Craig Ferguson

Had Craig Ferguson not had a book signing on a lazy Saturday morning in January, I probably never would have read his latest book and that would have been a shame. Craig came across as warm and generous at the reading and his fantastic memoir does the same. He grew up in a middle class family outside of Glasgow, struggled in school, both with his classmates and his teachers, and dropped out at 16. While trying to find his way, he developed drug and alcohol addictions, then went through show more rehab, and finally made his way to America for good where he found success as both a writer and a performer. He blames no one but himself for his troubles and gives high praise to the people who helped him along the way. Both funny and sad, his memoir is brutally honest and charmingly reflective.

I had almost finished reading it when I noticed the audio version, read by him, on the library shelf. I couldn’t resist, so I started anew with Disc 1; it’s that good, plus I got to hear his wonderful Scottish brogue. Either way, it’s a winner. show less

While it's no secret that I adore Craig Ferguson because of his late night talk show, I had yet to read or listen to any of his novels for some strange reason. Maybe I was worried that I'd be bored, disappointed, or Craigy-pants would lose his allure in some way.
Now I must admit that I couldn't be more wrong to have waited so long. Ferguson is so open, completely honest, and so *REAL*, it's astounding. His fascinating novel is so much more than an autobiography, it's more like his soul was show more bared. Not once did Ferguson bore me; in fact, I couldn't wait to hear more of his fascinating life and adventures. And despite having quit school at the age of 16, Ferguson is not only well read, but loquacious, in parts funny and sad, and terribly, terribly wonderful.
I must insist that if you get this novel from your library, that you give the audiobook a try instead. Ferguson reads the novel himself to you, like the worlds weirdest - and funniest - bedtime story. Ferguson is a natural born story teller, and it shows. The audiobook alone is worth the price, just to hear him call himself a dipsomaniac, or say the word "farty ". (Though I must say, the part about the killer mallards, and the huge cat named Ken that he had to babysit while the owners were away were so funny, I had to reverse the audiobook and listen to them again!!)
So now I'm done with this novel and I want more..... Ferguson is so intelligent, and with that sharp wit, and the brilliant comedic timing, it just makes me miss him ever so much more now that he doesn't do his late night talk show. I hope he writes another novel, soon.

Please give this novel, or its audiobook a try. I give it 5 huge stars, and recommend it to everyone, everywhere. It's just that good. show less

I love Craig Ferguson. I remember watching him on The Drew Carey Show, when he played the douchey Mr. Nigel Wick. He made me laugh, but it was just a bit part, on a sitcom. I didn't even know his name, he was just Mr. Wick. When he started on The Late, Late Show, I used to watch him because he was funny and silly, and I was up late, and CoCo was grating on my last nerve. I didn't fall madly in love with him though, until February 20, 2007. That was the night he talked about Britney Spears, show more and why he wouldn't make fun of her during her spiral. It was so graceful and compassionate and... unexpected.

Up until that moment, to me, he had been just another late-night comedian. But that night, watching him being human, I got the biggest celebrity crush I've ever had, before or since.

I *heart* Craigy Ferguson.

It's not much of a leap to guess that I adored this memoir. Nothing I could say about it would be unbiased. His voice comes through the pages, with a story so “everyman,” with his ups and downs, failures and luck, that you feel like you're reading (and worrying!) about your friends. You can't help but root for him, even (or especially) when you know how the story turned out.

He discusses his alcoholism with honesty, sometimes funny, other times with the desperation he was feeling at the time. No glossing over the realities. Good for him.

Of course, this is Craig Ferguson, and his weird little world; you've never read so many fart jokes in one place, unless you're reading Walter the Farting Dog. This is the measure of how smitten I am with Craig. I read his fart jokes. It must be the accent. show less

The Book Report: Scottish prole grows up in emotionally chilly, physically cold as hell Glasgow, turns to drugs and alcohol to fill gaping emotional void, screws over a variety of people as all alkies do, and one day wakes up to learn he doesn't like himself, his life, or his future. Rehab, restitution, success, and true love follow.

My Review: I herewith confess: If Craig Ferguson was even a teensy hint queer, I'd be on a plane to Cali and camped on his doorstep with flowers, candy, and a show more leg iron. He amuses and impresses me even more after reading his pretty darned candid memoir.

I'm a complete pushover for a man in a kilt anyway, but when he can act and tell jokes the way this man can...! Ferguson, the host of "The Late Late Show," made me laugh so hard I cried when he said of his son's mother: "No, really, she's a lovely woman. For legal purposes." I heard nothing of his show for the next five minutes because I was shouting with laughter, and Mr. Man was a little put out that I kept referring to that line (okay, I shamelessly stole it, and I still use it, and unless I get a cease-and-desist letter I'm gonna keep right on) to the point of having a jealous fit. (Thanks, Craig!)

I am also a sucker for men who come to the USA with dreams of success and end up in love with our amazing, incredible, flawed, imperfect, conservatism-ridden paradise. Ferguson fell in love with the USA in its warty glory, and he rightly credits this astonishingly open society with a goodly measure of his own success. His talent plays an acknowledged role, but he makes sure to tell his readers that his life wouldn't be possible anywhere else. It's very heartening to me, and it's an instructive reminder that, problems and blemishes be damned, the rest of the world rightly and justly thinks we're on to something here.

Lastly, but far from least, I'm a complete sucker for a good story told by a good storyteller, and this book most certainly is that. Ferguson can't resist telling tales, no doubt polishing them up a wee bit, but not always in his own favor. He can't resist making light of things that sink many an alkie person's life, and sank his own, and thus takes the ponderousness out of the idea of recovery. I've read a fair bit of recovery literature but I'm always fatally put off by the earnest, well-meaning "Amazing Grace"-ness of it all. A person's personal spiritual awakening is, and should remain, just that: Personal. In other words, BELT UP ABOUT JESUS. Ferguson not only does, he makes it clear that he has a BIG problem with religion. *swoon* My lands, just when I thought he couldn't get more magnetically, hypnotically gorgeously attractive!

So should others read this? Yes. It's fun, funny, and touching; it's honest and it's gritty; and in the end, it's a pleasure to get to know Craig Ferguson as well as if he were the bloke on the barstool next over. show less