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NOVEMBER 4, 2003 at 5:38 PM
Posted by GRAE
Source: The Tartan via Wizard News
First there was Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody
, which - you guessed it - parodied the Harry Potter novels. Now, just in time for Christmas, we have the aptly named Barry Trotter and the Unnecessary Sequel : The Book Nobody Has Been Waiting For - and after reading The Tartan's review, you may understand exactly why nobody has been waiting for Michael Gerber's latest book.
In this book, Barry Trotter is a 38-year-old wizard. He is married to Ermine and has a son and a daughter. Son Nigel’s upcoming start at Hogwash brings everyone back to the school. The first death there sets the tone for the rest of the book.
Dorco Malfeasance, the Headmister of Hogwash, dies by explosion. This isn’t caused by magic — while making a flying entrance into the Hogwash dining hall, he collapses under his own weight after falling from a height. Barry, dining nearby, keeps eating, and is wholly unaffected, apart from being offered Dorco’s job.
This doesn’t even make the list of the top ten worst moments in the book. Byron, one of Nigel’s classmates, introduces himself to Nigel by saying, "I’ve had sex with my sister, and tasted of human flesh."
When Barry runs into Colin Creepy at the Hogwash reunion, Colin brings up the time that they were caning other students together in the Headmister’s office. Barry and Ermine bring up their extensive sexual histories several times, often in front of Nigel.
The book may be bad, but there are some bright spots. Nigel’s character is the most developed and mature, despite being an 11-year-old. Though he suffers from some of the maladies common to all the characters, such as murderous tendencies (helping to kill every player on the Silverfish Quiddit team and killing Byron by putting earwigs in his head that eat his brain), he is capable of shame, and acts his age.
He also plays Accountants and Attorneys — the fantasy kid’s version of Dungeons and Dragons.
Gerber’s vision of students weaned on Trotter stories coming to Hogwash and imagining themselves to be Barry, Ermine, or Lon hits the mark as well. Searching the Internet for fan fictions proves that this isn’t uncommon.
Unfortunately, flashes of humor and insight like this are rare. More often, its jokes are about combing pubic hair, morning-after spells, and vibrating books used for sexual pleasure. Keep your £6.99, and stay far away from Barry Trotter and the Unnecessary Sequel.
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Head Girl
Points: 494
rache says:
Hah. The first one was scary...I mean scary. The second one, I just thought that the back cover was funny...I mean...Ya gotta read the back cover...Rip off the back cover and throw away the rest of the book! Ooo Im the first post?
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 5:54 PM EST
Witch
Points: 552
Gir Vasquez says:
Hmm interesting. I've never even heard of this book. It being so bad has just made me curious and now I really want to read it. He he. I'm a hopeless cause.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 5:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 833
hplover731 says:
That seems ummm...interesting. It looks kind of weird but I've never read it so I may be wrong.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:04 PM EST
Crookshanks Caretaker
Points: 3836
hermionefan1 says:
This guy must have a weird imagination. Sounds pretty bad for a parody book. Oh well, maybe the mental and deranged will buy and read it. Ha ha ha!
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:09 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 323
fang says:
I read the first one and did find some parts humorous but overall it was tedious and rather expected. I don't think writing a new book will be much more interesting,....fang
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:10 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2875
Chogiiiirl says:
Sounds like a bore to me. I won't waiste my time reading it.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:14 PM EST
Student
Points: 257
Hellodoggy says:
I think its stupid. For someone to mock a great book, I dont find it funny, at all.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:15 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1227
Prongs150 says:
That seems to cross the line from parody to just plain sick. He should try to clean it up more if he wants to parody a potential children's book. Don't get me wrong, I love parodies as much as anyone else. But maybe he should sum it up in a few quick paragraphs instead of entire books. A little bit of a waste.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:18 PM EST
Points: 927
ChelCho says:
I generally like parodies, but I wouldn't want a gross parody of a children's book. I would probably read it if it wasn't so over the line.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 697
kaela987 says:
I agree with ChelCho... usually I think parodies are funny, but from what i read just now this particular parody doesn't seem funny to me at all. it seems rather vulgar for a parody on a children's book.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:35 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 954
DaUltimateHP&SportsWiz says:
In my opinion, this is funny. i've never heard of these books, but they seem hilarious. This may be a children's book, but little kids don't stumble across books like these. Lighten up.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
Thats, well interesting is the only word that i can find to fit it, although it does look pretty funny i might have to attempt readin one or both it could be good you never know?!?!
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 6:59 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23483
KT Lady says:
Some of the things sounds kinda...sick. But some sound funny! haha I actually might want to read this. (and I might just ignore the fact that incest and cannabalism is mentioned) l.o.l aside from that..it sounds lovely!! *rolls eyes*
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 7:14 PM EST
Magical Creature
Points: 3064
Phoenix Feather says:
Wow, a book well worth skipping.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 7:16 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1155
AFawkes05 says:
it looks funny, a bit over the top but funny + Ive heard worse,...at least they didn't make a movie out of it
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 7:34 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 329
RMG says:
I've never heard of that before. That's really stupid.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 7:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 585
harryzbestgurl says:
I've never heard of those books before!! Now i kind of want to read them!!! L.O.L!!
Hermionefan1
I AM mental and deranged!!! L.O.L!! I can't deny it anymore!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 8:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 657
Wotcher_Tonks says:
I have read Barry Trotter and the shameless Parody, I found it very funny, I would never consider taking these books seriously as the author states they could possibly be the worse books ever written,
If you want a bit of a giggle and the name changes are quite good ie Lord Valumart then have a read.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 8:56 PM EST
Points: 1450
Gopotter2004 says:
Oh good lord. Not quite the PG we're used to, now is it? ;-) I think those that satire appreciate the books the most. You have to internalize, understand to a depth almost scary to any average enjoyer of a novel. Kudos!
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 8:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 979
Butterbeer says:
Ha! That is truly Really Funny! I find HP mock things very funny!
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 9:01 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2034
Professor Snape says:
Haha, that sounds like it's pretty funny, if you have that kind of sense of humor.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 10:33 PM EST
Witch
Points: 585
Joyce says:
This sounds HORRID! I would not waste my time or money on this.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 10:41 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2391
HPN4eveRon says:
THat looks interesting to read. But grose! Not a good book for children to read. I would like to see that back cover though! You can buy this in stores?
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 11:02 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 434
Tippytoes says:
I never heard of this book before. I do like parodies, sounds interesting but not enough. I don't think the parody is such a big deal, some people just can't take it.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 11:06 PM EST
Student
Points: 295
Astarte says:
Sounds like a pretty humorous read...maybe I'll rent it from the library...gotta read something till the 6th book comes out...
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 11:26 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 319
enowonkenobi says:
I am both angered and disgusted whenever someone does this. Why is it that some people just like to pervert every good work out there? These trashy parodies are just spitting in the face of a good and wholesome HP series.
Posted Nov 4, 2003 at 11:38 PM EST
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