"You are best writer in the whole damn universe!!! You are the Holy Typewriter of consumerism, ...
"You are best writer in the whole damn universe!!! You are the Holy Typewriter of consumerism, and the understated Barcode of reviewers. in my opinion" Timbo3107
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Probably like most people I first became aware of Jeremy Clarkson through the excellent TV programme Top Gear, a show that is not just for petrol heads as it is also one of the funniest programmes on TV as well given some of the stunts and challenges they do. In the show he is the arrogant, opinionated alpha male with a hearty dislike of Europe, foxes, anything environmentally friendly and French cars. Oh and political correctness. In addition to his TV work he also writes a newspaper column and is an author of a number of books.
Apart from the toilet reading on offer at my sister house this was the first Clarkson book that I have read and I was interested to see if the humour generated on Top Gear could be translated into the written word. The book itself is made up of a series of short, two or three page, rants or observations on a myriad of topics that stretch from the opening page discussion of an additional public
holiday to such varied topics as the joys of the circus, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (he is not a fan surprise surprise) and the time he was hit by Stavros. Indeed the sections jump around randomly and the whole book feels like it is basically his newspaper columns recycled into a book.
Overall I found this an enjoyable book to read as it was one I took away with me on holiday the fact that it was a series of short monologues made it ideal however it is definitely not a page turner. In fact little sis has probably got it right when she leaves it in the loo for guests and her husband to read.
What I did enjoy about this book is that whether or not you agree with what he is saying Clarkson writing will evoke an opinion from the reader, there is no sitting on the fence with his writing. So it was that I found myself nodding in agreement with his opinions on what lottery funding should be used for and certainly those things it should not be. Then a few pages later I would find myself sniggering at the politically incorrect way that he has a pop at politically correct behaviour and once again I find that Mr Clarkson and I share a common opinion. On the other hand his views on Europe and in particular immigration are ones where I can find no common ground between us, but that is not a bad thing, from a personal stake I would hate the idea that I agreed with everything that he said, that would mean I had become a jean ruining clone of the man himself, just without the height and the bad hair.
Where the book does fall down as that Clarkson fails to be as funny s he is on Top Gear. Reflecting on this I guess I should not have been surprised, in Top Gear he has the perfect foils in the form of Hammond and May, the humour is all about three blokes mucking about in cars and you are not going to be able to recreate that comedy in a book. That does not mean to say there are not some funny passages in the book, indeed a couple of times I was made to laugh out loud and then have to try and explain it to my son, funny enough what I said must have sparked his interest because he started to read it as well.
The only other slightly annoying thing about this book was that at times Clarkson appears to have contracted the Radio 1 DJ disease of thinking that all you want to hear about is his life and how great it is. On numerous occasions he mentions the highly desirable Cotswold property he resides in. Now I know that personal experience drives (geddit) his writing but it did sound a bit Chris Moyle's / Chris Evans at times and to be honest call it jealousy but I could have done without it.
Overall this was an enjoyable read and would not stop me getting more of his books as he has written a fair few including a follow up to this one. I would for my next read go for a more car orientated book; after all I do guide the motors category on Dooyoo, as this is the topic he is most passionate about.
The book is published by Penguin; I got mine through a swap on readitswapit however the rrp for the paperback is £6.99 with prices starting on Amazon at a penny in the new and used section rising to £5.39 new. The ISBN is 0-141-01789-9.
Thanks for reading and rating my review.
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Hve to admit I've always felt that Clarkson is a legend...I've never been quite so keen on his books though, I mean they are amusing but you can't actually get your teeth into them...Lissy
brereton66 27.06.2008 12:44
Well reviewed. A good read but more for dipping into as you say.
Shoka 25.06.2008 23:19
He is a nut isnt he. I really enjoy TopGear and all the nonsesense so would probably like this.
Jun 21st, 2008
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