Round Ireland with a Fridge

By: Tony Hawks

Narrated by: Tony Hawks

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Whilst in Ireland for an International Song Competition, Tony Hawks was amazed to see a hitch-hiker, trying to thumb a lift, but with a fridge. This seemed amazingly optimistic - his Irish friends, however thought nothing of it at all. 'I had clearly arrived in a country', writes Tony, 'where the qualifications for 'eccentric' involved a great deal more than that to which I had become used'. Two years pass but the fridge incident haunts our author. Until one night, heavy with drink, he finds himself arguing about Ireland with a friend. It is, he insists, a 'magical place', so magical in fact, that a man could even get a lift with a fridge. The next morning there is a note by the bed. 'I hereby bet Tony Hawks the sum of One Hundred Pounds that he cannot hitch-hike around the circumference of Ireland with a fridge within one calendar month'. The document was signed. The bet was made. This book is the story of Tony's adventures through that incredible month. The people he meets, the difficulties, the triumphs. The fridge.

©1998 Tony Hawks (P)2007 Random House Audio Go

A bizarre, uproariously funny story

I got to know about this book from a 2014 Vlogbrothers' video ('18 Great Books You Probably Haven't Read') and I suppose John had summarized the book to the point:

"Okay, couple of funny books: Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks, not Tony Hawk. It's about a guy who hitchhikes around the circumference of Ireland with a refrigerator; it is one of the funniest things I've ever read."

True that, this is one of the funniest books I've got to read.

N.B: Before reading, I saw someone had left a comment stating that listening to the audiobook would be better, as Hawks' voice changes pertinent to the circumstances- it gives a suitable vibe to flow with the story. (I second that, for I really enjoyed Hawks' narration: it was clear and well-phased.)

The Fridge Man

This is a great listen and really enjoyable. The book was good but the author reading it to you is even better. You can hear the characters spring to life from Tony's own perspective. Get the unabridged version the 7 hours will fly by.

Easy to listen to

Although Tony is rather self absorbed this is still a funny book. Great for a bit of easy listening when you don't want to challenge your brain cells.

We have both the abridged and unabridged versions

First of all we'd like to say we bought and listened to the abridged version first. This wasn't available at the time and I have to say we enjoyed the abridged version very much. When we came across the unabridged version we bought it too as we loved the other so much we thought it would be nice to hear more of the story.



We enjoyed hearing the whole story, its always a shame what the abridged have to cut out but at the same time we really liked the abridged. I think both are a good read/listen but if we had to pick the abridged made the better audio book. We still enjoyed this one though and continue to listen to both versions. If your a fan of this book most likely you'll want to own both and both are excellent. When you have less time the shorter version is great and when you want longer and more of the story this one is perfect.



Just to add, as husband and wife we both came into this story from different situations. One had heard of this story and Tony before and one had not. We both enjoyed it thoroughly and as the one who had never heard of the book or Tony I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd say its a great for first timers as well as those that already know of the story or author.



Its a funny great true story, very enjoyable and a great audio book no matter what version you have. If your on the fence give this audio book a chance. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I'm so glad my husband made us get it, I love it just as much as him and I always look forward to hearing it again. Once you know the story its even better in a way because you can dip in and out if it knowing exactly what's happening.



Highly Recommended.

My First Audible Book - Great Start

Having been a fan of Tony's for years yet not knowing about this book it was a coincidence that, as I joined Audible and was searching for my first book, a Twitter friend recommended Round Ireland With a Fridge.



I have to say what a great recommendation it was! This book is delightful and I savoured it over many evenings listening. I use the android Audible app to listen with and set a 15 munute timer each night before sleep to listen to this book.



For an involving read that doesn't tax the brain, but leaves a comfortable smile I recommend this book highly.

Not as Good as a Piano in the Pyrenees

I remember Tony Hawks from the Stutter Rap and from 'Whose line is it anyway', so when I had a couple of credit from Audible I hadn't used I decided to try two of his audio books. 'A Piano in the Pyrenees' and 'Round Ireland with a Fridge'.



To this book though, Tony is a good narrator and the journey he has following a drunken bet with a friend in a pub that he would go around the whole of Ireland with a fridge is well read. Tony is funny and tells a good tale, but though this is done well overall I didn't enjoy this book as much as 'A Piano in the Pyrenees'.



I suppose this is down to the fact that there are only so many anecdotes and stories that can be told about someone who is standing a lot of time by the side of a road waiting to be picked up by a car, or stories about the people who picked him up.



I got to the end of the book mainly as it was an audiobook ad I enjoyed him reading it. I think though if it had been a paperback I may have given up earlier.



But don't give up on Tony, the book on the Piano is much better

Good story, spoilt in places.

Any additional comments?

A very enjoyable book, but I did find myself fast-forwarding through the passages where Tony describes how he tried to get his end away at several points in the journey. Can't remember Michael Palin resorting to this.

Delightfully funny book

Where does Round Ireland with a Fridge rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its not my usual style but it is a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Saiorse without a doubt, quite the character and certainly opened some doors for Tony along the way.

Which character – as performed by Tony Hawks – was your favourite?

Ahh aside from himself? It's a toss up between Patsy Dan and the Drunk in Residence.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A foolhardy attempt to win a drunken bet led to Hawks having one of the most unforgettable experiences of his life.

Any additional comments?

If like me you've loved Tony's appearances on radio 4, you'll enjoy this book. It is a wonderful adventure featuring some remarkable people (and appliances). More often leaving our hero rather grumpy hunting for a lift and a pint.

Great book.

Any additional comments?

A very good book and most enjoyable. Lots of funny episodes and it shows how kind and helpful the Irish people are. Must go there some time.

Around Ireland listening to it the car

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Listened to it as we drove around Ireland on a holiday. Heard it. Saw it. Enjoyed it.

Fridge Frolics

Thoroughly enjoyable

I will now give all my kitchen appliances the respect they deserve.

And maybe take a toaster or blender out with the dog.