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Tinkering: The Complete Book of John Clarke
The sudden death of John Clarke in April 2017 cut short the life of a man who was not only a great and much loved entertainer and satirist but a wonderful writer.
Tinkering: The Complete Book of John Clarke represents his work from the 1970s in both Australia and New Zealand, and includes his writing for radio, television, stage and screen, as well some previously unpublished pieces.
This collection includes the irresistible commentaries of Fred Dagg, the hilarious and unforgettable absurdities of farnarkeling and selections of his famous quizzes where he gave the answers and readers had to guess the questions. There are also moving recollections of people and places, many of which he wrote towards the end of his life.
To be introduced by John Clarke’s daughter, Lorin Clarke.
Illustrated, and published in jacketed hardcover TINKERING is the perfect way to remember the genius who made us all laugh at ourselves and our society for so many years.
Tinkering: The Complete Book of John Clarke represents his work from the 1970s in both Australia and New Zealand, and includes his writing for radio, television, stage and screen, as well some previously unpublished pieces.
This collection includes the irresistible commentaries of Fred Dagg, the hilarious and unforgettable absurdities of farnarkeling and selections of his famous quizzes where he gave the answers and readers had to guess the questions. There are also moving recollections of people and places, many of which he wrote towards the end of his life.
To be introduced by John Clarke’s daughter, Lorin Clarke.
Illustrated, and published in jacketed hardcover TINKERING is the perfect way to remember the genius who made us all laugh at ourselves and our society for so many years.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
256 pages, Hardcover
Published November 27, 2017
26 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
John Clarke
19 books7 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information. This is John^^Clarke.
John Clarke (29 July 1948 – 9 April 2017) was a New Zealand–born comedian, writer, and satirist. He was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and lived in Australia from the late 1970s. He was a highly regarded actor and writer whose work appeared on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in both radio and television and also in print.
John Clarke (29 July 1948 – 9 April 2017) was a New Zealand–born comedian, writer, and satirist. He was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and lived in Australia from the late 1970s. He was a highly regarded actor and writer whose work appeared on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in both radio and television and also in print.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 3, 2020
I have the pleasure of possessing a copy of Tinkering: The Complete Book of John Clarke. Before a collection of press clippings featuring the exploits of the mighty Dave Sorensen he explains that farnarkeling is engaged in by two teams whose purpose is to arkle, and to prevent the other team from arkeling, using a flukem to propel a gonad through sets of posts situated at random around the periphery of a grommet. Arkeling is not permissible, however, from any position adjacent to the phlange (or leiderkrantz) or from within fifteen yards of the whiffenwacker at the point where the shifting tube abuts the centre-line on either side of the thirty-four-metre mark, measured from the valve at the back of the defending side's transom-housing.
Magical indeed! Just in case anyone was wondering...
Magical indeed! Just in case anyone was wondering...
September 17, 2018
This wonderful collection of scripts, instructions on golf, recollections and satire written the way it used to be (without foul and offensive language or the need to assassinate), is a rich reflection of not just the talent of the man but of his character. He was an Australian National Treasure born, bread and wholly created in New Zealand. Some of it was thrilling to revisit, some delightful to consume for the first time and all of it made me grateful for the coincidence of our lives being lived at a distant parallel such that I heard so much of it when it was first breathed. A truly beautiful requiem.
May 15, 2023
Take a star off if you have a few other John Clarke books (I would say 70% of the book are reprints from A Complete Dagg, Daggshead Revisited etc).
A wonderful collection of John's writing, including a lovely intro/reminiscent piece by his daughter and discussing how they "tinkered" with each other's writing.
The book starts with John's eulogies on his parents and some other people he knew (wonderful, powerful writing). Then there's a bunch of repeats of his classic hits and then at the end new content from his website (such as answers to last week's quiz) and some shorter pieces. A lovely way to see the man off.
A wonderful collection of John's writing, including a lovely intro/reminiscent piece by his daughter and discussing how they "tinkered" with each other's writing.
The book starts with John's eulogies on his parents and some other people he knew (wonderful, powerful writing). Then there's a bunch of repeats of his classic hits and then at the end new content from his website (such as answers to last week's quiz) and some shorter pieces. A lovely way to see the man off.
March 29, 2018
We are all aware of the impact Clarke's approach to comedy has made on both Australia & his homeland of New Zealand. And he is sadly missed. This book, appropriately entitled Tinkering, includes a variety of his fictional & non-fictional short prose pieces. All are entertaining; for me, especially those that could be regarded as 'true' stories. But I couldn't help feeling that some of these pieces were written for Clarke's own amusement & had never been intended for publication. Which felt kind of sad. However, given the author's untimely demise, sadness may be exactly what I am supposed to feel.
