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sophiemadgwick's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this, particularly the audiobook.
aqsa_ayman's review against another edition
3.0
If you’re not feeling this to begin with, I would stay stick with it and you may see the same things that attracted you to Louis Theroux’s documentaries, in his mix of awkward but playful charm. There are many moments of genuine witty comedy in his narration, and if you get the audiobook version you can enjoy the various accents he puts on too!
On the other hand, in the afterword which introduces a bonus chapter, he explains why the chapter was cut. And I have to agree with what his editor hints at, in that, in terms of content, Jimmy Saville takes up too much room in this book. After hearing the author’s perspective I can understand his need to reconcile the man he knew with what he later learns, especially with his brand of journalism, but for me it starts to dominate what is meant to be an account of his own life and career.
I think Theroux made this book a very honest insight into the way he thinks. And that honesty means he isn’t always portrayed in the best light, as a friend to controversial characters, or as a partner who was not pulling his weight. But it feels a lot more genuine than the alternative.
On the other hand, in the afterword which introduces a bonus chapter, he explains why the chapter was cut. And I have to agree with what his editor hints at, in that, in terms of content, Jimmy Saville takes up too much room in this book. After hearing the author’s perspective I can understand his need to reconcile the man he knew with what he later learns, especially with his brand of journalism, but for me it starts to dominate what is meant to be an account of his own life and career.
I think Theroux made this book a very honest insight into the way he thinks. And that honesty means he isn’t always portrayed in the best light, as a friend to controversial characters, or as a partner who was not pulling his weight. But it feels a lot more genuine than the alternative.
readingbowls's review against another edition
I liked the beginning
Interesting start into journalism
I would like to come back to it
Interesting start into journalism
I would like to come back to it
jessicaanduiza's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Autobiographies read by that person is great. Re: this book, too much info the prolific offender and not about Louis himself.
marleyrollins's review against another edition
3.0
Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining, but if you’re a Theroux fan most of this will be pretty repetitive, either because you’ve heard these insights before, or because he’s recalling an incident that happened in a documentary verbatim. Would have been interested in Louis sharing more about his filming style and potential tips for other creators and artists, and less about the same stories about Jimmy Saville told over and over again.