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Frank Skinner Autobiography
Born Chris Collins in 1957 he grew up in the West Midlands and is currently enjoying success with his own TV chat show. Here, for the first time, Frank candidly tells us of the highs and lows of his fascinating life and career.
Paperback
,
400 pages
Published
May 2nd 2002
by Arrow
(first published October 2001)
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Community Reviews
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Thought I'd just write a mini-review about one of my favourite comedy autobiographies. I first read this when it came out ten years ago and must have re-read it approximately twenty times, at least - I swear I nearly wet myself on several occasions. Definitely not one to read on the bus without making a complete fool of yourself.
A great narrative structure - the chapters alternate between his current life (or then current) and events from his past. The family stories are brilliant, sad, honest, ...more
A great narrative structure - the chapters alternate between his current life (or then current) and events from his past. The family stories are brilliant, sad, honest, ...more
Frank is one of my favourite comedians so when I saw this lurking in a charity shop I had to get it.
A snapshot into his early life, and his life 10 years ago (when it was written) this book made me laugh out loud every few pages, the slightly rambling style means there is no definite narrative story, but I think he intended it that was (or would like us to believe that!).
I just wish there was a new edition with his last 10 years in, as this is the period I know him the best, perhaps one day!
A snapshot into his early life, and his life 10 years ago (when it was written) this book made me laugh out loud every few pages, the slightly rambling style means there is no definite narrative story, but I think he intended it that was (or would like us to believe that!).
I just wish there was a new edition with his last 10 years in, as this is the period I know him the best, perhaps one day!
Treading the line between memoir and diary, Skinner's book skips and jumps between past and present, offers anecdotes and jokes, observations and meditations. There are no chapter breaks, which helps to keep you going from one short passage to the next, thinking 'just one more... all right, maybe another one...' - like when you open a tub of those caramel shortcake bites from Sainsburys.
Everything's a joke, from one moment to the next, which rings true with the impression I get of the guy anyway ...more
Everything's a joke, from one moment to the next, which rings true with the impression I get of the guy anyway ...more
It took me a long time to get my hands on this book and once I did I lost it when I was half way through. This book may have been released in Australia at some stage but when I heard about it it could only be purchased via special order (with a cost of nearly $40). I didn't take them up on the offer needless to say and whenever I checked through eBay the delivery cost from the UK was too much of a deterrent (I have never purchased from Amazon for this same reason and never will). Eventually I st
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Very Powerful.
Frank Skinner is excoriatingly honest in this book.
To his credit, he doesn't shy away from his dodgy past as a bully and a vandal. The sex is vivid and at times rancid. Driven (like all of us) by a desire to be loved, Skinner seeks this acceptance through his humour and his promiscuity, and you get a sense that it is never fulfilled. The promiscuity is distressing at times, particularly as there is a superficiality and cruelty to it that doesn't do justice to the depth of the man ...more
Frank Skinner is excoriatingly honest in this book.
To his credit, he doesn't shy away from his dodgy past as a bully and a vandal. The sex is vivid and at times rancid. Driven (like all of us) by a desire to be loved, Skinner seeks this acceptance through his humour and his promiscuity, and you get a sense that it is never fulfilled. The promiscuity is distressing at times, particularly as there is a superficiality and cruelty to it that doesn't do justice to the depth of the man ...more
I’d wanted to read this book for a while. Firstly, I really like the guy. He’s down to earth and a very funny stand up. It’s one of the books that I have seen around since I started bookselling that I wanted to tackle. It’s certainly not ghosted because if it was it would be a lot more regimented in its structure and it definately seems that he has either pulled rank or put his foot down at the publisher to have it set in this way.
He alternates from one random anecdote to the next to funny story ...more
He alternates from one random anecdote to the next to funny story ...more
Really funny stuff...the old boy setting fire to his shed, hanging the bloke in the pub, the roofer landing on his head but still drinking - great stuff. The only minus point - what is it with him and anal sex? Ok, 'one up the bum no harm done' and all that, but he goes on about it like a badge of honour... a sheriff's badge of honour to him no doubt!
Quite simply, the best book I have ever read. Huge fan, which helps, but a fascinating insight into the real life of somebody who really did start from nothing and worked very hard to reach the dizzy heights.
I only know Frank from Room 101 so didn't know what to expect on this one.
It was a really interesting read and he is obviously intelligent with a varied history and fascinating rags to riches story.
Definitely warts and all and feels as 'real' as a autobiography can be.
A stream of consciously type set out, which I thought worked well, but he seemed to swing between taking himself not at all seriously and too seriously. Something he appears to acknowledge as he has some pretty big insecurities on ...more
It was a really interesting read and he is obviously intelligent with a varied history and fascinating rags to riches story.
Definitely warts and all and feels as 'real' as a autobiography can be.
