Bravemouth: Living With Billy Connolly - Pamela Stephenson

Advantages: Some moments of Connolly's wit and wisdom
Disadvantages: A rather cobbled together affair and somewhat patronising at times.

Like many other potential readers I had previously read Billy, Pamela Stephenson's first account of the life of Billy Connolly. But I must admit to approaching the second book, Bravemouth with a degree more caution. It was a case of once bitten, twice shy I have always been a great fan of Billy Connolly's irreverant humour, so much so that I made the pilgrimage down to the Albert Hall a few years ago to see the 'Big Yin' live. I actually appear ...
...you have not yet caught one of the re-runs of 'An Audience with...' on SKY or cable then I urge you to keep an eye on the schedules. I guarantee that the 'incontinence pants' and 'Archer's theme as a national anthem' sequences will leave you helpless with laughter. So of course, I was naturally drawn to Bravemouth, hoping that the rather patchy narrative of the first book would be more polished and accomplished in this book. I also hoped that the ... Read review

Advantages: Occasional funny stories and glimpses into Billy
Disadvantages: Not much insight; Name dropping; Wanders off

Following hot on heels from the success of 'Billy', Pamela Stephenson's recounting of her husband Billy Connolly's life and how it moulded him, came a sequel of sorts. Bravemouth (so-called because it's the nickname attributed to the Big Yin by Eric Idle, a neighbour in LA don't you know) is a bringing of matters right up to date, with the story of living with Billy for a year - a particular year, this being the one containing his 60th birthday. ...
...shall we say 'modest' start, with an introduction informing us of how well Billy was received and tales of people writing to the celebrity couple after its release to let them know how much Billy's story had inspired them after having gone through similar turmoil. Yes, yes, well done, can we get on with the story please? For a book supposedly with Billy Connolly as its central precept it comes as something of a surprise to learn that Ms Stephenson ... Read review

Advantages: See review
Disadvantages: See review

Billy, Pamela Stephenson's biography of her comic husband, shot to No. 1. Bravemouth, her latest effort, is more of the same stuff, with one difference though: HarperCollins swapped with Hodder Headline. It's no one's gain because Bravemouth's bigger format won't square up with the smaller Billy on the bookshelf. Then there's the cover. Billy was snappy, modern. Bravemouth is fuzzy, old-fashioned. The funny man is photographed upside down, hair ...
...pretty-boy shirt nicked from a rock'n'roll travelling wardrobe. Pamela inserts a Lost and Found notice: send proof of ownership and it will be returned, maybe. I mention the notice because it's the funniest bit in No. 2. Why another book so soon, maybe to cash in on the success of No. 1. Also, it was Billy's 60th birthday, and Pammy, as he calls her, has to endure a heap of stress to get the action going. Her husband is constantly gallivanting around ... Read review

Advantages: Extremely funny, well written.
Disadvantages: You should read 'Billy' before reading this!

'Bravemouth' is the sequel to the extremely popular 'Billy' also written by Pamela Stephenson. The first book detailed the life of the enigmatic comic and described his awful childhood where he faced abject poverty and abuse, both mental and physical from his family. 'Billy' was a fascinating read and captured the spirit of Billy Connolly by the only person that probably knows the real him, his wife. 'Bravemouth' is an extremely good follow up to ...
...Billy himself as he struggles to come to terms with his rapidly approachin 60th birthday. The reader is drawn into a world of international travel and high class comedy. We follow Billy as he takes part in blockbuster films, travels to Africa for Comic Relief and just comes to terms with his increasing years! This book is an extremely personal work by Pamela Stephenson as she lets us join her family during an extraordinary year. The book ends with ... Read review