I bought and read this book in about 2008, even though I don't generally go for memoirs or biographies, as such (though I am aware that I've read a couple more; one was a biography on Kevin Costner)... I did find it a page-turner, and it's certainly different from many books out there ;)For those who don't know who the Hell Peter Kay is; he's a Northern English (Bolton, Lancashire) comedian ;)It basically covers how he started off in work, gained material from funny (kind of) things that happenned to him, then went into stand up comedy. Followed by a couple of television shows and commercials... Is it funny? Some parts may make you smile (depending on your sense of humour, he's not funny to everyone, and not all the time), but I didn't find it a 'laugh out loud' read... Example: In one of his places of work, he rounds a corner with a work friend and finds armed masked robbers and staff on the ground. One guy, in a Mickey Mouse or Colonel Ghadafi mask points a sawn-off shotgun at him and tells him "Get Down!" Peter Kay replies "What, you mean dance?" *Laughing*Okay, maybe some parts are actually 'laugh out loud' funny ;)The thing that struck me as a little odd, or maybe just not healthy, I'm not sure; Was how much he relied on his mother (I'm not saying that's a bad thing, or maybe I am *smiling*)... I mean like cooking his meals when he's an adult (daily, not occassionally), though he was obviously very close to his mother (and I certainly don't object to that)... At one point he leaves home to go to college, he packs his clothes and duvet and goes to catch a train. Okay, so far this isn't weird ;) But then, after one day (or something close) he decides it's not for him and he phones his mother... He says that college is okay, then asks what she's having for dinner... Then, as he's actually in a phone booth at the end of the street, he rushes down and knocks on his mother's door (then goes in for his dinner)... Maybe it's just me... I do understand showing your mother that you love her. I understand spending time with her... But I was cooking my own meals when I was 14 years old, doing my own washing and shopping (and my mother's shopping)... Okay, that may not be 'normal' either LMFAO... But I also left home at 18, so maybe it's just me... It's certainly my opinion ;)I enjoyed reading it the first time, but I wouldn't want to read it again.
Peter Kay is one of those comedians that I often laughed at when I saw him on television. However, I wouldn't have called myself a fan. I thought there was something endearing about him and I always related to his anecdotes but that was that.Following a hectic work day recently I went in to a book shop in search of something funny/light etc. The cover image of Kay in his Sound of Music garb was enough for me.I brought it home and went to my spiritual home (IE. The bathroom) where I took up residency for quite some time!) Kay is British but his childhood was quite similar to my Irish Catholic one and he is of the same vintage. I laughed aloud at his description of the 'good room' mentality. For those not in the know the 'good room' was a forbidden zone for many children of a certain generation. (1970's to 1990).Kay came from a Coronation Street type home -- a small two up two down house. Yet his mother still insisted on keeping one room for guests. The 'good room' was strictly off limits unless someone turned up. So basically, you had this ridiculous situation of not being allowed in to one room unless an outsider came in. Crammed in like sardines unless a visitor called. The book is laugh out loud funny. His description of the awful jobs he took before he hit the big time are hilarious. His attempts to learn how to drive, the characters he met in his menial jobs -- the book is a real treat if you need a quick 'pick me up' after a stressful work week.
What do You think about The Sound Of Laughter (2007)?
i'm not sure whether peter kay was aiming for funny or not with this book, but i have to say, i found myself wanting to cry more than i did laugh. there was the odd funny part, but mostly i found a lot of it really ~open and quite, sad... i think that added to the book though. i've read some comedians books where they turn every thing into a "comedy" moment and it's just a bit cheesy, whereas i actually feel like i kind of know more about peter kay, now i've read this.i'd recommend it. i'm not saying it's not at all funny, because it is, but i only really found one or two laugh out loud moments.
—Carry
The style of this biography is really grating at first; even if you get used to it as a transcript of a conversation, the constant pre-empting and explaining of jokes is quite irritating. It does settle down as the book goes on though, and once you get into the flow of it the autobiography is full of great anecdotes that give a real insight into Kay's youth in the North-West. Kay's strength is his genuine nature, and it's hard not to like his accounts of pre-fame Bolton. Not a groundbreaking biography, but a lovely one and an easy read.
—Ben
I like a lot Peter Kay's early work - Phoenix Nights in particular. This book cover his life upto his first big break winning a stand up competition and the's where it ends. So if you're looking for an insight into any of his tv work it isn't in the book. The period of his life it covers has some funny moments - albeit I am not sure quite how true parts are, some of it reads more like part of his stand up routine rather than real life. My biggest gripe is it felt like it stopped early in his life to allow another volume or two to be released later, as a cynic it felt like he was holding back so he had another few books of autobiography to sell later.
—Andy Harris
