Tickling the English
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4.1 • 175 Ratings
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- £5.99
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- £5.99
Publisher Description
Nostalgia, identity, eccentricity, gin drinking and occasional violence... these are just some of the themes that stand-up comedian Dara O Briain explores in Tickling the English.
O Briain moved to England many years ago, but when he takes his show on tour around the country - from deserted seaside towns and remote off-shore islands, to sprawling industrial cities and sleepy suburbs - it's clear to him that his adopted home is still a bit of an enigma.
Why do the English pretend to be unhappy all the time?
Why can't they accept they rank about 5th, in everything?
And what's with all the fudge?
But this Irishman loves a challenge; he's certainly got the gregarious personality and the sure-fire wit to bring down the barriers of that famous English reserve, and have a good old rummage inside. Swapping anecdotes with his audiences and spending time wandering in their hometowns, this nosy neighbour holds England up to the light while exploring some of the attitudes he brought over here with him too.
As Dara goes door-to-door in search of England in this part tour diary, part travelogue, the result is an affectionate, hilarious and often eye-opening journey through the Sceptred Isle.
Customer Reviews
Thought provoking..
Not quite what I was expecting, but then again that was my fault. I didn't read the synopsis of the book before I bought it. I enjoyed all the anecdotes about audience members on tour, and the descriptions of different venues were interesting.
But there is a more serious side to the book, about national characteristics and prejudices. I didn't agree with everything Dara has to say, but he makes some interesting (and sometimes quite serious) points with his usual good humour.
I certainly wasn't disappointed, a good read.
Well Done Dara!!!
This book is well constructed and easy to follow. Intellectual due to the regular infiltration of facts and figures from history and present day.
The comedy value is good - not outstanding. I'd say that it under delivers with the punchy humour expected from a comedian with regards to quantity but definitely not quality. The funny stuff is definitely laugh out loud material but just not enough of it.
From the point of finding out how a particular occupation works it was a delightful insight behind the scenes in the working life of one of Britain's top comedians; how a show is put together; writing material and testing it; the logistics of getting to and from shows and the interactions with audiences and members of the production teams.
Overall I'd call it a pleasant read.
An interesting look at the comedy circuit from Irish eyes
This book was one of the first I picked up from the iBookstore. At first you purchase this book because you loved the humour of Dara O Briain, but you finish the book with a good insight of his routine and the interesting characters he meets on tour. The only bad thing about the book is that it tends to go on too long. Stories in the book you would like Dara to talk more about are left unexplained, and elements of the book that Dara takes more time than you care about. I do recommend picking up this book as overall it is a really good read.