Jo Brand is a British comedienne, writer and actress who has won the BAFTA and was named one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. Her stand up can be acerbic and is not for the kids, but with her droll delivery and candid nature, she is hysterical. I saw her book Look Back In Hunger at the library and had a quick read. Sorry, Jo, didn't buy it.
It looks like something I'd spot on the 2 for 3 table at Waterstones.
I miss those summers in England, catching up with all the celebrities we have never heard of in Canada. The cover quotes say "she's rightful heir to the comic mantle of Beryl Reid, Joan Sims, and Hattie Jacques".
Must be good.
It's "her bestselling autobiography", so I was expecting a full on history of her life, but Look Back only moves from her early childhood to her beginnings of stand-up comedy success. I see she has a second part coming called Can't Stand Up For Sitting Down, which deals with her life of stardom up until now.
Look Back is very engaging and warm, as she details life growing up. I did wonder when she was getting to the comedy, the Jo Brand I already know of. Page 109 and she is still in the sixth form, page 172 and she gives the school the dump.
She moves out on her own and gets various jobs in pubs, has a string of various boyfriends, before starting into a nursing program. For many years she was a psychiatric nurse and worked her way up to senior charge nurse of the hospital, after four years in a place with most last 6 months. Around this time she began her stand-up sets in various clubs in London. Psychiatric nurse to stand-up comedy, why not? She was so used to being yelled at and cursed out by the patients of the ward, hecklers were not much bother.
Her escapades were very funny and relatable, and the details about the workings as a psychiatric nurse were fascinating. She really lays it out there, unashamed of her humble roots. Her humour is self-depricating and coarse, in a loveable way. Lots of quips about her slacker ways and extra weight.
"The lady likes Milk Tray"
What can I say, I enjoyed reading it. If you like dry British comedy, her stories will entertain and give you a laugh!
2010 / Tradeback / 340 pages
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