Shane to Alfie (Rags to Richie - Shane Richie)

Member Name: karenuk

Product:	Rags to Richie - Shane Richie
Date:	25/01/04 (181 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: interesting, honest, enjoyable

Disadvantages: sparse on EastEnders

HATE TO ACCEPTANCE

A few years ago, I would have said I hated Shane Richie. There was no concrete reason behind it, I’d never met the man, it was just a feeling. I knew he’d cheated on Coleen Nolan when they were married and I thought of him as arrogant, annoying, one of those grinning faces you want to slap.

When I heard he was going to be in EastEnders, I was close to stopping watching it – a programme I’d followed since the first episode in 1985! I was convinced he would ruin it and I couldn’t face the thought of seeing him four times a week.

But I decided to give him a chance and I’m glad I did. The first time he appeared as Alfie Moon, he was mildly irritating, but watchable. A few weeks later, we were saying things like “He’s really rather good, isn’t he?" Now he’s one of my favourite characters and EastEnders would be a lesser soap without him. Even my daughters think he’s “fit”!

So when his autobiography came out – Rags To Richie – I thought I’d give it a try. I borrowed it from the library and finished it yesterday. So what did I think? Is Mr. Richie really that old slappable love rat I thought he was or is he as adorable as Alfie? Read on to find out.

ACCEPTANCE TO LIKE

I began reading Rags To Richie expecting my image of Shane to revert to the old one. I knew he would cover his infidelity, his mistakes, his rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and I was waiting to be unimpressed, almost condemning.

I found the first few chapters an easy enough read, but not very inspiring. I thought I would be struggling to finish it – but suddenly, something grabbed me (not literally!) and I was hooked. I would go to bed at 9pm and read for an hour or two. It was compelling.

I have read many biographies and autobiographies – being one of my favourite genres – and this was amongst
my best reads by the time I’d finished it. So how had Shane changed my mind yet again?

LIKE TO LOVE

I admire honesty and openness and this autobiography displays this perfectly. He is not afraid to paint his life with the brush of reality. You don’t read tales of an idyllic childhood, you read how it was – loving, yes, but tainted by the actions of a drunken father and a younger brother he feels he disowned somewhat, as his own search for stardom saw him leave home at fifteen.

We then follow him through his years as a Pontin’s Bluecoat, where we have a voyeur’s dream seat as we watch his career, experience and sexual activity all take an upward turn. He openly admits to using women, but in a way that is endearing. He isn’t too proud to admit his mistakes or to self-criticise.

We follow his broken engagement, his relationship with Coleen Nolan and their eventual marriage and two sons, then his long affair with dancer Claire and his divorce. This section of the book was the one I found the most interesting. As I watched Coleen when she presented This Morning and Loose Women, I heard her make constant digs at Shane, but this time, I was able to hear his side of the story.

Not that he doesn’t take the blame – he most certainly does – but I felt he came out of it all with dignity, after reading Rags To Richie. He compliments Coleen all the time, allows her to be seen only with respect and hardly has a bad word to say about her. Compared to her very public and often nasty comments about Shane, he comes across as being the nicer of the two by some distance.

Shane Richie describes the highs and lows of his life with equal space and emotion. From being a millionaire with a partying lifestyle to losing it all and sinking into depression, we read the words with a clear picture in our minds. He seems to be unwilling to be put in a mould, he is what he is and it is all
displayed here for us to make up our own minds.

The only times I felt he was holding back were over the issues of bereavement. Although the death of his beloved Aunt is described very movingly, the sudden passing of one of his friends and especially a tragic suicide of an ex are virtually glossed over.

He has a definite gift for bringing people to life in the book. His friends are obviously very important to him and you really can ‘see’ them through his words. (Well, they may be the words of Sue Crawford who ‘assisted’ him, but let’s give the bloke the benefit of the doubt!) His humour also shows through, with many tales and anecdotes that will make you laugh out loud.

I found the final section of the book slightly disappointing, but suspect the book was rushed out somewhat, to coincide with his popularity as Alfie. There is very little written about EastEnders, so if you are only interested in this part, you might find it a bit of a letdown. I also felt his descriptions of his relationship with current partner Christie were a bit too syrupy sweet at times.

But overall, I loved the book. It is generally a good read and a book that you will finish, feeling happy and informed. Shane comes across as likeable, honest, warm and pretty much the ‘cheeky chappie’ he appears to be from his public persona. You can hear his ‘voice’ in the words (something I feel is always an indication of a well-written autobiography) and he is honest, open and able to let his life be laid bare.

He is also rarely nasty about people. He certainly doesn’t come across as bitchy or bitter and when he does feel the need to criticise someone, he explains the situation in a way that makes you completely understand his viewpoint.

I would recommend this book without reservations. It certainly shows ‘the man behind the mask’ and like him or loathe him, you will certainly feel
you have learnt more about him by the end of the book.

Personally, I have warmed to him even more since reading Rags To Richie. Anyone who can have a life like his and manage to come back time after time and face the knocks head on – well, he deserves our admiration. And after all, as Alfie Moon, King of the Queen Vic, you can hardly help but fall in love with him!



RAGS TO RICHIE by Shane Richie
Contender Books
Hardback, RRP £17.99
ISBN 1-84357-099-8

Summary: