A Blackmn Thats Funny Me and Frankie Always Use That
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The fictional half of the book appears to be set after the period covered by My Shit Life So Far Boyle is living alone in a flat at the top of a Glasgow high-rise. A flat which he's extended with a secret annex containing his weird model of the people and places around him which he toys with in an almost voodoo way. The story mixes, presumably at least partially true, personal anecdotes of time with his children and attempts to get work post-Mock-the-Week. In the background is the story of a rapist who is targeting b-list celebrities who are no longer in the spotlight as much as they were – starting with Dom Joly. Contacted by the police, Boyle initially worries that he's a suspect, but in fact, more worryingly, they are treating him as a potential victim.
The non-fiction half of the book is a series of essays/diatribes/rants on everything that Boyle thinks is wrong with our society: war, comedy, Tories, Lib Dems, immigration, the news of the world, terrorism, the death of Osama bin Laden and homoeopathy (he actually manages to combine those two into a single joke which is pretty impressive) etc. But singled out the most is throwaway entertainment culture, as typified by our national obsession with programmes like the X-Factor, The Voice, Britain's Got Talent etc. All of these programmes come in for heavy ridicule, as do the judges on them. Unfortunately, the non-fiction section, which had potential, fails to live up to that. Each of Boyle's discussions never really goes anywhere. Instead of developing them, they are used only as a platform for more of his jokes. Obviously, as Boyle is a comedian, it's probably unfair to expect anything else. But it would have been interesting if he'd tried.
The jokes are the expected mixture of sharp insight and deeply offensive humour that he has become both loved and reviled for. No subject is every considered off-limits for Boyle's humour and if you aren't prepared to sit through some uncomfortable chapters where one, or more, of your own sacred cows are picked apart then this isn't the book for you.
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I relished every page.
Avoid... Crap, just rubbish. Two or three funny paragraphs padded out with drivel. Frankie Boyle may deride the TV panel show, but it's what he's good at.
Avoid... ...more
Work! Consume! Die! is his first work of fiction, interspersed with Frankie's gag-sprinkled view of the world.
The novella, about celebrities being raped if their public profile falls too low, evolves into a crushingly banal metaphor for fame's fickle cycle. Which is a shame, as it was quite a good story up to that point.
Meanwhile, the bits between the novella chapters can only be described as an attempt to tr
I like Frankie Boyle's stuff, and I loved his first book, the one with the sweary title.Work! Consume! Die! is his first work of fiction, interspersed with Frankie's gag-sprinkled view of the world.
The novella, about celebrities being raped if their public profile falls too low, evolves into a crushingly banal metaphor for fame's fickle cycle. Which is a shame, as it was quite a good story up to that point.
Meanwhile, the bits between the novella chapters can only be described as an attempt to transcribe Frankie's stand-up act into a book. And it doesn't work. While his material is alternately as funny and thought-provoking as ever, it's just not great for sitting down and reading.
Over 90% of the material in this book is brilliant, it's just a shame that for once, the whole is revealed to be rather less than the sum of its parts.
Probably the best bet for enjoying the book is to resist the temptation to treat it as a novel, in spite of the narrative chapters, and just enjoy a few pages at a time while you're on the toilet.
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The article's explore a range of topics from celebrity news, through to political agendas and war crimes. The overarching theme being current events at the time of writing. Each article is littered with hard hitting jokes, and poignant ideas about the values we enable to underpin western society. Even the narrative, which loosely attempts to tie each article together, is as any funny as the articles themselves.
It's a great book to
This was a brilliant book filled with well thought out articles.The article's explore a range of topics from celebrity news, through to political agendas and war crimes. The overarching theme being current events at the time of writing. Each article is littered with hard hitting jokes, and poignant ideas about the values we enable to underpin western society. Even the narrative, which loosely attempts to tie each article together, is as any funny as the articles themselves.