January 2, 2018
Reading this now, with the recent loss of the wonderfully brilliant John Clarke, is a bittersweet experience. It’s great to enjoy his gentle pillory-ing of those who so desperately need a taste of their own humanity, and appreciative observance of those who showed great art in life and living, however I feel I’ve come to it too late. But still this is a great commemoration of John Clarke’s writings. This book exemplifies the great humility and literary and humorist pedigree from which John’s writings sprang.
The book starts out with his beginnings, families origins and the literary figures who happened to be sitting in his family’s kitchen at any one time, and provides context to his life’s work. Most of the writings that follow require some understanding of sport, politics and issues “across the” Australian/New Zealand “ditch” through the 80s, 90s and noughties, hence the ungenerous 4/5, which is more a failure on my part than the authors! But his turn of phrase is deliciously cutting and even without the background, the themes are universal. The last few chapters on sporting heroes, writers and authors and memories and reflections are wonderful in their recounting of stories to show the true characters of the people and moments in life.
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended to those who want a reminder of the brilliance of the satirist and acute observer of life.
The book starts out with his beginnings, families origins and the literary figures who happened to be sitting in his family’s kitchen at any one time, and provides context to his life’s work. Most of the writings that follow require some understanding of sport, politics and issues “across the” Australian/New Zealand “ditch” through the 80s, 90s and noughties, hence the ungenerous 4/5, which is more a failure on my part than the authors! But his turn of phrase is deliciously cutting and even without the background, the themes are universal. The last few chapters on sporting heroes, writers and authors and memories and reflections are wonderful in their recounting of stories to show the true characters of the people and moments in life.
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended to those who want a reminder of the brilliance of the satirist and acute observer of life.
May 4, 2025
Although it has been a while now since John Clarke left us, (2017) I still struggle with the loss - it was immense, he truly was special!!
John Clarke was an enormous talent and one that New Zealand and Australia really, really miss.
His observational writing was truly unique. He had no peer, and his wit was one of a kind and consistently brilliant.
This wonderful compilation of his work is just a mere dip into what he produced! Sure, there is his Fred Dagg scripts, which in so many ways established the author, but that aside, his reflections on his parents and others are heartfelt and beautiful and show the true character of the man, who was always thoughtful and true.
But I loved his scripts, his reflections on various projects he was involved in, and his short bio’s on a cross sections of New Zealand and Australian people are just so insightful and respectful.
His poetry, (derived from transcripts) is just, well, so clever, you’re taken away by its succinct accuracy and humour - what couldn’t he do.
I just wish there were some of his Clarke & Dawe scripts here and indeed snippets from the Olympic Games series he did for the ABC. The 100 metres and 400 metres track and field is simply genius, and hilarious!
What is here, for the most part, is an insightful collection of a true legend, and required reading for anyone remotely interested in the best of A&NZ humour because John Clarke was right up there with the best - a genius, and I don’t use that lightly!!
John Clarke was an enormous talent and one that New Zealand and Australia really, really miss.
His observational writing was truly unique. He had no peer, and his wit was one of a kind and consistently brilliant.
This wonderful compilation of his work is just a mere dip into what he produced! Sure, there is his Fred Dagg scripts, which in so many ways established the author, but that aside, his reflections on his parents and others are heartfelt and beautiful and show the true character of the man, who was always thoughtful and true.
But I loved his scripts, his reflections on various projects he was involved in, and his short bio’s on a cross sections of New Zealand and Australian people are just so insightful and respectful.
His poetry, (derived from transcripts) is just, well, so clever, you’re taken away by its succinct accuracy and humour - what couldn’t he do.
I just wish there were some of his Clarke & Dawe scripts here and indeed snippets from the Olympic Games series he did for the ABC. The 100 metres and 400 metres track and field is simply genius, and hilarious!
What is here, for the most part, is an insightful collection of a true legend, and required reading for anyone remotely interested in the best of A&NZ humour because John Clarke was right up there with the best - a genius, and I don’t use that lightly!!
September 24, 2019
John Clarke died last year.
This was quite inconvenient as he didn't leave a spare of himself just in case.
I'm struck by just how beautifully his voice comes across in the way he writes; how his humour, dry as Schweppes, shines in the construction of his sentences, its cadences, his ability to create a joke where you wouldn't think there could be one and in a way where you feel he's letting you, and only you, in on a secret.
He does this without coarse language, without exclamation marks and with a depth of education that comes from being well-read and naturally curious and not from being waffled at for pointless hours by experts.
There was only one John Clarke.
That's a pity. We could have used a spare.
10/10. Every home in Australasia should have this book.
This was quite inconvenient as he didn't leave a spare of himself just in case.
I'm struck by just how beautifully his voice comes across in the way he writes; how his humour, dry as Schweppes, shines in the construction of his sentences, its cadences, his ability to create a joke where you wouldn't think there could be one and in a way where you feel he's letting you, and only you, in on a secret.
