| List Price: | |
| Price: | $12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details... |
| You Save: | $0.00(0.00%) |
| Binding: | Kindle Edition |
| EAN: | |
| Feature: | |
| Label: | HarperCollins e-books |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins e-books |
| Studio: | HarperCollins e-books |
| Tags: |
Editorial Reviews
Russell Brand learned early on to make a joke of fear and failure. From a troubled childhood in industrial Essex, England, to his descent into addictions to alcohol, drugs, and sex in the seamy underbelly of London, Brand has seen his share of both and miraculously lived to tell the tale. In My Booky Wook he leads readers on a rollicking journey through his disastrous school career, his infamous antics on MTV, and his multifarious sexual adventures. But this irreverent memoir is a story not simply of struggle but also of redemption, a testament to the difficulty of discovering what you want from life and the remarkable power of a bloody-minded determination to get it. My Booky Wook is a giddy trip through the brilliant mind of one of Britain's most valuable exports.
Related Reviews
Funny & bitter at the same time....brilliant!
I did not know who Russell Brand was (no...I never watched "Big Brother") till I checked into a London hotel for the holidays and saw him on a holiday talk show. He is hysterically funny in a sharp, no-nonsense, "no sacred cows" manner. This book is a memoir written in a rather disorderly manner but nontheless extremey funny. His recollections and comments are fresh and at time tear jerking. A fast read, it kept me up all night. Even Americans who do not know who he is will enjoy his recollections of experiences growing up, his several stints in rehab (for various causes) and show-biz trials. Really enjoyable, I can't wait for him to write something new!
Russel and I just flew across country together. I giggled the whole way, although he was certainly frustrating at times. Unfortunately, he was only in my kindle. (It was a bit embarrassing when the flight attendant wanted to see what I was reading, and it was a pretty raunchy part for a silver haired woman to have exposed on her lap, so to speak.)
Russel, I love you! You're a mess, but damn can you write! So far this is the only book on my Kindle requiring me to look up the meaning of words. YAY! I thought I knew what avuncular meant, but I was wrong. He made my flight fly by and increased my vocabulary! I hardly even noticed the seat in front of me grazing my forehead and the guy next to me taking up half my seat. Be well, Russell. My love to your Mum.
Russel, I love you! You're a mess, but damn can you write! So far this is the only book on my Kindle requiring me to look up the meaning of words. YAY! I thought I knew what avuncular meant, but I was wrong. He made my flight fly by and increased my vocabulary! I hardly even noticed the seat in front of me grazing my forehead and the guy next to me taking up half my seat. Be well, Russell. My love to your Mum.
Russell Brand's stage show is singularly his own, and so it would follow that his prose would be similarly unconventional. I just didn't expect that it would be as good as it is.
How many working comedians have the time to write a 400+ page memoir at the outset of their careers? For that matter, who has this much to talk about happening in their lives BEFORE stardom? Russell Brand, that's who.
The writing is pretty dense with English colloquialisms, so I'm not sure how those will translate for American readers. Regardless, it's hilarious as hell, proving that Brand is a worthy successor to the outlaw comic crown previously worn by Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks.
The book's US subtitle is "Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up". There's a fair amount of sex, but not as many drugs as you might expect (and very little stand-up, for that matter). The book starts and ends with Brand's stay in a sex addiction clinic, but judging from his recent troubles with the BBC, he hasn't quite banished all of his sexual demons. Can't wait for the sequel!
How many working comedians have the time to write a 400+ page memoir at the outset of their careers? For that matter, who has this much to talk about happening in their lives BEFORE stardom? Russell Brand, that's who.
The writing is pretty dense with English colloquialisms, so I'm not sure how those will translate for American readers. Regardless, it's hilarious as hell, proving that Brand is a worthy successor to the outlaw comic crown previously worn by Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks.
The book's US subtitle is "Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up". There's a fair amount of sex, but not as many drugs as you might expect (and very little stand-up, for that matter). The book starts and ends with Brand's stay in a sex addiction clinic, but judging from his recent troubles with the BBC, he hasn't quite banished all of his sexual demons. Can't wait for the sequel!
Honesty which bites you on the bum like a crack riddled alsation
..is probably how Russell himself would describe this book, and he would be right. Its hard to read this book without having seen him, as they way the book is written, you have to imagine him talking it, much like Huckleberry Finn for example. You know, its written in the style in which the narrator talks? Well, without the references to slavery and the Mississippi. Anyway.
You will have seen him in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" in which he plays himself, no great stretch but as he is hilarious, so is the character.
Russell is a mentalist of the highest order, those 18th and 19th century mentalists like them geysers in the Hellfire Club, or them Frenchies, all smoking opium and getting off their tits on absinthe were mere auteurs compared to our Russ. He dresses like a regency dandy and pulls no punches, he says what he thinks, and his mind is a quick as a steel trap. He would make a brilliant barrister, I am sure. And a hilarious one.
Autobiographies tend generally to be of the "I am great" and "I remember when I rescued the puppies from the burning building" type. Russell Brand would probably rescue the puppies, he would also probably have set fire to the building in the first place, then attempted to have sex with the puppies after rescuing them.
Are you getting the picture? Nothing is sacred to him, he just sets down every little indiscression and some fairly large ones in amusing yet frank detail. He has recently been in the news (and sacked from his job on BBC Radio 2) for ringing actor Andrew Sachs (Manuel in Fawlty Towers) on air and boasting of his sexual adventures with his granddaughter. He was also sacked form his MTV job for going to work dressed as Osama Bin-Laden on September 12th 2001. That's the sort of character he is. And it is all there in amusing Technicolor for you to enjoy. Get it, but try and see him on DVD or the TV if you don't know his work yet, or else you wouldn't believe the book.
You will have seen him in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" in which he plays himself, no great stretch but as he is hilarious, so is the character.
Russell is a mentalist of the highest order, those 18th and 19th century mentalists like them geysers in the Hellfire Club, or them Frenchies, all smoking opium and getting off their tits on absinthe were mere auteurs compared to our Russ. He dresses like a regency dandy and pulls no punches, he says what he thinks, and his mind is a quick as a steel trap. He would make a brilliant barrister, I am sure. And a hilarious one.
