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Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs
Mark Wilson's whole life has been about the moment when he steps on to Old Trafford to make his first appearance for Man Utd. But when a wayward pass from Ryan Giggs leads to THE WORST DEBUT EVER, Mark's schoolboy obsession with him develops into something more dangerous.
Fifteen years later, after a career interrupted by drinking, injury, gambling, RESTRAINING ORDERS and burglary, Mark is now sober, gainfully-employed and looking forward to watching United at their CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-WINNING BEST. Most importantly for Mark, he is reconciled with the mother of his son, little Ryan. But as the old urges continue to struggle for voice in his head, can he keep his eye on the goal?
Fifteen years later, after a career interrupted by drinking, injury, gambling, RESTRAINING ORDERS and burglary, Mark is now sober, gainfully-employed and looking forward to watching United at their CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-WINNING BEST. Most importantly for Mark, he is reconciled with the mother of his son, little Ryan. But as the old urges continue to struggle for voice in his head, can he keep his eye on the goal?
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Rodge Glass
30 books8 followersRodge Glass is the author of the novels No Fireworks (Faber, 2005) and Hope for Newborns (Faber, 2008), as well as Alasdair Gray: A Secretary’s Biography (Bloomsbury, 2008), which received a Somerset Maugham Award in 2009. Recently, he was co-author of the graphic novel Dougie’s War: A Soldier’s Story (Freight, 2010), which was nominated for several awards. He is currently a Programme Leader in Creative Writing at Edge Hill University, and was Associate Editor at Freight Books. His novel, Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs, was published in April 2012 by the multi-award winning Tindal Street Press, then as a paperback by Serpent’s Tail, and it appeared as Voglio la testa di Ryan Giggs in April 2013 (66thand2nd, Roma). His latest book, LoveSexTravelMusik, was published by Freight Books in April 2013 and was nominated for the International Frank O’Connor Award. His fiction has been published in Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian, Danish and Italian.
(from http://rodgeglass.com/ )
(from http://rodgeglass.com/ )
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 9, 2021
Per leggere questo libro dovete essere appassionati di calcio. In particolare di calcio inglese. E dovete tifare Manchester United. Infine dovete conoscere o, meglio ancora, avere una vera e propria adorazione per Ryan Giggs, uno dei più forti calciatori della storia. Se superate queste prove, allora Voglio la testa di Ryan Giggs è il libro che fa per voi.
Anche se in realtà questo non è un romanzo sul calcio, ma la storia di come il Caso ha indirizzato la vita di una giovane promessa del calcio destinata alla fama e ai trionfi, condannandolo a un’esistenza degradata, sempre attaccato alla bottiglia, costretto a superare una delusione dopo l’altra, destinato a un abisso di tristezza e a una serie infinita di fallimenti…
Divertente lo stile di Roddy Glass (un Irvine Welsh con meno verve e fantasia) che, grazie a un’architettura della storia divisa in tre parti, cambia continuamente stile, tono e grammatica, a seconda del periodo che sta raccontando e di chi lo sta raccontando. Non un capolavoro, intendiamoci, ma una lettura godibile.
3 stelle e mezzo
Anche se in realtà questo non è un romanzo sul calcio, ma la storia di come il Caso ha indirizzato la vita di una giovane promessa del calcio destinata alla fama e ai trionfi, condannandolo a un’esistenza degradata, sempre attaccato alla bottiglia, costretto a superare una delusione dopo l’altra, destinato a un abisso di tristezza e a una serie infinita di fallimenti…
Divertente lo stile di Roddy Glass (un Irvine Welsh con meno verve e fantasia) che, grazie a un’architettura della storia divisa in tre parti, cambia continuamente stile, tono e grammatica, a seconda del periodo che sta raccontando e di chi lo sta raccontando. Non un capolavoro, intendiamoci, ma una lettura godibile.
3 stelle e mezzo
November 14, 2019
La prima volta che ho preso questo libro pensavo fosse una storia vera, senza nessun motivo valido per pensarlo. Ho letto qualche pagina senza andare in wikipedia: io non mi ricordavo di Mark Wilson e non volevo rovinarmi eventuali sorprese. Poi non ce l'ho fatta, ho cercato in wiki e ho scoperto che no, non è una storia vera. Peccato.
