Review Of similar books, it's the best - Charles Randall, Daily Telegraph Cricket Correspondent A worthy addition to the world of cricket humour - Sir Tim Rice Book of the month - All Out Cricket Magazine Highly recommended - 334 Not Out I laughed so much I nearly passed my fags round - David Lloyd Very entertaining and enjoyable - Christopher Martin Jenkins A marvellously evocative portrayal of village cricket - Steve Knowles The gentle, droll evocation of the pleasures of cricket - Wisden Cricketer Synopsis Of all the books about cricket, Mike Harfield's "Not Dark Yet" brings a rare authenticity to the subject. This is a book by a genuine cricketer and a genuine cricket fan with a talent for capturing the spirit of this special game in his witty prose. David Lloyd, aka Bumble, laughed so much he agreed to write the Foreword. He even showed the book to Christopher Martin-Jenkins who found it 'very entertaining and enjoyable'. Reading the book raises the spirits with its cheerful jollity. The mixture of banter and eclectic cricketing information carries the reader along, making for both easy and captivating reading. Loosely based around Mike Harfield's captaincy of a cricket XI over 30 years, Not Dark Yet is both the humorous story of his team's efforts and his often irreverent take on first-class and international cricket. For 30 years the Mike Harfield XI has withstood atrocious umpiring, dreadful hangovers, bad haircuts and a woeful lack of talent, only to encounter an even greater adversity - middle age.Spiced with humour and plenty of banter about fellow team-mates and international players alike, their captain's tales convey an authentic picture of one team's endeavours, to which cricketers and non cricketers will easily relate. About the Author Mike Harfield used to work for a large multi-national company (think Tony Curtis talking to Marilyn Monroe on the beach in Some Like it Hot). He was made redundant in the early 1990s. After a while, the company thought that it had made a mistake and so asked him back. A few years later they realised that actually it hadn't been a mistake, and made him redundant again. For this last act he was, and continues to be, eternally grateful. It enabled him to watch virtually every ball of the 2005 Ashes series and write Not Dark Yet. Every cloud has a silver lining, except of course when it brings rain to prevent an England victory. During the summer he plays cricket for the Ash Tree CC at Prestbury in Cheshire (except for one weekend when he can be found at Clifton Hampden). Foreword by David Lloyd (Lancashire, England and Sky Commentator)
N**4
A mildly amusing book about a village cricket match
Announcing that your book is "very funny" in its title is pretty punchy. Harfield's book is not "very funny". It is occasionally amusing, but that is about it.This is a book about a bloke who runs an annual cricket match between some of his mates and the local village. The fixture has run for 30 years, solely due to the efforts of Harfield. He would also appear to be the only person who would care if it stopped happening. There are a few things that only I would care about if they stopped happening, but no-one has asked me to write a book about them. Not Dark Yet also includes some cutting edge political satire - John Major was a plonker, Tony Blair lied occasionally - and some facts about cricket and its characters.Cricket is a wonderful thing and people who love it are generally wonderful people. I have no doubt that I would like Mr Harfield if I met him. Much like his cricket match, this book is whimsical, pleasant, slightly pointless and very English. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
F**X
Disappointing
I really wanted to like this book as I loved Rain Men, Zimmer Men, Penguins Stopped Play etc; I also grew up near where the book is set in Oxfordshire so I'm familiar with the pubs and ground mentioned in the text.Unfortunately, Not Dark Yet isn't in the same league as the books mentioned above, it reads more like an extended article and is pretty uninspiring throughout. The political comments seem very out of place and add nothing to the tale.Probably just about worth buying second hand for a couple of quid but otherwise I'd be inclined to give it a miss.
V**E
This large is like a medium
I agree with all the reviews I read. This large is like a medium. I took their advice and so it fits. Had I ordered a medium, ( I am 12-14 ) it would have been too small. Quality is fine.
W**Y
Good, but a bit short
This is an entertaining book that covers similar subject matter to Marcus Berkmann's "Rain Men" and "Zimmer Men". Any club cricketer will smile and laugh along with the stories of Mike Harfield's trials and tribulations as captain of a cricket team who have played just one match per season for the last 30+ years.My only criticisms are that it is not all that long (I read it in two fairly short sessions) and it occasionally veers off at a tangent into other subjects. In particular, there are a few political semi-rants which come out of nowhere and seem at odds with the book's otherwise easy and laid back style.Overall, recommended for cricket lovers.
S**Y
Not Dark Yet
Very satisfied. Bought as present for my husband. Would use seller again.
E**S
Brilliant, well written.
Whether you like cricket or not, it's a very funny read. Well done.
A**R
Five Stars
Good service, will use again
L**S
Four Stars
Great reading and entertaining humour
