Description
Absolutely Huge is a spoof biography of a fictional Welsh rugby player, Gethin 'Huge' Hughes. Mimicking the standard sports biography format, the book explores the highs and lows of his remarkable and often controversial career both on and off the pitch. An affectionate satire on Welsh rugby and the media hype that surrounds it.
About the Author
Born and bred in Swansea, Luke Upton now works as a business journalist in London. He co-runs rugby humour account @NotGavHenson on Twitter, regularly amusing over 42,000 followers, including a large portion of the Wales squad. 'Absolutely Huge' is his first novel.
Reviews
This hilarious spoof biography of fictional Welsh rugby player Gethin 'Huge' Hughes charts the highs and lows of his remarkable and controversial career both on and off the pitch, affectionately sending up Welsh rugby, culture and the media hype that surrounds it. After a stunning international debut and glory for club and country, by the age of 20 Huge is the biggest star in Welsh rugby. He's dating pop star Heledd Harte, the 'nation's sweetheart', and after one particularly heroic moment at Twickenham is voted Second Best Welshman Ever. But the good times don't last. He inadvertently incites a pitch invasion, causes a diplomatic row on a Lions tour, gets involved with some calamitous product endorsements, suffers World Cup heartbreak and is voted the Second Worst Welshman Ever. Things don't improve after early retirement at 23. A disastrous appearance on reality TV is followed by a brush with death on Mount Snowdon, an entanglement in a political scandal at the Welsh Assembly, a court appearance and a very public break-up with Heledd. On the eve of his playing comeback, and for the first time, the full extraordinary story of his years in the spotlight and what happened afterwards will finally be told. "From the Swansea Valley to the stars and back again, Gethin Hughes' story is an Odyssey for our times. Hilarious take on the chemistry between huge talent and the 21st century." - The Guardian "I couldn't put it down - hilarious from start to finish. If I'd got to play alongside Huge, even I might have learnt a few things!" - Mike Phillips, Wales and the British and Irish Lions "Full of wry humour - an Absolutely Huge tale which captures the humour and spirit of Welsh rugby, told by one of social media's funniest people." - Dai Lama, @WelshDalaiLama "If you love either rugby or Wales, you'll enjoy this book. If you love both, Absolutely Huge is the must-read book of the year." - Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr "You'll laugh, you'll cringe, maybe even cry out of pure sympathy for a character that is so great and so flawed at the same time. Upton... is a brilliant storyteller. His love of rugby comes through loud and clear. It is not just humour for humour's sake. This is social and sporting commentary at its best. It's the most entertaining rugby title we have ever reviewed." - International Soccer Network -- Publisher: Y Lolfa
Book Information
ISBN 9781912631018
Author Luke Upton
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Y Lolfa
Publisher Y Lolfa
About the Author
Born and bred in Swansea, Luke Upton now works as a business journalist in London. He co-runs rugby humour account @NotGavHenson on Twitter, regularly amusing over 42,000 followers, including a large portion of the Wales squad. 'Absolutely Huge' is his first novel.
Reviews
This hilarious spoof biography of fictional Welsh rugby player Gethin 'Huge' Hughes charts the highs and lows of his remarkable and controversial career both on and off the pitch, affectionately sending up Welsh rugby, culture and the media hype that surrounds it. After a stunning international debut and glory for club and country, by the age of 20 Huge is the biggest star in Welsh rugby. He's dating pop star Heledd Harte, the 'nation's sweetheart', and after one particularly heroic moment at Twickenham is voted Second Best Welshman Ever. But the good times don't last. He inadvertently incites a pitch invasion, causes a diplomatic row on a Lions tour, gets involved with some calamitous product endorsements, suffers World Cup heartbreak and is voted the Second Worst Welshman Ever. Things don't improve after early retirement at 23. A disastrous appearance on reality TV is followed by a brush with death on Mount Snowdon, an entanglement in a political scandal at the Welsh Assembly, a court appearance and a very public break-up with Heledd. On the eve of his playing comeback, and for the first time, the full extraordinary story of his years in the spotlight and what happened afterwards will finally be told. "From the Swansea Valley to the stars and back again, Gethin Hughes' story is an Odyssey for our times. Hilarious take on the chemistry between huge talent and the 21st century." - The Guardian "I couldn't put it down - hilarious from start to finish. If I'd got to play alongside Huge, even I might have learnt a few things!" - Mike Phillips, Wales and the British and Irish Lions "Full of wry humour - an Absolutely Huge tale which captures the humour and spirit of Welsh rugby, told by one of social media's funniest people." - Dai Lama, @WelshDalaiLama "If you love either rugby or Wales, you'll enjoy this book. If you love both, Absolutely Huge is the must-read book of the year." - Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr "You'll laugh, you'll cringe, maybe even cry out of pure sympathy for a character that is so great and so flawed at the same time. Upton... is a brilliant storyteller. His love of rugby comes through loud and clear. It is not just humour for humour's sake. This is social and sporting commentary at its best. It's the most entertaining rugby title we have ever reviewed." - International Soccer Network -- Publisher: Y Lolfa
Book Information
ISBN 9781912631018
Author Luke Upton
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Y Lolfa
Publisher Y Lolfa
