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A Change of Tone.... A Book Review

 

 

 

Recently I turned into a published writer.  It wasn't my book but one that a friend had asked me to contribute too.  Would he pay me, would he put me on the cover, inside cover?  Nope, none of those; but he did send me a couple of extra signed copies for me to give away.  Generous isn’t he.

 

Here’s my review of “When Freddie Became Jesus.” 

 

The CoverThe Cover

 


 

Wilbur Smith writes books of legend and history.  He weaves stories of love, war, friendship, travel, famine, intrigue and many more into a spellbinding adventure.  This is what Jarrod Kimber has done with his book “When Freddie Became Jesus.”  Sort of.

 

To compare award winning Smith to possible award winning (nominated: Best New Writer in the British Sports Books Awards) Kimber maybe a bit of a hyperbole, well, a huge hyperbole, but this is what he has done with the 2009 Ashes.  He recounts, in a historical fashion, the battles that took place over England and Wales during last summer.  Weaved into the time lines are stories and thoughts plucked from only where Kimber knows.  His fascination with Ian Bell is, well, sick.  His dis-love for Watson and Hauritz is one from school yard where you’d actually think he, deep down, has a genuine ‘bro-mance’ crush on them.

 

Kimber’s storytelling and blog writing is well renowned among the internet cricket follower looking for an alternative view on the daily goings on in cricket.  His blog at cricketwithballs.com of ‘cricketing satire’, a genre not known until Kimber (Jrod - as he is known through the site) first started blogging in this manner in September 2007.  Since, Kimber has published two books, one entirely from his blogs in 2008 and this next piece that keeps me giggling, uncomfortably, in public places.

 

His style and ‘talk’ is that where you want Kimber to stop recalling the accounts of the matches and where you just want to listen to him rant, moan, lambast and oil up in between times.  The book would not work without these ‘interruptions’ though and for a guy that hasn’t played Test cricket, let alone First Class cricket, his knowledge and views on the games need to be read if you have any sort of an interest in cricket and a mind of an adult nature.  Oh, and you need to get this book because I’m in it.  I’ve written probably the best 350 words of the book.  I don’t want to be rude to Kimber, but sometimes these things have to be said.  Buy it and find out!

 

Now, as I said, I have a couple of signed, first edition copies to give away.  To go into “the draw” sign in and leave a comment , it doesn’t matter what you write, and I’ll randomly pick two winners from there.  Oh, and if you don’t win a book, go and buy one...  It is a good read.  And you know what, I'll sign it too, if you want me too that is.

 

 

 

 

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  • By limpcookie at 07/29/2010 - 03:08
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Compitition winners can be

Compitition winners can be found here:

 

http://iainobrien.co.nz/node/206

 

Congrats to you two and thank you all for your entries.  Now go buy one!

  • By Iain OBrien at 02/16/2010 - 22:07
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Book please!

Greetings from Spatula City! We have a great range of spatulas for all your cooking needs. We have stores Australia-wide, and will be expanding to NZ in 2010! Oh, and we love CWB and would very much like a copy of the latest book for our lunchroom. 'Spatula Monthly' magazine doesn't have much variety in the articles, and rarely mentions cricket.

  • By spatula city at 02/16/2010 - 12:53
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um wow

Never seen so many comments before Iain, here or on your other blog!!!!

 

Great to see you supporting other writers though and will definitely have to get this book regardless if I win or not. I will courier it over for that signature mate ;) (dont worry ill organise the courier back as well haha :)

 

actually based on the comments I have a quick question, if you win will the book be sent to you or do you have to organise your own freight and such or collect from the UK? Could be interesting haha

 

 

  • By Scott Lowen at 02/16/2010 - 11:20
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Good book?

I look foward to reading the book and finding out the answer..... Providing i win that is! :)

Niall

  • By Cricket_Niall at 02/16/2010 - 10:01
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Good book?

I look foward to reading the book and finding out the answer..... Providing i win that is! :)

Niall

  • By Cricket_Niall at 02/16/2010 - 09:59
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Pick me! :)

I love free stuff...

