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One Flew into the Cuckoo's Egg: My Autobiography
by
Bill Oddie
Comedian, birdwatcher, writer, environmental campaigner. Who is the real Bill Oddie? Best known for the wacky humor of the Goodies, and the irrepressible enthusiasm of his nature programs, off screen there has been a darker side. Bill has suffered from bouts of depression which have more than once taken him to the brink. Now he is back in control and wiser about the causes
...more
Hardcover
,
312 pages
Published
September 4th 2008
by Hodder & Stoughton
(first published January 1st 2008)
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Community Reviews
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The man is one of the most versatile and talented people around, But this book reveals the dark times in his life due to his bipolar condition, his mentally unstable mother, the secrets he uncovered as he grew up and how it still affects him even now, there are also some genuinely laugh out loud moments and loads of his distinctive wit with plenty of interesting stories and gossip about famous people, a really great read that I thoroughly enjoyed, Bill Oddie is a true legend.
A book purchased for 50p from a car boot sale on my behalf. Although I have some ornithological interest and own a copy of Bill Oddie's Birding Map of Britain and Ireland, I much prefer my natural history tv presenters in the shape of Michaela Strachan or Ellie Harrison. B.O.'s previous incarnation as a funny man in 'The Goodies' was never my cup of tea.
'One Flew into the Cuckoo's Egg' perhaps should have been titled 'One Blew into the Cuckoo's Egg', but I'm sure Mr Oddie would wish to forget hi ...more
'One Flew into the Cuckoo's Egg' perhaps should have been titled 'One Blew into the Cuckoo's Egg', but I'm sure Mr Oddie would wish to forget hi ...more
Bill Oddie is well known on British TV for comedy and for presenting wildlife programmes. He has never hidden the fact that he also suffers from depression. This book is a very honest account. From a childhood overshadowed by seeing his mother violent and taken to a mental hospital, to being taken to see her at age 15 and not knowing her. Later he does the TV programme "Who Do You Think You Are" and finds out what happened to his mother to make her act like this.
Unfortunately he inherits depress ...more
Unfortunately he inherits depress ...more
This is a very interesting book, and one I enjoyed very much. Interesting format, with Bill interviewing himself (although reading it I felt it was Graeme Garden asking the questions). I have never read anything about dpression before, I found that aspect of the book very interesting. Thanks Bill for being so open. And, as a bonus, I've never read a book with so many !!!!!! in it. 19.2.10
As someone who has loved Bill Oddie for as long as I can remember (Yep, grew up with the Goodies), this book was irresistible.
If you're a fan of Bill's Bird Books you may find this one disappointing as it doesn't deal much with his birding (try "Follow That Bird" instead - golden).
If you're reading this for Goodies Gossip - don't bother, there isn't much in the way of Goodies news or information.
However, the story of Bill's early years, and the struggles with his mother's mental illness is vivid ...more
If you're a fan of Bill's Bird Books you may find this one disappointing as it doesn't deal much with his birding (try "Follow That Bird" instead - golden).
If you're reading this for Goodies Gossip - don't bother, there isn't much in the way of Goodies news or information.
However, the story of Bill's early years, and the struggles with his mother's mental illness is vivid ...more
I found this to be a book of two halves. I was really taken by the honest accounts of his childhood, his mother’s and his own problems with mental disorders, and how he got into the birding side of things. The question and answer style of the second half was a little strange and the goodies part just didn’t appeal but I can’t knock it for that as it was just personal preference as I didn’t follow him in those days. Altogether a really interesting account of a talented and multi-faceted individua
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Diffrent to what I thought it would be about. 1st half is great, dealing with his early years, 2nd half not so great, with the interview style being off putting at times.
If you are looking for anything on the goodies, don't bother as that period is pretty much glossed over.
Was intregued by the remark about Steve Irwin though, wonder what he meant by it?
If you are looking for anything on the goodies, don't bother as that period is pretty much glossed over.
Was intregued by the remark about Steve Irwin though, wonder what he meant by it?
Well it was just Bill Oddie's autobiography. He takes the novel approach of interviewing himself and refusing to answer lots of his own questions because he's already written about that stuff in other books. It was interesting but unsurprising. He is certainly a very talented individual. If you're a fan then read it.
What I learned? If your mom spends all your young life in an institution, don't think THAT'S NORMAL and go get your head examined.
An enjoyable read, I wasn't too keen on the interview-style writing in the second half of the book though.
A very funny autobiography with some very sad parts too.
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William "Bill" Edgar Oddie OBE is an English author, actor, comedian, artist, naturalist and musician, who became famous as one of The Goodies. A birdwatcher since childhood, Oddie has now established a reputation for himself as an ornithologist, conservationist and television presenter on wildlife issues. Some of his books are illustrated with his own paintings and drawings.
Oddie studied English ...more
More about Bill Oddie...
Oddie studied English ...more
