Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey

The depths of Ayoade's cinematic genius is successfully plumbed by the one man capable of truly connecting with him: Ayoade. Delve into these searing interviews and try to come out unchanged, I dare you.

This book was a silly romp that charmed me from beginning to end.

I'm not sure what I think, but I was definitely entertained for the duration. In any case, it's a quick, weird read. I've read another of his books, Ayoade on Top, which I'd say I recommend over this one, unless you are a film buff. I don't think I am even aware of the amount of film references that soared over my head. Still, this is a funny book and an interesting read, and the activity of flipping back and forth kept me motivated to finish it...

... the phrase "damning with faint praise" seems relevant.

Richard Ayoade: Actor, Writer, Director. Father, Husband, Man. Nasal, Norwegian, Nigerian. Some Other Things, Too.

In this book, Richard Ayoade interviews himself, Richard Ayoade, about his life in the limelight, mostly concentrating on his love for film and the films he has made, namely the only two he has made, Submarine and The Double.


This is not a biography. Or an autobiography, though there are some elements of such here. It's more of an assault of autobiographies and interviews and cinema as a whole, and so many other things.



P.S. Don't buy this book on Kindle. You will regret it and want to kill yourself for not heeding my Wise Words. This book is built upon the footnote and appendix system, and you MUST flick back and forth show more between the three in order to fully appreciate Ayoade's might. Do. Not. Buy. On. Kindle. show less

I would have liked to read more memoir kinds of stories than see a repetitive self-deprecating dialogue. It doesn't have the through-line of Ayoade on Top, so it feels a bit scattershot, but there are some good bits here and there. I'd call it mixed fun.

I'd like to advise that you don't read this book* if you have an amount of isotonic sports drink (or any other liquid, for example tea) in your mouth (a small amount or a large amount, it doesn't matter).

I had to make one correction. The first footnote on page 19 of the 2014 paperback edition should send you to page 256 in the appendix, not page 244. You're welcome.

*You should read this book. Especially if you appreciate Ayoade. If you don't appreciate him, read it anyway. Be bewildered.

I thought about giving it two stars but I couldn’t. It just wasn’t good. It’s like someone was spitballing an idea for a joke, “imagine if...” and even though the joke wasn’t that funny, somehow it became a 300-page book.

I think I still like Richard Ayoade, but this was a waste of everyone’s time.

This book is mainly set out as a number of interviews between Ayoade and Ayoade. Yes he interviews himself, humouressley playing on the fact he is the only person who understands Ayoade's intellect. It's a very funny book, with my personal favourite part being the list of deleted scenes from the "new" Star Wars blu ray.