was so pleased to find the Easy-to-Read series. There are six easy-to-read titles from two publishers. They are:

Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees
Pooh Goes Visiting
Eeyore Has a Birthday
Tigger Comes to the Forest
Christopher Robin Leads an Expedition
Pooh Invents a New Game

Each book is based on one chapter from the complete works. These little books are divided into four chapters, although it should be no problem to read one from start to finish in one sitting.

The print is large and well spaced, and there are ample illustrations (the original drawings by E.H. Shepard) on every page spread to keep little eyes engaged in the story. Most important, the editor has removed most of the passages that aren't so kid friendly and has simplified the stories without giving them a Disney style candy coating. One could read the original story and then the easy-to-read version and get the same basic plot; when going from the Milne works to the Disney versions, the same is certainly not true.

I didn't give these books five stars because the editor retained some language and dialogue that may be a bit confusing for children in the intended age range. Nevertheless, these books are a wonderful introduction to a classic cast of characters for the preschool set.

After my introduction to this ensemble cast with "Pooh Goes Visiting," I looked forward to the rest of the series. But this one is a bit of a let-down. Be warned that the stories are, or seem to be, out of sequence. Contrary to the title, only two, I think, are about or even contain Tigger. And the voice of Tigger is REALLY annoying. Really. But the rest of the cast continues to bring a gentle wonderfulness to the Pooh stories -- so much so that it's well worth the annoyance of Tigger. Get this one, but don't miss the other, better ones.

This amazing dramatization of the Pooh books is performed by a marvelously talented group of British entertainers who truly bring the Pooh characters gently and lovingly to life. As for this tape, I finally got this figured out. This is part of a four-tape program that represents the complete two-book Winnie-the-Pooh story collection, except the stories are out of order (probably so that they would fit equally on the tapes). Book 1, "Winnie-the-Pooh," is represented by "Pooh Goes Visiting" (stories in order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10) and "Piglet Meets a Heffalump" (stories: 5, 6, 7, 8). Book 2, "The House at Pooh Corner," is dramatized by "Tigger Comes to the Forest" (stories in order: 1 2, 4, 3, 9, 10) and "Pooh Invents a New Game" (stories 5, 6, 7, 8). When stories that depend on previous information are out of order, it gets confusing. My suggestion: Get the "Winnnie-the-Pooh" / "The House at Pooh Corner" gift pack, which is also four tapes (the same recordings), but in the proper order.

When I went to introduce my preschooler to Winnie-the-Pooh, I bought the big book with the complete stories and poems. It didn't take long for me to figure out that it wasn't quite right for my 3-year-old. Reading a story out of the original works takes a good 15-20 minutes, which is more than one can really expect from a preschooler or toddler. Also, the original Pooh is a bit like Sesame Street, in that there are phrases and indeed entire sections of the stories that adults will find amusing but which will just go over a child's head.

And yet, I didn't want to break down and go the route of the Disney-fied Pooh books, with their cartoonish illustrations and watered-down plots and characters.

That's why I was so pleased to find the Easy-to-Read series. There are six easy-to-read titles from two publishers. They are:

Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees
Pooh Goes Visiting
Eeyore Has a Birthday
Tigger Comes to the Forest
Christopher Robin Leads an Expedition
Pooh Invents a New Game

Each book is based on one chapter from the complete works. These little books are divided into four chapters, although it should be no problem to read one from start to finish in one sitting.

The print is large and well spaced, and there are ample illustrations (the original drawings by E.H. Shepard) on every page spread to keep little eyes engaged in the story. Most important, the editor has removed most of the passages that aren't so kid friendly and has simplified the stories without giving them a Disney style candy coating. One could read the original story and then the easy-to-read version and get the same basic plot; when going from the Milne works to the Disney versions, the same is certainly not true.

I didn't give these books five stars because the editor retained some language and dialogue that may be a bit confusing for children in the intended age range. Nevertheless, these books are a wonderful introduction to a classic cast of characters for the preschool set.

