This is the funniest book ever
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Not much to say here, everything's already been said in the other reviews.
'Robin Cooper' writes letters about his weird ideas to different companies and publishes these along with the replies he gets.
And it's funny.
That's all you need to know.
The funniest letters are the ones where companies agree to his ideas and arrange meetings, but the funniest in the whole book is the letter to the Prime Minister.
I won't ruin it for you, just buy this book.
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Not as good as the original, but still great
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Nothing can top the inspired lunacy of the first edition of these letters. Perhaps the hilarity comes from the shock of the new, as I didn't find this follow up, although exactly the same scenario, as funny.
The premise is, Cooper writes bizarre and random letters to a bunch of real people/companies etc. They should throw the letters away as the ravings of a madman. Clearly they don't and correspondence ensues where the other party has taken their valuable time and effort to take him seriously and writes back with that in mind.
Don't get me wrong, these are still funny, and there are still some absolute gem, laugh out loud moments. But I did think the first letters were far funnier, so I would start there. Still recommended reading for a wet, rainy day when you're feeling a bit down. Better than a valium or a prozac.
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Surreally funny book...
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It's not big. It's not clever. But, at times, it's very funny. I laughed despite myself. I knew what to expect, having read the original, and I wasn't disappointed. This book does exactly what it says on the cover. Prank letters addressed to associations, clubs, societies and so forth. The humour is playful, quirky and pointless, and not offensive, ridiculing or satirical. Not wishing to try to deconstruct what is essentially childish (I mean that as a compliment) pranks, I think the author is also parodying the art of letter-writing itself. It's a curious juxtaposition: the rigid formality, etiquette and pleasantries of the conventional letter and the nonsense which it conveys. It's all a little like some bizarre pantomime played over and over again. This book is an excruciating read. It's toe-curling. In a good way. I often found myself reading Cooper's letter and thinking to myself, "No! No! I can't believe you just said that! Don't say that!" Then I can't bring myself to turn the page to see what reply he received. Then they reply and I think to myself, "Good. That wasn't too bad. Now (to Cooper) don't string this out any longer -- I can't take it!" Of course he does. His correspondence with the British Shell Collectors' Club was intolerable! This is a perfect book to keep on a coffee table or next to a desk. Read only a couple of letters each day for a laugh. I wouldn't recommend reading it cover to cover as it will get repetitive.
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Hilarious
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Like the previous reviewer, I bought this when I was feeling a bit down and made a miraculous recovery. I have NEVER laughed so much when reading a book and I do laugh regularly while reading. Some of the letters are funnier than others, particularly when he keeps on getting replies from people before they realise he's a spoof. Everyone I've lent it to/read bits out to/bought it for has loved it as much as I have. A great stocking-filler present.
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This book 'cured' my bronchitis (though strictly speaking the penicillin finished it off)
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When I bought the first Timewaster Letters I was just about to go to my doctor with a horrible, horrible chest infection. I felt so terrible that as I walked down the street I was actually crying. But let us skip over that humiliating detail - I was early for my appointment so popped into the (warm - it was winter) bookshop, perused the book and bought it to cheer myself up. Then I had to sit outside the doctors (in January) because it was closed for lunch, and despite feeling SO ill (as evidenced by a hefty prescription, including an inhaler, see why I was crying now?) I actually had to stop reading the book because I thought the doctor wouldn't believe I was ill since I was laughing so much (and of course no longer had tears of breathing pain coursing down my face).
But that is all the long background to this second amazing book. It might not QUITE match the brilliance of the first but it is still miles ahead of any other comedy/'humour' book and can make me laugh (out loud! a cliche but a rarity for me, when reading at least) even when I reread letters over and over again. I love the recurring themes - wife's wretched ankle - and who could forget Parmaynu (I mean he IS an expert). Perhaps it's a pathetic thing to admit but it's a great book to flick through when I'm worried about a deadline or something and perks me up when I'm tired etc. Having written this, though, I'm realising that perhaps a more productive thing to do as I'm nearing a deadline would be to actually work... I really do have huge affection for this book.
Having said all this, the type of humour is just not going to appeal to some people (just look at some of the reviews below) - not because it's vulgar etc, but just as I can't rest until I see Lee Evans/My Hero/Jim Davidson banished from any media outlet recognisable to human senses, some people will bitterly regret buying this book. Have a look at the website mentioned in the main description, where you'll get a general idea of the kind of stuff in the book: there's even an unpublished letter or two there. I would say go to a bookshop but, you know, you're on Amazon...
The concept of this book is fairly similar to Henry Root but although I do love that quite a bit as well, I think this is better developed, better-natured and has more longevity (in terms of rereading).
I have never written a review before and to be honest don't intend to again. It's really a hassle. But surely this shows my love for this book - I truly recommend it.
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