Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody

By: Michael Gerber

Narrated by: Christopher Cazenove

Length: 5 hrs and 50 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)

If Zero stars were an option . . .

I'd pick it for this book.

I'm an educated, well-read 44 y/o male who enjoys a good British farce, satire, and smart wordplay. And, even though I'm a big Harry Potter fan, and also like a good satire -- no cow is too sacred to butcher.

But please -- this is none of those things.

It's a huge disappointment in all regards. It is neither clever nor well written, and after 15 minutes I found myself just wishing it'd just be over. I found myself trapped, though, in a situation where this was the ONLY thing that I had to listen to. Even then, it was painful.

One of my children (age 13) happened to overhear just a few minutes when he picked up my iPod and commented, "Even with all the weird stuff you listen to, dad, that's just bizarre." Out of the mouths of babes . . . .

From a person who is so addicted to reading that he's been known, in a pinch, to read the owner's manual to a lawn mower, a homeowner's insurance policy, and the back of a cereal box, I have to say that this is without a doubt one of the worst things I've ever run across. Don't waste your time or money on this one.

41 of 42 people found this review helpful

PARENTS be aware this is NOT a book for children!!

I enjoy a good parody, but this isn't one. I have to say I was surprized and cringed at the repeated instances and lower-than-low level of vulgarity in this "humorous" parody. I kept hoping the author would take into account that the base demographic reader of the original work were children, but there appeared to be no level to which he would not sink. I realize that to some of extent this "humor" is part and parcel of a parody and to each his own, I just wish parents (whose children want every "Harry Potter" item out there) were given some kind of forewarning before their kids purchase it thinking they are part of the target audience only to be fouly disappointed.

24 of 25 people found this review helpful

Cheap and tawdry

This is a tired, overblown attempt at a parody that fails because it bears little resemblance to the original tale. The parody Harry is a low-life who hustles, smokes, and has no life, much less interesting adventures. A real parody captures the essence of the original and tweaks it, usually just enough to make it humorous. If you like fart jokes, this book is in your style.

17 of 19 people found this review helpful

Not for children

It was crude, foul, and gross. It had it's moments, but overall it was disappointing.

14 of 17 people found this review helpful

This is a serious stinkeroo!!!

After suffering through the first three hours of this travesty of a mockery of a sham, I decided to put it out of its misery and purge it from my player. Not one chortle or guffaw escaped me, not a tiny titter or glint of giggle made it past my lips...nor even came anywhere near them. Where Harvard Lampoon succeeded with "Bored of the Rings", this title falls flat on its face and breaks its nose in the process. I would almost rather be tied to a fence and eaten by a pack of wild boar than allow one more sentence of this pathetic attempt at humor to assault my ears. Some may find this humorous...those who enjoyed the movie "Super Troopers", perhaps, but the lack of creative hilarity or anything other than mind-numbing stupidity made it painful for me to listen to. This is strictly my own opinion, so please don't send me copies of this book tied to bricks thrown through my window...send a grenade instead. It will be less painful.

21 of 26 people found this review helpful

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.

15 of 19 people found this review helpful

Awful

This is a waste of time and money. Not clever. Not entertaining.

9 of 12 people found this review helpful

Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody

If you are a true Harry Potter fan you would "LOVE" this book. A wonderfully woven and spun tale, which I'm sure will have the "Hackels" of J.K. Rowling up! A great BOOK, I would say read it and be prepared to LAUGH. Along the lines of George Carlon with the most irreverent humor poking great fun at the Potter franchise.

16 of 23 people found this review helpful

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

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Major disappointment

I did not have high expectations for Barry Trotter, but I was still disappointed. It is not funny or clever, or even interesting. I listened for about an hour and that's all. I suggest trying a different book.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful