This Book: Reviewed
In an exciting role-reversal of my day job a very nice publisher sent me a sample copy of a new book and some publicity shots. Can you guess what it is yet?
Clue:
(Not actual size. Obviously. But a very nice cover nonetheless)
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you have heard of David Mitchell and Robert Webb and have also probably laughed at something they have said or an action they have done with their bodies. Well now you can add laughing (or at least smirking) at something they have written on paper to the list because they have made a book and it is available to buy in shops (please support your local book shop instead of supermaket because I have a thing about that) right now. You would imagine it would be called That Mitchell & Webb Book and you’d almost be correct because they have cunningly swopped a That for a This to keep us on our toes but have had the courtesy to keep the highly descriptive term Book in the title.
The usual subjects get their attention: pointless newspaper columnists who have just had babies and feel the need to prattle on and on about it, showbiz magazines’ circles of shame (here given a new funny twist), trivial micro-celebrities’ love lives, baldness, bad backs, disgraceful things you can learn from the internet (please do not actually stab The Queen or even A Queen) and the witless crap that is found anywhere the public are encouraged to share what they reckon about current events.
Highlights of the book include the ‘coping with’ mini essays that were previewed in The Guardian a few weeks back on subjects ranging from coffee to the smoking ban (that makes it sound like the book revolves around using stimulants in public which would be nice but is sadly untrue). Unlike some other comedy books this is not just material from their television and radio sketches transcribed and recycled for a new format, oh no. All new!
There are some rather familiar-looking magazine features focusing on Ted and Peter the snooker commentators, a series of post-it note conversations from unlikely famous (and fictional) flatmates, Alan Bennett (not the real Alan Bennett)’s Clarksonesque newspaper column rantings, and a nice diary of David’s stalker which is probably scarily near to the truth of someone’s life. They might even read this blog so “hello” stalker if you’re glaring at these words.
If you’re a fan of the comedies like I would imagine you might be you’ll also enjoy the bit where they spoof another (some might say tediously whimsical) comedy duo’s book but even if you’re only after photographs of Rob in his Flashdance leotard you’ll be pleasantly surprised, if a little bit creepy.
All in all it’s a nice package full of amusing original material (always good) so I would recommend acquiring this book by hook or by crook (but not by nicking) and not just because I like rhyming words. An easy Christmas list present for a lazy relative to buy you (better than getting a racist stand-up comedy DVD like I did a few years back) if you can wait that long or maybe you have some long-forgotten book tokens in a dusty drawer somewhere? Go and check, they have no expiry date. The RRP is £18.99 but due to the Net Book Agreement (don’t get me started) you’ll probably be able to find it for £12.99 in most places that sell this sort of thing. A bloody bargain!
This Mitchell & Webb Book is out now from 4th Estate and if you can read and laugh at the same time you’ll enjoy it.
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September 7th, 2009 at 11:14 AM
I picked it up for full price but it ended up being £4 off, completely unadvertised. I was not complaining – best comedy 'cash-in' since The Adam And Joe Book and hugely influenced by the NOT! and Python boks.
I reckon it'll bomb still sadly. Too many of those pesky "words".