I chose this audiobook as I like Stephen Fry and love his narration of the Harry Potter audiobooks.

As expected, his narration is wonderful, and definitely made the story more engaging.

This book is billed as a thriller, a modern retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. I’ve never read it and don’t know much about it so wasn’t sure what to expect.

I found the plot very complex and initially difficult to follow. There were so many characters and name changes and I got them mixed up for the first half of the book. I found the first half quite boring and I struggled with it. The second half picks up a bit and I understood what was happening.

A lot goes on in this book, what’s meant as teenage revenge on a schoolmate goes disastrously wrong. The once popular Ned is involved in an elaborate cover up and eventually he exacts his own revenge, often in quite gruesome ways.

Some parts I felt were pretty implausible and I didn’t feel it was much of a thriller. I felt it took so much concentration to follow the plot. However, a lot of effort has gone into constructing the plot and it is quite clever.

The narration really made this for me and if it hadn’t been for that, I think I would have given up on it in the first half.

I’m not convinced this book was for me. I didn’t enjoy the first half much but I thought the second half onwards flowed a bit more and held my interest.

2.5 stars rounded to 3.

Thanks to Penguin Random House UK Audio and NetGalley for a copy for review.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Stephen Fry’s narrative of his book The Stars’ Tennis Balls. His voice is just so compelling and I got sucked in by his reading of the love letter and Ned reading through Ashley’s diary and really felt this would be a great book. However I’m afraid it fell a little flat. I almost felt at times it dragged and at others it felt rushed.
I didn’t really feel drawn to any particular character and struggled to enjoy the actual story, and in all honesty had it not been for Stephen’s voice I may well have given up.
Sorry
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review

With thanks to Penguin Random House and Stephen Fry for a review copy of this audiobook.

I would listen to anything Stephen Fry reads, shopping lists, financial times? He reads it, I'll listen. Such an emotive and engaging voice.

I didn't know anything about this one going in, other than it was a Count of Monte Cristo. And just like its inspiration this is a book based on revenge. Fry manages to take the well know elements of the original work, and make it engaging and creative in a modern setting.

My particular highlight of the book is the complexity of Ned's character, which the original count was our hero, Ned is not quite the character a reader can route for. He's much more prone to be pitied. This clever change by Fry nods the original, and also tells a unique tale of its own.

This is the story of revenge based on the general story of "The Count of Monte Cristo". I found the first 1/3 of the book a little difficult to get into as a story with the building of the characters and the story just diving in, but then it picked up afterwards. Narration was done well.

What an absolute delight this novel by Stephen Fry is, cleverly “The Stars Tennis Balls “ is a homage to the Count of Monte Christo and I loved the way he played about with the characters names such as in the original novel there was Mercedes and in this we had Porsha, and the other characters names are anagrams of the originals, but what else would you expect from the very clever mind of Mr Fry. Oh and then there is poor old Ned our main man, whose only crime was being a throughly nice chap, who soon finds himself through no fault of his own-in a spot of bother after his so called friends try to show him up and bring him down a peg or two by hiding something illegal in his pocket but what they don’t count on though is Ned having a letter on him that leads him unfortunately to being incarcerated for many years, also what adds to the enjoyment was having it brilliantly narrated by the talented Mr Fry himself really added to the telling and I don’t feel anyone else could of done it justice, all in all I would highly recommend this audiobook as it has everything you want in a novel romance, wit, likeable characters and revenge. It ticks all the boxes.

I had missed reading this book when it was first published which I was more than happy to put right when I was approved for this edition. Fry’s fictional endeavours are a sheer delight which really shouldn’t be a surprise from a master craftsman of the written word. One of his many gifts is the creation of magnificent character names that just thoroughly instils the essence of the character. Ashley Barson-Garland, is the perfect example of this. He was a devilishly delightful foil as a counterpoint to the hapless Ned.

Listening to Stephen Fry narrate this was the icing on the cake! His voice is so captivating and it’s so easy to get lost in the story as he lures you in with every word uttered, in fact with every syllable.

The ebbs and flows of Ned’s life is hard to keep away from in this entertaining tale.

Took a while to get going but once it did it was worth the wait!
I had no idea what to expect with this one but a great thriller which is different to the popular psychological thrillers which are dominating the market at the moment.
Love it when the narrator is the author, and even better when it's Mr Fry!
Well worth a listen, thanks for the opportunity!

The audio was masterfully narrated by Stephen Fry.
A story of innocence, love, damage, trauma and a good dose of revenge. Mix that with the distinct ‘Stephen Fry’ humor and the result is a fairly compelling read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Stephen Fry for an ARC audio in return for an honest review.

WOW! I adored this book. It was certainly not what I was expecting. This is a thriller all about revenge, it was gut-wrenching, dark and satisfying. Stephen Fry may now be my favourite new author. The politics in this book is interesting and gives a refreshing change to usual thrillers. I loved it.

