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inirac's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use and Medical content
cosyskog's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This was a book of multiple themes: living through a (heart) health crisis, life experiences, and the friendships and relationships created along the way. As someone who didn't grow up in the UK, it taught me a lot of things I didn't know about Bob Mortimer but at the same time I read the entire thing with his voice in my head, so the authenticity of the author's voice comes through in his writing. It was a pretty quick read and the themes made me reflect a bit more on my own life. Overall would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Medical trauma, and Medical content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Body shaming, Alcohol, Dementia, Suicidal thoughts, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Car accident
amy1608's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
bethvance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Alcohol, Car accident, and Death of parent
littleredhat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
My partner is a huge Reeves and Mortimer fan, having loved shows such as "Vic Reeves' Big Night Out" and "The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer" since childhood. (Personally, I knew him best from "Shooting Stars", which I watched in my own childhood years and enjoyed - although I wouldn't have called it my favourite comedy show of all time.)
I bought my partner a signed hardback of Bob Mortimer's memoir as a birthday gift, and his riotous laughing literally waking me up at night convinced me to give it a read... although I opted for an audiobook version to enjoy during my commute, and so I could hear the words in Mortimer's distinctive voice.
Undergoing a triple heart bypass led Mortimer to reflect on his life, and the chapters of this book flitter between the time of his operation/recovery, and memories of his childhood and career, creating a clever and interesting structure. Several of his anecdotes carry the eccentric, childish, semi-surreal humour that Mortimer is known for, and some of them are supposed fantasies created to mirror his tall tales in the show "Would I Lie To You?" - his appearances on which I saw only recently, and which I found utterly hilarious. These, along with the show "Gone Fishing", have led to me developing a newfound admiration for Mortimer.
Even now, after reflecting on the tales in the memoir, I have no idea which ones are true and which are lies - that is, if any of them are even false to start with. It wouldn't surprise me if they weren't! I WAS surprised, however, to learn that Mortimer was a qualified and once working solicitor, as it seemed such a far cry from the semi-crazed comedian I saw on TV. As such, learning more about his shyer side, his studies and former profession was fascinating.
Like my partner, I found myself laughing out loud at this book quite often, but there were plenty of emotional and heart-warming moments too: a must-have, in my view, for any good autobiography. Mortimer, by his own admission, is not the strongest actor, and so, some parts of his narration did feel a little stilted and "read out", but there were also many sections that sounded much more relaxed and conversational, which were a real treat to listen to.
If you're a fan of Bob Mortimer's work in any capacity, give this a read or listen.
I bought my partner a signed hardback of Bob Mortimer's memoir as a birthday gift, and his riotous laughing literally waking me up at night convinced me to give it a read... although I opted for an audiobook version to enjoy during my commute, and so I could hear the words in Mortimer's distinctive voice.
Undergoing a triple heart bypass led Mortimer to reflect on his life, and the chapters of this book flitter between the time of his operation/recovery, and memories of his childhood and career, creating a clever and interesting structure. Several of his anecdotes carry the eccentric, childish, semi-surreal humour that Mortimer is known for, and some of them are supposed fantasies created to mirror his tall tales in the show "Would I Lie To You?" - his appearances on which I saw only recently, and which I found utterly hilarious. These, along with the show "Gone Fishing", have led to me developing a newfound admiration for Mortimer.
Even now, after reflecting on the tales in the memoir, I have no idea which ones are true and which are lies - that is, if any of them are even false to start with. It wouldn't surprise me if they weren't! I WAS surprised, however, to learn that Mortimer was a qualified and once working solicitor, as it seemed such a far cry from the semi-crazed comedian I saw on TV. As such, learning more about his shyer side, his studies and former profession was fascinating.
Like my partner, I found myself laughing out loud at this book quite often, but there were plenty of emotional and heart-warming moments too: a must-have, in my view, for any good autobiography. Mortimer, by his own admission, is not the strongest actor, and so, some parts of his narration did feel a little stilted and "read out", but there were also many sections that sounded much more relaxed and conversational, which were a real treat to listen to.
If you're a fan of Bob Mortimer's work in any capacity, give this a read or listen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Medical trauma
rorikae's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
'And Away' by Bob Mortimer is an absolutely charming memoir that discusses Bob's life so far through the lens of a health scare that he had. Though the story begins with this health scare and it is the frame narrative for the entire book, it is used more as an opportunity to grow and appreciate life, which infuses all of Bob's recollections. He goes through his childhood, his relationship with Jim Moir better known by his stage persona Vic Reeves, and his evolving career. Told in Mortimer's down to earth and naturally charming style, it's a great look into his life and how he fell into comedy.
I have been a fan of Bob Mortimer's since I saw him on Taskmaster and hearing some of the wild stories that he tells on Would I Lie To You inspired me to pick up his memoir. If you have enjoyed his work on these shows, I think you will thoroughly enjoy this memoir. I especially recommend the audiobook as Bob narrates it himself. Hearing about how he got into comedy was one of the most interesting aspects of this story because it was never something that he anticipated, it's just something that he clearly finds a lot of fun doing. This feeling suffuses the entire memoir. The very last section, which deals with Bob recalling how he was shy and overcame his shyness brought a smile to my face and was the perfect way to finish off this memoir. Just as charming, weird, and honest as I find Mortimer's visits to quiz shows, this memoir is a real treat.
I have been a fan of Bob Mortimer's since I saw him on Taskmaster and hearing some of the wild stories that he tells on Would I Lie To You inspired me to pick up his memoir. If you have enjoyed his work on these shows, I think you will thoroughly enjoy this memoir. I especially recommend the audiobook as Bob narrates it himself. Hearing about how he got into comedy was one of the most interesting aspects of this story because it was never something that he anticipated, it's just something that he clearly finds a lot of fun doing. This feeling suffuses the entire memoir. The very last section, which deals with Bob recalling how he was shy and overcame his shyness brought a smile to my face and was the perfect way to finish off this memoir. Just as charming, weird, and honest as I find Mortimer's visits to quiz shows, this memoir is a real treat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Car accident
eloiseisreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, and Mental illness
the_escapist's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Alcohol, Car accident, and Mental illness
humbug87's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I wasn't sure how much I would like this when I started. I'm not a big fan of the Shooting Stars style humour but had loved the audiobook for his fishing programme. Bob comes across as really likeable chap though and really pulled me in. I definitely think this is a book that needs to be experienced as an audio book though to get everything from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Grief
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