The King of Comic Self-Deprecation, Michael Simkins, author of What’s My Motivation? turns his selfdestructive wit to cricket. Simkins tale is of a podgy boy’s dreams on the outside edge of a cricketing life, which becomes the hilarious story of his lifelong cricketing obsession. From his earliest awkward days to years running a team of dysfunctional inadequates, cricket has offered shelter from life’s irksome realities and a place to quietly dream for Simkins. From occasional wondrous beauty, to forests of comforting statistics and the life-affirming rituals of defeat, humiliation and disappointment — it’s the perfect net practice for life.
Costa Book Awards 2007 Judges' comment: "The autobiography of an author in love with cricket and sweets. The reader doesn't need knowledge of either to enjoy this enchanting gem of a book."
A fat boy with a passion for sweets and a loathing for games, the young Michael Simkins finds in cricket a sport where size doesn't necessarily matter and a full-blown obsession is born. Now in middle-age, he still harbours the somewhat deluded belief that the England middle-order might usefully benefit from his hard-earned skills. From impromptu Test series played with his dad in the family sweetshop through to his years running a team of dysfunctional inadequates, Fatty Batter is the bestselling and hilarious story of one man's life lived through cricket.
'At last the work of genius that will finally bring the long-suffering cricket addict a measure of understanding in the world. A wonderful and very funny book.' Sir Tim Rice
'I absolutely loved it. It manages to somehow conjure the spirit of all amateur cricket' Sam Mendes
'It is wonderfully written - full of wit, gags, self-deprecating asides and a pure, unfettered understanding of a man's limitations - and it talks to all of us. You should buy it. You really should go out straight away and pick up a copy. It'll make you feel so much better.' All Out Cricket
Author
About Michael Simkins
Michael Simkins trained at RADA. He has appeared in more than 70 plays in rep, and stage highlights include A View from the Bridge at the NT as well as musicals Chicago and Mamma Mia. He also directed Alan Ayckbourn's Absent Friends at the Greenwich Theatre. He has made countless TV appearances - recent credits include Foyle's War and My Family - as well as turns on the silver screen in such films as Mike Leigh's Topsy-Turvy. He has worked with luminaries as diverse as Anthony Perkins, John Malkovich, Michael Gambon and Buster Merryfield. He lives in London with his actress wife Julia.
