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Are You Dave Gorman?

Authors: Dave Gorman, Danny Wallace
Publisher: Ebury Press
Category: Book

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Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

76 reviews
Sales Rank: 1968

Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 4.7 x 1.1

ISBN: 0091884713
Dewey Decimal Number: 817
EAN: 9780091884710
ASIN: 0091884713

Publication Date: July 4, 2002
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Neat and tidy ASAP Despatch

Also Available In:

•	Paperback - Are You Dave Gorman?

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.co.uk Review
The award-winning Are You Dave Gorman? is the oddly touching story of how Perrier Award nominee Dave Gorman went in search of all the world's other Dave Gormans.

Fans of the TV version of this travelogue-cum-Arthurian-quest will know how it all began: one minute Dave and his flatmate Danny Wallace (himself a talented producer and writer) were kicking their heels in suburban London, the next they were on the night-train to Scotland to see assistant manager of East Fife Football Club David Gorman, so Dave Gorman could prove to Danny Wallace there were other Dave Gormans--and thereby win a drinker's bet. Such was the buzz Dave Gorman got from meeting Dave Gorman, he then went on a half year schlep around the world seeking out yet more Dave Gormans: in Ireland, Israel, Norway, America, with a sarcastically derisive Danny Wallace in constant and niggling attendance.

Things that work on TV--or start as drunken bets--don't always make the most successful of books and there are times when Are You Dave Gorman? seems a little contrived, not to say fatuously pointless. But such is the charm, candour, and wit of the two writers' alternating voices, any qualms come to seem churlish, if not thick-headed: it's the very frivolousness and absurdity of Are You Dave Gorman? that makes it so boyishly likeable. --Sean Thomas

Customer Reviews: Read 71 more reviews...

1 out of 5 stars

forget those five-star reviews July 11, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

they were probably posted by the authors' friends. There is no other explanation for those positive ratings. This is the first book in years I've stopped reading after forcing myself through the first one hundred pages. Boring, boring, boring. Two guys overstretch a very weak story to make a book and they do so by narrating it in such a ghastly way that you start hating yourself for having fallen for the reviewers' hype. I had my doubts but I decided to believe the "readers" ratings. Believe me, there is no way in hell so many people can honestly have found this book to be funny, interesting or in any way readable. Based on this book I wish to never ever meet anyone called Dave Gorman. Ah yes, it took two to fabricate it! Gawd... What I do mind is how rudely and egotistically the authors treat the Dave Gormans they meet. At least those I read about before throwing the book in the bin. The authors ridicule many of the people who donated their time to what is in essence two ego trippers out to make money from a late-night brainless idea. It's rude, it's boring, it's insulting, it's a waste of time and money. The single point in its favour? I now know two authors I will never need to buy anything from in the future.

PS: I'm not English so maybe this is the new English humour and I'm missing all the subtleties. If this is the case, England's international humouristic future and appeal looks grim beyond hope.

5 out of 5 stars

enjoyed it enormously February 23, 2008
Not a book to read on the train when youre alone because you WILL just look like someone giggling manicallly to yourself. It's a GREAT book

5 out of 5 stars

I spoke to Dave Gorman number 18! December 10, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

A few years ago I was enjoying a cuppa and a posh biscuit at a mates house (I know how to treat myself) and Dave Gorman came on the telly to be promote his new book. It sounded like a lark - a guy takes on a bet to find 54 people called Dave Gorman and ends up travelling the world. We went halves and ordered the book - the joint ownership worked well and we both read it swiftly....

...I'd never read anything like this before, a comedy book which was genuinely laugh out loud funny and also very interesting.

The book is penned by two authors - Danny Wallace and Dave Gorman. Dave is on the quest and it was great to read accounts of events in the adventure given by Dave, followed by the same event described by Danny. Both are very gifted comedy writers and their friendship comes through strong in this pathos laden titter-fest.

The most successful tales are those which involve real people and delve into the characters behind the story, and this does just that. It is heart-warming in parts and I would have to say that I found the book quite inspiring. Dave aims to try to get the "Gormen" into a room together, each with an "I'm Dave Gorman" name badge - will he manage to find 54?

From France to Israel, Dave follows leads all over the globe, sometimes to be let down and becoming the most famous Dave Gorman of them all in the process.

I don't know if Dave Gorman will ever read this review - but I once met you in Sheffield (on your way from the train station) and I shook your hand. Also - when I worked in a call centre, I spoke to Dave Gorman number 18 - I even had the book in my bag and we both laughed at the situation as I looked at the picture of him whilst we were talking about his internet connection!

Read this book and if you ever meet a Dave Gorman - you won't be able to resist asking them if they are part of the Dave Gorman Collective. You'll also enjoy one of the greatest adventures of the modern age!

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing! March 18, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

This book is actually the funniest book I have ever had the pleasure of reading. That sounds over the top, but it is... and what's also impressive is that as well as being well written and fast paced, it's TRUE! After reading I've looked more into Dave's work, and can say that in my humble opinion; he is somewhat of a genius. I'd recommend this to all those unfamiliar with his stuff- as I am sure that if you are familiar then you already have this book and cherish it!

5 out of 5 stars

The funniest book I've ever read. December 29, 2006
3 out of 5 found this review helpful

I first read 'Are you Dave Gorman' in 2003. I'd just found out I was to be made redundant from my job, but luckily I had an interview in Leeds to become a Civil Servant no less. I was going to have to stay overnight in a hotel but it was paid for so I made ample use of the tea making facilities!

For this trip I took 'Are you Dave Gorman' to read on the train. It turned out to be the worst interview of my life, they didn't even look at my portfolio, which for a designer is fatal. However one thing made up for this, and that was reading the funniest book I have ever had the fortune to put before my eyes.

So why do you need to know about my jaunt to Leeds? Well if you're the sort of person who found my predicament irrelevant then this is not the book for you. Or perhaps you may be a girl who doesn't understand these silly boy's games. If however you took some pleasure in my tale, well then this book is just the same, except funny, and about a guy named Dave Gorman and many other folks named Dave Gorman, and erm, Danny Wallace too.

'Are you Dave Gorman' is a story of obsession, of the strangeness of stepping onto a path you find you cannot get off. With both Dave and his partner-in-crime Danny's tag team writing I've never enjoyed a book more. I bet you never will too! OK then you might, but I bet you couldn't find 'loads' more enjoyable book, lets say 54.