Autobiographies tend generally to be of the "I am great" and "I remember when I rescued the puppies from the burning building" type. Russell Brand would probably rescue the puppies, he would also probably have set fire to the building in the first place, then attempted to have sex with the puppies after rescuing them.
Are you getting the picture? Nothing is sacred to him, he just sets down every little indiscression and some fairly large ones in amusing yet frank detail. He has recently been in the news (and sacked from his job on BBC Radio 2) for ringing actor Andrew Sachs (Manuel in Fawlty Towers) on air and boasting of his sexual adventures with his granddaughter. He was also sacked form his MTV job for going to work dressed as Osama Bin-Laden on September 12th 2001. That's the sort of character he is. And it is all there in amusing Technicolor for you to enjoy. Get it, but try and see him on DVD or the TV if you don't know his work yet, or else you wouldn't believe the book.
I highly recommend this book. Whether you know who Russell Brand is or not, you will after reading his autobiography. I've never read a book so honest. He is funny, caring, and genuine. However, this book goes deep into his past filled with drugs, booze, and yes, prostitues. This book made me laugh, want to cry, and scream out "WHAT?!" After reading this you will either love and applaud Brand or damn him. Either way, READ THIS BOOK!
Funny, honest, no holds barred look
This is the autobiography by Brit comedian Russell Brand. Russell tells us in his well written book about his youth and days of surviving his own life until he gets help with his various addictions from drugs, alcohol, and sex. He makes it interesting and funny yet honest and truthful. This book won several awards in England in 2007 and his writing style praised for his wit and compared to Oscar Wilde and Peter Cook. This book if nothing else reminds us that change is possible and anyone with the right motivation and help can change their lives for the better. He could be the poster child for recovery, finding a spiritual life.
I first saw Russel Brand on youtube, he was doing something with Noel Fielding (mighty boosh) and i was instantly intrigued by his vernacular and his amazingly good looks :)I watched a few clips and a few episodes of various t.v. shows he was in... and then amazon popped this little gem into my recommendations. Not only does his humor and charm transfer well over paper, he also has reasonably good writing skills.
When I first saw Brand--somewhere on British TV; Big Brother, I think?--I was kind of creeped out. But then I saw him as a contestant (with Noel Fielding, who is just plain charming and adorable!) on a quiz show, and my heart started to melt. Then I saw him in a more serious interview with Dawn French, and I was a smitten kitten.
Next, I ordered his autobiography, My Booky Wook, and I honestly couldn't put it down. He makes me laugh; he makes me cry...he grosses me out. He admits to doing some truly disgusting things, and still, I love him so!
Next, I ordered his autobiography, My Booky Wook, and I honestly couldn't put it down. He makes me laugh; he makes me cry...he grosses me out. He admits to doing some truly disgusting things, and still, I love him so!
Full of wit and spiked with wisdom
A reading experience can be genuinely enhanced, when the reader is familiar enough with the timbre and cadence of an author's spoken delivery that the printed text takes on the personality of the author's actual voice. I recall having that exact experience while reading Paul Reiser's Babyhood and in sections of Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays.
I am an admirer of Russell Brand as a sharp, inventive comic and a charming actor possessing unique gifts. With the possible exception of Eddie Izzard (another androgynous, British funnyman/actor) I am aware of no other contemporary comedian who speaks with the deft intelligence of Brand. His unabashed memoir, My Booky Wook, serves to further reinforce his status as a master of the mother tongue as well as his reputation as a somewhat crazy, foolish, and certainly brilliant young fop. As in his stand-up act, he swings wildly, sentence to sentence, from hifalutin' Angloisms to a working-class bastardization of the English language. In My Booky Wook, behind his chaotic, library-to-the-street style, Brand reveals a coddled, mischievous purveyor of performance art, who has continuously and fearlessly (many times stupidly) disregarded friends, family members, lovers, business associates, and especially his own wellbeing to push his earthly days to the very edge of paganistic self-destruction. It's a miracle that Brand survived to tell the tale; a miracle this reader, for one, fully appreciates.
Ultimately, Brand's memoir unveils a man of humility, who admits to a litany of mistakes with a self-deprecating sense of humor, making for a read that is simultaneously packed full of wit and spiked with wisdom. He shares his recollections without filtration, colored only by a pursed-lipped shake of the head that can only imply: What in the hell was I thinking? As he states on the book jacket, "My life is a series of embarrassing incidents strung together by telling people about those embarrassing incidents." What a gig! To somehow concoct a lucrative career out of such an endeavor is indeed admirable. Richard Prior must be applauding from whatever Heaven houses tortured comic geniuses.
If you're a Brand fan, or just a free-thinking bookworm who appreciates an entertaining life journey translated via smart, refreshing writing, I highly recommend this book. However, My Booky Wook is not for prudes or the squeamish. There are some shocking and revolting anecdotes between the hot-pink and black covers of this clever, amusing, and instructive tome. And, before you delve into this delightful book, watch a Russell Brand stand-up concert On Demand or on DVD, to refresh his voice in your mind. It will enhance your reading experience immeasurably.
Rand Bishop, author of Makin' Stuff Up, Grand Pop, and The Absolute Essentials of Songwriting Success
I am an admirer of Russell Brand as a sharp, inventive comic and a charming actor possessing unique gifts. With the possible exception of Eddie Izzard (another androgynous, British funnyman/actor) I am aware of no other contemporary comedian who speaks with the deft intelligence of Brand. His unabashed memoir, My Booky Wook, serves to further reinforce his status as a master of the mother tongue as well as his reputation as a somewhat crazy, foolish, and certainly brilliant young fop. As in his stand-up act, he swings wildly, sentence to sentence, from hifalutin' Angloisms to a working-class bastardization of the English language. In My Booky Wook, behind his chaotic, library-to-the-street style, Brand reveals a coddled, mischievous purveyor of performance art, who has continuously and fearlessly (many times stupidly) disregarded friends, family members, lovers, business associates, and especially his own wellbeing to push his earthly days to the very edge of paganistic self-destruction. It's a miracle that Brand survived to tell the tale; a miracle this reader, for one, fully appreciates.
