Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Is Harry on the Boat?

Rate this book
You arrive at the airport to be greeted by a sun-tanned clipboard bearer, there to make your dream holiday come true. But behind the smiles, the badge and the suspect command of the native lingo, what really goes on? Are they a happy, celibate team working for the benefit of their clients, or are they at each other's throats to get their share of backhanders, drugs and sleeping with holidaymakers (or each other!)? Exactly how low is resort manager Alison prepared to go to maximise her cash gains in her last season, and how low is first-year rep and none-too-bright former male model Mario prepared to go to win the infamous 'Competition'? Which reps will Alison get rid of? Shy Lorraine? Mickey, the first ever black rep? The clubbing-mad and girl-crazy Scouse Greg? Or will it be Brad, as we follow him from bedroom to beach, stumbling across company 'business' that he shouldn't?

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

7 people are currently reading
77 people want to read

About the author

Colin Butts

6 books3 followers
Colin Butts was an English novelist, screenwriter and Ibiza nightclub impresario. His life in Ibiza was the inspiration for his literary work.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
82 (30%)
4 stars
76 (28%)
3 stars
74 (27%)
2 stars
27 (10%)
1 star
9 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Mrscams.
21 reviews
February 22, 2021
I’ve read this book several times over many years and I love it each time!
Profile Image for R.L..
861 reviews23 followers
September 23, 2020
Βασισμένο στην πραγματικότητα, αλλά δεν έχει λόγο ύπαρξης...

I'm in two minds about this book. It's strongly rooted to the reality of many holiday companies and destinations that apply to a specific crowd (actually I have seen worse and crazier incidences and situations than the book describes), but if you aren't a person who enjoys this kind of holidays/work, this book doesn't apply. If you are a person who does enjoy or has experienced all this jazz, how can reading a book compete with the actual experience?

Furthermore, I found the book repetitive and the plot nearly non-existent. The way some decisions are made and Head Office operates is sometimes too stretched for reality while the characters are very formulaic and the perspective of the author too biased. The romance part and some plot twists are ridiculous to be honest, while I would expect touching on some harder realities and issues, but then I guess the book wouldn't be so fun anymore, huh?

All in all, I don't think there is much reason for this book to exist and there are many flaws even when taking it lightly!
Profile Image for Helen.
209 reviews7 followers
October 7, 2019
Not a good book. Repetitive. Basically the story is )obviously) a look behind the scenes amongst the Ibiza holiday Reps during the 1990s in San Antonio. It’s chapters are shallowly written, there’s nothing to particularly admire and most of the pages revolve around “the competition” between the Male reps to see what sexual activity “points” they can amass. “Harry on the boat” rhyming slang is explained quite early and it’s not particularly edifying.

The “plot” such as it is, is the reps sleeping around, drinking and doing drugs and trying to work out how the boss Alison is lining her pockets.

That’s it. No big plot devices, not much in the way of prose, but a few amusing derogatory similes. It’s written from a very male standpoint; the women - the conquests - actually all the women, are written as two dimensional entities, usually the dimensions of a bra size.

Along the lines of reality TV that is lowest common denominator entertainment, this book is trash, substance-less and quite pathetic. I don’t recommend this book. The reason it’s two not one star is morbid curiosity as to how the story finishes. It was a fast read, and I only read it because I am on holiday in Ibiza as I write.
Profile Image for Daisy White.
Author 48 books107 followers
May 16, 2018
Well written, and deserving of the cult status, but I couldn't really get into it. In fact I think by the middle of the book, I was bored by the amount of mind-numbing sex and drugs. An amusing look at the lives of some Ibiza holiday reps.
Profile Image for Alex.
3 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2017
Веселая книга.
29 reviews
December 4, 2019
Probably dated now, but when I read this as a late teen, I loved it. Funny, outrageous and just a great straightforward read.

Not for kids!!
Profile Image for Tania Lukyniuk.
283 reviews120 followers
August 7, 2013
Sex, drugs, rock'n'roll or in this case - electro music. Very brutal male view of Ibiza vacations. So graphic almost from the very beginning, that you become soon numb to even more atrocities as you proceed with book. Beyond sex & drugs - nothing really, except good belief of an author that every generation has virtue even if it seems to be well hidden behind vices.
Profile Image for Becky.
270 reviews4 followers
August 10, 2016
Well I should've known not to expect wonders from this book! It offers a rather hilarious (and at times explicit) story of what goes on behind the scenes of a sunny holiday rep scene. I can see why it's a 'cult classic' but I wouldn't bother reading it again!
Profile Image for Emma G.
105 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2011
Classic. And apparently very accurate!
Profile Image for Rachel.
28 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2013
I liked this book although it was quite crude (in many ways!) A very blokey book. However I read it in a few days as it was very entertaining!
Profile Image for Wayne Shutt.
7 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2013
as an ex holiday rep, this is the closest book there is to explaining life overseas, love it
Profile Image for Susan Susan.
3 reviews
June 7, 2008
Enjoyed this book, a real in sight to Hoilday Rep's and what they get upto!!
6 reviews
July 18, 2018
There's no plot in this book. At least, I'm quite sure there isn't any. After wading through 350-odd pages I came across a hint of suspense, which rapidly faded back into the steaming cesspool of woman hatred, macho posturing, That-Happened style locker room anecdotes and pointless dialogue that never advances the characters or their 'story' one iota.

I find it hard to believe anyone has actually read this, much less that they liked it. If I could give is negative stars I would. All I can really do is warn other unsuspecting readers who are looking for a holiday read to give this a miss, yes, even if it's on sale for a buck. You'll still feel ripped off, I promise.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.