Customer Reviews

Playing the Moldovans at Tennis

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

British comedian Tony Hawks doesn't seem to be able to have a conversation without getting into some fantastic bet. His last book recounted his journey, on a dare, to travel "Round Ireland With a Fridge." One of my favorite travel memoirs of the past few years, "Round Ireland" combined outrageous humor with an affectionate portrait of Ireland and her people. His newest, "Playing the Moldovans at Tennis," follows the same path: challenged by his friend Arthur that he can't beat the entire Moldovan national football team at tennis, Tony immediately jets to the tiny Balkan country and is met with frustration at every turn to even get a chance to set foot on a tennis court. Since the loser of the bet strips naked and sings the Moldovan national anthem in public, he doesn't dare lose, but the incredibly different customs of Moldova are against him from Day One. Red tape, diplomacy, and the language barrier rise up to block his success, but for every pushy, arrogant football team manager he comes across there's a dozen friendly, supportive, and helpful journalists, fixers, and everyday folks who are intrigued by and helpful with Tony's seemingly mad quest.

While not as fascinating as "Round Ireland," (there's less of travel interest here to the casual reader), Hawks brings his usual humor punctuated by moments of hilarious despair, and the ending even has a twist that couldn't have been written more cleverly if it had been in a Hollywood movie. In the end it's a gentle and affectionate portrait of the Moldovans, a people and country I knew nothing about before this book. More important, Tony himself sums up the real result of his offbeat quest as *not* the chance to avoid singing starkers outside a London pub, but inspiring a young Moldovan man who, pessimistic at the first, comes to realize a silly impossible pursuit is just as worth doing as a dull everyday task.

An enjoyable book, like a Bill Bryson book with a basic plot and some human relationships. A British comedian bet that he'd play tennis with every member of a Moldovan international foootball/soccer team he saw play in Britain, and win. And why not?

He knows nothing about Moldova (it's somewhere between Romania and the Ukraine) but he's an optimist, so he gets the most basic of leads and off he goes on his 6-month quest.

It's a mix of an appreciation/travelogue of this emerging, poor country (think Albania with a few nightclubs but no streetlights at night) with a good appreciation of its people (pleasant but whose history has made them fatalistic) and his connection with a generous family who let him in. He can't play against all the footballers there and to complete his bet he needs to visit Northern Ireland for an international football match and a quirky interlude. And then the final footballer has transferred an Israel football club...

I enjoyed it. Hawks gives a good account of his own ups and downs on his 6-month mission, and the interactions with the Moldovans and others brighten his tale.

Having just traveled through Moldova on a cycling trip through Eastern Europe, I was fortunate enough to have the chance to read this whilst staying at the one and only hostel in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova.

Tony's bet and ensuing journey make for laugh-out-loud, can't put it down reading. The funniest part it, having seen the country first hand, how remarkably accurate his circumstances and plights are - and similar to many situations I found myself in (though I didn't actually play any tennis whilst there).

The fact Tony takes the bet so seriously and ends up traveling to Israel to complete it speaks volumes for Tony's determination to stick to his guns. His writing, whilst entirely amusing, always is serious and reflective in parts, and balances the entire novel out. There is no question that Tony's travels to Moldova change him as he learns and experiences a part of the world so little know about.

This is a great read for anyone who plans to go or who has been to Moldova, to look back and laugh tongue-in-cheek at the wonderful way of life these people live - or to make you more excited to visit this country totally void of tourists. And if you get the chance to visit Transdnistria - do so - it is one of the single most amazing places in the world...

Tony - 5 stars mate - keep up the great writing; I look forward to your next novel: Across Antarctica with a Pogo Stick.

And if you are looking for that hostel, go to 'marisha dot net'.

Like most people, I picked up Tony Hawks' "Moldovans" for the humor and the interesting story angle, but I stayed for what was a very well-written travelogue with surprising - and quite emotional - depth.

When Tony sets the scene for you, you think: ha-ha, that's a funny bet (hats off to Tony and friend Arthur for even constructing a bet that inventive...the comedic mind at work, I guess). But, as the bet unfolds, there's a lesson to be learned here: Tony set a goal for himself and - despite enduring significant hardship and many, many potential roadblocks - he inexorably works towards his goal.

The emotional core of the book is the relationship Tony forms with his Moldovan host family in the capital of Chisinau. Hawks tells of going to middle school with the family's daughter Elena as sort of a 'show and tell' object. He's a great sport and recounts tales like that with great elan.

The real treat though is his relationship with the family's teenage son Adrian, who starts off a bit standoffish and cool ('typical teenager' is how Hawks interprets it...no harm taken). But Hawks breaks through one night as the two attend an opera together - at intermission, he has Adrian literally convulsed with laughter, wiping tears from eyes. What a moment - Hawks recognizes it and conveys it beautifully to his readers.