E un altro peccato è che parli del Manchester United, la squadra rossa sbagliata.
Per il resto è un'ottima storia che si sviluppa su diversi livelli temporali e narrativi. Da leggere, se siete appassionati di storie di chi, per colpa o per destino, non ce l'ha fatta. Da non leggere se le continue descrizioni di calcio vi annoiano e se non ridete alla definizione di sorelle Neville riferita a Gary e Phil.
E un altro peccato è che parli del Manchester United, la squadra rossa sbagliata.
Per il resto è un'ottima storia che si sviluppa su diversi livelli temporali e narrativi. Da leggere, se siete appassionati di storie di chi, per colpa o per destino, non ce l'ha fatta. Da non leggere se le continue descrizioni di calcio vi annoiano e se non ridete alla definizione di sorelle Neville riferita a Gary e Phil.
August 2, 2025
Nuori ja lupaava Mikey Wilson on päässyt aivan Manchester Unitedin edustusjoukkueen kynnykselle, mutta niin siinä vaan pääsee käymään, että ura katkeaa käytännössä heti kun se on päässyt alkamaan. Elämä murjoo nuorukaista muutenkin kovemmalla kädellä, siinä missä entisen pelikaverin Ryan Giggsin ura lähtee rakettimaiseen nousuun. Kai sitä vähemmästäkin katkeroituu, tarttuu pulloon ja ties mitä muuta.
Rodge Glassin "Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs" (Tindal Street Press, 2012) tarttui joskus heräteostoksena mukaan kirjakaupasta, mistä on kiittäminen teoksen huomiota herättävää nimeä (ainakin, jos satut olemaan futisfani). Lukihan tämän tarinan jalkapallon varjoisemmalta puolelta ihan kivuttomasti, mutta mitään suurta tunnekuohua se ei saanut aikaiseksi, ja loppuratkaisukin jää vähän valjuksi.
Jos haluaisit lukea oikein hyvän jalkapalloaiheisen romaanin, niin otapa haltuusi David Peacen huikea Damned United : tappion ja vihan päivät.
Rodge Glassin "Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs" (Tindal Street Press, 2012) tarttui joskus heräteostoksena mukaan kirjakaupasta, mistä on kiittäminen teoksen huomiota herättävää nimeä (ainakin, jos satut olemaan futisfani). Lukihan tämän tarinan jalkapallon varjoisemmalta puolelta ihan kivuttomasti, mutta mitään suurta tunnekuohua se ei saanut aikaiseksi, ja loppuratkaisukin jää vähän valjuksi.
Jos haluaisit lukea oikein hyvän jalkapalloaiheisen romaanin, niin otapa haltuusi David Peacen huikea Damned United : tappion ja vihan päivät.
May 7, 2025
Sono sempre alla ricerca di bei libri sul calcio e questo va direttamente in vetta alla classifica!
E tu dirai: "Addirittura?"
Eh sì!
"E il maledetto United?"
Sta bon un attimo che te spiego
Voglio la testa di Ryan Giggs racconta la storia (di fantasia) di Mike Wilson, giovane promessa del Man UTD, uno dei terribili ragazzi della classe '92 che dalle giovanili è arrivata sul tetto del mondo: Beckham, Butt, Scholes, i fratelli Neville e, appunto, Giggs.
Glass scrive con una prosa British anni 90 che fa un po' il verso a quella di Welsh senza essere slangata come la sua né troppo volgare come quella di John King.
A parte qualche forzatura la storia è credibile e orchestrata bene, c'è molto calcio e le storiche partite di quel Manchester che tanto amavo da ragazzino (Yorke-Cole là davanti che coppia era?!) sono inserite perfettamente nella trama, ci sono parecchi salti temporali che forse rendono il tutto un po' confuso, almeno inizialmente, ma senza rovinare la godibilità del libro.
Il protagonista Mike è ossessionato da Giggs e la sua follia ricorda molto quella di Brian Clough per il Leeds nel famoso " Maledetto United" di Peace.
