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sophie______a's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
theorooney's review
3.5
I love Adam Buxton and the podcast, and while I’m too young to have watched the Adam and Joe show or understand any of the music references, I found this to be one of the more charming (and not pointless) comedian memoirs.
That might sound like faint praise but it’s more a shot at other comedian books, which I think are generally a bit pointless. This is really nice - I like the format with the mid-chapter ramble sections - and while the schooldays chapters maybe weren’t anything special, they were really made up for by the discussion of Buckles’ relationship with his dad, which is lovely and quite touching.
Also fun to hear about what a teenage Louis Theroux was up to.
That might sound like faint praise but it’s more a shot at other comedian books, which I think are generally a bit pointless. This is really nice - I like the format with the mid-chapter ramble sections - and while the schooldays chapters maybe weren’t anything special, they were really made up for by the discussion of Buckles’ relationship with his dad, which is lovely and quite touching.
Also fun to hear about what a teenage Louis Theroux was up to.
polly_baker's review against another edition
funny
reflective
3.0
I enjoyed an extended edition of Buckles' rambling. The structure pinballs from the present, to his schooldays, and everywhere in between in much the same way our memory does - but I found this added to, rather than detracted from, the overall narrative of the book. His 'rambles' and 'sub-rambles' act as anecdotal footnotes, and are perhaps indicative of his tendency towards self-doubt and self-conciousness, but also serve to keep him honest and introspective about the version of himself he his portraying.
I am, I think, a generation beneath most of the (very many) niche cultural references. And at times the memoir veered into a self-indulgent critical analysis of Bowie's lesser known works, which I didn't mind listening in on but, having nothing tangible to hang them on, are somewhat lost on anyone who wasn't an ardent follower of his career.
The meditations on grief, his father and old age were the most enjoyable, being both sincere and insightful but not without Buxton's characteristic (and often puerile) humour.
And the briefcase hook pays out.
I am, I think, a generation beneath most of the (very many) niche cultural references. And at times the memoir veered into a self-indulgent critical analysis of Bowie's lesser known works, which I didn't mind listening in on but, having nothing tangible to hang them on, are somewhat lost on anyone who wasn't an ardent follower of his career.
The meditations on grief, his father and old age were the most enjoyable, being both sincere and insightful but not without Buxton's characteristic (and often puerile) humour.
And the briefcase hook pays out.
mic_lina22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
charlottesteggz's review against another edition
4.0
As a huge Adam Buxton fan, this was a delight to read, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I were around his age and had the same cultural experiences as him.
Adam, please can you and Joe write a book about the Radio 6 show???? That section of your life was very missed.
Adam, please can you and Joe write a book about the Radio 6 show???? That section of your life was very missed.
adambecket's review against another edition
5.0
Look, I can hardly be unbiased when talking about Adam Buxton. I'll try, though. A truly fantastic story of coping with growing up, and understanding one's father, with moving parts alongside hilarious asides. A great insight into the man.