It's a great book to read either front to back, back to front or even to periodically pick up, read a random article and pretend to be a Bibliophile at your next social gathering. That said, you'd have to question whether or not I was capable of reading this book in each of the above ways, and thus whether or not my advice is credible.
Am I exaggerating in suggesting I was able to concurrently read it front to back, back to front and periodically at random? Probably. Am I lying when I say it is funny? Not at all.
If you're a fan of darker jokes, clever criticisms of celebrity culture, or anti-war/ capitalist sentiments, this book is for you.
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Now I will say that I am a fan of comedy and I'm not easily offe
Okaaaay.... so this is definitely not a book that everyone or even a huge amount of people will enjoy. It's not an autobiography of any kind even though I suppose you do gain a slight insight into the mind of Frankie Boyle which to be honest isn't all that pleasant a vast majority of the time! It's more like his weird and strong opinions on huge amounts of random issues ranging from the war in Iraq to Wayne Rooney's hair transplant.Now I will say that I am a fan of comedy and I'm not easily offended. I take what comedians say with a pinch of salt, of course some are going to be controversial, it's their job. An Irish comedian, Tommy Tiernan, is one of the most controversial comedians in the Britain and Ireland circuit and he's for sure Irelands most controversial but he's also definitely one of our most successful comics. There's a reason for this people. Comics are supposed to shock you. Yes, sometimes, you may feel they have gone too far but really, who can decide what's too far and what isn't? Frankie Boyle takes the biscuit, however. He will shock you. There's no he may or he may not, he will. And he probably hopes he'll offend you too. If he doesn't I would think that he considers it a bad night all round.
He purposely tries to offend as much as is humanely possible. And ultimately he's quite successful at this. I presume this book was written after he'd been dropped from the Mock the Week panel show as he barely mentions it. He made a remark about Jordan, a British glamour model's, disabled child and the BBC just couldn't find it in their hearts to let it go so they let him go instead. I haven't watched Mock the Week since even though I am a huge Dara O Briain fan. It's not that I'm purposely boycotting it either. It's just that it's not good any more...
Now someones disabled child may be too far, I admit. And I can see where the BBC, a family TV network, were coming from but.... he was joking? Jokes aren't meant to be taken seriously, that's kind of the whole point. Ultimately I don't know whether he was right or wrong to be honest but I do know that I find Frankie Boyle utterly hilarious most of the time. Yes, sometimes I find some of his jokes a little too vulgar or just a bit too completely insane but I don't hold that one joke against him for the rest of his life. I just move onto the next one and hope I enjoy that one more.
If you're easily offended or if you're not a Frankie Boyle fan why are you even reading this review because there isn't a hope in hell you'll enjoy this book. If you love Frankie and you're a more open-minded, easy-going type person then give it a go. Don't expect to love every minute of it, I didn't, but do expect to have more than a few times where you find yourself genuinely laughing out loud and running to your partner, friend, family member saying 'You have to listen to this one!!'
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However, there's an underlying problem with books like this - the more things change, the more things stay the same. With any book by comedians tackling current affairs, the news changes and shifts faster than ever. What was relevant six months ago has dropped out of the public eye as quickly as it shuffled in. This can make a rant seem empty when the issue in question has either been solved, corrected or simply forgotten about. However, this doesn't make Frankie's writing style any less enjoyable. With each reference and comparison filled with venom, the need for an editor seems to be tossed out with the election papers as Frankie tells us exactly what he thinks whether it's appropriate or not.
As it stands, I would quite enjoy a full novel from his anti-biographical perspective. As much as I like the idea of Dom Joly being brutally raped in the dressing room, who knows what else lurks around the corner of the Big Brother house? Pull your finger out Frankie Boyle - stop lowering yourself with sporadic panel show appearances and write another one.
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There is a lot less about the author himself, in this book, compared to the first. This book was more general rants, ramblings and opinion pieces I read Frankie Boyle's first book after seeing him on the show "Mock the Weak". I enjoyed it enough and so I thought I'd give his second one a go on audiobook. Not read by the author, which was a bit disappointing at first, but the person they did get to read it had the same accent, so I found myself soon forgetting that it wasn't the author, himself.
There is a lot less about the author himself, in this book, compared to the first. This book was more general rants, ramblings and opinion pieces about a very wide range of topics, whilst the first book had a lot of autobiographical information and pieces. Quite frankly, I would have been quite happy for the autobiographical stuff to have been left out of this book - not because I don't like autobiographies, but more to do with the incredibly sordid and depressing aspects of Boyle's life. I'd like to think he is having his readers on, when he talks about some of the things he has gotten up to, but I really don't think he is making it up.
Yes, his brand of humour is very black and cynical and often offensive, though clever at the same time. Boyle is a contradiction in that he is smart and funny whilst also being rather depressing at the same time. A very weird combination and most certainly not to everyone's taste. ...more
Frankie Boyle is frequently described as a 'controversial' comedian. This means he occasionally does jokes about being disabled or raped. Perhaps if he didn't insist so much upon his credentials as the voice of the under
After having read my last, very depressing book, I decided to read something funny to cheer myself up. In hindsight, choosing this book to read was a mistake. It should be called "Things I Would Have Said On Mock The Week". Just in case you missed him, this is what he had to say.Frankie Boyle is frequently described as a 'controversial' comedian. This means he occasionally does jokes about being disabled or raped. Perhaps if he didn't insist so much upon his credentials as the voice of the underdog and oppressed, saying the unsayable, people wouldn't take it as such appalling hypocrisy. Frankie is not a controversial comedian, he is a lazy comedian. He is very funny and articulate and produces some great satire. He also cannot let an open goal go by him. Which is why so much of his act seems to be, "Racism is awful and just perpetuates negative stereotypes, like jokes that go 'A black man walks in a bar . . ." Apparently doing jokes at the expense of vulnerable people is okay so long as you do it as though you yourself are condemning it, although you'll accept the applause either way. It is shooting fish in a barrel. It is rehashing some of the oldest and most tired material because it's easy. That's not daring. It's wanting to have your cake and eat it.
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The chapters with his commentary on politics, war, sports, terrorism, celebrities and much more are some of the sharpest texts I've ever read. Blatantly direct, brilliantly funny and tragically true. His upside
You have to be a very specific kind of person to get (endure?) Frankie Boyle's humour. You can start to understand what to expect from his definition of comedy: "tragedy plus laughter". Be warned that this book is extremely un-PC and provoking to the point of being defaming and insulting.The chapters with his commentary on politics, war, sports, terrorism, celebrities and much more are some of the sharpest texts I've ever read. Blatantly direct, brilliantly funny and tragically true. His upside-down perspective will challenge and break through the preconceptions of the average media consumer.
The pseudo-auto-biographical chapters in between provide an uncomfortable view into his perverted mind. Surrealistic stories right out of his psyche that read like X-rated episodes of the Mighty Boosh. Not my cup of tea, I could do without them.
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The scatter gun approach to gags and intense negativity however drained me after a while it is so unremmitingly bleak...it's almost like watching the Jeremy Kyle show on loop and then feeling that reflects humanity.
The book doesn't celebrate rubbish but it holds a mirror up In some ways maybe this deserves more than the two stars I'm giving it..there are times when it is very fun indeed and it is a book that tackles(albeit friviously) subjects that make you think..which is always good for a book.
The scatter gun approach to gags and intense negativity however drained me after a while it is so unremmitingly bleak...it's almost like watching the Jeremy Kyle show on loop and then feeling that reflects humanity.
The book doesn't celebrate rubbish but it holds a mirror up to it and although I applaud that once you have read it there's little shown within that shows any worth.