That's why the book's epilogue - a touching letter from Adrian - is so pitch-perfect. Think this was some insipid quest that Hawks took on? The lessons that Adrian took away from Tony's journey will tell you otherwise. As Hawks himself concludes after reading the letter: "Now it all made a little more sense."

Exactly. Well done, Tony.

I am a moldovan, so I probably got the most laugh out of this book. Me as a Moldovan, I was amazed of where Tony has been, and the people he met. There are places where even i wouldn't dare to got, but I have to give 5 stars to Tony because of the way he formulated his adventure and put it in a book. Sometimes I laughted so hard that tears came from my eyes. Tony made a bet with his friend that he(Tony) would track all the players from the Moldova's national football team and beat them at tennis one by one. And whoever loses the bet will have to strip naked in London and sing the Moldova's national anthem. God, I wished I was in London and see (the one that lost) sing my country's national anthem. It's really fun and entertaining!

A hilarious romp through Moldova, Ireland and Israel as Hawks seeks to win a bet with his friend by beating the eleven members of the Moldovan National Football team at tennis. The loser must stand naked outside an English pub and sing the Moldovan National Anthem.

I was given this book by a Moldovan friend who was impressed with the accuracy that Hawks portrayed her native country. Having paid a short visit to this very untouristed country myself, it was enjoyable to see such an unknown place portrayed in the mainstream press. And Hawks does a wonderful job. A comic by professional, Hawks is a gifted writer that brings his travels and the people he meets along the way to life, providing plenty of laughs along the way. He is also a philosophical advocate for a positive attitude. While he recognizes that the source of his optimism stems from all the opportunities he was provided where he was born, the contrast with the dour Moldovans provides for lots of cross cultural tension. A truly enjoyable read whether you're planning to go to Moldova or not. Recommended.

After living in Moldova, I can tell you I could not put this book down. I laughed out loud at almost every page. Tony's experiences in his short time in Moldova reminded me of my first few weeks there. His description of his relationship with his adopted family especially was touching, since I was fortunate to get past that outer wall Moldovans put up as well. This book is not offensive to Moldovans, at least it wouldn't be to the Moldovans I know who would laugh at Tony's tales and drink some vin. Moldovans have a terrific sense of humor (once they know you) but it has been colored by their hard circumstances. I believe Tony saw so much of the good side of Moldovans, especially their hospitality and their love of foreigners.

As a soccer fan, and someone who loves Moldova and their different ways, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Tony's adventures make me want to head back.

This book has heart and gets to the funny bone too. Tony, if you read this, BRAVO.
I'm a Romanian living in Toronto and I'm amazed: 'RARA AVIS' - Tony Hawks got it. Not only the writing has humour but it gets to the essence of what living in a former soviet republic is. None of the cold war stereotypes here and this is done by fraternizing with the local people. And above all, you can feel the warmth.
There's a part about the Gypsy quarter that reminds me of 'Gadjo dilo', the movie of another Brit, Tony Gaitliff. How come that, one of a sudden, the Englishmen seem to get it ? (It must be the pauperization under Maggie Thatcher). 'Gadjo dilo' could be a companion movie to 'Playing the Moldovans ..' and I recommend it too (to both Romanians and Moldovans). It's not like Kusturica's Gypsy movies with his pretentions to magical realism.( I think Kusturica was so successful in the West 'cuz he leans on the Hollywood side).
Now a note about football(soccer):
England may have crushed the Moldovans - this huge disparity of power between the two nations is in fact the trigger of the book - but they did not beat Romania (a close 1-0) since the 1970 World Cup in Guadalajara. Since that lucky win England was peridically humiliated by the Romanians' latin style of play.Think Nastase vs. Henman.
So, my Moldovan brothers, England has no reason to look down on you - you've been avenged in many a game.
If you're a Romanian, get this book; if you're a Moldovan, even more so. And if you're neither, get it still.

Tony's done it again! While the challenge was more difficult, and the setting much less familiar, Tony makes fun while he observes a country that is forlorn in many ways. Your heart goes out to the Moldovans, and the things that they live with that we consider absurd or unbelievable in this day and age. It does provide quite a contrast to Tony's quest, which seems extremely silly in comparison. But Tony doesn't take himself too seriously, and he knows his quest is absurd to the Moldovans. You have to hand it to him, though, with his goal to prove that optimism is worth something, as is sticking with his goal. The letter he received at the end was priceless.
Can't wait to hear more from Tony. Absolutely marvelous.

Without this book - I would surely have fallen down a manhole! As soon as I finished reading I added a head torch to my equipment list! I knew I was about to visit for 6 months and found the book fantastic preparation - whilst also being gut-wrenchingly funny. I have a massive collection of photographs of open manholes if anyone wants proof of the authenticity of this particular aspect of life in Moldova.

Tony - if you are about to revisit - I'm missing my tennis and you'll find me in Transdnistria - if you dare!

A BRILLIANT BOOK WHICH i HAVE NOW READ ABOUT 4 TIMES