The Stars' Tennis Balls

Few writers can deliver so much in one package, but here Stephen Fry combines a riotous satire of the privileged classes with elements of the darkest thrillers. While the plot bounces from the sublime to the surreal, his characters remain acutely real. Ned's classmates, slow-witted hedonist Rufus Cade, and the Machiavellian climber Ashley Barson-Garland--who is aroused by the sight of straw boaters--are masterful creations. This novel has nothing to do with tennis, and everything to do with the cruel logic of Fate. Game, set and match to Mr Fry. - - Matthew Baylis

Reader Reviews:

Read this with an open mind... (0/0 people found this helpful)

Don't read this book expecting a rip-roaring, side-splitting romp that you might expect of a man possessing Stephen Fry's ability (as demonstrated in his other fictional works). Do, however, expect some excellent use of language and some well placed wit. If you are expecting a straight forward comedy, then please don't denigrate the book for not being so - it isn't supposed to be, so holding that against it is much like complaining that a car doesn't float...

This book is an interesting read, and one that is difficult (though I will admit not wholly impossible) to put down. The story itself is far-fetched, but this is supposed to be some escapist fiction. The book also manages to ponder the driving factors behind the characters without grinding itself in a psychological bore.

Perhaps the book winds up too quickly - then again, perhaps that in itself is a way of showing the clinicism of the main character following his 'change'. The first half of the book is, however, a solid read, setting up the origins and relationships of the main protagonists and then, somehow, managing to purvey empitness without relenting the pace.

A very good book, an entertaining and thought-provoking read, but it didn't quite have that x-factor that would have persuaded me to give it the full five stars. (Four and a half then).

A Great Thriller, a Great Novel. (0/0 people found this helpful)

Fans of Fry expect humour, and clever ideas but they are in for a shock when they read this.

This a dark book; full of ruminations on the origin of personality and the role of our personal choices upon our lives.

This is a book that came out in year 2000 - so , by law, I have give it the cliched label " etched with millenial fears".

The real shame is this is the last novel Fry has written.

Tragic and touching (2/2 people found this helpful)

As most of my friends know, I am a big fan of Stephen Fry, so I guess it's no surprise that I liked this book. But I have read another of his stories so far, 'Making History,' and I didn't think it was all that good. This one, however, really gripped me - I couldn't put it down.

It is the story of Ned, a schoolboy who has a lovely girlfriend, good looks, intelligence, and is destined for Oxford - the type of person that everyone loves but hates at the same time. A prank played on him by his 'friends' turns horribly wrong, and an arrest over possession of cannabis ends up with him becoming an IRA suspect, and he is sent to an insane asylum to rot. He manages to escape, ten years later, in the 1990s; now a full-grown adult, who has never heard of mobile phones or the Internet. He manages to become a dotcom millionaire, and slowly takes revenge on
those who put him into the asylum when he has the power to do so.

It's quite a tragic story, but entertaining in places too. The only part I was unsatisfied was with the ending (as usual!); it wraps up in just a few pages, and I didn't really understand the reasons behind his final decision. Definitely an interesting story, though, and I'd certainly recommend it to others. A very interesting concept, and delightfully written.

Thoroughly Fabulous (2/2 people found this helpful)

This has got to be one of the best books i have ever read. I couldn't put it down, i thought about the plot for days afterwards, i dreamt about it, it was constantly on my mind. The plot will grip you, the construction of each sentence, paragraph and chapter is delightful. This book is my contribution for our local book club. I have read and re-read this novel and am consistantly entrahlled by it. Stephen Fry is a master of the written word.

Revenge isn't always sweet ... but do read this novel! (7/7 people found this helpful)

Note: `Revenge' is the same novel as `The Stars' Tennis Balls' re-titled for the American market

You can't go wrong with Fry's novels: his plots are unpredictable, his writing style is witty, intelligent and captivating, and his (dark) humour is ever-present ... what more could you ask for?

The Stars' Tennis Balls

Stephen Fry

Editorial Review: