Look Who It Is - Alan Carr

[scottishbookworm]

The brilliantly funny and inimitable Alan Carr tells his life story in his own words, from growing up in a football-mad family in Northampton to his rise to become one of Britain's best-loved comedians. 'Puberty had been unkind. Whereas it had come in the night and left the other boys with chiselled, stubbly chins and deep masculine voices, I'd been left with a huge pair of knockers and the voice of a pensioner.' Alan Carr grew up in one of the most boring towns in England -- Northampton. A place known for making shoes. It was also known for its football club, Northampton Town FC. Alan's dad as manager of the club was a local hero. A dream come true for most lads, but not Alan. Alan wore glasses and had man boobs at 14. He did not like P.E. In his very first book, Alan tells his life story, ('oh and what a life') with his unique twist of natural, observational humour -- 'I'm not saying I'm a fantasist but there have been times when things that I've seen on television when I was younger have tended to seep into my subconscious and blended into my own life.I remember telling my Mum about the time I stopped that woman from having a diamond encrusted necklace stolen and she'd say 'No Alan, that was Poirot.' With his tongue-in-cheek, end of pier humour that made him famous, Alan describes an ordinary life in bursts of technicolour. His journey from awkward schoolboy hiding his man-boobs on the pitch, drinking tea with the dinner ladies and working in a call centre, to becoming one of our best-loved comedians likened to the great Frankie Howerd, make his book a guaranteed tickler with a laugh-out-loud gag on every page.

Edited October 31, 2008 by scottishbookworm

[Michelle]

I'm assuming that you're quoting this synopsis from somewhere.. if so, can you please say where from. Plus, if it's the synopsis, which is available anywhere, there is no need for a spoiler tag.

 

Added: In addition, maybe you could share your own thoughts on the book?

[scottishbookworm]

yes from the bookstore I'm a member of! Waterstones!

 

I quoted the synopsis of Alan's book from there as I'm a member of their loyality card scheme and I thought that would be fine!

 

 

thoughts on the book! well funny and Alan opens his heart about his relationship with his dad and how his dad wanted him to be a footballer and play for Northampton town but he never did get that chance once he heard alan's voice and saw alan was acting "Camp" and assumed that alan was gay so Alan found coming out not so hard to his parents! there's lots of family photos in the book!

 

alan's first apperence to the camera as a baby and a toddler that only drank tea in his bottle not milk like every babies would.

 

it's a funny book and recommendable to any fan of Alan's (I'm proud to be one) and it's well written he said on the show "Loose Women" that the book took over a year to write!

 

 

I love the book!

[bev]

Alan's book talks honestly about his life from childhood, uni, his many rubbish jobs and follows him through the ups and downs of becoming a stand up comic. He doesn't do any of the "poor me" stories that so often happen in "celeb biogs". What shines through for me is, Alan comes across as a humble, down to earth guy. Who genuinely feels lucky to be where he is today. So if you are looking for an entertaining read from an entertaining man,then this is for you.

There are many laugh out loud moments. If you are a fan of Alan Carr then this is one to add to your wishlist.

9/10

[Stephanie2008]

This is on my christmas list. I love Alan Carr. I think he is hilarious on Sunday Night Project, and was really suprised how funny his stand-up was.

[Kate]

This is my review:

 

From the front cover flap:

Hello and welcome to my life.

Oh, and what a life! From the grimness of doing data entry for Mr Dog to the dizzy heights of `The Friday Night Project' and performing for Her Majesty at the Royal Variety Performance. My life's been like a long flume, up and down with a couple of damp patches in the middle.

Take my hand, I want to lead you through my life. Within these pages you will come face to face with my parents, my dog Minstrel, my friends and a whole load of waifs and strays that have helped to make my journey that little bit more memorable. When you read Look Who It Is! I'm sure you'll agree - it's just been one thing after another.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all. It follows Alan's life up until he accepts the offer to host The Friday Night Project with Justin Lee Colins. It is easy to read, interesting and engaging. He was very honest and I feel I know him now, and would like to meet him. It was very enlightening, I had thought Alan had been on the comedy scene for longer than he has. In fact, it was around 2005 he began to get famous.

Alan does not just talk about comedy though. He speaks of his family, including his famous, football manager Dad, Graham Carr and all his life experiences to date, which include university, travelling around the world and horrid temp jobs such as working in a call centre. There were several things in this book I could relate too, which made it even more enjoyable.

The book was not as funny as I was expecting it to be, however it did have me laughing and chuckling in places so I don't feel particularly let down.

This is a great book; an honest story where Alan says it like it is, and doesn't go for the sympathy vote. It is a bit cheeky that he has left the door open for a sequel in a few years, but hey, good for him.

An enjoyable book.

9/10

[scottishbookworm]

Kate 9/10?

 

that's not fair on alan I'd give him the full slice of the cake and give him 10/10

 

[Michelle]

Why is it not fair? Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and rating!

[scottishbookworm]

I know everyone's entitled to an opinion but alan does have to receive a big 10/10 for his writing effort on his book as 1 it took him over a year to write and also it's him opening his heart to the fans and the fans all love him for that!

[Kate]

I know everyone's entitled to an opinion but alan does have to receive a big 10/10 for his writing effort on his book as 1 it took him over a year to write and also it's him opening his heart to the fans and the fans all love him for that!

 

In that case you can give him 10/10 for effort, but still I would only give the book 9/10. It just wasn't as funny as I would have liked.

[Colin Jacobs]

I don't like these modern comedians, so would not buy his book.