Ultimately, Brand's memoir unveils a man of humility, who admits to a litany of mistakes with a self-deprecating sense of humor, making for a read that is simultaneously packed full of wit and spiked with wisdom. He shares his recollections without filtration, colored only by a pursed-lipped shake of the head that can only imply: What in the hell was I thinking? As he states on the book jacket, "My life is a series of embarrassing incidents strung together by telling people about those embarrassing incidents." What a gig! To somehow concoct a lucrative career out of such an endeavor is indeed admirable. Richard Prior must be applauding from whatever Heaven houses tortured comic geniuses.
If you're a Brand fan, or just a free-thinking bookworm who appreciates an entertaining life journey translated via smart, refreshing writing, I highly recommend this book. However, My Booky Wook is not for prudes or the squeamish. There are some shocking and revolting anecdotes between the hot-pink and black covers of this clever, amusing, and instructive tome. And, before you delve into this delightful book, watch a Russell Brand stand-up concert On Demand or on DVD, to refresh his voice in your mind. It will enhance your reading experience immeasurably.
Rand Bishop, author of Makin' Stuff Up, Grand Pop, and The Absolute Essentials of Songwriting Success
Children Do Not Need Drugs, They Have Sweets
So says Russell Brand in his surprisingly deep book, My Booky Wook. When I was in the UK during a week in December 2007, Russell Brand was an ever present force. He was about to launch his auto-biography, he had a part in a huge British film, St. Trinian's that was getting a grand release in Leicester Square and he was the hip and rogue host of a popular Radio 2 program. He was on top of the British world, I was aware of him because of my love for British entertainment, but really, how could he be so big?
First off, if you know anything about the British, you are aware that they love reality TV and make stars out of the contestants. Russell Brand found some fame as a VJ on MTV UK, an off shoot of the cultural American iconic music channel. He was able to parlay that into Big Brother and various off-shoots that hyped his fame with the tabloids. Those very same papers that build you up, really only relish the take-down and work to do just that. Russell Brand provided them with every thing they would need to destroy him.
My Booky Wook will have to go down as one of the worst titles ever given to a book that should be taken seriously. Brand is a damn fine writer, surprising my wife who picked the book up and read through a few pages. From the title and cover, I was certainly expecting the tired cliché of celebrity comic's books that are really just their retired stand-up routines jotted down to make that final dollar (think Seinlanguage or Couplehood). In reality, Brand has written a disturbing tale of woe that could occur to any child born to the British underclass. His depraved upbringing of neglect, poverty and divorce is not knew, but also not really looked at with such talented and ultimately happy eyes as Brands. This is no screed against humanity nor is it a self-pitying tome, but rather what seems to be a honest account of a life once gone wrong, righted by ambition and with the help of people that cared and could spot talent.
This is quite a book, one that the author and publisher should be proud to put to the public. The life of descending into heroin addiction and the ultimate trip to poverty row was eye-opening and when told in Brand's words, very humorous. The ability gain empathy with the reader while actually recounting the vilest of stories is a mark of an artist of high talent. Brand was very wonderful in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, so much so that he has been awarded a spin-off movie for his character. His songs on the sound track are actually very well done, meaning that Brand is simple an extra-ordinary talent, one that we are lucky to see survived and able to tell his story.
also check out scoffery.com
First off, if you know anything about the British, you are aware that they love reality TV and make stars out of the contestants. Russell Brand found some fame as a VJ on MTV UK, an off shoot of the cultural American iconic music channel. He was able to parlay that into Big Brother and various off-shoots that hyped his fame with the tabloids. Those very same papers that build you up, really only relish the take-down and work to do just that. Russell Brand provided them with every thing they would need to destroy him.
My Booky Wook will have to go down as one of the worst titles ever given to a book that should be taken seriously. Brand is a damn fine writer, surprising my wife who picked the book up and read through a few pages. From the title and cover, I was certainly expecting the tired cliché of celebrity comic's books that are really just their retired stand-up routines jotted down to make that final dollar (think Seinlanguage or Couplehood). In reality, Brand has written a disturbing tale of woe that could occur to any child born to the British underclass. His depraved upbringing of neglect, poverty and divorce is not knew, but also not really looked at with such talented and ultimately happy eyes as Brands. This is no screed against humanity nor is it a self-pitying tome, but rather what seems to be a honest account of a life once gone wrong, righted by ambition and with the help of people that cared and could spot talent.
This is quite a book, one that the author and publisher should be proud to put to the public. The life of descending into heroin addiction and the ultimate trip to poverty row was eye-opening and when told in Brand's words, very humorous. The ability gain empathy with the reader while actually recounting the vilest of stories is a mark of an artist of high talent. Brand was very wonderful in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, so much so that he has been awarded a spin-off movie for his character. His songs on the sound track are actually very well done, meaning that Brand is simple an extra-ordinary talent, one that we are lucky to see survived and able to tell his story.
also check out scoffery.com
In "My Booky Wook," Russell Brand chronicles his pre-stardom years--growing up near London and frequently getting himself into all kinds of painful (for him) and funny (for the readers) misadventures. A famous comedian in the U.K., best known in the U.S. for his roles in the Judd Apatow comedies "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him to the Greek," as well as gigs like hosting the MTV Video Music Awards, Russell Brand's life tends to mirror his art.
Growing up without a father figure and with a sick mother, Brand is mostly left to his own devices--which usually doesn't turn out very well. At sixteen, he decides to become an actor and enrolls in the prestigious Italia Conti drama school--only to be kicked out during his last semester due to his pre-occupation with drugs.
As a result, Brand moves in with a few of his friends and decides to become a stand-up comedian--peforming in pubs and festivals. However, his self-destructive ways (drug abuse, alcoholism, sex addiction) interfere with his dreams and soon Brand is barely getting by. Everything changes when Russell lands a U.K. MTV hosting gig--that he eventually loses shortly after introducing Kylie Minogue to his drug dealer and wearing a controversial costume.
The above instance perhaps best characterizes Brand's lengthy memoir--crazy but simultaneously hilarious. Russell Brand has obviously been through a lot in his life, but nevertheless manages to recount the majority of the outrageous situations he gets himself into, as one big entertaining read. It definitely invites a sequel into Brand's life post-stardom. Fans of entertaining celebrity memoirs will enjoy this.
