false 462801 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174962796m/462801.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174962796s/462801.jpg The Duchess of Malfi --by John Webster

Everything about Stephen Fry's new novel, including the title, will be a surprise, perhaps even a shock. The only thing that can be guaranteed is that it will be his next earth-movingly funny bestseller. And we are still pretty confidently saying it will not be about earthworm migration patterns in East Devon.

This is the story of Ned Maddenstone, a nice young man who is about to find out just what hell it is to be one of the stars' tennis balls.  For Ned, 1978 seems a blissful year: handsome, popular, responsible and a fine cricketer, life is progressing smoothly for him, if not effortlessly. When he meets Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete. What if her left-wing parents despise his Tory MP father? Doesn't that just make them star-crossed lovers? And surely, in the end, won't the Fendemans be won over by their happiness?  But, of course, one person's happiness is another's jealous spite. And spite is about to change Ned's life forever.  A promise made to a dying teacher and a vile trick played by fellow pupils rocket Ned from cricket captain to solitary confinement, from head boy to political prisoner. Twenty years later, Ned returns to London a very different man from the boy seized outside a Knightsbridge language college.  A man implacably focused on revenge. Revenge is a dish he plans to savour and serve to those who conspired against him, and to those who forgot him.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 66855 16 420042 2000 Revenge: A Novel total:578|5:109|4:224|3:182|2:50|1:13| 578 2100 851 85 10917 3.87 5543 717 42947916 611408 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.67 352 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 3 1 false Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006 Tue Jan 13 15:13:53 -0800 2009 Tue Jan 13 15:14:24 -0800 2009 more...]]> 17909537 210176 431068 0375506233 9780375506239 8 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174689811m/431068.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174689811s/431068.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/431068.Revenge 3.73 26 Ned Maddstone is a happy, charismatic Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually preordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned enjoys an existence of boundless opportunity. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s charmed life is changed forever. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Drugged and disoriented, Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish, harrowing exile, far from home and lost to those he loves. Years pass before an apparently mad, obviously brilliant fellow inmate reawakens the younger man’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.
While Revenge breaks new ground with its taut plotting, exhilarating pace, and underlying air of menace, its sophistication and irreverent humor are vintage Fry—a gloriously rich mix that only he could deliver. His first novel in four years is a dramatic, powerful tour de force that is sure to enlarge the American audience for this singularly talented author’s work.]]> 2000 3 1 true Sun Mar 16 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sun Mar 16 20:50:24 -0700 2008 Sun Mar 16 21:15:37 -0700 2008 Count of Monte Cristo revenge tale, set in England between 1980 and the present day. A well written thriller, good for a pleasant diversionary read. Starts off with a very compelling set-up, as the main character is betrayed and then sent off into a mysterious exile, lost to...more...]]> 28446474 1037183 431068 0375506233 9780375506239 8 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174689811m/431068.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174689811s/431068.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/431068.Revenge 3.63 578 Ned Maddstone is a happy, charismatic Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually preordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned enjoys an existence of boundless opportunity. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s charmed life is changed forever. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Drugged and disoriented, Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish, harrowing exile, far from home and lost to those he loves. Years pass before an apparently mad, obviously brilliant fellow inmate reawakens the younger man’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.
While Revenge breaks new ground with its taut plotting, exhilarating pace, and underlying air of menace, its sophistication and irreverent humor are vintage Fry—a gloriously rich mix that only he could deliver. His first novel in four years is a dramatic, powerful tour de force that is sure to enlarge the American audience for this singularly talented author’s work.]]> 2000 2 2 false Tue Aug 12 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sun Jul 27 14:55:49 -0700 2008 Thu Aug 21 19:41:43 -0700 2008 more...]]> 68987363 1360001 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 4 0 false Thu Aug 27 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Aug 26 13:14:45 -0700 2009 Thu Aug 27 11:35:31 -0700 2009 The Hippopotamus, even if it was an incredibly weird, almost Sherlock Holmes-ian novel. I started reading it and the lighthearted comedy wasn't there and I kept thinking 'Gosh, this sounds an awful lot like The Count of Monte Cristo...more...]]> 65088297 1122151 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 4 2 false Mon Jul 27 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Sun Jul 26 21:46:20 -0700 2009 Mon Jul 27 20:54:33 -0700 2009
ah, this book reminded me why I don't read blurbs. I did not realize until 200 pages into the book that I was reading a retelling of the count of monte cristo, yes I realize I should have rea...more...]]> 46355754 1744227 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 4 0 false Fri Feb 13 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Feb 14 15:16:07 -0800 2009 Sat Feb 14 15:21:56 -0800 2009 ...more...]]> 60178870 133871 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 3 0 false Thu Jun 18 10:02:03 -0700 2009 Thu Jun 18 10:12:42 -0700 2009 more...]]> 44740346 307208 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 3 0 false Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Thu Jan 29 06:25:18 -0800 2009 Tue Mar 10 16:00:22 -0700 2009
I was al...more...]]> 5028716 305695 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 4 1 false Thu Aug 23 16:26:24 -0700 2007 Tue Sep 11 17:22:09 -0700 2007 22411438 36370 927525 0099727412 9780099727415 5 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179521025m/927525.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179521025s/927525.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/927525.The_Stars_Tennis_Balls 3.78 27
For Ned, 1980 seems a blissful year. Handsome, charming, popular and talented, his life is progressing smoothly, effortlessly, happily. And when he meets the lovely Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete.

