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David Mitchell: Back Story

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David Mitchell: Back Story

By: David Mitchell
Narrated by: David Mitchell
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About this listen

David Mitchell, who you may know for his inappropriate anger on every TV panel show except Never Mind the Buzzcocks, his look of permanent discomfort on C4 sex comedy Peep Show, his online commenter-baiting in The Observer or just for wearing a stick-on moustache in That Mitchell and Webb Look, has written a book about his life.

As well as giving a specific account of every single time he's scored some smack, this disgusting memoir also details:

  • the singular, pitbull-infested charm of the FRP (‘Flat Roofed Pub’)
  • the curious French habit of injecting everyone in the arse rather than the arm
  • why, by the time he got to Cambridge, he really, really needed a drink
  • the pain of being denied a childhood birthday party at McDonalds
  • the satisfaction of writing jokes about suicide
  • how doing quite a lot of walking around London helps with his sciatica
  • trying to pretend he isn’t a total **** at Robert Webb’s wedding
  • that he has fallen in love at LOT, but rarely done anything about it
  • why it would be worse to bump into Michael Palin than Hitler on holiday
  • that he’s not David Mitchell the novelist. Despite what David Miliband might think
©2012 David Mitchell (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Entertainment & Celebrities Performing Arts Funny Comedy Celebrity Witty Biography Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

‘One of the best celebrity memoirs of last year…his outsider geek personality translates just as well on the page as it does on TV.’ Metro

‘It livened up about half way through with the appearance of me. But enough of David's life. The book is wonderful from beginning to end.’ Robert Webb

'David Mitchell is an extremely funny man on screen, in person, in print and very probably underwater.' Sam Bain, co-writer of Peep Show

‘He can write’ Evening Standard

‘Fluent, discursive, intelligent.’ Evening Standard

‘If you like Mitchell on television, you will like him in this book.’ Shortlist
All stars
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This is another example I think where listening to an audiobook being read, particularly by the author, is far superior than reading it from a book.



David Mitchell is both very funny and very self-efacing. Not a hint of smugness that some may have expected. He is certainly not complacement and is very quick to say how lucky he is to be where he is.



However it is the chapter on his now wife Victoria that is particularly poignant. He is so much in love and it is very nice to hear how two very well-suited people got together.



Oh, and have a streetmap of London handy if you can.



Another great listen from a funny man.

A funny and honest listen.

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I was on the fence about David Mitchell. I neither adore nor dislike him. He's a nice enough chap and doesn't look like he's going to be surrounded by Sunday paper headlines. I'm not really sure why I bought this audio book. He was a bit of a posh prat.

However this book was surprising. It tells of his hard working parents, his lack of educational commitment, uni and meeting Webb, struggling to get work and his eventual success.

He isn't a posh prat. He's a likeable man..He isn't grandiose or pompous. He's a genuinely nice chap. The book was lovely and I enjoyed it. The end chapter was my favourite. Very thought provoking.

The only struggle I had was the fact he narrated it. His voice can be a little hard to listen to for a length of time. But bear with it and you will get used to it.

Surprising but painful

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There's a lot to David Mitchell. He's one of very few people is like to meet. That's says it all, but here's a bit more: he's clever, funny, modest and tragically insecure and honest about it. He's a major part of Peep Show and I've watched every episode myriad times over. It's one of the best comedies ever made. Celebrity autobiographies are anathema to me. I loathed the excerpts of the Eddie Izzard and Alan Cummings self-indulgent crap I heard on the radio. Utter garbage. Mitchell, by contrast, elevates the celeb tome to a far higher level. It's interesting and touching, and he possesses a good voice for audible. It's rare I give such a glowing review.

A man of substance

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Loved the book. It's a master class on the use of vulgarity for comedic impact.

This man, I think, was born funny.

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I like David Mitchell so I am biased but this is a funny, revealing and honest read. I feel I know him more and how can you not like a book that makes you laugh out loud even in a crowded street or on the bus. He really has a unique way with words.

Very Good

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To some David's mono tone dry voice would be somewhat boring and off putting, I however find it extremely captivating and funny. Such a brilliant book that had me laughing out loud in public. well done 👍

Brilliant

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I have all of Davids audio books. he is a great writer , actor and comedian

fantastic and funny as always with David Mitchell!

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Should be enjoyed by everyone who likes David Mitchell. Obviously not for those who don't. They shouldn't even be reading this review though...…

Excellent

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If you're a fan of David Mitchell then this is a great book for you. if not, I'm not sure why you're considering it!
The story feels somehow even more personal as it's read by David himself. It's funny, it's honest and it's a real easy listen. Only wish there was more of it!

An easy listening option for David Mitchell fans

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Fantastically written. Autobiographical, but not narcissistic like so many 'did I mention I'm amazing' texts written today. David's words were genuine, honest and laugh out loud funny throughout. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on his wife, which was heartfelt, touching and introduced you to an unknown part of David Mitchell. Thoroughly enjoyed!

A pleasure!

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