Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody

By: Michael Gerber

Narrated by: Christopher Cazenove

Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Warning: This isn't the real thing...it's funnier!

"Stop that movie," Headmaster Alpo Bumblemore said, "or Hogwash is history!" After someone sells directions to the school to a sleazy Muddle tabloid, Barry Trotter, Ermine Cringer, and Lon Measly are hauled out of retirement to face their toughest challenge yet. Not only do the 22-year-olds have to elude packs of rabid fans, outwit Barry's sponging Uncle Serious, and vanquish their old foe Lord Valumart, they have to face the most powerful enemy of all: Hollywood!

This audiobook has not been authorized or endorsed by J.K. Rowling or the publishers of the Harry Potter books. Harry Potter is a registered trademark of Warner Bros.

©2001 Michael Gerber (P)2002 New Millennium Audio, All Rights Reserved

Critic reviews

"Funny and sharp....In its bratty way, Barry Trotter is as energetic and imaginative as the books that inspired it." (Kurt Andersen, Spy Magazine co-founder)
"Gerber's affectionate, giggle-inducing send-up is one giant step toward restoring the somewhat debased art form known as 'parody.'" (Sean Kelly, former editor, National Lampoon)

Not especially well done

There were plenty of laugh aloud spots but I kept thinking that it could have been much better. The names given to the characters were clever enough, but beyond that and the bathroom humor it was pretty weak. By the way, this one is definitely not for kids who are Harry Potter fans. Too many adult themes going on.

Really Enjoyable

I found this to be quite humorous and really enjoyable. It is a total satire and, imho, a good one. It helps to know a bit about the major harry potter characters and some of the lingo otherwise you might not understand some of the jokes and most of the names. If you've seen the movie that should provide enough info to really enjoy this. Its worth the download.

Parody trying to be funny

I love all the Harry Potter books. I've read and listened to each one. When I saw Michael Gerber's Parody, I just had to listen. It's goofy, and full of all sorts of play on words, but 1/2 way through I was bored by the constant "trying to be funny". It just got old. I'll sit and wait for the next Harry Trotter and leave Barry Trotter on the shelf.

Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody

Like one "reader" (listener) before me, I kept thinking this could have been a lot better. It certainly started out quite well, but once you got to the middle it just continued along, without doing anything interesting. I was at least somewhat disappointed.

Not worth it

What did you like best about Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody? What did you like least?

The first chapter is the only thing good about this book. It held promise of a good parody to come. The book became progressively boring as it progressed. The parodies were not worth the effort.

What could Michael Gerber have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He would have to rewrite the book after chapter 2 to get it to live up to chapter one.

What aspect of Christopher Cazenove’s performance would you have changed?

Christopher Cazenove's performance was good. I would like to hear him doing other narration by different authors

Did Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

The story starts off interesting with the promise of a good parody. This doesn't last past the first chapter. It becomes boring. The parody on names is the only thing that remains constant. I wonder if the purpose of the book is to ride on the coat tails of the Harry Potter phenomenon.

Fun

A good book and a great performance a fun trip down memory lane for H. P. fans.

Enjoyable satire

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The satirical humor was good. This wasn't laugh-out-loud hilarious. But it did a good job taking the story to the absurd to poke fun at the source material.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lon was my favorite character. The sad part is he was the funniest, but mainly because it was the closest to the original. He was supposed to be affected by a hole in the head (explained in the story) but his semi-canine mentality (again explained in the story) was actually the closest to the way the character was portrayed in the films of the original. I say films because the books add a bit and change the source character compared to the film version

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No, I would not see the movie. This was an entertaining tale, but putting visuals in place of the verbal description would lose some of the fun. This works best as a novel or audiobook

So stupid...

This book is extremely stupid, however, it is funny several times throughout this book. The style of "funny" is like family guy... If your a potter basher or lover this might give you a kick

A terrible book, DON’T buy this book!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

No one.

What could Michael Gerber have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Change the disgusting bathroom humor, gutter language, and personal attributes of the characters.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Christopher Cazenove?

Narrator was fine

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

no

Any additional comments?

A terrible book, what little humor that is in the book is greatly overshadowed by the disgusting bathroom gutter language and personal attributes of the characters.
I got the book thinking is was light humor about a very popular story.

It was a fun story

I am happy I heard this book but I don't think I would say it is a classic. It was a fun listen. The voice acting was very, VERY good. So I will need to look for more books narrated by Christopher Cazenove.

Overall the story was, meh. I was not expecting much from the story so I wasn't too disappointed.

Fun listen (Due to Christopher Cazenove) but if you are looking for a riveting story, this is NOT the book.