Racing Pigs And Giant Marrows Travels around the North Country Fairs

by Harry Pearson

An alternate cover edition of this ISBN can be found here.

Harry Pearson vowed that his next project would be about the summer—specifically, about a summer of shows and fairs in the north of England. Encompassing such diverse talents as fell-running, tupperware-boxing, and rabbit fancying (literally), and containing many more jokes about goats than is legal in the Isle of Man, Racing Pigs and Giant Marrows must be the only book in existence to explain the design faults of earwigs.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

Reviews

[Hilary Tesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun. Like Bill Bryson on anabolic steroids. Descriptive, informative and laugh aloud funny. You will find yourself reading bits aloud to passing strangers!

[Nina .c · Rating 4 out of 5]

A proper chuckle out loud book- just what I needed

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a fun book! Like many other reviewers while reading, I thought immediately of Bill Bryson. Harry Pearson has such a quirky, hilarious view of reality and I appreciated every page. At the same time he gives us glimpse into a part of life in Briton that has largely disappeared but there is a timelessness in the recitation that makes the reader feel he or she is right there observing the markets and fairs that now exist only in the memories of those who are, themselves, fast disappearing. We owe a debt of gratitude to Harry P. and others who take the time to record the sights, sounds and scents of those days.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining little book covering a summer visiting the various country and agricultural shows and fairs around the North West.

Lots of historical background gives interesting insights into how we got where we are in terms of breeding animals to suit our needs and some bred simply for the show - same too for giant leeks!

Nicely written with a good balance of humour and fact - certainly made me want to get out to a few shows next summer!

[Tarn Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally beguiling. I love travel books which look at the little easily missed things, rather than the vast canyons and sweeping coastlines. I also am partial to the odd country show. This looks at the North East country shows, the hen parades, the pig races, the giant marrows, the warm beer, all detailed in warm, generous and astute prose. Endearing and very very funny.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, you have to be British to appreciate the humor and anecdotes.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a hoot