But timing is everything in life, and his life is about to change for ever.

Part love story, part thriller, a gloriously rich mix that only Stephen Fry can dish up to us, The Stars’ Tennis Balls will leave you happy and replete.]]> 2000 4 0 false Tue Oct 28 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Fri May 16 21:20:29 -0700 2008 Wed Oct 29 07:19:38 -0700 2008 1 more...]]> 47287078 1441562 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 4 0 false Fri Mar 06 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Mon Feb 23 13:29:53 -0800 2009 Fri Mar 06 16:38:10 -0800 2009 more...]]> 65747223 1309606 1060839 0091801516 9780091801519 3 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180643832m/1060839.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180643832s/1060839.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1060839.Stars_Tennis_Balls_The 3.19 16 The Duchess of Malfi --by John Webster

Everything about Stephen Fry's new novel, including the title, will be a surprise, perhaps even a shock. The only thing that can be guaranteed is that it will be his next earth-movingly funny bestseller. And we are still pretty confidently saying it will not be about earthworm migration patterns in East Devon.

This is the story of Ned Maddenstone, a nice young man who is about to find out just what hell it is to be one of the stars' tennis balls.  For Ned, 1978 seems a blissful year: handsome, popular, responsible and a fine cricketer, life is progressing smoothly for him, if not effortlessly. When he meets Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete. What if her left-wing parents despise his Tory MP father? Doesn't that just make them star-crossed lovers? And surely, in the end, won't the Fendemans be won over by their happiness?  But, of course, one person's happiness is another's jealous spite. And spite is about to change Ned's life forever.  A promise made to a dying teacher and a vile trick played by fellow pupils rocket Ned from cricket captain to solitary confinement, from head boy to political prisoner. Twenty years later, Ned returns to London a very different man from the boy seized outside a Knightsbridge language college.  A man implacably focused on revenge. Revenge is a dish he plans to savour and serve to those who conspired against him, and to those who forgot him.]]> 2000 2 0 false Sat Aug 01 05:41:49 -0700 2009 Sun Aug 02 09:22:55 -0700 2009
Friends of mine have told me for years that I should read Stephen Fry, that he was hilarious and his books excellent and so on. Maybe I just picked up the wrong novel, as I thought this was coldly efficient without much in the way of hea...more...]]> 70194064 1938945 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 4 0 true Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Sat Sep 05 17:53:04 -0700 2009 Sat Sep 05 17:54:57 -0700 2009 49017821 1470938 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 3 0 false Tue Mar 17 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Thu Mar 12 06:29:03 -0700 2009 Mon Mar 16 21:18:23 -0700 2009 48604262 2059285 1060839 0091801516 9780091801519 3 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180643832m/1060839.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180643832s/1060839.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1060839.Stars_Tennis_Balls_The 3.63 578 The Duchess of Malfi --by John Webster

Everything about Stephen Fry's new novel, including the title, will be a surprise, perhaps even a shock. The only thing that can be guaranteed is that it will be his next earth-movingly funny bestseller. And we are still pretty confidently saying it will not be about earthworm migration patterns in East Devon.

