This is Colin Bateman's third book and, although I haven't yet read his second for comparison, he certainly seems to be settling down. Now, although the jokes are there on every page, they aren't the overwhelming raison d'être for the plot. Now we have a much tighter script to work to it becomes easy to see Bateman's inspiration in Carl Hiaasen, but with a unique twist that only being brought up in the six counties can give an individual. The story could have been written by Roddy Doyle - fat no-hoper heavyweight boxer gets put up against Mike Tyson for the world heavyweight championship. But while Roddy Doyle could have put pathos into the story, it takes Colin Bateman's sharp eye to put the humour in it.
A rough assortment of characters from the boxer himself (a protestant married to a catholic, both very stoic), to the gonzo sports journalist assigned to write the story up, the boxer's gangster friend; a small man that reminds me of CMOT Dibbler from the Discworld novels, but nastier and many more.
Just when you think the story has enough going for it anyway, chuck in the amateur commandos, black fundamental muslims, a kidnap attempt and outraged gays for a beautiful mixture that is simply wonderful to read. It's a crack.
Price: £5.99
Published by: Harper Collins (ISBN 0-00-649612-1)
