I borrowed this book from a friend and read it whilst on holiday. On getting home, I went straight out and bought my own copy. It's that good.

You probably know Tony Hawks. He's one of those comedians who's always working yet has never made the really big time. He crops up all over the place, in particular on Radio 4. Even if you don't know his name you'd probably recognise his voice.

This book would be a good novel - what makes it wonderful is that it's a true story. During a drunken session, Hawks accepted a bet that he couldn't hitch-hike round Ireland with a fridge within a month. Once sober, he could have just paid up and admitted defeat (the fridge itself cost him more than the bet). In fact he decided to go for it. The result is a triumph of individuality and eccentricity in an increasingly homogenised world.

This isn't a long book and it's written with a very light touch. But there is just so much in it, so many scenes and people. Some of the crazier moments include getting the fridge blessed by nuns and taking it surfing. Yes, surfing. Hawks puts the observational comedian's skills to great use. You can imagine his voice reading it, almost like an extended monologue. The result is one of those very few books that gets people laughing out loud.

But beyond the silliness, beyond the superb humour, what comes across most in this book is humanity. The humanity of the wonderful people Hawks meets during his adventure, of course, but also of Hawks himself. This is not some bored superstar out for a jaunt with a support team of PR people and medics in the background. This is just an ordinary bloke who's doing something daft for a bet and more than anything is desperate for a shag.

An instant classic.