Però, se nel libro di Peace l'ossessione del protagonista riverbera in una scrittura ripetitiva e paranoica, che di certo rende benissimo la condizione mentale di Clough ma a me dopo un po' ha dato la nausea, in questo romanzo il viaggio nella mente di Mike è fruibilissimo da chiunque e super scorrevole senza però essere stupido. Ricordiamoci che è pur sempre un libro sul calcio, se volevo frantumarmi i Maroni leggevo Thomas Mann.
Insomma, avevo aspettative alte, ne sono uscito felicyo, l'ho letto super volentieri, lo consiglio caldamente, ma la prossima volta che leggo una recensione lamentosa perché "credevo fosse una storia vera" morsico il muro.
E tu dirai: "Addirittura?"
Eh sì!
"E il maledetto United?"
Sta bon un attimo che te spiego
Voglio la testa di Ryan Giggs racconta la storia (di fantasia) di Mike Wilson, giovane promessa del Man UTD, uno dei terribili ragazzi della classe '92 che dalle giovanili è arrivata sul tetto del mondo: Beckham, Butt, Scholes, i fratelli Neville e, appunto, Giggs.
Glass scrive con una prosa British anni 90 che fa un po' il verso a quella di Welsh senza essere slangata come la sua né troppo volgare come quella di John King.
A parte qualche forzatura la storia è credibile e orchestrata bene, c'è molto calcio e le storiche partite di quel Manchester che tanto amavo da ragazzino (Yorke-Cole là davanti che coppia era?!) sono inserite perfettamente nella trama, ci sono parecchi salti temporali che forse rendono il tutto un po' confuso, almeno inizialmente, ma senza rovinare la godibilità del libro.
Il protagonista Mike è ossessionato da Giggs e la sua follia ricorda molto quella di Brian Clough per il Leeds nel famoso " Maledetto United" di Peace.
Però, se nel libro di Peace l'ossessione del protagonista riverbera in una scrittura ripetitiva e paranoica, che di certo rende benissimo la condizione mentale di Clough ma a me dopo un po' ha dato la nausea, in questo romanzo il viaggio nella mente di Mike è fruibilissimo da chiunque e super scorrevole senza però essere stupido. Ricordiamoci che è pur sempre un libro sul calcio, se volevo frantumarmi i Maroni leggevo Thomas Mann.
Insomma, avevo aspettative alte, ne sono uscito felicyo, l'ho letto super volentieri, lo consiglio caldamente, ma la prossima volta che leggo una recensione lamentosa perché "credevo fosse una storia vera" morsico il muro.
April 12, 2013
enjoyed this novel about the downside of football about a footballer who fails to make the grade and his life afterwards and the dark humour as he started off in youth team with giggs
July 31, 2019
Picked this up on the way out of the library looking for something "readable". I had just finished something more literary and with the football season about to kick off in the UK, wanted to read a sports book.
This met all expectations, enjoyed the premise of looking back on a football life gone wrong and the sort of life that is left when the one thing that matters most is taken away and the increasing lengths people will go to in order to get it back as pride is slowly stripped away.
Also triggered an interesting conversation with my football-mad son about what circumstances would make him want not to be picked for his favourite team!
This met all expectations, enjoyed the premise of looking back on a football life gone wrong and the sort of life that is left when the one thing that matters most is taken away and the increasing lengths people will go to in order to get it back as pride is slowly stripped away.
Also triggered an interesting conversation with my football-mad son about what circumstances would make him want not to be picked for his favourite team!
September 13, 2025
Non un libro indimenticabile ma nemmeno scadente. Tre stelle perché forse vuole rassomigliare per certi aspetti a Febbre a 90' di Nick Hornby, peccando forse di poca originalità. Buono il tentativo di giocare su un alter ego di Ryan Giggs (Wilson è il cognome che accomuna in realtà entrambi)
November 23, 2024
Amusing and well written.
September 26, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, but mainly because I am a United fan (since 1963, although my dad brought me up on the Busby babes etc, so since birth really, in 1955). It is stuffed with football and United detail, matchday noises and events, games, crowds, statistics (including the worst ever Ferguson-United team, goalkeeper Massimo Taibi of course).
