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 Amongst the millions upon millions of books
out there, there is perhaps only a handful where it should be illegal to
read them in public: Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide’, Frank Skinner’s
autobiography and pretty much anything by jocular journeyman Bill Bryson
to name but a few.
Now however, it’s time to add another title to the list of books
guaranteed to make you wet yourself with laughter and draw strange looks
from fellow passengers on the bus (600). It’s called ‘The Timewaster
Letters, it’s by Robin Cooper, and it’s probably the funniest thing
you’ll ever read in your life.
Not only that, but it’s also perhaps one of the most simple concepts for
a book ever. Robin Cooper writes a bunch of absurd letters to
organisations, fan clubs, societies, associations and anyone he can
think of with bizarre, off-the-wall requests and/or compliments, waits
for the replies, and then publishes them (in the book).
The result is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud riot; from Robin’s ideas for
Children’s novels and business proposals to the British Peanut Council
to his beloved magical ping-pong bat “Parmaynu,” apparently an expert on
all things, and this little gem to the British Halibut Association.
“Dear sir,
My wife cooked a piece of halibut for tea last night.
It was bloody lovely.
Just thought you might want to know.
Yours,
Robin Cooper”
The many references to Cooper’s long-suffering wife (Nancy) and her
numerous injuries, combined with his multifarious infantile ‘sketches’
and ‘designs’ and persistent nature instantly make Robin Cooper a much
loved fool, his book a much treasured diary of oblivious, hilarious
antagonism.
It’s a brief affair, taking only a few (two and a half) hours to skim
through in it’s entirety, but with the ridiculous nature of the letters
and Robin’s literal style (adding an abundance of parenthesis) it’s a
few (two and a half) hours well spent.
Recommended Links:
www.robincooper.co.uk – Equally as funny as the book!
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