Growing up without a father figure and with a sick mother, Brand is mostly left to his own devices--which usually doesn't turn out very well. At sixteen, he decides to become an actor and enrolls in the prestigious Italia Conti drama school--only to be kicked out during his last semester due to his pre-occupation with drugs.
As a result, Brand moves in with a few of his friends and decides to become a stand-up comedian--peforming in pubs and festivals. However, his self-destructive ways (drug abuse, alcoholism, sex addiction) interfere with his dreams and soon Brand is barely getting by. Everything changes when Russell lands a U.K. MTV hosting gig--that he eventually loses shortly after introducing Kylie Minogue to his drug dealer and wearing a controversial costume.
The above instance perhaps best characterizes Brand's lengthy memoir--crazy but simultaneously hilarious. Russell Brand has obviously been through a lot in his life, but nevertheless manages to recount the majority of the outrageous situations he gets himself into, as one big entertaining read. It definitely invites a sequel into Brand's life post-stardom. Fans of entertaining celebrity memoirs will enjoy this.
Russell Brand's stage show is singularly his own, and so it would follow that his prose would be similarly unconventional. I just didn't expect that it would be as good as it is.
How many working comedians have the time to write a 400+ page memoir at the outset of their careers? For that matter, who has this much to talk about happening in their lives BEFORE stardom? Russell Brand, that's who.
The writing is pretty dense with English colloquialisms, so I'm not sure how those will translate for American readers. Footnotes, maybe? Regardless, it's hilarious as hell, proving that Brand is a worthy successor to the outlaw comic crown previously worn by Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks.
The book is finally being released in the US, subtitled as a tale of "Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up." There's a fair amount of sex, but not as many drugs as you might expect (and very little stand-up, for that matter). The book starts and ends with Brand's stay in a sex addiction clinic, but judging from his recent troubles with the BBC, he hasn't quite banished all of his sexual demons. Can't wait for the sequel!
How many working comedians have the time to write a 400+ page memoir at the outset of their careers? For that matter, who has this much to talk about happening in their lives BEFORE stardom? Russell Brand, that's who.
The writing is pretty dense with English colloquialisms, so I'm not sure how those will translate for American readers. Footnotes, maybe? Regardless, it's hilarious as hell, proving that Brand is a worthy successor to the outlaw comic crown previously worn by Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks.
The book is finally being released in the US, subtitled as a tale of "Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up." There's a fair amount of sex, but not as many drugs as you might expect (and very little stand-up, for that matter). The book starts and ends with Brand's stay in a sex addiction clinic, but judging from his recent troubles with the BBC, he hasn't quite banished all of his sexual demons. Can't wait for the sequel!
I am not happy about buying a book called My Booky Wooky. I passed on it as a hardback or paperback because I travel a lot and I would rather maintain an appearance of moderate manliness. I read books that are historical or involve difficult mountain survival tales. Carrying on to the plane My Book Wooky will not help my image. Thanks to Kindle I could buy it and read it in public in secret. I do have to lie if someone asks what I reading.
The bad news, I loved it and Brand has another book with the same stupid title so I am stuck buying that too.
The bad news, I loved it and Brand has another book with the same stupid title so I am stuck buying that too.
I really knew nothing about Russell Brand when I purchased this book. I thought the title was cute and I had heard that he was engaged to Katy Perry (whom I also know little about.) But I am interested in reading how addicts find sobriety. His addiction was indeed noteworthy. He pulled no punches in describing it and even made it sound quite funny, which is a feat considering how sad addiction really is. At times one could hardly understand why or how he was able to survive such over indulgence, but in the end he seems to have gotten what he must do to maintain his recovery status. I hope he does. He's a kind of flaky charming young man. I love the way he expresses himself. No question about his intelligence. If he contines to contain that mad addict side of his personality, he will indeed continue to find fame and fortune awaiting him for many years to come.
This was a very entertaining read, even more so once Russell Brand got to his early adulthood (his childhood account seemed a bit too long). I really admire his honesty and I loved his humorous style with a hint of self-ridicule. I think, the reason why some reviewers here don't like the book is because they are uncomfortable with his honesty. They seem to mistake it for bragging or self-aggrandisement, when he just tells it as it is. For me, that honesty makes this book so successful along with his really unique style. I also didn't mind the unfamiliar references to British culture or the unknown words, but that may just be because I'm not actually a native English speaker anyway.
In sum, funny book with some sobering insights into an addictive and rebellious personality.
In sum, funny book with some sobering insights into an addictive and rebellious personality.
Hilarious, Touching and of course Crazy
I had a great time with this book, but considering I'm a big Brand fan and was eagerly waiting for its release I'm not surprised. You would think the story of tortured star would be old, but Brand brings it back to life with his humor. I've read other humorous memoirs and memoir fiction hybrids(The Imperfect Enjoyment by Dewan Gibson, Women by Charles Bukowski)and in its own way My Booky Wooky was just as entertaining.
I echo the sentiment from an earlier reader..."Very hard read in that the story bounces and frankly is boring".
It was not only that the stories were fairly boring (particularly considering the subject material), but that the writing was pretty horrible. Perhaps those two are linked as I find it hard to believe that with the subjects depicted one isn't more pulled in. Poor ghostwriter?
It was not only that the stories were fairly boring (particularly considering the subject material), but that the writing was pretty horrible. Perhaps those two are linked as I find it hard to believe that with the subjects depicted one isn't more pulled in. Poor ghostwriter?
Great Writing Style, but Lacking in Substance
I've liked Russell Brand after seeing him in Forgetting Sarah Marshall - I thought he was the best player in what was already a pretty excellent ensemble cast. So when I found out he had a memoir, I was really excited to read it.
However, it turned out not to be what I expected. If you're looking for a voyeuristic trip into his any of his many demons (sex addiction, drug addiction) you will be disappointed. While he touches on those things, they are not by any means the meat of the book. What narrative actually does have the most substance is the trajectory of his career. The drug and sex addictions were mere layovers in his tale of evolving as a performer and comic.
While I enjoyed his writing style, which is flourishing, effusive, flamboyant, witty and also full of many literary references I'd never expect from a former junkie and multiple school expelee, the narrative was annoyingly non-linear. He'd go on tangents that would take you back decades from whatever point in his life he was describing, for no good reason. It would have been less jarring if the anecdotes were better aligned with the subject matter at hand, but instead they came across as non-sequiturs.