And Cricket...

And Jesus

  • By Pasta_Al at 02/16/2010 - 08:50
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In to win

I’d like the book; just a shame it hasn’t been promoted more on teh interwebz.

 

I trust the spelling mistakes got sorted out in the end?

  • By Leg Break at 02/16/2010 - 08:40
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Oh why not

Love a copy of the book. Count me in the draw.

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  • By limpcookie at 07/30/2010 - 10:44
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  • By limpcookie at 07/29/2010 - 11:54
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I badly need the book

IOB, Hope my wish is granted.

  • By dsandip at 02/16/2010 - 04:42
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Book looks great

Hi OB, Thanks for this opportunity! Will be missing you when the aussies get here in late Feb:( Hope life in England is going well. The snow looked fun! Cheers for all the blog posts - good to see they haven't ceased.

 

  • By jamesrobertsuth... at 02/15/2010 - 20:43
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hey

I was sad to hear that you were retiring from the NZ team, as I would have liked to see you do well against Australia over there soon. Ah well, enjoy the rest of your playing days in pommie land and best of luck.

  • By Mezz45 at 02/15/2010 - 00:09
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The Book's Crap - it doesn't mention me enough

As UJ's cousin, it seriously disappoints me that he does not mention me enough - it is not until after the last test when he says I've got a big fu#&ing head!!!

 

 

  • By BigDaddyKimber at 02/14/2010 - 22:15
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Intl cricket is misses u!

IOB,

I still can't believe both Shane and you left around the same time. This is going to put NZ fast bowling couple years behind. Anyways, hope the move works out for you and your family. And yeah, I would love to have a signed copy of the book. Uncle J rocks, no-one writes quite like him!

 

  • By A-Pod at 02/14/2010 - 05:44
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Dear Mr O'Brien

I really, really want this book. My Dad taught me to like cricket before he taught me to read. Now he is teaching me to read with Uncle Jrod's first book - The Year of the Balls. Please can I have the second one, especially as I am an Aussie who wants to sulk over losing the Ashes as much as possible?

Pretty please?

Sid

http://thoughtsfromthedustbin.blogspot.com

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  • By limpcookie at 07/28/2010 - 22:08
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I need the book

the subject says it all.. :)

  • By hariharan.buddha at 02/13/2010 - 21:38
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from the heart

ok ian, i am going to be up straight and honest with u....i love cricket...i love humor...i love books....and jrod's book is something which one would call a combination of all three....i am in a land where people would look incredulously at you, at the mention of cricket....as i am far away from cricket, as i can be....and getting this book can alleviate some of my misery...in your hand (literally!), you hold the keys to liberating me from my dreary, depressing time here.....i hope u pick me....

  • By bennyman0 at 02/13/2010 - 21:20
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send us a book bro

Hey Iain, send one of those books to me in Wellington.

I'm currently reading Richard Hadlee's 'Changing Pace' book, which has also been personally signed ;)

  • By baker at 02/13/2010 - 16:15
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angel(o)!!

wanna tell ya all tht angelo mathews exixsts and will take neythn that comes free...including jrod's book and herpes!!

  • By angelo_mathews_... at 02/13/2010 - 10:34
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I am Sehwag

Fear me.

  • By I am Sehwag at 02/13/2010 - 10:18
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Ashes book...

Means that if I don't enter my boyfriend may never talk to me again. This English cricket fan (him, not me, I prefer NZ all the way!) already had his brother top my birthday present by shoutikng hima trip to the Ashes at the end of the year!

  • By ottid at 02/13/2010 - 08:56
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Hello Iain...

...I have plans to release my own book by the time of the World Cup next year. Could do with some inspiration from Jrod and you to go beyond that first chapter that I have been stuck on for a couple of months!

  • By Suneer at 02/13/2010 - 07:52
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  • By limpcookie at 07/30/2010 - 09:51
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  • By limpcookie at 07/29/2010 - 02:57
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New Rules

Ok....there is only you can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills between a batsmen and a bowler and add drama to an otherwise dull match....so i say...legalise sledging, ball tampering and what not..and lets make "When Freddie Became Jesus"..the bible for any budding cricketer...

