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  • The Stars' Tennis Balls

  • By: Stephen Fry
  • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
  • Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (459 ratings)
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The Stars' Tennis Balls cover art

The Stars' Tennis Balls

By: Stephen Fry
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
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Summary

For Ned, 1980 seems a blissful year. Handsome, charming, popular and talented, his life is progressing smoothly, effortlessly, happily. And when he meets the lovely Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete. But timing is everything in life, and his life is about to change for ever.

Things are going to get very bad indeed for innocent young Ned. A promise made to a dying teacher and a spiteful trick played by fellow pupils will rocket Ned from cricket captain to solitary confinement, from head boy to hell. When Ned emerges he is a man bent on just one thing - revenge; and revenge is a dish he plans to savour and serve to those who conspired against him.

Part love story, part thriller, a gloriously rich mix that only Stephen Fry can dish up to us, The Stars' Tennis Balls will leave you happy and replete.

©2000 Stephen Fry (P)2000 Random House Audio

What listeners say about The Stars' Tennis Balls

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful and horrifying

After Stephen Fry's other books I expected a lighthearted look into upper class England but what a suprise. The delightful use of language is there, Fry's smooth narration is there but the story is something different. Great characters in an exciting and disturbing tale that is hard to stop listening to. Mourned its ending and really felt for the characters.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Stay with it...its going to get interesting!

Would you listen to The Stars' Tennis Balls again? Why?

Yes. The first time I listened, I was pulled in and swept along by the plot. The second time I was delighted by the plot even though I knew what was coming. The third time I began to wonder about the peripheral characters in the story.....Lovely, yummy layers.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the terrifying way in which a childish prank spirals out into so many lives, and the very real and sinister impact this has on so many people.

Which character – as performed by Stephen Fry – was your favourite?

He never fails, they are all fabulous daahlink!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the main character "behaves well" and does what he thinks will make his captor happy with him. Rather like a child desperately seeking the approval of disinterested parent. It is a very sad moment.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book, twistier than a twisty turney thing.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • 24-02-15

Fantastic!

He freely admits he heavily borrows from another famous book but to my mind this modernisation is superior in every respect except being too short!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable but not riveting

What made the experience of listening to The Stars' Tennis Balls the most enjoyable?

The narration was excellent but the plot line not as strong as the Hippopotamus

What does Stephen Fry bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Nuanced reading

Any additional comments?

This was an excellent and enjoyable read, a good storyline. Usual Fry excellence.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cracking good story!

This was a great listen. Stephen Fry is always a good story teller and an excellent narrator, and this book is no exception. It tells the story of a childish prank which has serious and long-reaching consequences, however there is much more to it than that. The characterisation and story development are deft, and the ending does not disappoint.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Very bad cover version of a classic.

Nowhere does it say in the info this is a modern version replay of the absolute classic The count of Monte Cristo.
I was horrified as it played out. Like listening to a pop version of a classical masterpiece. Bad Stephen!! You really must of needed the money and had ran out of ideas.
Do yourself a service and listen to the original by Alexandre Dumas, I recommend the Andrew Timothy version. Loved his old school BBC voice and it was the original one done by RIB so pre perfect editing days and endearing to hear him make a mistake, correct it, paper shuffle and carry on, it’s also 50 hours long, so you get much much more for your money/credit. I missed Mr Timothy when the book ended. It was one of those you get attached to, when it’s many, many hours. As much as I love Stephen’s voice, I don’t recommend this drivel..

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dark and disturbing but gripping

Fantastic story, with a true antihero ending. Darkly funny in places. Well worth a listen.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely loved it.

Have read the book multiple times, and have now listened to it. Without hesitation would remark that this title is by far my most favourite book. Stevens delivery and performance really brought my enjoyment to the next level. I've always enjoyed the story of The Count of Monte Cristo, so to have it presented in a modern style is very pleasing. Would recommend it to anybody.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Be careful what you do - and who you do it to

Each action we take in life may have massive knock on effects on others. It's this concept which Stephen Fry expertly manipulates into a fantastic story of lives intertwined. Teenage angst, romance and jealousy all set off a series of events with devastating consequences for some...

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

a story you will remember

A kick in the guts. I really felt for it. Fry is an excellent reader

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2 people found this helpful