What do you think?
Rate this book
Hands Up!
Frank Lurcher and Tolstoy the Long-Eared Bat! Twenty years ago they were the biggest names in ventriloquism with their TV show. But all good things come to an end. Now, Frank Lurcher's a washed-out, grumpy has-been and his scraggy puppet Tolstoy is stuffed away in a trunk in the loft. But trouble is brewing. Frank suddenly declares that his teenage son, Jason, must follow in the family tradition and get a puppet of his own! But someone's got a shrewd idea who that puppet should be. Someone with green eyes, moth-eaten velvety wings, a snarling snout and two extra-large pointy ears. . . Tolstoy is making a comeback - with Jason as his new chosen puppeteer. He's out for another shot at TV superstardom, and a gruesome revenge on the showbiz puppets and people that wronged him in the past. Can Jason fight his evil controlling power? Will the lovely Lisa Turmoil, hair-stylist to the stars, help him in his battle - or just go off and give someone a perm? And if you cook a puppet ostrich in a microwave oven, does it count as murder?
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
33 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 16, 2021
This is the weirdest book I have ever read.
There is a British subculture of sentient puppets and their handlers. Then a string of puppet murders. Felt and stuffing everywhere. Who could do such a thing? Weeping and accusations abound. It is absurd and I loved it.
Major spoiler ahead:
In the last chapter when the ground splits open to reveal puppet hell, I thought "This is the best book I have ever read. Nothing tops puppet hell."
There is a British subculture of sentient puppets and their handlers. Then a string of puppet murders. Felt and stuffing everywhere. Who could do such a thing? Weeping and accusations abound. It is absurd and I loved it.
Major spoiler ahead:
In the last chapter when the ground splits open to reveal puppet hell, I thought "This is the best book I have ever read. Nothing tops puppet hell."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2018
I seem to be drawn to sad middle grade books and there are a lot of them out there, so this was a refreshing, humorous, and creepy tale of puppets. I think those who enjoy Gaiman's Caroline or Graveyard Book would really enjoy this cute little tale. BTW- The setting is mostly over Christmas, although its not really a Christmas book, so it might make a nice holiday read. Recommended!
March 6, 2023
Actual rating: 3.75
I love reading children's books because my childhood only lasted 11 years and I miss it.
Also, this was fun in a very disturbing way. Which is the best way a thing can be fun.
I love reading children's books because my childhood only lasted 11 years and I miss it.
Also, this was fun in a very disturbing way. Which is the best way a thing can be fun.
May 13, 2016
A slightly scary, slightly silly story of one boy who has a puppet who wants to be #1 on tv. Can his dad pull the right strings to stop the puppet?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews