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The Game's Gone
No one would call David Rose - or ‘Rosie’ as he’s known to one and all - a star, but he’s good at his job and proud of his work as a sportswriter for a national newspaper. He’s used to seeing flashier talents come and go - both on the field, and in the competitive world of the press. Football comes first in the way he spends his working life, but he’s happy to pitch in whatever the sport - from Formula 1 to Test cricket in the West Indies, the Olympics to a heavyweight championship bout in Japan.
He’s used to the ups and downs of a journalist’s life and has learned to keep his own head safely down - until an especially venal boss pins his own misdemeanours on the entirely innocent Rose. Rosie’s revenge is slow but sweet, as he manoeuvres through a world where egos clash, money talks and you’re only as safe as your latest by-line.
Not since Richard Ford’s classic novel, The Sportswriter, has a novel caught the world of sports journalism so vividly and so well. A marvellous listen - funny, touching and compelling.
Simon Barnes was the Chief Sports Writer for The Times until 2014, having worked for the paper for 30 years, during which he covered seven Olympic Games and six World Cup finals. He writes about sports and wildlife and is the author of over 20 books, including the best-selling How to be a Bad Birdwatcher.
He’s used to the ups and downs of a journalist’s life and has learned to keep his own head safely down - until an especially venal boss pins his own misdemeanours on the entirely innocent Rose. Rosie’s revenge is slow but sweet, as he manoeuvres through a world where egos clash, money talks and you’re only as safe as your latest by-line.
Not since Richard Ford’s classic novel, The Sportswriter, has a novel caught the world of sports journalism so vividly and so well. A marvellous listen - funny, touching and compelling.
Simon Barnes was the Chief Sports Writer for The Times until 2014, having worked for the paper for 30 years, during which he covered seven Olympic Games and six World Cup finals. He writes about sports and wildlife and is the author of over 20 books, including the best-selling How to be a Bad Birdwatcher.
Audible Audio
Published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 23, 2020
David Rose, 'Rosie' to his friends and colleagues, may not be anyone's idea of a star reporter (including himself), but he does believe in his craft and he's proud to be a sportswriter for a national newspaper.
Football is his first love. He's happiest when sitting pitchside writing about the beautiful game, but he can turn his hand to most sports when called on - from Formula One, to Tennis, to cricket, and all the way to the sporting pinnacle of the Olympic Games.
Rosie has seen it all, and with it the rise and fall of many a flashier talent, and he prefers to keep his head down and concentrate on what's important - writing a good piece about sport. But sometimes he cannot fail to be involved in the inevitable dramas that come with the job, such as the bother that comes with having to babysit the new "talent", or a bitter boss intent on blaming Rosie for his own dark deeds, but he hopes it is the quality of the story that will win in the end - and of course, revenge is ever so sweet, even if it is a long time coming.
******************************************************
The Game's Gone is not the typical kind of audio book that graces my listening choices, but my interest was piqued by this one - and I am mighty glad to have given it my time.
Simon Barnes' tale is beautifully narrated by Colin Mace who brings our hardworking and conscientious hero Rosie to life and draws us into the life of a sportswriter, from the early days of a junior on the local rag, all the way to the dizzy heights of Fleet Street and beyond.
And what a life this is! Filled with spellbinding detail about the pecking order, camaraderie, rivalries, and (usually) fake bonhomie of the hacks that fill the columns of our newspapers with sporting news - a lot of which I am sure can be applied to journalism in general, and not just the sports side of reporting.
I found Rosie to be an endearing and thoroughly likable character from the start. He is a self-effacing, decent guy in a career not generally known for its integrity, and is able to offer many a sharply observed quip. He is intelligent, without being too obvious about it, and enjoys a glass or two of decent plonk. Most of all, he is dedicated to his craft, and this is what carries him through the ups and downs of the journalistic world.
Rosie is an old school reporter in times of great change in the journalism, but he is able to adapt himself to the evolving environment rather well - even if he does like to grumble about it a lot - and although he has many trials to contend with, such as new technology, upstart graduate types and even (shock, horror) women reporters, he always keeps his head above water. I really enjoyed the way Rosie actually comes to recognise that these "new types" might have something to offer, and he is able to appreciate their contribution, even if somewhat reluctantly at first.
