Playing the Moldovans at Tennis

by Tony Hawks

Release Date: 23 June, 2001

Edition: Hardcover

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What Will He Possibly Think of Next?

Tony Hawks is an odd person and a very funny writer. This book is kind of like if Dave Barry authored a Fodor's Guide on Moldova. I loved his earlier 'Round Ireland With a Fridge,' and consequently bought this volume. I prefer the Ireland book, as it is a little less dark, and a little more travelogue, but I am quite fond of this one as well.

The plot basically concerns a bet about his being able to defeat the entire Moldovan National soccer team at tennis. His quests take him to Moldova, naturally enough, Northern Ireland, and Israel to play all the team members. Travel to Moldova is very difficult, and will definitely be off your list of potential vacation destinations after reading this book.

I found the book funny and warm, and especially enjoyed the relationships formed with the family members he stayed with in Moldova. The last thirty or so pages are absolutely exquisite, and I won't ruin the surprise ending, other than to say it is wonderful, and I didn't see it coming. I anxiously await a new book from Tony at the earliest possible moment!

Round Moldova with a Tennis Racket

British comedian Tony Hawks doesn't seem to be able to have a conversation without getting into some fantastic bet. His last book recounted his journey, on a dare, to travel "Round Ireland With a Fridge." One of my favorite travel memoirs of the past few years, "Round Ireland" combined outrageous humor with an affectionate portrait of Ireland and her people. His newest, "Playing the Moldovans at Tennis," follows the same path: challenged by his friend Arthur that he can't beat the entire Moldovan national football team at tennis, Tony immediately jets to the tiny Balkan country and is met with frustration at every turn to even get a chance to set foot on a tennis court. Since the loser of the bet strips naked and sings the Moldovan national anthem in public, he doesn't dare lose, but the incredibly different customs of Moldova are against him from Day One. Red tape, diplomacy, and the language barrier rise up to block his success, but for every pushy, arrogant football team manager he comes across there's a dozen friendly, supportive, and helpful journalists, fixers, and everyday folks who are intrigued by and helpful with Tony's seemingly mad quest.

While not as fascinating as "Round Ireland," (there's less of travel interest here to the casual reader), Hawks brings his usual humor punctuated by moments of hilarious despair, and the ending even has a twist that couldn't have been written more cleverly if it had been in a Hollywood movie. In the end it's a gentle and affectionate portrait of the Moldovans, a people and country I knew nothing about before this book. More important, Tony himself sums up the real result of his offbeat quest as *not* the chance to avoid singing starkers outside a London pub, but inspiring a young Moldovan man who, pessimistic at the first, comes to realize a silly impossible pursuit is just as worth doing as a dull everyday task.