Scan barcode
A review by katykelly
Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse
5.0
'Walter Mitty' crossed with Room at the Top
Billy has aspirations. His northern family and roots can't stop him dreaming of a 'number one life' in London, scriptwriting for comedians. He's even had a letter offering him a job. Problem is, we come to learn that he's a bit of a fibber, a bit of a procrastinator, and having proposed (and given the same ring) to two women - a bit of a cad.
With his head in the clouds (his own world of Ambrosia, with idealised parents and where he always says something clever), he's an intriguing anti-hero. Billy isn't someone you aspire to be, but you don't envy him his life. He feels held back by his family, he's in a boring dead end job.
But he is a hard-to-like young man. Billy takes no responsibility at work, not posting calendars that he's trying ot get rid of months later, he strings along two women and even gives the same ring to both!
He's a character of his time, and I loved the northern setting (and John Simm's excellent narration of the audio CD) and voices. Billy is desperate to except his roots but is very much of his town and the feel of the period is strong. I loved his salt of the earth family, the way they talk ("no bloody swearing!" "he wants to knock him down a peg or two, he does").
I didn't like Billy, but I did like his story - the story of someone who dreams of more, who retreats into fantasy. He's SUCH a liar, it's good to watch him squirm and try to keep dreaming.
An important short work, one that reminded me of Walter Mitty, of a flawed individual that could be anyone you see around you.
Billy has aspirations. His northern family and roots can't stop him dreaming of a 'number one life' in London, scriptwriting for comedians. He's even had a letter offering him a job. Problem is, we come to learn that he's a bit of a fibber, a bit of a procrastinator, and having proposed (and given the same ring) to two women - a bit of a cad.
With his head in the clouds (his own world of Ambrosia, with idealised parents and where he always says something clever), he's an intriguing anti-hero. Billy isn't someone you aspire to be, but you don't envy him his life. He feels held back by his family, he's in a boring dead end job.
But he is a hard-to-like young man. Billy takes no responsibility at work, not posting calendars that he's trying ot get rid of months later, he strings along two women and even gives the same ring to both!
He's a character of his time, and I loved the northern setting (and John Simm's excellent narration of the audio CD) and voices. Billy is desperate to except his roots but is very much of his town and the feel of the period is strong. I loved his salt of the earth family, the way they talk ("no bloody swearing!" "he wants to knock him down a peg or two, he does").
I didn't like Billy, but I did like his story - the story of someone who dreams of more, who retreats into fantasy. He's SUCH a liar, it's good to watch him squirm and try to keep dreaming.
An important short work, one that reminded me of Walter Mitty, of a flawed individual that could be anyone you see around you.