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The editor, Nick (High Fidelity) Hornby, as well as writing a moving and very heartfelt introduction--his own child is autistic--submits one of the best efforts: "Nipple Jesus", a slyly funny parable about a security man guarding a chunk of dubious modern art. Other notable contributions come from Irvine (Trainspotting) Welsh with one of his identity-swap-stories, this time about a Scottish stud-muffin turned into an unwitting gay, and John (The Best A Man Can Get) O'Farrell, with a predictably funny, surprisingly edgy confessional from a mime artist slowly going to the dogs. Other big names included are Helen Fielding, Robert Harries, Zadie Smith, Roddy Doyle, et al.
As with many of these projects, there is a slight feeling of incestuousness; Hornby actually admits that Harries is married to his sister, and that O'Farrell went to his school. But given the goodness of the cause, it's no real reason to quibble. --Sean Thomas
Book Description
PRIME MINISTER: With your permission Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement to the House regarding certain incidents of a personal nature. Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A nice collection of short stories,
By
This review is from: Speaking With The Angel (Paperback)
Quite frankly, I liked some stories and didn't quite enjoy some of the others, but I still think this is a book worth reading, especially because the purpose of its creation is aimed to help autistic children.I was very touched by Nick Hornby's introduction. A must-buy.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars (53 customer reviews) 19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lot of bang for your buck,
By V. Gelczis "boss_of_rain" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Speaking with the Angel (Paperback)
Here's a short story collection that gives you a fantastic collection of contemporary authors (and one actor/author) who donated their stories for a very worthy cause--a school for autistic children. I bought it because I'm a Nick Hornby fan (and also a Helen Fielding, Colin Firth, and Dave Eggers fan)--but now I've been introduced to more writers to explore and enjoy. Hornby gives a nice intro about his personal and poignant connection with the cause. These stories run the gamut and are really fun--coming of age tales, unusual narrators (like dogs, humiliated prime ministers, and death-row cooks), and stories that ask the big question: "What is art?" They're fresh, provocative, and often humorous. Do yourself and a good cause a favor and get this book. It's at the top of my list for gift-giving this year. 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Sampling of Emerging Writers, A Great Cause,
By Hank Waddles - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Speaking with the Angel (Paperback)
The first thing you should do when you pick up this collection of short stories is to read Nick Hornby's touching introduction. A portion of the proceeds for this book goes to support schools for autistic children, and in his introduction Hornby reveals that his own son is autistic. He goes on to describe what life is like living with an autistic child, and why quality schools are so essential. If you have a heart, you'll already be half-way to the register before you've even checked the list of authors, but you won't be disappointed.Hornby has assembled an all-star team of emerging young writers, most of whom hail from the UK. Actor Colin Firth pens a sort of twisted fairy tale in "The Department of Nothing." Giles Smith gives a portrait of a cook for deathrow inmates. Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones) checks in with an expectedly sarcastic mother/daughter relationship study. American Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) writes from a dog's point of view in "After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Was Drowned." Melissa Bank's romantic tale, "The Wonder Spot," was one of my favorites, and Irvine Welsh's unsettling commentary on homophobia, "Catholic Guilt," was also interesting. Hornby himself examines the different effects a work of art can have on people in "Nipple Jesus." Other contributing authors are Robert Harris, Patrick Marber, Zadie Smith, Roddy Doyle, and John O'Farrell. This is quite a collection. 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
a beautiful book, an even more beautiful cause,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Speaking with the Angel (Paperback)
As a female sports author and a music lover, I have found Mr. Hornby's previous books enjoyable, engaging, and at times, from a Red Sox fan and a woman's perspective, infuriating. (Please, no Arsenal fan has ever undergone the misery of a Boston Red Sox fan. Eighteen years between championships? Try 83. ) However, after I read the deeply moving introduction to this book, I found it hard to recognize the self absorbed, obsessive compulsive fan from his memoir Fever Pitch. As the godmother to an autistic child, I could relate to Mr. Hornby's respect for his child's mysterious, inner world and his joy over his child's ability, against the odds, to form a friendship with another human being. I have recommended this book simply for the introduction to friends to whom I have tried to explain the complexities of my goddaughter's autism. This introduction succeeds where my words have failed. The book is obviously far more than its introduction. The criteria for author selection appears to be whoever was cool in the late 90's or early 00's: Dave Eggers, Melissa Bank, Helen Fielding, Colin Firth. The collection's "gimmick" is that all stories are told from the first person. Some authors succeed better than others. I enjoyed Melissa Banks short story far more than her book; Helen Fielding's far less than her Bridget Jones's series. I found Mr. Hornby's story quite refreshing from his other published work (which I like)--he used a very different voice. Finally, Colin Firth's story was whimsical and wonderful. Like his performance in so many films (A month in the Country was my favorite), it begins in a low key, quiet manner yet it hits you hard at the end.
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