  • By hvg86 at 02/13/2010 - 05:24
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I'm random

And you are a better bowler than Dan the man.

Being selfish

 Inspite of following the blog and being a good fan of you, Iam commenting only now just because there's a book on offer.

 I am still not fully out of the shock of your retirement. NZ's loss in county cricket's gain. Keep going.

 And this was one of my blog posts during the Napier test. http://cricketsjk.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/o-brien-breathes-fire/

  • By kannansj at 02/13/2010 - 01:59
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Holidaying soon....

Hi Oba

Please make your decision soon as i go on holiday and need something to read on the beach!!

Hope all is well and settling into the glorious weather in the Derbyshire countryside!! Speak soon

 

I want a free book...

I just want a free book. jRod is frakkin' funny.

  • By DanGillespie at 02/12/2010 - 23:06
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free stuff zombie

free stuuf for commenting...great!!!...the zombie army forges ahead for free stuff

  • By kartiksahni at 02/12/2010 - 22:52
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Kia Ora Bro

I managed to win a copy of Jrod's first book courtesy of Lawrence Booth, this would make a nice little double.

Back in Welly next week to visit son number 2 - need anything? Pineapple lumps, proper marmite...

 

 

 

 

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  • By limpcookie at 07/29/2010 - 21:25
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Give it 2 me...

will tell sehwag not to hit much next time he plays NZ....

  • By fenildesai at 02/12/2010 - 22:06
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The glare

Tip top book to be involved in! Laugh out loud stuff in it including Jarrod's poleaxing by a Steve Waugh glare,  his adroit re-telling of which proves he is that rarest of creatures - a self deprecating Aussie.  Have to say your analysis of his bromance with Nat and Shane is spot on though - shall watch his blog carefully for more evidence of this

  • By Ceci Masters at 02/12/2010 - 22:05
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You know you want me to win ;)

I'd like to read "probably the best 350 words of the book" so go on, you know you want to sign it and send it to me ;) Heh heh

Oh and by the way, that's the most comments I've seen to one of your blogs for ages!  Ha ha - maybe you should offer something for free everytime you post ;) 

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  • By limpcookie at 07/29/2010 - 15:31
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Do want!

I'm in for the sweepstakes. Nice book, do want!

  • By lxq_ikrana at 02/12/2010 - 21:00
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to be sung in full voice

(to the tune of 'Any Old Iron')

 

Ian O'Brien, Ian O'Brien, Ian Ian Ian O'Brien..

Bowl them in, against the wind,

Those wickets will be flyin'

  • By The Beggy Groin at 02/12/2010 - 19:24
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pity you can't spell my name;

pity you can't spell my name; esp as it's written at the top of the page...

 

but thanks!!  You're in the draw!  As with everybody else here.

 

 

  • By Iain OBrien at 02/12/2010 - 21:54
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Spelling errors

Never mind, I realised pretty quickly (before you had posted actually) and changed it - for anyone who's confused by this nano-thread. No excuse, I've been reading your blog for ages, I even spelled it correctly at first but thought - no, that can't be right! I, too, get surly when someone mis-spells my name, so sorry about that.

(Come to think of it, it's a bit rich that a Kiwi is getting cross about mixing up vowels! :-))

  • By The Beggy Groin at 02/13/2010 - 01:34
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Iain O'Brien is THE BEST batsman I have ever seen....

.... after (lets's face it....) Sachin "who-else-it-can-be??!!" Tendulkar!!

now that I have said this.... I am safely assuming that the draw would be for only one book!

The other will obviously awarded to.. (you know who!!) the person who DESERVES it!! (Me! mE! ME! me! meeeeee!)

  • By stany at 02/12/2010 - 19:03
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Unlike other visitors, I am

Unlike other visitors, I am new to your site. I am still discovering the site map. All the best and keep up the good work.

Manoj

 

  • By Manojvirtual at 02/12/2010 - 18:30
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