[This is a review of the Hodder/Headline audiocassette version] I learned to read by listening (again and again and again and again) to a pair of well-loved and well-worn LPs of the Pooh stories read by Maurice Evans. I always considered them the finest Pooh audiobooks ever recorded. Up until now! Now there's this wonderful series of fully-dramatized adventures of Pooh featuring a brilliant cast of wonderful British actors: Stephen Fry ("Jeeves and Wooster") as Pooh, Geoffrey Palmer ("The Madness of King George") as Eeyore, Judy Dench ("Shakespeare in Love") as Kanga...and best of all, the *incomparable* Jane Horrocks ("Little Voice" and Bubbles from "AbFab") as a squeaky, alarmed, and altogether adorable Piglet. You don't have to be a kid to appreciate these fine recordings (and there are plenty of adult Pooh fans out there who will *love* these versions). Accept no substitutes: this is simply the finest Pooh audio series yet created, beating by a *far* distance the Alan Bennett and (ugh!) Charles Kuralt versions. There's more than just this one tape in the series, too. The series includes "Tigger Comes to the Forest" (ISBN: 1840322195); "Piglet Meets a Heffalump" (ISBN: 1840320524) and "Pooh Invents a New Game" (ISBN: 1840322268). Type the 10-digit ISBN number into the Amazon search field to go directly to the webpages for these cassettes.

This amazing dramatization of the Pooh books is performed by a marvelously talented group of British entertainers who truly bring the Pooh characters gently and lovingly to life. As for this tape, I finally got this figured out. This is part of a four-tape program that represents the complete two-book Winnie-the-Pooh story collection, except the stories are out of order (probably so that they would fit equally on the tapes). Book 1, "Winnie-the-Pooh," is represented by "Pooh Goes Visiting" (stories in order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10) and "Piglet Meets a Heffalump" (stories: 5, 6, 7, 8). Book 2, "The House at Pooh Corner," is dramatized by "Tigger Comes to the Forest" (stories in order: 1 2, 4, 3, 9, 10) and "Pooh Invents a New Game" (stories 5, 6, 7, 8). When stories that depend on previous information are out of order, it gets confusing. My suggestion: Get the "Winnnie-the-Pooh" / "The House at Pooh Corner" gift pack, which is also four tapes (the same recordings), but in the proper order.

I loved this book as I do all Harry Potters. I especially enjoyed reading the character Dobby.

Well if you're looking at this product you're probably like me, busy and not the biggest fan of sitting down to read. I've always been a big fan of stories but I could just never find the time to read because of work and when I did I am admittedly an abysmally slow reader. After years of hearing how amazing these books, the Harry Potter series, were and loving every movie immensely it finally dawned on me to see if there was an audio book and there obviously is.

When I first started listening to the series I must admit I was a little turned off because Stephen Fray came across as a little dry and I was beginning to think the audio books weren't going to be much more tolerable than simply reading the books. As new characters are introduced though I was pleased to find that he managed to give most of them a unique personality and even more so that he maintains these personas not just through this single book but all the way to where I am now, The Half Blood Prince. Aside from just their vocal definition Fry also manages to display a diverse range of emotion for each individual character as if there is a separate actor for each character, it's really quite an amazing performance in my opinion. At certain times various audio filters are added for dramatic effect like echo and things of the sort and I guess that's really the only place this audio book comes up short for me is that there really isn't a whole lot to it other than Stephen Fry reading the books. This being my first audio book I can't really compare it to anything but I guess I was expecting at least some music between chapters or maybe some ambient sound effects but I still find the overall experience enjoyable without them.

There are probably hundreds of reviews for the books themselves so I'll keep my opinions on the series short and sweet. I believe the thing that I like most about the Harry Potter series is the overall charm of everything and the connection Rawling maintains to both the real world and real life. She really seems to nail human archetypes and the teenage inner dialogue and I can't help but think there are many pieces of her own children in this book. It showcases such an amazing insight as to the way people think and feel that I really can't help but be awe inspired. Like I said though, I'm not a big reader/listener so I imagine there are better books out there but that really doesn't take away from this series' ability to crack a smile on my face at work. I guess my only gripe is that it sometimes appears as if she has some favorite words or a limited vocabulary or perhaps people in England just find these words more common but there is an obtuse overuse of the words incredulous, glower, and one other that I will add in a couple of hours when I remember it. This obviously isn't a big deal but it can make me cringe a little.

Anyways, I work in science and listen to these all day when I don't have to read for work and I'm actually doing lab work and they have improved my enjoyment at work immensely so they come highly recommended by me. Each book is probably about 18-24 hours long off the top of my head so the whole series should take you a while to get through. I hope you enjoy!