Roy Clarke

I've long had something of a fixation with "Last of the Summer Wine". Partially it's a love of the landscape where it's filmed, partlally it's because I've always had a fondness for comedy perfomers of yesteryear (something that the show has always delivered on) and partially because Roy Clarke is surprisingly sometimes a beautiful writer of dialogue. Simon Armitage in "All Points North" rather demolishes the sub Alan Bennettisms of a lot of Clegg's dialogue, but funny as that is it does show more rather underestimate some of Clarke's skill with words. The prose in this otherwise predominantly photo book demonstrates this wonderfully. Ostensibly it's extracts from letters from Clegg to his Polish pen pal Tad and there's a lovely, melancholic beauty to some of it. I was actually rather moved by it at times. Clegg has always been the quiet heart of the series and this book allows Clarke to move away from the usual bossy Seymour/ foolish Compo plots of the time and to the lyricism of some of the earlier episodes. Read the sequence where Clegg tells Tad about his relationship with his long dead wife and then try and dismiss the series as merely three old men falling down a hill. I *dare* you... show less

This is a very funny book "written" by Hyacinth Bucket, informing her "readers" of various etiquette tips that will help them improve their social lot.

If you enjoy "Keeping Up Appearances", you'll enjoy this book, as it's basically a rehash of the series in print form. It's a very entertaining little book which can be read in about two sittings. Pictures illustrate a wonderful cast of characters. This is a read that's sure to keep you grinning from ear to ear as you turn its pages.

Not a great deal to say.

This has always been one of favourite programmes and I had really hoped to enjoy the book (I didn't realise there were any). Unfortunately it just didn't transfer well. The humour was lost and although all the usual characters were present without the on screen persona they seemed flat.

This no doubt about Clarkes genius as a scriptwriter, but I can see why he published few novels.

It may be worth a purchase if you are a mega fan, and maybe you will enjoy it more than me.

Great British Mystery; Very funny and delightful.