This book is also particularly challenging for the non-British reader. I had no idea there was so much about British pop culture I know nothing about! There are footnotes every now and again to describe certain TV shows, British television personalities or candies, but definitely not enough to help out this clueless American reader. I definitely think there was a lot I missed out on by not being able to recognize many of the cultural references.
Though this book was not what I expected, it felt purely "Russell," and as a fan of his, I'd definitely read another book of his should he choose to follow this one up.
However, it turned out not to be what I expected. If you're looking for a voyeuristic trip into his any of his many demons (sex addiction, drug addiction) you will be disappointed. While he touches on those things, they are not by any means the meat of the book. What narrative actually does have the most substance is the trajectory of his career. The drug and sex addictions were mere layovers in his tale of evolving as a performer and comic.
While I enjoyed his writing style, which is flourishing, effusive, flamboyant, witty and also full of many literary references I'd never expect from a former junkie and multiple school expelee, the narrative was annoyingly non-linear. He'd go on tangents that would take you back decades from whatever point in his life he was describing, for no good reason. It would have been less jarring if the anecdotes were better aligned with the subject matter at hand, but instead they came across as non-sequiturs.
This book is also particularly challenging for the non-British reader. I had no idea there was so much about British pop culture I know nothing about! There are footnotes every now and again to describe certain TV shows, British television personalities or candies, but definitely not enough to help out this clueless American reader. I definitely think there was a lot I missed out on by not being able to recognize many of the cultural references.
Though this book was not what I expected, it felt purely "Russell," and as a fan of his, I'd definitely read another book of his should he choose to follow this one up.
Eloquent, charming, and slightly sad
The first thing that struck me about this book is that Russell Brand is a very intelligent man, and an eloquent writer who can turn a nice phrase. I had to go to a dictionary several times, which is rare for me.
There are several laugh-out-loud moments, as well as some cringe-worthy ones. I found myself vacillating between wanting to slap him silly and wanting to give him a big hug. The amazing thing is, no matter how horribly or despicably he behaved, you don't end up angry with him, mainly because it's apparent that he's a genuinely good person now, but also because he's discovered the secret of "to my shame". Also, his love for his mum radiates from the pages. Gotta love a guy who reveres his mom.
A couple cons: The end (last fifth or so) felt a little rushed to me. Maybe it was a deadline issue, maybe not.
Also, even with the invaluable footnotes, some of the Brit phrases, references, and slang went right over my head. My problem, though, not Russell's!
There are several laugh-out-loud moments, as well as some cringe-worthy ones. I found myself vacillating between wanting to slap him silly and wanting to give him a big hug. The amazing thing is, no matter how horribly or despicably he behaved, you don't end up angry with him, mainly because it's apparent that he's a genuinely good person now, but also because he's discovered the secret of "to my shame". Also, his love for his mum radiates from the pages. Gotta love a guy who reveres his mom.
A couple cons: The end (last fifth or so) felt a little rushed to me. Maybe it was a deadline issue, maybe not.
Also, even with the invaluable footnotes, some of the Brit phrases, references, and slang went right over my head. My problem, though, not Russell's!
You should know that before I read 'The Booky Wook', I had heard very little of Russell Brand, leaving a few TV spots and his role on 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'. He seemed memorable enough for me to pick up his memoir, all the while wondering what his life could most possibly entail.
Apparently, a lot.
Alcoholism, sexual addiction, anecdotes, documents and photographs aligned near personal experiences made this quite an interesting read. Interesting. However, at the end of this heroin-laced coaster, I couldn't help think.. "Okay. What's your point?"
I mean, sure, the author has had many a exciting and often memorable encounters with a wide variety of odd characters; however, I find it hard to believe it warranted a book. Perhaps it was my own fault to pick up his autobiography then, not being a die-hard fan of his. But in the end, not everyone who reads this WILL be a die hard fan.
While the book has a load of merits, particularly the witty, fast paced transitions that never seem to tire, it still all seems a little empty at the end. Also, those merits could also act as demerits, for his style of writing might not appeal to the common masses, particularly the name-dropping of a number of personalities. (I kept thinking-- 'I've heard of this guy', but couldn't quite remember from where.)
At the end, the book is entertaining, amusing, quick, and well written. Just... not for me. I'd suggest it if you're a fan, but honestly, I'd stick to watching the stand up.
Rating: 3/5.
Apparently, a lot.
Alcoholism, sexual addiction, anecdotes, documents and photographs aligned near personal experiences made this quite an interesting read. Interesting. However, at the end of this heroin-laced coaster, I couldn't help think.. "Okay. What's your point?"
I mean, sure, the author has had many a exciting and often memorable encounters with a wide variety of odd characters; however, I find it hard to believe it warranted a book. Perhaps it was my own fault to pick up his autobiography then, not being a die-hard fan of his. But in the end, not everyone who reads this WILL be a die hard fan.
While the book has a load of merits, particularly the witty, fast paced transitions that never seem to tire, it still all seems a little empty at the end. Also, those merits could also act as demerits, for his style of writing might not appeal to the common masses, particularly the name-dropping of a number of personalities. (I kept thinking-- 'I've heard of this guy', but couldn't quite remember from where.)
At the end, the book is entertaining, amusing, quick, and well written. Just... not for me. I'd suggest it if you're a fan, but honestly, I'd stick to watching the stand up.
Rating: 3/5.
A good book for Brits and Brand fans
I was somewhat disappointed with this book for a couple of reasons. First, there are an incredible amount of references to all things British (from comedians to television programs to household items) that makes the humor hard to follow. The book is funny and brutally honest, which makes it a nice read if you're a fan of memoirs and a fan of Brand. I think too much of the humor was lost on this American, though.
I've liked Russell Brand in the movies he's been in, and this book got decent reviews, so I thought I'd like it. I'm sorry to say, I struggled from page 1. Although he has multiple footnotes to explain the many cultural references (actors, shows, terms, that are very British) I found this as tedious as it was helpful. I didn't find it particularly funny, and his childhood sounded rather sad. I admire his honesty, but I just didn't find that I was becoming attached to the subject and following his journey. I'm an avid reader and I love biographies, but I haven't struggled to get through one like I did with this in a very long time. Sorry, Russell!
