And Away... by Bob Mortimer (funnyman autobiography)

[Ballad of Ballard Berkley]

Just finished reading a review copy (ooh, get me) of Bob's book, which is published on 16th September. As you would expect, it's a tremendously satisfying endeavour. I'm afraid I'll have to employ that hoary old critic cliche here: it's funny and touching.

His vivid account of the early days of Big Night Out will be of particular interest to members of this forum, as he goes into quite a lot of detail about his creative partnership with Vic/Jim (whom he clearly adores). He also devotes some time to pretty much every project he's ever been involved with as a professional entertainer. It's all very interesting.

As you would expect, he comes across as a thoroughly agreeable and naturally funny man. A delightful entity. He's self-effacing and unpretentious, yet justifiably proud of his best work (and frankly dismissive of his own perceived failings).

And he can write, obviously. The book is peppered throughout with lovely little turns of phrase. Bob is a born storyteller.

It's a good book. You'll probably enjoy it as much as I did.

[Poobum]

Skim reading "And Away" along with "Bob Mortimer" scared the shit out of me. Didn't know he'd brought out a book, will purchase.

[dr beat]

Thanks BoBB that's great to hear, I've been looking forward to this.  One way or another Bob's lived a life.

[Magnum Valentino]

Audiobook available also.

[Ballad of Ballard Berkley]

Skim reading "And Away" along with "Bob Mortimer" scared the shit out of me. Didn't know he'd brought out a book, will purchase.

Yikes, sorry about that.

[Ballad of Ballard Berkley]

Thanks BoBB that's great to hear, I've been looking forward to this.  One way or another Bob's lived a life.

An extraordinary life, really. What's he going to do on WILTY? from now on, though? The book contains absurd true stories from his early life that he hasn't told in public before. Hopefully he's held some in reserve.

[jamiefairlie]

Audiobook available also.

...and sold!

[Brundle-Fly]

I imagine he's a bottomless well of anecdotes because he is such an eccentric. It's strange as he seems such a shy man in real life.

[trabuch]

I'll be falling asleep listening to the audiobook for most of the winter.

[shiftwork2]

Had multiple audible free trials but now they seem to be offering me three books for 99p.  Done!

[Ballad of Ballard Berkley]

I imagine he's a bottomless well of anecdotes because he is such an eccentric. It's strange as he seems such a shy man in real life.

Yes, and that comes across in the book. Bob regards Jim as a natural eccentric/genius - and he is - but you sort of get the impression that Bob, while fully aware of how funny his stories are, doesn't quite appreciate just how eccentric he is. Which is lovely. His eccentricity isn't performative*, he seems to regard himself as a rather dull domesticated man, but his mind doesn't operate along standard lines.

_{* Nor is Jim's, but he lives in his own Jim world.}

[jobotic]

Can't wait

[neveragain]

Fantastic.

[tinner777]

Tremendous thanks

[studpuppet]

His eccentricity isn't performative*, he seems to regard himself as a rather dull domesticated man, but his mind doesn't operate along standard lines.

I loved the story he told once about meeting Jim to write material once a week, and telling his wife it was for two hours longer than they actually met for, so he could have a kip in his car before going home. I mean that's justifiable if you're a lowly-paid wage slave, but when you're a multi-millionaire star of TV with a large country house to go home to, it does seem eccentric.

[phantom_power]

Imagine if he had never hooked up with Vic and became a lawyer. Not just that it would be a loss to the comedy world but what sort of lawyer would he be

[Voltan (Man of Steel)]

Bob and Buckles are at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on the same day next month and I've applied for tickets to both. I'm sure demand will be high but my (sort of) aunt is a member and they get priority booking so fingers crossed.

[dr beat]

Yes, and that comes across in the book. Bob regards Jim as a natural eccentric/genius - and he is - but you sort of get the impression that Bob, while fully aware of how funny his stories are, doesn't quite appreciate just how eccentric he is. Which is lovely. His eccentricity isn't performative*, he seems to regard himself as a rather dull domesticated man, but his mind doesn't operate along standard lines.

_{* Nor is Jim's, but he lives in his own Jim world.}

As much as Athletico Mince is such a great platform for Bob's talents, I'm reminded of the little moments where he muses out loud ('thats nice innit Andy').  Or throws in a funny non sequitur, stuff like 'do you ever like to go beyond the scenes Andy'?

[Utter Shit]

As you would expect, he comes across as a thoroughly agreeable and naturally funny man. A delightful entity. He's self-effacing and unpretentious, yet justifiably proud of his best work (and frankly dismissive of his own perceived failings).

I think I love that he's dismissive of his failings more than I love that he's proud of his work. What a way to live.

It blows my mind that he was a successful solicitor and, apparently, wasn't far off being a professional footballer as well. Two careers that just seem so unsuited to his character.

[trabuch]

Good old Audible have just thrown two more credits my way. Now to decide what I should do with the other one.

[jamiefairlie]

There's a Gone Fishing audio book too, I'm going for the double.

[turnstyle]

There's a Gone Fishing audio book too, I'm going for the double.

Listened to that a while back and thought it was ace, and I actively hate fish. I think they're wet pricks.

[jamiefairlie]

Listened to that a while back and thought it was ace, and I actively hate fish. I think they're wet pricks.

The TV show is prime comfort viewing.

[trabuch]

There's a Gone Fishing audio book too, I'm going for the double.

I took the bait. I'm very content - this is for me. (Although it was a struggle to get through chapter 1. I felt my heart beating and my bowels failing)

[Blue Jam]

I got the Gone Fishing book for three quid at The Works :(

Really looking forward to Mr Mortimer's book.

[BeardFaceMan]

Ooh I just got an email from Audible offering me a free month trial and one free book, so that was nice of them, wunt it, Andy?

[bgmnts]

Pre ordered on audible yes please!

[jobotic]

I'd gone off Gone Fishing a bit, got a bit bored. But this series has been a delight.

Seems slightly hard to picture the wonderful affable old man being the well handsome young comedy genius he once was. Except he still has the genius. So maybe not.

[checkoutgirl]

what sort of lawyer would he be

He was a lawyer, he was the Cockroach King. Got in the newspaper and everything. I wonder what Bob was like before he bumped into Vic. Was he as funny in his personal life or did meeting Vic unlock some dormant comedy facility he had? Did he slip in a few gags in his summing up in court? Did he have a funny observation when he caught his girlfriend in bed with a hells angel, that sort of thing.

[checkoutgirl]

he seems to regard himself as a rather dull domesticated man, but his mind doesn't operate along standard lines.

I think he can be both and it wouldn't surprise me if he led a fairly humdrum existence in his personal life. The highlight of the day being a couple of hours alone in his car.