When I was asked if I’d like to give away a copy of The Person Controller, I’ll admit I didn’t leap about.
I mean I really like David Baddiel – when he’s nattering aimlessly away with Frank Skinner. But I’ve never read any of his books (sorry Mr Baddiel…), so I really didn’t know if his latest offering would be up to much.
(what? Look, LittleStuff is nothing if it’s not honest)
So I had a quick squizz at a few pages to see what it was like.
And honestly?
My tea went cold and I was on chapter seven before I noticed.
I flipping LOVE this book – and as soon as I’ve finished the must-do work for the day I shall be heading straight back to it. And I’m not reading it to 8yr old Bear, either. No – it’s just for me. It genuinely made me laugh out loud. Plus I was really impressed at his very early description of the fatness of Eric – descriptive, honest but not rude or offensive. And so funny…
“…He didn’t have terrible water retention; he had terrible bacon-sandwich retention.”
Fred and Ellie are twins. But not identical (because that’s impossible for a boy and a girl). They do like all the same things, though. Especially video games. Which they are very good at. They aren’t that good, however, at much else – like, for example, football, or dealing with the school bullies.
Then, they meet the Mystery Man, who sends them a video game controller, which doesn’t look like any other controller they’ve ever seen. And it doesn’t control any of their usual games. When the twins find out what it does control, though, it seems like the answer to all their problems. And the key to all their wildest dreams. At least it seems like that…
I love Fred and Ellie; it’s the sheer recognisable ordinariness of them – any reader will recognise the life they inhabit, and enjoy the references to familiar games and hurt with them as they deal with Morris & Isla. Best of all for me is the underlying current of strong, unspoken sibling affection that floods the story.This book is as much about what isn’t said – it’s a clever, subtle read that anyone will love but particularly I cannot wait to read it with my 8yr old.
So yes – I’m really really sorry Mr Baddiel. But better late than never; and rest assured I’m going to hunt out The Parent Agency too, now. Also – special mention for Jim Field’s brilliant cartoon illustrations. They’re properly perfect.
8 October 2015
to take me some where hot when its not nice in england
9 October 2015
I wish I had a book where I wrote my dreams and they all came true
8 October 2015
I wish I had a controller to fast forward my exercise
8 October 2015
A remote control like the one in the advert on tv – that changes old thing around the home into bran new!
8 October 2015
A remote control that turns down the volume on my kids, pauses them when they are about to do something dangerous and switches them off at bedtime would be lovely!
9 October 2015
I’d pause my life at the good points and enjoy them again
8 October 2015
I would love to be able to push a button so I get an automatic shower, hairwash and dry all in one go.
8 October 2015
Can I rewind the past 9 years so I’m 21 again?!!! ;)
8 October 2015
to fast forward my day at work would be great
8 October 2015
I would love a remote that tidies up after the Grandchildren leave,rather than me doing it
8 October 2015
I’d like to fast forward to next summer already!
8 October 2015
to stop and start time
8 October 2015
for the weather, I would love to be able to click a button depending on what mood I was in and have it change.
8 October 2015
Love a remote to go back in time
8 October 2015
Definitely hanging sheets out on the line. I would rather do any job apart from that. :)
9 October 2015
for 5 mins peace and quiet
9 October 2015
I wish I had a fat controller to keep me grounded
9 October 2015
To take me away from everything just for a little peace and quiet, on a beach with a cocktail would be perfect lol
9 October 2015
I would like a remote to take me in holiday anywhere I wanted
9 October 2015
To get me to my holiday destination in an instant as opposed to the torment of travelling
9 October 2015
I would like a ‘time’ remote control so you can rewind, fast forward, frame by frame and revisit happy times, and change bad times for the better
9 October 2015
to cook the dinner for me x
9 October 2015
A remote control that can be programmed to do DIY would be amazing
9 October 2015
Fast forward to the holidays!
9 October 2015
I’d use it to control the people who walk too slowly in front of me!