Scholarly vocabulary + trashy subjects + Essex accent = ?
Russell Brand's formula = scholarly vocabulary + trashy subjects + Essex accent.
It works great on stage. But after a few chapters it became really tiresome to read. He has a few really funny stories but this book gets slowed down by his attempt to turn every sentence concerning his "unrestrained priapic excesses" into a punchline. I recommend his online comedy instead.
It works great on stage. But after a few chapters it became really tiresome to read. He has a few really funny stories but this book gets slowed down by his attempt to turn every sentence concerning his "unrestrained priapic excesses" into a punchline. I recommend his online comedy instead.
I wasn't a fan of this guy before reading this book, but he's won me over. Brand owns up to some shockingly bad behavior and you can almost forgive him his craziness because even he seems stunned by it. Very funny and very well written, if he has written this totally by himself then he is an extremely literate gent considering he spent most of his schooling either absent or stoned. Looking forward to reading the next one now.
Quite a confronting book. Focuses on his life from childhood right up until he starts becoming quite well known. Not as funny as I was expecting, but it definitely takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster. Quite a good read.
Will I read this over and over? no. Did I enjoy it enough to pass it on to a friend? yes. It's honest and a little sad but funny the whole way through. I really liked it and would say worth the few idle hours of my life I spent reading it.
I bought this after being impressed with Russell Brand's performance in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." The book is honest, kind of alarming but also quite funny. What a fascinating person he is. Last night I watched "Get Him to the Greek." SO funny. I wish him a long and happy life, especially now he has married Katy Perry. I look forward to seeing him in more movies. He's brilliant!
This book was funny from beginning to end. I could actually hear Russel's voice as I read cover to cover. I am a huge Russel Brand fan, and find him to be a witty, charming, engaging, super intelligent being. His humor is definitely a plus, and can be heard through out his autobiography. This book deals with serious issues such as sex and drug addiction, but in spite of this remains funny without missing a beat. For Russel I suppose there is humor in tragedy.
Before buying this book, I was familiar with Russell Brand from a few of the recent movies he's been in. I had no idea of the prior drama in his life--drug addiction, sex addition, mental illness, scandal, etc. As with Mary Karr's "Lit", I think it took some serious courage to write this book and put these stories out there.
Brand gives us a tour of his life from childhood through recent times, and bares it all for the world to see. I have to admit that at times I was shocked by some of the stories of things he's done, but through self-effacing and honest humor, he pulls off making you want to see him to emerge victorious from his struggles. The book was touching, funny, and entertaining. My only criticism was that at times the writing was a bit convoluted, but it was more than worth sticking with it.
Brand gives us a tour of his life from childhood through recent times, and bares it all for the world to see. I have to admit that at times I was shocked by some of the stories of things he's done, but through self-effacing and honest humor, he pulls off making you want to see him to emerge victorious from his struggles. The book was touching, funny, and entertaining. My only criticism was that at times the writing was a bit convoluted, but it was more than worth sticking with it.
This book is a rare insight into a world that few people will ever experience. The fact that Brand has come out on top after ALL he has been through makes it even more inspiring. My Booky Wook is humourous and heartbreaking and impossible to put down.
I haven't read the whole thing yet, only about half, but so far this book has been great. It's very honest and yet Russell makes it very funny at the same time. I love the pictures included inside but I warn you, you may need to keep a dictionary near by while reading it!
This book will have you laughing and using your dictonary. The writing in this book is "BRILLIANT". It doesnt matter if your a Russell Brand fan or not because its a great book for self entertainment and learning new words for your vocabulary. This man needs to write more books and I will be sure to buy My Booky Wook 2.!!!!! Thanks Russell for such a brilliant piece of work.
You might want to cover your eyes now!
"My Booky Wook" was an unlikely choice for me. I was listening to NPR in the car while Russell Brand was being interviewed, and I decided that I had to learn more about this interesting character, which prompted me to buy his autobiography, "My Booky Wook." I must say, while reading it I started to think of drug use, sexual promiscuity, and theft as normal, every-day actions, but if you are not shocked by such things you will appreciate Brand's willingness to be so candid about his life. There are some good laughs in the book too, but if you are looking for a comedic act, you won't find it in this book. What you will find is Russell Brand, uncut and uncensored, sometimes funny, sometimes desperate, sometimes disgusting but always intelligent and eccentric.
Kinda slow 2 read. British references hard to understand...
Other than trying hard to understand his Bristish references, I like it. I think he is very funny.
A Real Life Inglorious Bastard or Sexy Beast? You Make The Call
Like most Americans, I first heard of Russell Brand when he was hosting the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008. I never cared for Judd Apatow's films so i never noticed that he was in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" either. However, like the UK's known for years, Brand did not take long to GET noticed by America by his snarky jokes about US politics and various celebrities. Now that he's more or less got our attention, we get to read all about how he came to be.
My Booky Wook is a first hand account of Brand's life first from doing time in a sex-addict clinic in the suburbs of Philly (Chester..yeesh!), recalling from his angsty childhood on, which in a sense, never ended.
Russell yanks us like a petulant six year old at a county fair, leading the way on a wildly vivid tour through his sharp yet twisted mind as his life twists and turns like a vicious python let out of a cage.
Personally, i consider a autobiography a good one if it feels like the person is sitting there telling you this over a cup of coffee, or i guess in his case, as if you are lying next to bed with him and he's recalling all this post-coitus.. it captures the candid confessional nature of Brand's stand-up and performances while making him totally human.
Its a quick read, i finished it within a day and a half, give or take and Americans with no knowledge of British Slang/Pop Culture References be prepared to start highlighting words to google them later! of course Russell provides some footnotes but its all a lot to keep in your head as it moves on. I agree with most the end part is rushed, so i am not surprised that he's still working on My Booky Wook 2...and I like most who've fallen hopelessly in lust with him, will be waiting for it.
My Booky Wook is a first hand account of Brand's life first from doing time in a sex-addict clinic in the suburbs of Philly (Chester..yeesh!), recalling from his angsty childhood on, which in a sense, never ended.
Russell yanks us like a petulant six year old at a county fair, leading the way on a wildly vivid tour through his sharp yet twisted mind as his life twists and turns like a vicious python let out of a cage.
Personally, i consider a autobiography a good one if it feels like the person is sitting there telling you this over a cup of coffee, or i guess in his case, as if you are lying next to bed with him and he's recalling all this post-coitus.. it captures the candid confessional nature of Brand's stand-up and performances while making him totally human.
Its a quick read, i finished it within a day and a half, give or take and Americans with no knowledge of British Slang/Pop Culture References be prepared to start highlighting words to google them later! of course Russell provides some footnotes but its all a lot to keep in your head as it moves on. I agree with most the end part is rushed, so i am not surprised that he's still working on My Booky Wook 2...and I like most who've fallen hopelessly in lust with him, will be waiting for it.
This was my favorite book of the year. Unexpectedly I learned a lot of new vocabulary from Brand but also of course enjoyed his bawdy humor.
Russell's extensive vocabulary and writing ability are nothing short of poetic. He is very charming, honest and forthcoming about his choices and the unfortunate choices of those around him while he was growing up. Portions are very raw and hard to swallow. I have to applaud his courageous honesty regarding the depths he plunged into and what a strong man he is to have pulled through and come so far. One thing, it's filled with English slang, which I felt gave the book great character but could be hard for some to follow....
My Booky Wook: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up
My Booky Wook: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up
A cute guy but a rough life indeed!
Russell Brand, a fairly new stand-up comedian here in the U.S. hailing from merry old England, has written a wildly raw and unabashed memoir about his life of compulsive and destructive behaviors with sex and drugs and his tumultuous career as an actor and comedian. His life starts off fairly unceremoniously and "normal", his parents divorce when he is young. Readers then find Russell breaking the rules in school, and getting kicked out of school after school, despite doing quite well in some of them. This behavior continues on through adulthood with his inability to keep any sort of job, all the while partaking in a plethora of drugs and mindless sex.
Luckily for fans of Russell Brand, this book is not merely a tale of his uncivilized and raucous days living in England getting thrown out of numerous institutions, doing drugs and having sex. Russell comes clean and is rather forthright in writing about how he managed to get help for not only his drug addiction, but his addiction to sex as well, and how he managed to get his life straightened out in order to become one of England's (and recently America's) funniest, strangest comedians.
Although some of Mr. Brand's writing style and references to countless television shows or his use of English humor may present a slight difficulty for the American reader who is unfamiliar with these particular references, his humor begins with a strong force and continues to happily take the readers throughout the entire book, never ceasing until the very end.
Luckily for fans of Russell Brand, this book is not merely a tale of his uncivilized and raucous days living in England getting thrown out of numerous institutions, doing drugs and having sex. Russell comes clean and is rather forthright in writing about how he managed to get help for not only his drug addiction, but his addiction to sex as well, and how he managed to get his life straightened out in order to become one of England's (and recently America's) funniest, strangest comedians.
Although some of Mr. Brand's writing style and references to countless television shows or his use of English humor may present a slight difficulty for the American reader who is unfamiliar with these particular references, his humor begins with a strong force and continues to happily take the readers throughout the entire book, never ceasing until the very end.
With trepidation I read this book not only because it hit the Best Selling list but out of general intrigue in this flamboyant bohemian, hypermanic comedian/actor. I fell in love with the character Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and have thoroughly enjoyed Brand's stand up. Upon reading this Booky Wook I, along with millions of others, have fallen, albeit deeply, in lust for him. The book is brilliant. Brand has a way with words and is a fabulous writer. He is witty throughout his gamut of emotions the book takes you through. He uses his self-mockery in a playful way with such openness and honesty telling tales of his sordid past impulses, addictions and triumphs. His vocabulary turns me on. His dark, brooding camp-victorian look is seductive to so many including his "mental patient" hair and punk/Dickens/bohemian attire. He has style. Also loveable is his adoration for his mother, Barbara. Russell is a confusing mix of a playful man/child bursting with energy; vibrant, ambitious and yet vulnerable and sweet. He bares his soul in this book including his self-proclaimed addiction to women and sex. Such a cunning linguist he is! His central themes for life are authenticity, honesty, revolution and triumph over conformity. His beliefs and practice in Hinduism, yoga and vegan-ism contradict the narcissism, liberal revolutionary style he portrays. This makes him complex and uber interesting. He has his fans AND foes wanting for more. As soon as you finish the book you will want more Russell Brand. He'll be a household name soon if not already as he brandishes out into the entertainment industry.
One of my favorite quote's of his is: "That thing of how you're scared of the storm because nature is much bigger than us? Well, I am the storm." Russell Brand is taking the world by storm, mark my words!
One of my favorite quote's of his is: "That thing of how you're scared of the storm because nature is much bigger than us? Well, I am the storm." Russell Brand is taking the world by storm, mark my words!
Intense, funny, slightly sad too...
I saw Russell Brand live in Sydney a week after reading this, and he is just as large in real life as he is through the story on these pages... Such an amazing life, its amazing he's still alive AND making people laugh. Well written, chatty and hilarious, even the most painful of situations that are everyday for this young man. Well worth the read. I will pick it up again in about 6 months to experience it again.
As he mentions at the start "Dedicated to my mum. Now for God's sake don't read it!" you know its going to be good!
As he mentions at the start "Dedicated to my mum. Now for God's sake don't read it!" you know its going to be good!
This book was a fun read and makes you just admie and fall in love with the wonderfully talented not to mention sexy Russell Brand
The style of the book is written as if Russell is performing it in stand up. Extremely funny even through what should be the depressing bits.
A raw, honest, funny, disturbing read
I first heard of Russell Brand about a year and a half ago after seeing him on a talk show. Shortly afterwards he appeared in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Having only seen him on the chat shows I only knew him from those appearences but I found him very funny. This book, his #1 best selling (in the UK) autobiography tells of his rise to fame in England. The book is loaded with tales of sex, drug abuse and outrageous stunts done for he British TV series. As Brand says in the book, his life is just a rehearsal for his stand up routine. He makes light of otherwise tragic stories. The book is a great read and a must for fans of Russell Brand. He's not that well known here in the States just yet, but give him time and he could be as famous here as he is in his homeland of England.