Initially I found the story a great idea. The protagonist is one of the class-of-92 (which includes Giggs, Scholes, the 'Neville sisters' etc) who doesn't make it and blames Giggs. But it was really a well worn 'descent' story - he gets sent out on loan to Plymouth Argyle (to Plymouth fans all teams are 'dirty Northern bastards' even Exeter), doesn't make it there either and turns to alcohol and gambling, his girlfriend dumps him and he is excluded from his son's life. His father has long since absconded and his brother is sensible and turns away from his self-destructive behaviour. He becomes (even more) obsessed with United and Giggs in particular, spending a fortune on tickets and memorabilia.
I also found the book's structure messy, with three separate narratives (in three different type fonts), using first, second and third person, which all culminates in the final chapter where all three persons and type faces are used, set in Moscow at the European Cup Final in 2008.
So, I nearly gave it 4, the football in it made me want to, but the story was a bit circular, didn't really progress. Recommended for United fans though, and maybe football fans in general.
Initially I found the story a great idea. The protagonist is one of the class-of-92 (which includes Giggs, Scholes, the 'Neville sisters' etc) who doesn't make it and blames Giggs. But it was really a well worn 'descent' story - he gets sent out on loan to Plymouth Argyle (to Plymouth fans all teams are 'dirty Northern bastards' even Exeter), doesn't make it there either and turns to alcohol and gambling, his girlfriend dumps him and he is excluded from his son's life. His father has long since absconded and his brother is sensible and turns away from his self-destructive behaviour. He becomes (even more) obsessed with United and Giggs in particular, spending a fortune on tickets and memorabilia.
I also found the book's structure messy, with three separate narratives (in three different type fonts), using first, second and third person, which all culminates in the final chapter where all three persons and type faces are used, set in Moscow at the European Cup Final in 2008.
So, I nearly gave it 4, the football in it made me want to, but the story was a bit circular, didn't really progress. Recommended for United fans though, and maybe football fans in general.
August 29, 2014
For every footballer who plays for the first team, there are hundreds of those who didn't make it. How do you live when you had to give up the only dream you'd had? Well, some cope, and some go nuts.
The obsession the main character has fills the pages, you can nearly touch it. The writing sometimes feels like Palahniuk's at his best. Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs is a fresh novel and it's a good read, especially if you're United fan.
People talk about >>ordinary supporters<<, the >>real fans<<, but we’re dumb fuckin sheep, all of us, for doing all that following, for letting ourselves believe we matter. Even if you were a >>player<<, they still keep you away. Coz over time the names change, the owners change, everything changes (not Ryan though), except that the game goes on, and it goes on with or without you. Even when your team wins something big like the title or the Champions League, the celebrations last for a few hours and then they just start selling the whole fuckin circus all over again. Nothing ever counts for long. Not the awards, not the names on the shirt. (Stop it stop it stop it.) These whores, they kiss the badge, soak up the songs, declare undying love, then next year they’re doing the same in Italy or Spain, or anywhere that’ll pay them most. These days, all you’ve got to do is look at the City line-up to see more evidence than any man could cope with. Like kids in Argentina are growing up hoping they’ll play for City! Seriously! The >>lies<< are what bother me. I can’t bear lies.
The obsession the main character has fills the pages, you can nearly touch it. The writing sometimes feels like Palahniuk's at his best. Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs is a fresh novel and it's a good read, especially if you're United fan.
People talk about >>ordinary supporters<<, the >>real fans<<, but we’re dumb fuckin sheep, all of us, for doing all that following, for letting ourselves believe we matter. Even if you were a >>player<<, they still keep you away. Coz over time the names change, the owners change, everything changes (not Ryan though), except that the game goes on, and it goes on with or without you. Even when your team wins something big like the title or the Champions League, the celebrations last for a few hours and then they just start selling the whole fuckin circus all over again. Nothing ever counts for long. Not the awards, not the names on the shirt. (Stop it stop it stop it.) These whores, they kiss the badge, soak up the songs, declare undying love, then next year they’re doing the same in Italy or Spain, or anywhere that’ll pay them most. These days, all you’ve got to do is look at the City line-up to see more evidence than any man could cope with. Like kids in Argentina are growing up hoping they’ll play for City! Seriously! The >>lies<< are what bother me. I can’t bear lies.