All in all despite the low score I enjoyed the diatribes and the novella between chapters..there are parts of the book that read really well..however it's many one to digest over time rather than in a few sittings. ...more
If you're easily offended, or don't like massive doses of swearing, then this isn't a book for you!
Mr Boyle takes us on a mendering journey through modern life, with acerbic and controversial views on all manner of cultural and political situations.
In summary all politicians are w*nkers and X Factor and other talent shows are a symptom of our modern malaise and poor attention spans.
Nothing to learn there then! But interspersed
I really didn't know what to expect, but this was an interesting read.If you're easily offended, or don't like massive doses of swearing, then this isn't a book for you!
Mr Boyle takes us on a mendering journey through modern life, with acerbic and controversial views on all manner of cultural and political situations.
In summary all politicians are w*nkers and X Factor and other talent shows are a symptom of our modern malaise and poor attention spans.
Nothing to learn there then! But interspersed with the withering attacks on everything are the little quotes and suggestions that Frankie offers to enrich and add to our lives.
So why only 3 stars? Well I'm guessing that's all Frankie would want me to give it!
...more I must admit that at multiple points throughtout the book I was confused at whether bits where indeed autobiographical or figments of his imagination but regardless I enjoyed it. His chapters on potitics, terrorism, sport etc. where interesting and funny although you do need an ide
I actually realy enjoyed this book. I never read Frankie's first book but have always loved him as a comedian regardless of his bad prestige and when I saw this book fairly cheap in a store I though it was a must buy.I must admit that at multiple points throughtout the book I was confused at whether bits where indeed autobiographical or figments of his imagination but regardless I enjoyed it. His chapters on potitics, terrorism, sport etc. where interesting and funny although you do need an idea of the events, he is at times ridiculing, to fully understand.
You do have to have a almost specific sense of humour to find the funny side in some of his remarks and if you are easily offended then this probably isn't ideal for you.
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But the thing is, we actually share a very similar world view, I found myself nodding and agreeing and laughing a lot throughout. It's an incredibly quotable book, and his novella within the book is both surreal and enjoyable.
The difference between us is, I try and choose e
I may, now and again, bear a passing resemblance to Frankie Boyle. I'd say it's typically more a curse than a blessing. I was once referred to as the Anti-Frankie, since he's exceptionally offensive and I'm usually quite nice.But the thing is, we actually share a very similar world view, I found myself nodding and agreeing and laughing a lot throughout. It's an incredibly quotable book, and his novella within the book is both surreal and enjoyable.
The difference between us is, I try and choose empathy and understanding over the things in this world I think are awful, whereas Frankie would probably just do away with anyone making the world a worse place.
Go read it.
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Many think Boyle is simply an offensive Scottish sociopath, who prides himself on his cutting content and brutal put downs. I, however, feel like his intelligence really comes across in his books. He's a smart guy, and very well read - you can tell it, and to some extent I think the principles of his w
Frankie Boyle presents somewhat of an anomaly to me. On one hand, I can't watch his stand up without walking out of the room, on the other, the personality of his books sweetens the darker content.Many think Boyle is simply an offensive Scottish sociopath, who prides himself on his cutting content and brutal put downs. I, however, feel like his intelligence really comes across in his books. He's a smart guy, and very well read - you can tell it, and to some extent I think the principles of his world view are extremely intelligent, and popular with today's liberal 'intelligencia'. I enjoyed it. I like Frankie Boyle
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'Alternative' and 'mainstream' aren't strictly to do with whether things are popular or minority interest. They are ideological labels. Someone like Joe Pasquale would be called 'mainstream' and regularly pops up on TV, but would play the smaller end of the touring-theatre circuit. If Joanna Newsom can sell out Albert Hall, why can't she get played on Radio 2? I would agree that it's because her work is too layered, challenging and interesting. Think about that. What you get to hear about is filtered, and not filtered to get rid of useless cunts like Joe Pasquale, but of things that might enrich your life."
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