Peter Kay (1) (1973–)

Not really a laugh-out-loud kind-of book, more smiling knowingly. Its an interesting memoir/reminiscence of Peter Kay's youth and adolescence, but the book ends just as he gets his first big break, so there isn't much detail about his comedy career.

Having just read and thoroughly enjoyed 'The House at Riverton' I was a bit concerned about following it with 'The Sound of Laughter'. Intially I missed a plot, characters etc but by p24 after the Quality Street incident I found myself regularly laughing out loud and whizzing through this. So far, so so funny. Highlights include The Wizard of Oz performance and the France trip. Finished this this afternoon - I laughed all the way to the end.

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[excerpt]His self penned autobiography deals with his childhood and his rise to fame. The whole book is incredibly lighthearted - no tales of abuse or tears over his poverty - and leaps around in time almost as if he were telling us the story in person. The gags are thick and fast in this book, every tale has either a character with a comedy name (when talking about his convent run schools he names the nuns “Sister Matic” and “Sister Act II”) or a funny story to show more relate. The overwhelming impression given is that he had a normal North West England 1970’s upbringing and came away with no damage - much like many other people.[/excerpt] show less

Decent northern British bloke who had a typical 70's working class life( back to back terraces, poor schools, worse diet) but who mined humour rather then bitterness out of it.

If you are British you will have read the book, seen the performances(mainly drawn the book and his life) or his award winning range of comedy-drama shows. Or seen and brought the charity song so know what I am on about.

If you are not British, then its very likely you never heard of him.Although he was a monster on Dr show more Who. And if you have did you really understand what he said...some if us don't and we speak the language!

In a short, very funny if you were there but er...what...if you weren't. show less