Ben Hatch

Ben Hatch was born in London and grew up here and in Manchester and Buckinghamshire. His latest book is called Are We Nearly There Yet? 8000 Misguided Miles Round Britain in a Vauxhall Astra and has been praised by John Cleese ("Ben Hatch makes me laugh"), Terry Wogan ("An utter delight”), Danny Wallace and Sophie Kinsella. Although, unfortunately, not by his wife Dinah ("I can't believe you said I drive like Mr Magoo, you bastard!").  His first comic novel, The Lawnmower Celebrity, based loosely on his time as a chicken sandwich station monitor at Darlington McDonalds, was named one of the Radio 4's eight books of the year in 2000. The International Gooseberry about a hapless backpacker with a huge ungovernable toenail was published in 2001 and described as "hysterical and surprisingly sad" by the Daily Express.

Ben Hatch was on the long-list of Granta's 2003 list of the most promising 20 young authors in the UK, but missed out on final inclusion possibly because of the toenail. In association with his wife Dinah, Ben has also written guidebooks for Frommer's. The guidebooks are a mixture of helpful and humorous tips on holidaying with children, quirky reviews of attractions, and incendiary arguments with his wife about, among other things, what is the best type of owl. 

Books

Are We Nearly There Yet?

Bored, broke, burned out and turning forty, Ben Hatch and his wife, Dinah were approached to write a guidebook about family travel in Britain.  They rented out their house, packed their Vauxhall Astra with themselves, their children and everything they would need for 8,000 misguided miles around Britain over a five-month period.  This is a memoir crossed with a travelogue that reads like a novel.

The International Gooseberry

Kit Farley, 28 years old and wanting to live the dream of following in Jack Kerouac's footsteps.  He will travel dusty highways, become a friend of the rich and poor alike and meet and sleep with beautiful women of all nations.

The Lawnmower Celebrity

Jay Golden is 18 years old.  He keeps a diary.  Far better than he keeps any of his jobs.  His countless sackings and the relentless taunting of his father's BBC celebrity friends mix with the emotions of a family adjusting to loss.  Jay gives us his hilarious insights on life, love and the best strimmer blade for a bumpy lawn.