obscuredbyclouds's review
2.0
I'd consider myself a kind-of Frankie Boyle fan. I really like some of Frankie Boyle's jokes, but mostly on mock the week, his stand up isn't really my thing most of the time (mainly because it does not make me laugh...). I was curious about this "autobiography" but it's neither really funny nor informative, but rather pretty rambley. I don't mind the way he writes, I don't mind the cruel jokes, but if they're not funny they just make me think they there for shock factor only. The worst part of the books were the comedy routines, as they're just not funny at all, the best parts were when I felt he was being more genuine.
This book is okay and an easy read, and if you're a Frankie Boyle fan you've probably already read this anyway, but it's not a must-read.
This book is okay and an easy read, and if you're a Frankie Boyle fan you've probably already read this anyway, but it's not a must-read.
fernweh85's review
3.0
Sure, there were some bits that made me laugh out loud, but this book is way longer than it needs to me. What's more, the bits that are moderately interesting eg drug use, he skims over in favour of pages of random scripts, etc which, to be honest, I completely skipped because they were too weird. Add to that the fact that Frankie admits that most of the book is untrue and, well, it was just a little pointless.
spencesational's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Funny in places but mainly I didn't understand a thing he was saying! Not because of his nationality; I am half Scottish and understand the Scottish ways and way but just because it didn't seem to go anywhere. Maybe that is his point but I think he can go over the top sometimes. To him, it is for shock value but I don't think so much of it is necessary. As with most things in life moderation is the key, it's the excess that can kill you and I think the excess killed the book for me.
Also, and probably mainly, I bought this autobiography to find out about Frankie's life but there is no mention of when he was born, only brief mentions of ex-partners and nothing mentioned about his parents. Most of it is just incomprehensible rambling. Mock The Week is also only skirted over briefly. To be honest I feel a bit betrayed.
Also, and probably mainly, I bought this autobiography to find out about Frankie's life but there is no mention of when he was born, only brief mentions of ex-partners and nothing mentioned about his parents. Most of it is just incomprehensible rambling. Mock The Week is also only skirted over briefly. To be honest I feel a bit betrayed.
oibecky's review
A word of warning; do not attempt to read this book unless you have a very flexible sense of humour! I bought this book, being a massive fan of Boyle's, from seeing his live stand-up, and stints on Mock the Week. However, a page into his autobiography, and I was ready to put it down and walk away. The introduction seems to be a one-man mission to offend as many people as is possible in a few pages.
I got through this though, and I must say, the rest is brilliant. Boyle is no writer, clearly, and his writing is often random and disjointed. He brings in random points in the middle of anecdotes and loses points of stories only to reprise them a few pages later. However, this is what makes up the charm of the book. His style of writing makes the passion of it clear, and as he talks about his problems with alcohol and drug addiction, it is easy to see that this is the work of a man who has a lot of demons that he needed to deal with, and release. And the fact that he's done it like this, in a hilarious but thought-provoking book, makes me view Frankie Boyle in a whole new light.
I got through this though, and I must say, the rest is brilliant. Boyle is no writer, clearly, and his writing is often random and disjointed. He brings in random points in the middle of anecdotes and loses points of stories only to reprise them a few pages later. However, this is what makes up the charm of the book. His style of writing makes the passion of it clear, and as he talks about his problems with alcohol and drug addiction, it is easy to see that this is the work of a man who has a lot of demons that he needed to deal with, and release. And the fact that he's done it like this, in a hilarious but thought-provoking book, makes me view Frankie Boyle in a whole new light.
goldiefan's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not a big fan of Frankie Boyle, however I do enjoy Mock the Week so I decided to give this book a go. I enjoyed it more than I expected, it made me laugh in places and apart from the rather boring middle section- I thought the ending was good, he did take it through to the end.
woolfardis's review against another edition
4.0
[Short review from memory until I re-read and re-review at a later date:
Oh, do I want to re-read this? Four stars? I was a big fan, I suppose, but now... Maybe that will put it in to perspective. Funny, I can remember, but little else. He capitalised on his fame, aye.]
Oh, do I want to re-read this? Four stars? I was a big fan, I suppose, but now... Maybe that will put it in to perspective. Funny, I can remember, but little else. He capitalised on his fame, aye.]