Fever Pitch

Finally, after 15 months or so, I have finally finished reading Fever Pitch. This book is a must for any serious football fanatical who has experienced the (ocassional) ups and (mostly) downs of avidly supporting a football team.

Please don't be put off by the fact it took me 15 months to read, for this is due to a lack of concentration and dedication on my behalf (I have a short concentration span) rather than any shortcomings in the book itself. But it really is as brilliant as people say it is and as a supporter from a young age actually going to matches, unlike the majority of football fans, I relate to it in so many ways and I can see myself reading it again in the future, which would be a first for me.

Has anybody else read this book? Has anyone seen the film adaptation and is it worth watching or not?

Can anybody recommend any similar books?

I've watched the film a number of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It really captures what being a fan slaved to your team is all about.

High Fidelity and About A Boy, both by the same author, are worth a read.
The film versions are OK too.

I've never got around to reading it, but this is supposed to be excellent.....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/0747251827

A Year in the Life of a Journeyman Footballer, Garry Nelson

G-ster wrote:High Fidelity and About A Boy, both by the same author, are worth a read.
The film versions are OK too.

Was Hugh Grant in About a Boy?

Yes, I read Fever Pitch a few years ago, very good, as was High Fidelity.

Two of the best footballing books I've read in recent years are "My Father and Other Working Class Heroes" by Gary Imlach, and "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro" by Joe McGinniss.

Yeh I've read High Fidelity and also watched the film a couple of times and enjoyed both thoroughly.

I've seen About a Boy and enjoyed that too so perhaps I'll give that a read too.

I'll have a look at those Tonker, see if I can get them cheap 2nd hand on play or amazon.

As we are on the topic of sports books, if there are any cricket fans around 'Penguins Stopped Play' by the late Harry Thompson is a brilliant read, touching too.

TDA wrote:

G-ster wrote:High Fidelity and About A Boy, both by the same author, are worth a read.
The film versions are OK too.

Was Hugh Grant in About a Boy?

Yes

Been meaning to buy it for a couple of years now. Will probably read it over the summer

*** G L O V E S *** wrote:Been meaning to buy it for a couple of years now. Will probably read it over the summer

Seems appropriate. I'd imagine that is kind of thing Hornby himself would do, read a book in the summer so it doesn't get in the way of the football season.

Just bought Fever Pitch film for 98p and My Father and Other Working Class Heroes for £1.81 and A Year in the Life of a Journeyman Footballer for £1.82 from play.com.

I'll report back in the year 2019 when I've finished reading them both.

Caldi Blue wrote:Yeh I've read High Fidelity and also watched the film a couple of times and enjoyed both thoroughly.

I've seen About a Boy and enjoyed that too so perhaps I'll give that a read too.

I'll have a look at those Tonker, see if I can get them cheap 2nd hand on play or amazon.

As we are on the topic of sports books, if there are any cricket fans around 'Penguins Stopped Play' by the late Harry Thompson is a brilliant read, touching too.

Yes, I've got that one. Superb.
Ed Smith's 'On and Off the Field' is another decent cricket book (basically a diary of his 2003 season with Kent/England).

These football-related books are worth a read:

Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life – Alex Bellos

Forza Italia: The Fall & Rise of Italian Football – Paddy Agnew

Garrincha: The Triumph and Tragedy of Brazil's Forgotten Footballing Hero
– Ruy Castro

I also enjoyed the somewhat more sombre ‘All Hell Let Loose: The World at War 1939-1945’ by Max Hastings. Prior to that most of my knowledge of World War II was based on Commando comics!

Gonna have to bookmark this topic I think, I'm going to try and get through these books you are suggesting as I haven't read any of them G-Ster. A cricket book I have read though is A Lot of Hard Yakka by Simon Hughes, which I remember being very good.

When I saw the title of the post and the number of replies I was sure this was going to be another serious turned joke thread. Check you guys out, You had a whole conversation about books, and somewhat romcom ones at that, and not a single joke in the group. Strange times

I understand now, No Valley Trash or Arkay