Love the Man, Can Live Without His Bookie
I like Russell Brand. I enjoy hearing him on talk shows and find him to to be clever and different (in a good way). With these positive feelings towards him I decided to purchase his book. I read a few chapters but just couldn't get into it. Was it the "language" barrier between British English and American English? I don't know but that could have explained partially my lack of enjoyment. I just got the sense that he was trying to be so ridiculously clever that it got in the way of his telling stories. I haven't stopped liking Russell Brand and appreciate his talent; I just won't read any more of his books or at least any ones titled "Booky...". This Booky Wooky is being returned.
A very funny sex crazed junkie
Mr. Brand writes affectingly about his hard-up youth in the inhospitable surroundings of Essex, where at the tender age of 6 months, he was abandoned by his father. Consequently he was raised by his forsaken mother. Soon he plunges head first into sex, drugs and rock and roll.
Mr. Brand was so fanatical about sex, even as a boy, he writes, that he as unable to play the game Battleship because it made him think of bra sizes. Mr. Brand admits he's "always been drawn to the seamier side of life," and his memoir is crammed with sleaze. Just the same, this mischievous and hilarious journal is not just the story of a sex crazed junkie, it's also about deliverance and resolve.
-D.E. Boone,
Creator of LEGS TALK: A MODERN GIRL'S DATING GAME
Mr. Brand was so fanatical about sex, even as a boy, he writes, that he as unable to play the game Battleship because it made him think of bra sizes. Mr. Brand admits he's "always been drawn to the seamier side of life," and his memoir is crammed with sleaze. Just the same, this mischievous and hilarious journal is not just the story of a sex crazed junkie, it's also about deliverance and resolve.
-D.E. Boone,
Creator of LEGS TALK: A MODERN GIRL'S DATING GAME
I could hear his voice reading the story to me!
I'm recently intrigued by Russell so when I came upon this book at a friend's house I immediately asked if I could borrow it! I read it in 2 days and it felt like Russell Brand was reading his story right to me!!! It's hilarious!!!! I love his comedy and this is no exception.
Very revealling, tell all type autobiography.
Many autobiographies are quite reserved while the individual is still alive. (Mark Twain's was interesting in that aspect) But in this book Russell Brand reveals alot of intimate details and private information about himself to the world.
The funniest book I ever read.
Like most Americans I found Russell through movies and maybe one stand up special. He's one of those personalities that is nearly impossible not to be drawn in by. I'd guess he's been called "life of the party" countless times by countless people. I'm big into pop culture, yet this is the first autobiography I ever hunted down. So glad I did.
The humor in this book isn't from jokes, but really the delivery of it all. He has a way of speaking that's very interesting, and pulls words out of his brain that most people have forgotten about. Some of it's being British, but mostly it's from being Russell. He's clearly very smart and witty. An arguement against the thinking that drug use dulls your mind.
The honesty in My Booky Wook is amazing. He lets everything out there, and covers the topics of his drinking, drugs and sex just like it's eating and sleeping. A day in the life. I'll admit after reading I felt I've lived a fairly tame and simple life myself, in comparison. He's a wild child...and a great writer.
The humor in this book isn't from jokes, but really the delivery of it all. He has a way of speaking that's very interesting, and pulls words out of his brain that most people have forgotten about. Some of it's being British, but mostly it's from being Russell. He's clearly very smart and witty. An arguement against the thinking that drug use dulls your mind.
The honesty in My Booky Wook is amazing. He lets everything out there, and covers the topics of his drinking, drugs and sex just like it's eating and sleeping. A day in the life. I'll admit after reading I felt I've lived a fairly tame and simple life myself, in comparison. He's a wild child...and a great writer.
The funniest book I ever read.
Like most Americans I found Russell through movies and maybe one stand up special. He's one of those personalities that is nearly impossible not to be drawn in by. I'd guess he's been called "life of the party" countless times by countless people. I'm big into pop culture, yet this is the first autobiography I ever hunted down. So glad I did.
The humor in this book isn't from jokes, but really the delivery of it all. He has a way of speaking that's very interesting, and pulls words out of his brain that most people have forgotten about. Some of it's being British, but mostly it's from being Russell. He's clearly very smart and witty. An arguement against the thinking that drug use dulls your mind.
The honesty in My Booky Wook is amazing. He lets everything out there, and covers the topics of his drinking, drugs and sex just like it's eating and sleeping. A day in the life. I'll admit after reading I felt I've lived a fairly tame and simple life myself, in comparison. He's a wild child...and a great writer.
The humor in this book isn't from jokes, but really the delivery of it all. He has a way of speaking that's very interesting, and pulls words out of his brain that most people have forgotten about. Some of it's being British, but mostly it's from being Russell. He's clearly very smart and witty. An arguement against the thinking that drug use dulls your mind.
The honesty in My Booky Wook is amazing. He lets everything out there, and covers the topics of his drinking, drugs and sex just like it's eating and sleeping. A day in the life. I'll admit after reading I felt I've lived a fairly tame and simple life myself, in comparison. He's a wild child...and a great writer.
Share your thoughts with other customers
Create your own review
Create your own review
That honesty was precisely what made the read so compelling for me. Brand has a unique gift for non-pompous self-reflection, and refuses to bowdlerize his life just because it might offend some. His description of what it's like to take heroin deserves a place right up there with The Velvet Underground's song. It's loving and funny and unapologetic, while still acknowledging the horrific damage that addiction brings.
Brand's prose, like his personality, is deliberately flamboyant. I found myself feeling that, by all logical reasoning, I should be put off by his deliberately Dickensian flourishes. But self-knowledge saves all, and Brand combines his rococo prose with colloquial diction, self-mockery, and traces of his real, non-elite accent. In this regard, I kept thinking that Brand's style was akin to that of a very dirty P.G. Wodehouse.
The result was (dare I say it) addictive. I couldn't put the damned book down, and after finishing it I had to immediately lend it out so I wouldn't re-read it a million times.
Like all great comedians, Russell Brand turns his personal pain into comedy. Given the variety of individual senses of humor, it's impossible to guarantee that you'll find this book funny. But if you're not easily offended, you'll probably be laughing. Even if you are easily offended, you can treat this as a very honest memoir of sex and drug addiction, and be shocked that Brand tells it as a funny story.
[...] -- a site about humor and society