Wow - This is rude! (Frank Skinner - Frank Skinner)

Member Name: Vicki H

Product:	Frank Skinner - Frank Skinner
Date:	20/02/02 (893 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: funny, filthy, foul!

Disadvantages: can't put it down!

I am a big fan of Frank Skinner. I watch all his shows and laugh at bits that nobody else finds vaguely amusing. When Skinner’s autobiography was published it went straight to the top of my Christmas list – unfortunately nobody took any damn notice! The first thing I did after Christmas was dash out and buy a copy of ‘Frank Skinner’ by Frank Skinner and I was not disappointed.

I think that in order to appreciate this book you must be enjoy black comedy and be totally unshockable. Skinner talks about masturbation and sexual activities like most people would discuss the weather. His book is littered with tales of pornography, prostitution and pints!

Frank (I feel that I can call him by his first name now that I have spent two days getting to know him initimately!) adopts a strange style of writing which I originally didn’t warm to. He flits about in time and fails to follow a chronological order justifying this by saying that he thinks that the reader only wants an insight into the past and is more interested in the fame and fortune bits. Actually this is true. I am currently reading the autobiographies of two other stars at the moment yet cannot get past Chapter 3. The reason being that they are dwelling too long in the past about their terrible childhoods and working class roots when what I hunger for is the limelight!

Within a couple of pages I started to enjoy the book and then there was no stopping me. It is quite a while since I read a book that I could not put down but this was definitely one of those books. I spent two evenings rolling about on the settee laughing out loud at Frank’s stories. My husband kept asking what I was laughing at but the tales were so rude that I felt embarrassed sharing them with him! My Dad came round on New Years Eve and picked up the book to have a scan – that was the last we saw of him, head in the book he laughed raucously all night long and then
gave me a lecture about reading such filthy material.

Frank doesn’t write in chapters but in paragraphs. He states that he does this as her realises that people have hectic lives and need to pick up the book and read a chunk rather than having to tackle a full chapter at one go. This also works well as if you become addicted (like I did) you can find suitable breaking off points to do the essentials like feed the baby and go to the toilet!

Skinner has led an interesting life to say the least. Without spoiling the book I will give you a short insight. He was born Chris Collins and grew up in the West Midlands. As you may be aware if you watched him on television, he is an avid football fan and supports West Bromwich Albion – being a loyal Barnsley fan I can share his pain on this one! Frank spent his youth entertaining others which led to him being expelled from school and developing an alcohol problem He eventually got back on track and gained two degrees in English Literature. Frank is a devout Catholic and is a reformed alcoholic. He tells honestly of his love of alcohol and women and also speaks candidly about his religious beliefs.

Frank married for just ten months and tells of the bitter divorce and his inner feelings when his ex-wife sold their story. He lifts all of the dark times with his black comedy and always finds something funny to lament about such as the fact that he is rather pleased that the story got a 2 page spread because it is a direct indication of his fame!

Frank’s career in comedy was not an immediate success and he tells of the many occasions when he didn’t go down well. His sheer determination paid off when he was awarded the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival. He then went on to work in television although this too had its ups and downs with viewers complaining about his material. In 1990 he formed the partnership with David Baddiel and created Fantasy Footba
ll League the hit TV series. The rest as they say is history.

The autobiography contains photographs Frank from one year old up to the present day. The photographs are produced on glossy paper and all have explanations quoted by Frank himself. The book is currently only published in hardback and a bit pricey at £16-99 although W H Smith’s have it on offer at half price in their sale!

I would not recommend that anyone reads this book as it is sooooo rude! If you have a dirty sense of humour and don’t mind literature scattered with expletives then go ahead, if not stay well clear – this book could seriously damage your health!

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