This is a tale that brings alive the world of sports journalism and starts you thinking about how much of this is actually real, since our author was a Chief Sports Writer himself. In fact, Simon Barnes says he has toned down a lot of the madness to make it believable! It is touching, humorous and completely compulsive listening. I can't remember the last time I chuckled so much when listening to an audio book, if ever! It is also filled with mentions of some of the biggest sporting events of the last few years, which I found really nostalgic, and the ending is pretty special too!
If you are looking for an original audio book that is a little bit different, and will completely immerse you in a most fascinating world, then I highly recommend this as your next listen. It's a corker!
Football is his first love. He's happiest when sitting pitchside writing about the beautiful game, but he can turn his hand to most sports when called on - from Formula One, to Tennis, to cricket, and all the way to the sporting pinnacle of the Olympic Games.
Rosie has seen it all, and with it the rise and fall of many a flashier talent, and he prefers to keep his head down and concentrate on what's important - writing a good piece about sport. But sometimes he cannot fail to be involved in the inevitable dramas that come with the job, such as the bother that comes with having to babysit the new "talent", or a bitter boss intent on blaming Rosie for his own dark deeds, but he hopes it is the quality of the story that will win in the end - and of course, revenge is ever so sweet, even if it is a long time coming.
******************************************************
The Game's Gone is not the typical kind of audio book that graces my listening choices, but my interest was piqued by this one - and I am mighty glad to have given it my time.
Simon Barnes' tale is beautifully narrated by Colin Mace who brings our hardworking and conscientious hero Rosie to life and draws us into the life of a sportswriter, from the early days of a junior on the local rag, all the way to the dizzy heights of Fleet Street and beyond.
And what a life this is! Filled with spellbinding detail about the pecking order, camaraderie, rivalries, and (usually) fake bonhomie of the hacks that fill the columns of our newspapers with sporting news - a lot of which I am sure can be applied to journalism in general, and not just the sports side of reporting.
I found Rosie to be an endearing and thoroughly likable character from the start. He is a self-effacing, decent guy in a career not generally known for its integrity, and is able to offer many a sharply observed quip. He is intelligent, without being too obvious about it, and enjoys a glass or two of decent plonk. Most of all, he is dedicated to his craft, and this is what carries him through the ups and downs of the journalistic world.
Rosie is an old school reporter in times of great change in the journalism, but he is able to adapt himself to the evolving environment rather well - even if he does like to grumble about it a lot - and although he has many trials to contend with, such as new technology, upstart graduate types and even (shock, horror) women reporters, he always keeps his head above water. I really enjoyed the way Rosie actually comes to recognise that these "new types" might have something to offer, and he is able to appreciate their contribution, even if somewhat reluctantly at first.
This is a tale that brings alive the world of sports journalism and starts you thinking about how much of this is actually real, since our author was a Chief Sports Writer himself. In fact, Simon Barnes says he has toned down a lot of the madness to make it believable! It is touching, humorous and completely compulsive listening. I can't remember the last time I chuckled so much when listening to an audio book, if ever! It is also filled with mentions of some of the biggest sporting events of the last few years, which I found really nostalgic, and the ending is pretty special too!
If you are looking for an original audio book that is a little bit different, and will completely immerse you in a most fascinating world, then I highly recommend this as your next listen. It's a corker!
October 10, 2020
The Game’s Gone is the tale of David ‘Rosie’ Rose and his ups and downs in sports journalism.
I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable listen even though I’m not a big sports fan, but it really doesn’t matter as it’s not just about the sport, but how Rosie deals with his despicable, backstabbing boss and his ultimate revenge.
It’s full of humour and quite emotional at times, with lots of insight into the cut throat world of sports journalism.
Perfectly narrated by Colin Mace who captures the atmosphere so well. An enjoyable and compelling listen.
Thank you to Amber at Midas PR for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, for the promotional material and a copy of the audiobook. This is my honest and unbiased review.
I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable listen even though I’m not a big sports fan, but it really doesn’t matter as it’s not just about the sport, but how Rosie deals with his despicable, backstabbing boss and his ultimate revenge.
It’s full of humour and quite emotional at times, with lots of insight into the cut throat world of sports journalism.
Perfectly narrated by Colin Mace who captures the atmosphere so well. An enjoyable and compelling listen.
Thank you to Amber at Midas PR for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, for the promotional material and a copy of the audiobook. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews