Vs. The Rest of the World

* WARNING! The following may contain spoilers for the book Dave Gorman: vs The Rest Of The World. These would not prevent you from enjoying the book, but you may enjoy the book slightly more if the ending comes out of the blue. WARNING!!! *

I've recently finished reading a wonderful wee book by Dave Gorman. As you may have picked up, it is called Dave Gorman: vs. the Rest of the World. The premise of the book is that Dave, slightly bored in his time off work, sends a tweet asking if anyone wants a game. He gets replies and proceeds to travel around meeting new people and playing games. Classic board games such as Monopoly and Cluedo, card games such as Poker and Cribbage, more sporty endeavours such as Ultimate Frisbee and Sock Golf, and finally some rather exciting lesser-known gems such as Khet (Egyptian Laser Chess) and Kubb (Scandinavian Tactical Skittles). I really want to play Khet and Kubb. Lots.

That's basically how the book pans out in the main. A series of episodes of Gorman meeting strangers and playing games. Sometimes the games are exciting, sometimes the people moreso. It's a pleasant read but doesn't appear to be going anywhere, which perhaps is fitting considering the fact that Gorman had no ulterior motive when embarking on this project (if it can be called such a thing). At one point Gorman and his agent meet with a media type who wants to turn his 'project' into a TV series. Gorman refuses this, because there is no motive behind his actions besides the goal of playing games with people. It is a pleasant way for him to spend his spare time outside of work and he wants to keep it at that; a past time.

This carries on right until the very end. When it comes to meeting people in person for the first time following a correspondence on the internet, there is likely to be a nagging doubt about who the person really is. Are they who they say they are? Are their professed motives true? Do they actually own any board games? Gorman gets into a couple of small-scale weird situations during the course of the book, but in the climactic episode he ends being attacked by someone he managed to upset during a stand-up performance many years ago.

This comes as quite a shock, coming as it does after a long sequence of lovely adventures across Britain taking in amusing and exciting games. There is always a fear that something as crazy and shocking as this could happen, but you never think it actually would, given Gorman's happy-go-lucky affability. Obviously it shocks Gorman as well, and once he makes it back to his hotel and has phoned his fiancee to let her know he's OK he breaks down sobbing. It is a terrifying moment even though the danger has passed. Our narrator who is always positive and upbeat no matter what the circumstance is reduced to tears; serious and pure emotion. It shocks almost as much as the blow to the head. Gorman, who in his positivity and authorial authority comes across as invincible, is suddenly shown to be as vulnerable and human as his readers.

And then, the turn of the river. The next chapter shows Gorman on his way to another stranger's flat. He doesn't tell us who, nor what game they are about to play. Because they don't matter. What matters is experiencing the act of playing and making connections with people. What is important is that Gorman is able to carry on with this lifestyle despite the trauma he has suffered. Herein lies the meaning of the book. There are almost inevitably going to be setbacks, both in games and life in general, which can severely affect our enjoyment of them. It is key not to let these setbacks stop us playing games, or indeed playing life. New hands will be dealt, luck can easily change.

It was this 'reveal' that made the book for me. Something that was initially a book to be read as an amusing past-time suddenly became something that, for me anyhoo, was bordering on life affirming. I've read several of these 'stupid boy project' books before, by Gorman as well as Danny Wallace and Tony Hawks, but this is the first one to have had any real sense of emotional and philosophical impact. I possibly started clapping when I read the end of it, although I was lying on my side in bed so possibly not. In any event, I found it inspiring, uplifting and exciting. Having read it, I shall definitely be embarking upon my cooked breakfast odyssey (a New Year's Resolution I believe), attempting to get different people to come along with me each time. I also want to acquire and play Egyptian Laser Chess (Khet).

I will also have to send Dave Gorman an email to let him know what I think and how the book's cheered me up. Also to see if he fancies coming down to Brighton to play a game of Chairs, Shut the Box, or Star Wars Trivial Pursuit down at the Barley Mow.

* SPOILERS END HERE *