This is the story of Ned Maddenstone, a nice young man who is about to find out just what hell it is to be one of the stars' tennis balls.  For Ned, 1978 seems a blissful year: handsome, popular, responsible and a fine cricketer, life is progressing smoothly for him, if not effortlessly. When he meets Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete. What if her left-wing parents despise his Tory MP father? Doesn't that just make them star-crossed lovers? And surely, in the end, won't the Fendemans be won over by their happiness?  But, of course, one person's happiness is another's jealous spite. And spite is about to change Ned's life forever.  A promise made to a dying teacher and a vile trick played by fellow pupils rocket Ned from cricket captain to solitary confinement, from head boy to political prisoner. Twenty years later, Ned returns to London a very different man from the boy seized outside a Knightsbridge language college.  A man implacably focused on revenge. Revenge is a dish he plans to savour and serve to those who conspired against him, and to those who forgot him.]]> 2000 3 0 false Sun Jan 18 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sun Mar 08 11:15:47 -0700 2009 Sun Mar 08 11:16:23 -0700 2009 62198602 2195567 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 4 0 false Sun Jul 05 07:36:13 -0700 2009 Sun Jul 05 10:05:07 -0700 2009 45346849 1826561 927525 0099727412 9780099727415 5 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179521025m/927525.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179521025s/927525.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/927525.The_Stars_Tennis_Balls 3.63 578
For Ned, 1980 seems a blissful year. Handsome, charming, popular and talented, his life is progressing smoothly, effortlessly, happily. And when he meets the lovely Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete.

But timing is everything in life, and his life is about to change for ever.

Part love story, part thriller, a gloriously rich mix that only Stephen Fry can dish up to us, The Stars’ Tennis Balls will leave you happy and replete.]]> 2000 4 0 false Wed Feb 04 07:35:55 -0800 2009 Wed Feb 04 07:39:37 -0800 2009 Revenge for uncultured Americans, this is Fry's The Count of Monte Cristo. The hero is loveably unlikeable, the prose sparkles, the pacing is perfect. Horrible, horrible things happen, and it's absolutely delicious.
]]> 75014834 2846441 66855 0812968190 9780812968194 50 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528m/66855.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170662528s/66855.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66855.Revenge_A_Novel 3.63 578 The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Ned Maddstone, a happy, charismatic, Oxford-bound seventeen-year-old whose rosy future is virtually pre-ordained. Handsome, confident, and talented, newly in love with bright, beautiful Portia, his father an influential MP, Ned leads a charmed life. But privilege makes him an easy target for envy, and in the course of one day Ned’s destiny is forever altered. A promise made to a dying teacher combined with a prank devised by a jealous classmate mutates bewilderingly into a case of mistaken arrest and incarceration. Ned finds himself a political prisoner in a nightmarish exile that lasts years, until a fellow inmate reawakens Ned’s intellect and resurrects his will to live. The chilling consequences of Ned’s recovery are felt worldwide.]]> 2000 3 0 false Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon Oct 19 08:26:42 -0700 2009 Mon Oct 19 08:27:00 -0700 2009 7857825 168393 462801 0099471558 9780099471554 16 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174962796m/462801.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174962796s/462801.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/462801.The_Stars_Tennis_Balls 3.61 131 The Duchess of Malfi --by John Webster

Everything about Stephen Fry's new novel, including the title, will be a surprise, perhaps even a shock. The only thing that can be guaranteed is that it will be his next earth-movingly funny bestseller. And we are still pretty confidently saying it will not be about earthworm migration patterns in East Devon.

This is the story of Ned Maddenstone, a nice young man who is about to find out just what hell it is to be one of the stars' tennis balls.  For Ned, 1978 seems a blissful year: handsome, popular, responsible and a fine cricketer, life is progressing smoothly for him, if not effortlessly. When he meets Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete. What if her left-wing parents despise his Tory MP father? Doesn't that just make them star-crossed lovers? And surely, in the end, won't the Fendemans be won over by their happiness?  But, of course, one person's happiness is another's jealous spite. And spite is about to change Ned's life forever.  A promise made to a dying teacher and a vile trick played by fellow pupils rocket Ned from cricket captain to solitary confinement, from head boy to political prisoner. Twenty years later, Ned returns to London a very different man from the boy seized outside a Knightsbridge language college.  A man implacably focused on revenge. Revenge is a dish he plans to savour and serve to those who conspired against him, and to those who forgot him.


From the Hardcover edition.]]> 2000 5 0 false Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Wed Oct 17 16:42:51 -0700 2007 Wed Oct 17 16:50:07 -0700 2007 more...]]> 45367790 251417 927525 0099727412 9780099727415 5 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179521025m/927525.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179521025s/927525.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/927525.The_Stars_Tennis_Balls 3.63 578
For Ned, 1980 seems a blissful year. Handsome, charming, popular and talented, his life is progressing smoothly, effortlessly, happily. And when he meets the lovely Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete.

But timing is everything in life, and his life is about to change for ever.

Part love story, part thriller, a gloriously rich mix that only Stephen Fry can dish up to us, The Stars’ Tennis Balls will leave you happy and replete.]]> 2000 4 0 false Sun Feb 15 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Wed Feb 04 11:19:02 -0800 2009 Sun Feb 15 21:00:49 -0800 2009 8 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=462801