This is a great psychological thriller! This is based upon the retelling of "The Count of Monte Cristo" and is a must read. The story focuses on a young man named Ned, who falls victim to his "friends" plot, which sees him sent to a psychiatric hospital, where his memory is seemingly wiped away. Ned manages to regain his memory and seeks revenge on those who had wronged him. A great story with wonderful narration. Thank you very much Netgalley, thoroughly enjoyed this.

For Ned, 1980 seems a blissful year. Handsome, charming, popular and talented, his life is progressing smoothly, effortlessly, happily. And when he meets the lovely Portia Fendeman his personal jigsaw appears complete. But timing is everything in life, and his life is about to change for ever.

Things are going to get very bad indeed for innocent young Ned. A promise made to a dying teacher and a spiteful trick played by fellow pupils will rocket Ned from cricket captain to solitary confinement, from head boy to hell. When Ned emerges he is a man bent on just one thing - revenge; and revenge is a dish he plans to savour and serve to those who conspired against him.

Part love story, part thriller, a gloriously rich mix that only Stephen Fry can dish up to us, The Stars' Tennis Balls will leave you happy and replete.

Stephen Fry as a narrator made this book for me. I have yet to listen to a book he's narrated and not been delighted with it. Do yourself a favour and get this audiobook.

I found the start of this story quite hard to get into, but if you persist its definitely worth the effort. I've never read The Count of Monte Cristo, and I still enjoyed this retelling. As always Stephens narrating is spectacular, I will listen to anything he reads and its a bonus when it's his own writing. The characters were hard to like but were interesting enough to invest in. I would recommend this book. Thanks so much Netgalley & penguin for my first audiobook.

I’m sorry to say that this wasn’t really for me. I thought the book took quite a while to get going, and it didn’t hold my interest for the first few chapters. I did get into it a little more but I struggled to finish it. That being said, Stephen Fry has unparalleled wit and humour and I did find parts of the book very funny, plus he has the perfect voice and style for audiobooks!

Always enjoy Stephen Fry’s narration, such a wonderful voice and full of quintessential character. The story is a known theme but does not disappoint, very funny in parts. Enjoyable read, thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook.

I'm so sad. I love Stephen Fry and have heard lots about his books and narration, but this book didn't do it for me.
I hadn't read The Count of Monte Cristo before listening to this audiobook, and perhaps that would have helped me.
I was initially gripped in the first few chapters, and as I continued I gradually lost interest and wasn't really looking forward to listening to it. After a bad health week, maybe that isn't the book's fault, but I have listened to other audiobooks and really enjoyed them.
Stephen Fry has a wonderful narrating voice and I never thought I'd be put off reading his work. This probably wasn't the best book for me to start with.

This is a fantastic, darkly comical book based on The Count of Monte Christo. Ned and Portia fall in love at 17, despite their very different backgrounds. Ned’s private school, and politician father offer him a life of privilege that some of his peers are dangerously jealous of. When Ned’s unknown enemies hatch a plan to bring him down a peg or two, things go far beyond their wishes and Ned’s life is changed forever.
This is one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to, due not only to the fantastic fast paced storyline, but also because of Stephen Fry’s animated and entertaining narration. Highly recommended.

This is another corker of a read from Fry and he’s excellent form (as you’d expect) on narration duties as you dive into his modern day retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo.

This is like several books in one - starting off as a humorous foray as you learn of Ned and Portia’s blossoming romance and their wonderfully embarrassing expressions of true love with each other, and life in their respective social circles and families. But it takes a darker turn as Ned is taken away and held against his will and held prisoner for a very long time. And that’s when the fun begins.

Boy what a story and one that’s got some amazing characters in it. I really loved Babe - he really was such a enigmatic, brilliant, devious and fiercely loyal friend to Ned. And he’s instrumental in Ned’s quest for revenge - and it’s a doozy. As Ned’s plans for revenge on all those that wronged him (he has a long list!) you really do feel for him as it’s bittersweet, as it really does take him to some dark places.

This is a brilliant, humorous, thrilling read. Fry’s wit and intellect shines through this - particularly with the stratagem education through chess. Pure genius!!

I loved this book!

It was a little slow to start but once I got into it, understood the characters and their dynamics I was hooked and couldn’t stop listening.

It was perfectly narrated by the master himself, he brings the story to the next level.

I was really rooting for Ned and was with him throughout the turmoil and trauma he went through.

I’m so glad I was able to listen to this book.

Beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. Apparently this story is a modern adaptation of the Count of Monte Christo but since I haven't read the original, this went over my head entirely! Suspect I wouldn't enjoy the Dumas' version nearly as much as this.
I can't believe that it has taken me this long to discover Stephen Fry as an author of fiction. Will be ordering his other titles!

I already knew the story of this book but was intrigued about the audio version. BRILLIANT. The audio was captivating and really drew you in to the tale. Loved it.