July 21, 2012
What if you don't make it - not everyone can be a football superstar. Glass' novel uses Manchester United player Mike Wilson as a cypher for the all those whose dreams are dashed, all those who are chewed up and spat out by clubs, all those who aren't plain good enough and can't face facts.
Mike Wilson's fate is the total opposite of United team mate Ryan Giggs, hence the title of the book. He is 'Little Giggsy' in every way!
The book really evokes match-day football and Glass explores the role of the fans who can only seem important as long as they buy tickets, stump up for the TV channels and keep paying, paying, paying.
And then there is the nagging undercurrent that Manchester United and the other mega-clubs are BRANDs... and you're all being screwed.
There is another way of course:
WREXHAM AFC
For the fans, owned by the fans, and no prawn sandwiches!
Mike Wilson's fate is the total opposite of United team mate Ryan Giggs, hence the title of the book. He is 'Little Giggsy' in every way!
The book really evokes match-day football and Glass explores the role of the fans who can only seem important as long as they buy tickets, stump up for the TV channels and keep paying, paying, paying.
And then there is the nagging undercurrent that Manchester United and the other mega-clubs are BRANDs... and you're all being screwed.
There is another way of course:
WREXHAM AFC
For the fans, owned by the fans, and no prawn sandwiches!
August 26, 2012
This book is concerned with the darker side of sport. In the recent London 2012 olympics we could sense the relief and joy of the winners, but what about the losers, or the nearly successful. This book looks at English football and gives us a grotesque picture of somebody failing to make it and not being able to escape that failure. It is dark black comedy. The worst thing is that there is some basis of truth in it. Thousands of kids in the UK must almost but not quite get into the first team and then what do they do. It is not a book to like, but it takes into the mind and the world of a nearly premiership footballer.
Read
July 21, 2023Just started reading.
Guys i have an issue.
In mind Stevinson and Scott. Both with heavy plot full of adventures. But after reading James Kelman, Alasdaire Gray, Alli Smith and now Glass i see new different voices altogether.
On contrary in Irish literature Oscar wilde, Joyce and Beckett were not too different from Anne Enright and other contemporaries.
The question is: why the past of literary Scotland is not the same as its present. What is hidden behind this. A rupture or only a minor turn and twist.
Guys i have an issue.
In mind Stevinson and Scott. Both with heavy plot full of adventures. But after reading James Kelman, Alasdaire Gray, Alli Smith and now Glass i see new different voices altogether.
On contrary in Irish literature Oscar wilde, Joyce and Beckett were not too different from Anne Enright and other contemporaries.
The question is: why the past of literary Scotland is not the same as its present. What is hidden behind this. A rupture or only a minor turn and twist.
July 29, 2014
"It is cleverly written with flashbacks to two different eras from the present (the 2007/2008 season). So it is three narrative threads in one which all come together in the end as the story is rounded off." Full review of this and other football novels at: http://stevek1889.blogspot.co.uk/2014...
June 16, 2012
Interesting book. It looks at what happens to a player who doesn't make in the big time, and how that might affect their life in many ways. It focuses on English football, but it could be any top-level sport.
November 6, 2015
"Sarebbe un grande errore considerare questo romanzo un emulo del celebre Febbre a novanta di Nick Hornby"
La mia recensione su Popoff: http://popoff.globalist.it/Detail_New...
La mia recensione su Popoff: http://popoff.globalist.it/Detail_New...
July 24, 2012
a fantastic read, brilliant characterisation and subject matter that is hugely relevant to modern life. REad it even if you know nothing about football, it's great.
August 9, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It combined a little fantasy with a lot of reality, resulting in an excellent read.
October 21, 2012
Actually good football fiction. Without needing to understand the football references too.
July 31, 2013
Just OK
March 16, 2014
Good fun, especially if you are a fan of the Man United 'class of 92'
July 19, 2014
Un bel libro sul calcio e sulla vita. Promettente l'avvio ma poi un po' si perde.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews