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Small Man in a Book

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Small Man in a Book

By: Rob Brydon
Narrated by: Rob Brydon
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Rob Brydon - star of Gavin and Stacey, Steve Coogan's partner in The Trip, and one of Britain's favourite comedians - tells the funny and frank story of his slow ascent to fame and fortune in Small Man in a Book.

A multi-award-winning actor, writer, comedian and presenter known for his warmth, humour and inspired impressions, Rob Brydon has quickly become one of our very favourite entertainers. But there was a time when it looked like all we'd hear of Rob was his gifted voice.

Growing up in South Wales, Rob had a passion for radio and soon the Welsh airwaves resounded to his hearty burr. However, these were followed by years of misadventure and struggle, before, in the TV series Marion and Geoff and Gavin and Stacey, Rob at last tickled the nation's funny bone. The rest, as they say, is history. Or in his case autobiography.

Small Man in a Book is a funny, heartfelt, honest, sometimes sad, but mainly funny, memoir of how a young man from Wales very, very slowly became an overnight success.

 Performing Arts Comedy Funny Celebrity Heartfelt Witty Memoir
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In a nutshell it was disappointing. 85% of this book is about before he reached fame which is all well and good and I’m happy to hear about it but the 15% that isn’t and contains the interesting stuff that I wanted to know more about felt rushed. No mention of Gavin and Stacey, Would I Lie To You or Amy panel show,

Had Potential But Disappointing

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Rob Brydon spent several years at BBC Wales, hosting game shows among many other jobs, and later made a comfortable living as a voice artist. But he yearned to be a performer. Comedy was his preference, though he also wanted to be taken seriously as an actor. It was a long journey - and this memoir tells the story of how he achieved his boyhood and adolescent dream. The breakthrough was Marion and Geoff, a small-scale TV series which showcased Brydon’s gifts as a comic actor to brilliant effect. Then there was Human Remains, a two-hander series with Julia Davis, in which they play different characters in each episode - the comedy is dark, and indeed quite warped, but it is excellent. Working with Steve Coogan in a production role was a dream come true for Brydon, who revered him, and later they would both work on The Trip, a kind of comedy travelogue. The book ends with Brydon accepting the role that cemented his fame in the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey, as Uncle Bryn - though he did prevaricate initially over taking it as he didn’t want another ‘nerdy’ role. It’s a reminder of just how talented Brydon is, and fans (I’m among them) will love it. For me, as a listening experience it did feel a bit unsatisfying. It ends too soon, so perhaps an update is needed on the post-fame years. The description of his childhood years is interesting enough, but overlong. There’s a lot of detail, understandably, about Brydon’s early, formative projects in TV comedy, which is a little excessive. That said, the narration is - as you’d expect - spot-on. Three-and-a-half stars would be a fairer assessment of Brydon’s book, though if you’re a fan you won’t need much persuading to give it a try (or you’ll have read it already). Those who haven’t listened to Brydon’s interview podcast Brydon and …, in which he chats to actors and fellow comics, should definitely tune in - there are some fascinating conversations. And you’ll recognise some of the material from this memoir…

Portrait of the comedian as a young man

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I love the down to earth nature of both Rob's story and the way he tells it. Will be listening again very soon. Hope for a follow up with more detail on Gavin & Stacey and WILTY

Great book

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Really loved this book as you get a sense of the real person behind the celebrity life you imagine and how there is no such thing as overnight success. There is a real feeling of keep on trying if you are not content with what others might consider a comfortable, successful life. And eventually it pays off...great example of persistence and not giving up!

Brilliant!

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This was so funny I found myself laughing out loud which isn't ideal on the train, bus or cafe

Soooooo funny

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