The Stars Tennis Balls

by S. Fry

BOOKS

384 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2011

Reviews

[Nathalie ✨]

This was a very random library pickup (next to my stash of Dungeon Crawler Carl books) and I was pleasantly surprised that this is actually a The Count of Monte Cristo retelling! I've been very curious about Stephen Fry's non-Greek Mythology books, and am a bit disappointed that his witty humor didn't shine as much in this book. Fun idea for a retelling though, and a very pleasant find.

[Olexandra Berezhna]

Книжка саме зацікавила, бо подається як ретелінг "Графа Монте-Крісто". Першоджерело не читала, але була цікавою саме помста кривдникам. І вона вийшла досить жорстокою. Загалом історія підіймає питання потреби помсти і як вона змінює людину... Є над чим подумати...

[Katrina]

Read this at a holiday rental and enjoyed it more than I was expecting. Interesting characters and the story flowed. A solid 3.5.

[Ashish]

4 for the story which is simply (spoiler alert) a modern retelling of The Count of Monte Christo.
5 because i listened to the audio book and Steven Fry’s voice brings it alive. The language is exquisite.

[Coen Sørensen]

Ik was even vergeten wat het voor boek was, maar het is natuurlijk een hervertelling van de Count of Monte Christo.
Ik vond het lekker weglezen en goed uitgedacht, maar in het begin voorspelbaar (logisch omdat het een hervertelling is maar toch jammer vond ik) en het einde weer té anders haha (ik weet het make up your mind maar ja dit is mijn review). Ik had graag iets anders gezien aan het einde maar soms is dat ook mooi aan een boek.
Het is vlot en goed geschreven dus lekker om te lezen. Daarmee is het ook wel gezegd liefs weer en tot de volgende!! Xx

[Darren]

It would be a wonderful public service if the masterful Mr Fry was gently encouraged once a year to take time out from his busy schedule, shut himself away somewhere and write more of these delightful stories that he is so apt in doing. A glorious take on Dumas' classic and thoroughly thought through.

[Brian]

The Count of Monet Cristo, Bourne Identity? Pretty fun. I just remembered that I read it.

[Dean]

Count of Monti Christo but still good 8.5/10

[Mark]

3.5 * Rounded up

[Martinus Vogels]

This is a well written book that echoes the Count of Monte Cristo yet with enough changes and modernization to make it very enjoyable even for those familiar with the ‘original’. The only blemish is the incredible coincidence that lies at the heart of Ned’s ordeal, it could have been dealt with in a less conspicuous fashion. Delft could e.g. have ensured that any news regarding his mother would have reached him and Ned could have told the address already at the police station interview, who would alert MI6 and it would land at Delft’s desk. It would have been a more plausible explanation. Monte Cristo has a similar coincidence to get things going but there it never felt forced