A stream of consciously type set out, which I thought worked well, but he seemed to swing between taking himself not at all seriously and too seriously. Something he appears to acknowledge as he has some pretty big insecurities on ...more
Quite possibly the funniest book I have ever read. I usually hate the phrase "laugh out lod funny" when you see it in a review, because generally, the books arent at all. This one definitely is. Franks candid, honest and sometimes brutally graphic description of his journey through life is packed with sharp wit, incisive comic observations mixed with some melancholic (but still hilarious!) reminiscence about his alcoholism and the impact its had on his life. The tale of how he lost his virginity
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Just laugh out loud funny! Good, light read. Ideal for holiday.
Written by the man himself. Well written too - as he has said himself, he is essentially a word-smith. Provides the kind of background information that a fan like me is looking for, about his early life and career and so on. Is not a puff piece but, as one might well expect with Frank, a warts and all tale. And it's got a lot of laughs and must-quote bits along the way. Looking forward to reading his other autobiographies. Loving the podcasts of his Saturday morning Absolute Radio show.
Knowing nothing about Frank, a hesitated a while before reading it - my brother, who's read it multiple times, insisted that I open it up: "He's really funny, rude and introspective - it's just really interesting". And it was. There were many "nose-chuckling" moments, and many stories that I found myself ploughing through YouTube to confirm or learn more about. Frank, you're a funny ol' f*ck - your honestly is really appreciated. And that story about the prostitute - ROFL!
Honest and funny. If you like him, as I do, this book will make you like him more. If you dislike him, it will confirm your opinions. I laugh every time I see the cover picture, because he comments in the book that when he sees it, it makes him think the book should be called "My Life in Novelty Slippers".
Frank's podcast gets me through my kids' Saturday morning swimming lessons. I owe him much.
Frank's podcast gets me through my kids' Saturday morning swimming lessons. I owe him much.
I love this book, this is something i hate lending to my friends just in case i dont get it back!! this is very truthful and what makes it stand out is that there is absolutley no chapters so you literally can't put this book down, once you start you can't stop! every page is a brilliant read trust me! you will also laugh cry and agree with most things Frank writes.
A very honest biography. Skinner does not shy away from some of the less savoury aspects of his life i.e. alcoholism, groupies, inability to maintain long term relationships. Enough show biz anecdotes amongst the private life review to keep the reader interested. For fan's of Fun Time Franky this is a fascinating read.
It took me a while to get into this book but once I got into the structure, I loved it. It was a little unusually presented in the fact there were no chapters, however Frank makes up for that by being funny and witty throughout, treating us as old friends.
Would definitely recommend to everyone, very funny.
Would definitely recommend to everyone, very funny.
I'm a sucker for an autobiography. Almost any autobiography will do. But this does seem to be written by the man himself. It's got a real voice and a skill in telling his story, which is worth a read. You feel like he's crafted it, worked on it, and poured more than he expected onto the page.
I usually find autobiography's really difficult to read and not really that interesting, however I absolutely loved this book. I loved the fact things were not in chronological order we got little bits of all parts of Frank's life. Really interesting I would highly recommend!
I'm in a quandary with this book. I did thoroughly enjoy the read, but there is something missing. Frank Skinner, without doubt, is a very funny man, but this doesn't shine through in the book. At times I feel he plays up to the image of the poor northern man (well midlands).
Makes me look at him differently - it is certainly thoughtful and thought provoking. However I still don't like his constant use of f**k - and the tenor of his work. The man is more than I thought!! Interesting to read about the Midlands from his viewpoin
Surprisingly entertaining autobiography. I took this from a guest house I stayed at in Pokhara - don't really like the guy as a comedian but wanted something to read. He actually comes across quite well and it amused me for a day.
Quite simply the funniest book I have ever read. I found myself reading it in Frank's broad accent, and it was a genuinely laugh out loud read. The single biggest influence on my decision to write Stags!
I'm not a huge fan of Frank Skinner but find him funny at times. Although this book did humanise him somewhat and had some funny parts, I'm still not a huge fan and was happy to have finished it.
I am not a big fan of Frank Skinner but the book was recommended to me by a friend who raved about it. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. A very funny and thoroughly entertaining read.
I lived in the Black Country for many years and really got to appreciate the sense of humour there. This book is a brilliant example of that kind of humour from on of the Regions heroes
I could not get into it, I hated the idea of going back and forth. It just bored me with the constant mention of football - shame really as I love him as a comedian.
I enjoyed this more than I expected to - I had found his stand-up to be smug, but the book is an honest and funny examination of his life.
To be honest, it was a lot better than I expected (and I expected it to be pretty good).
Well worth the effort - for him and me.
Well worth the effort - for him and me.
Fantastic. Got bored at one point and put it down for a year, but when I got back to it it was fantastic again.
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