Harry Pearson – Dribble! (2007)
Sport – 280 pages – my copy (paperback; 2009) bought for £2 from The Works in Plymouth, April 2010
- 1 nod
Hailed as, and quite literally, ‘the unbelievable encyclopaedia of football’, Dribble! is the random writings of Harry Pearson. It is a spoof book on the loveable world of football (yes, a book review themed for this year’s World Cup!), referencing a whole host of jokes and lies from Mickey Mouse signing for Manchester United to imaginary players such as Keith Beast. There is even room for Bob Dylan whose song ‘I Shall Be Released’ was sung after being given a free transfer from US “soccer” team, Duluth Foot Servants.
There is no narrative – or indeed, much sense – here, other than the attempt of gaining as many laughs, from the letter A, all the way to Z. Yet there is a chief problem here: there are not many smiles to be found. Although interesting and funny at first, Dribble! fast becomes annoying and dull. As early as the letter D the Worm knew he had a long slog ahead to reach the final summit. And the final entry: ‘Zenith Readymix Biscam. Recently announced as the Official Grouting Material of Fifa World Cup 2010’. Hardly worth holding in breath for.
In many ways, the Worm admits the book was never designed for a full reading, rather a dip in and out of when the whimsy took him. However, such is the lack of excitement or laughter; such a whimsy would be near to infrequent as to be non-existent.
Ultimately, Harry Pearson’s Dribble! is pointless and a waste of time. It is the Christmas present to the uncle one sees twice a year, the book destined to hit the shelves of charity shops, or – even more fearfully – the bottom of recycling bins. If undeterred from my lone nod, I suggest you run and catch it now, while it remains in print!
Sport – 280 pages – my copy (paperback; 2009) bought for £2 from The Works in Plymouth, April 2010
- 1 nod
Hailed as, and quite literally, ‘the unbelievable encyclopaedia of football’, Dribble! is the random writings of Harry Pearson. It is a spoof book on the loveable world of football (yes, a book review themed for this year’s World Cup!), referencing a whole host of jokes and lies from Mickey Mouse signing for Manchester United to imaginary players such as Keith Beast. There is even room for Bob Dylan whose song ‘I Shall Be Released’ was sung after being given a free transfer from US “soccer” team, Duluth Foot Servants.
There is no narrative – or indeed, much sense – here, other than the attempt of gaining as many laughs, from the letter A, all the way to Z. Yet there is a chief problem here: there are not many smiles to be found. Although interesting and funny at first, Dribble! fast becomes annoying and dull. As early as the letter D the Worm knew he had a long slog ahead to reach the final summit. And the final entry: ‘Zenith Readymix Biscam. Recently announced as the Official Grouting Material of Fifa World Cup 2010’. Hardly worth holding in breath for.
In many ways, the Worm admits the book was never designed for a full reading, rather a dip in and out of when the whimsy took him. However, such is the lack of excitement or laughter; such a whimsy would be near to infrequent as to be non-existent.
Ultimately, Harry Pearson’s Dribble! is pointless and a waste of time. It is the Christmas present to the uncle one sees twice a year, the book destined to hit the shelves of charity shops, or – even more fearfully – the bottom of recycling bins. If undeterred from my lone nod, I suggest you run and catch it now, while it remains in print!