9 October 2015
I would have a controller to fast forward putting on shoes and getting out the door for school in the morning, it always seems to take forever!
9 October 2015
I’d love a remote to control the weather
9 October 2015
EASY! That would be to have a cooked dinner ready every night!
9 October 2015
A mute button for when the kids are a bit loud.
9 October 2015
One to make me breakfast in bed
9 October 2015
i would love a remote that would transport me to anywhere in the world with the click of a button!!
9 October 2015
For me and my family to live happy and healthy x
9 October 2015
a volume control for the kids!
10 October 2015
my girlfriend!
10 October 2015
a fast forward button to make my son move quicker in the mornings!
10 October 2015
I’d love a remote control that made me do the housework quicker!
12 October 2015
To sleep – I’ a dreadful insomniac
12 October 2015
oo can i have two? one for getting the cleaning done and one to pause time so i can sleep as long as i want
12 October 2015
keeping the kids quiet for 5 minutes lol!!
12 October 2015
Either to do all the cleaning in the house without me lifting a finger, or to get my son dressed and ready for school on time!!
12 October 2015
I wish i had one to Fast Forward my housework
13 October 2015
To pause life when you just need that time to be by yourself and either scream, cry or laugh
13 October 2015
to clean the house
13 October 2015
I would use it to make really annoying people disappear…does that make me a bad person? ;)
13 October 2015
To tidy up
14 October 2015
To get another pair of hands in on this and tidy up.
14 October 2015
I’d like one to produce instant healthy meals that the kids will actually eat!
14 October 2015
I’d love to pause the kids – they are growing too quickly!!!
14 October 2015
I would like one that did all the housework
14 October 2015
I would like to slow time during the night so I could sleep for longer!
14 October 2015
id love to mute my family at times!
15 October 2015
A cleaner
15 October 2015
A button on a remote that dealt with all the laundry – washed, dried, ironed and put away!
15 October 2015
A remote control to speed up cleaning
15 October 2015
To help me clean and cook
16 October 2015
To pick the kids’ dirty clothes up off the floor and put them into the correct compartments of the laundry bin! The one job that drives me crazy!
18 October 2015
I’d love a remote control that could make different dinners at the press of the button! And another button for washing up of course :)
18 October 2015
something to do all the cleaning
18 October 2015
I WOULD LOVE A REMOTE SO I COULD PAUSE CERTAIN TIMES OF MY LITTLE BOYS GROWING UP XX
20 October 2015
I can’t decide which would be better if it cooked or got my son ready for school
21 October 2015
I’d have power over the Euro Millions balls so I could win the jackpot enough times I’d be up there with the billionaires.
22 October 2015
A remote that cooks delicious food for me and the family :)
24 October 2015
To do all the cooking and cleaning.
29 October 2015
Automatic ironer – I hate ironing!
31 October 2015
To rewind stupid mistakes!
2 November 2015
To tidy up after everyone in my house!
2 November 2015
A remote button to freeze time after breakfast, so I can get myself and daughter ready to leave at our pace instead of one big rush
2 November 2015
a button that controls the kids xx
2 November 2015
I’d like a button to speed up my boys, especially in the morning getting ready for school!! ?
2 November 2015
Remote for peace & quiet would be nice especially when the girls are squabbling & the football is on in the background
2 November 2015
To fast forward when my neighbors visit to gossip.
2 November 2015
My son loves reading David Walliams books
2 November 2015
My 4 year old lol :-)
3 November 2015
Has to be the housework – a long working week and then a chunk of the weekend cleaning ….. oh boy! What happened to the robots they promised us 20-30 years ago …. not quite there yet :)
3 November 2015
This book would be a winner in our house
4 November 2015
I would love a remote that controlled the weather!
4 November 2015
oh yes i think it has to be one for the housework too, with a hubby 5 kids and a grandson to clean up after here
4 November 2015
To rewind my mistakes!!
4 November 2015
I’d love a remote for the volume on my husband and son when they are watching football on the TV, you really can’t hear yourself think
4 November 2015
To clean the bathroom