He does this without coarse language, without exclamation marks and with a depth of education that comes from being well-read and naturally curious and not from being waffled at for pointless hours by experts.
There was only one John Clarke.
That's a pity. We could have used a spare.
10/10. Every home in Australasia should have this book.
March 9, 2018
When John Clarke died suddenly in 2017, Australia and New Zealand lost a national treasure. Known widely for his character Fred Dagg and later for his Thursday night spot in Clarke and Dawe, he made a mission of keeping politicians honest.
This collection of his writing (his 'tinkering'), put together by his daughter, shows that there was much more to John Clarke than the above. This is a book of comic and serious writing, one to be dipped into again and again. His letter of St Paul to the Electorates is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny, but there are also thought-provoking pieces as well. Thank goodness he lives on.
This collection of his writing (his 'tinkering'), put together by his daughter, shows that there was much more to John Clarke than the above. This is a book of comic and serious writing, one to be dipped into again and again. His letter of St Paul to the Electorates is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny, but there are also thought-provoking pieces as well. Thank goodness he lives on.
February 14, 2022
Mr. John Clarke was born in New Zealand on 29 July 1948 and died in Australia on 9 April 2007.
John created the character :" Fred Dagg" who gave philosophical commentary on television, while outstanding in his field. He left New Zealand and moved to Europe, London and Australia.
His strength of humour lay in his ability to see the absurd in life: especially politicians.
John created the character :" Fred Dagg" who gave philosophical commentary on television, while outstanding in his field. He left New Zealand and moved to Europe, London and Australia.
His strength of humour lay in his ability to see the absurd in life: especially politicians.
June 18, 2018
I so loved John's TV and radio work, and was so thrilled to receive this book as a gift. However, the text didn’t, at first read, quite translate into the tittering that I anticipated ... I was a wee bit disappointed, but possibly it just reflects my inexperience at reading ‘scripts and work in progress’. Anyway, second attempt was very much rewarded with many a wry smile, smirk and giggle. So clever.....especially the Saints letter to the Electorate....spot on!
November 16, 2022
Some wonderful recollections from John's childhood. His observations about the human race are always so spot on.
Because the book has so many different sections and seperate anecdotes I would have liked an index, or a fuller breakdown of chapters in the front.
Because the book has so many different sections and seperate anecdotes I would have liked an index, or a fuller breakdown of chapters in the front.
September 24, 2018
Just lovely. john Clarke has a great turn of phrase and a quirky way of noticing the absurd or interesting in life.
December 31, 2018
A delight.
January 10, 2019
Gone too soon.
Unsurpassed wordsmith / storyteller. Always generous in paradise of others. The most clever use of language.
A joy to read.
Unsurpassed wordsmith / storyteller. Always generous in paradise of others. The most clever use of language.
A joy to read.
January 19, 2019
A delightful celebration of the English language, and of one of its keenest observers.
May 19, 2019
Brilliant! John Clarke is a comic genius
May 30, 2019
What a clever and hilarious man John Clarke was. I would definitely recommend this book. So many hidden gems.
January 12, 2020
Excellent, but best read in bite-sized pieces.
March 26, 2020
For a Kiwi, growing up with John and his cast of characters...no brainer - don't read in public, people look at the laughing guy strangely!
November 3, 2020
Brought back many happy memories.
February 4, 2018
‘…Assessment of his The Games co-writer Ross Stevenson that Clarke was “the great satirist in the English language” is probably pretty close to the mark.’
Otago Daily Times
‘The late John Clarke, aka. Fred Dagg, really was a satirical one-off…Tinkering is packed with puzzles and propositions, with tea-fuelled musings on everything from plumbing to Paul Holmes. A gem.’
North & South
‘This book comes with some magnificent pictures of Clarke’s beloved birds and they seem to have represented the magic of the reality of the world to him. There is plenty of that magic in this book and everyone who liked John Clarke should buy it and find in it what will soothe their spirit. It will be there.’
Australian
Otago Daily Times
‘The late John Clarke, aka. Fred Dagg, really was a satirical one-off…Tinkering is packed with puzzles and propositions, with tea-fuelled musings on everything from plumbing to Paul Holmes. A gem.’
North & South
‘This book comes with some magnificent pictures of Clarke’s beloved birds and they seem to have represented the magic of the reality of the world to him. There is plenty of that magic in this book and everyone who liked John Clarke should buy it and find in it what will soothe their spirit. It will be there.’
Australian
February 27, 2025
John Clarke read this book to me... I could hear his voice in my head with every word. Marvellous.
He really was satire at it's best. A comic genius, greatly missed.
He really was satire at it's best. A comic genius, greatly missed.
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January 1, 2019what a greater writer we have lost - his straight writing is emotional and beautifully pitched...
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews