We got back from Bergen a few days ago. I didn’t bother with Day 4 and 5 of the Dairies because it was just more of the same – rain, reading and the occasional reindeer sausage. Not that I’m complaining – it was exactly the kind of holiday we wanted. And Bergen is the kind of place that actually looks prettier under a veil of rain.
It gave me the chance to finish the Gordon Ramsay autobiography. Any other time I may have been tempted to put it aside but in our cosy front room in Bergen I persisted. It didn’t get any better. In fact it reminded me the kind of meals Gordon despises – knocked up quickly without any thought of seasoning and sustenance.
It got me wondering if all celebrity autobiographies are like that. They’re extremely popular, especially here in the UK. Peter Kay’s one is selling by the truckload and everyone who has been on the cover of OK! this year seems to have one out. But are they any good?
Over the years I’ve read a few – most hostels have one or two kicking about. But the only ones I remember (and enjoyed) were ones by Errol Flynn, David Niven and Michael Caine.
Any other recommendations?
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Hello P!
Glad you are back safe and well from your hols. Congratulations on winning back the Ashes, where is the gloating post? Well done – you Aussies deserved it.
As for autobiographies .. I haven’t read many that were worth their weight but I can recommend the Alan Clark Diaries which is kind of an autobiography. He’s six feet under now, but when he was a politician he kept his diaries and they are very funny indeed.
Merry Christmas to you and yours
x x x
I’ve always liked John Simpson’s books, and I recently read John Snow’s (presenter of Channel 4 News)autobiography. Both writers mix politics, travel and good old-fashioned adventure, and are gripping and very well-written.
I too can recommend John Simpson’s books, they’re gripping and very funny in places, and as a travel writer you’ll love them. Only 2 of his books are really autobiographies, but the one on Afghanistan is my personal favourite….and as a place you’ve visited, i think you’ll like that one! And not sure if he still does it, but he used to write for the BA magazine…so next time your jetting off on an adventure, see if he’s still writing for them.
oh and yeah, painful as it may be, congrats are in order for the ashes…mind you I won a fiver betting Australia would win…..i’m not stupid! (i suppose it was a win any way really)
Aussie Aussie Aussie!
The best Chef’s autobiography I’ve read was by Nigel Slater – Toast: The Story of a Boy’s Hunger.
It’s a strange mixture of food memories, his difficult childhood and sexual awakening!
I also think he writes a damn fine recipe book.
I really liked Nigel Hawsthorne’s, Christopher Lee’s ( with the wonderful title Tall dark and Gruesome) , Barry Humphrey and Harpo Marx’s even though its ghost written.
I love autobiographies, they don’t have to be by celebrities to be interesting though. Could you imagine one by Brian Henderson ! or God forbid, Joyce Mayne.
Must agree with you. The best autobiography I’ve ever read was “My Wicked, Wicked Ways” by Errol Flynn
Robert Mitchum: “Baby I Don’t Care” by Lee Server is a fantastic read. A ‘warts and all’ account of the life of one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic tough guys. He was a very well-read guy too and a deep thinker – superb!
Joe Simpson for sure … ‘Touching the Void’ and then I think you might really enjoy ‘This Game of Ghosts’ – also by him, but I came over to recommend Tiziano Terzani’s ‘A Fortune-Teller Told Me’.
Have a look at Billy Thopre’s 2 books “Sex and Thugs and Rock N Roll’ and the 2nd book ‘Most Peolpe I Know’ (think that Im crazy) became the No.1 selling book in Australia. Both are great reads and very funny !!!!!!
I just came across an article in the Guardian about celebrity autobiographies – what works, what doesn’t and the staggering amounts given to ‘stars’ to write them. You’ll find it here: http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/biography/story/0,,1990564,00.html