Customer Reviews

I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan (Unabridged)

As a massive Alan Gordon Partridge fan, I too was sceptical about this book, worrying that it would be a bit lame and play it safe and ultimately I would be dissapointed. How wrong was I. This is a book that I pick up and read but don't want to read too much because I don't want to finish it. If you are a fan it will be the best thing you read/buy all year.
You hear Partridge as you read the book and its almost as if he is reading it to you. You laugh out load because, its funny. You feel sorry for Alan, you feel embarrassed for Alan, you feel embarrassed because of Alan and sometimes you even agree with Alan.
Never written a review before but...............this is ruddy.....ruddy excellent. Back of the net!

This is quite honestly the funniest book I have ever read. You'd be forgiven for thinking that an entire book written in character from one of these isles' and comedy history's most successful, developed and believable creations could fall short of expectations on many levels, but it doesn't. Not one facet of the superbly titled "I Partridge: We Need To Talk About Alan" (even the TITLE is 100% character-accurate) didn't live up to my expectations.

Coogan, Iannucci and newcomers the brothers Gibbons have created a very complete history for Partridge that effortlessly (and again, believably) takes in aspects of his storied past from the events of I'm Alan Partridge right back to anecdotes recounted in the lesser-seen (or heard) radio version of Knowing Me, Knowing You (whose referenced Steven McCombe is given a further verbal thrashing by our vengeful Alan). If you've felt that some of Coogan's ventures with the character have seen disjointed (how, precisely, did he get from I'm... to the excellent Mid Morning Matters, for example, and what's become of his supporting cast?) this book should serve to tie things together, though don't misread me- this is not a loosely assembled retread of common ground. There's not a page that doesn't boast a fresh tale, an exaggerated recollection or a declaration of excellence in some mundane field. Iannucci and Coogan's belief in the character (who they attest in the DVD extras for one episode dresses the way he does because it's the way Roger Moore started to in his later Bond appearances, and in another discuss - in detail - what numbers they think Alan would find funny) is what makes this rich, rich fictional history such a compelling and comical read. If you've ever wanted to know more about his relationships with Michael, Carol, Lynn or Sonja or precisely how someone so socially inept landed a gig presenting a primetime chatshow, you'll not be left wanting.

I, Partridge contains absolutely everything I would have wanted from it (Partridgeisms as disparate as using abbreviations only to have to explain them and thereby diminishing their usefulness or boasting about reading books aimed at 12-year-olds at age 9, to name but two of many) but adds a whole new layer of idiosyncrasy (the use of footnotes herein, for example, is particularly inspired) and is bolstered by Alan's unique (if clearly derivative) and acutely observed sense of prose, which is so commonly featured that to single out ay one example seems pointless.

The book's appeal is wide-ranging enough to accommodate those like myself who've devoured every audio commentary and Youtube-sourced guest appearance they can get their hands on in addition to relative newcomers or even those with no frame of reference for the character at all, simply because it's so well written and so fully realised that it functions as a great read no matter how you engage with it. You don't have to have heard Alan's recollections of youth in his televised outings to find his here-recited tales of being prone to nosebleeds or awkward first forays into sexual exploration amusing. It's a great comedy read in addition to being a great celebration of a character worth celebrating.

I'm not exaggerating when I say this book has made me laugh out loud more than any book I've ever read (in one sitting, no less), nor am I exaggerating when I say I'll probably re-read and re-read and analyse this tome to death much as I have Partridge's previous exposures. It is, as much as a book written by a fictional character could ever be, absolutely perfect.

...very funny but as it progresses it becomes a bit sad. A bit Steptoe & Son. Makes me want to read the Don Estelle autobiography which sounds like a real life version.
Steve Coogan is not only a very funny man but his acting and voice talent is wonderful too. If he weren't funny he'd be feted like Daniel Day Lewis.

This was an absolute hoot! It helps if you apreciate Partidge humour of course and as a fan I found this book absolutley hilarious. The key is to imagine his voice narrating it to you. It's an autobiography of sorts in which he talks about the many episodes of his life, some of which featured in his various tv series. However this book adds a lot of humourous depth to embelish those times we are familiar with in series such as I'm Alan Partridge. I was actually surprised at just how much depth there was to this book and how original it all felt despite having seen just about all of his television work, in some ways I found reading the book funnier than watching his shows. If you've ever sniggered at one of his television performances then buy this book, you won't regret it!

You know book is a good comedy book when after reading the first chapters you know you can't read it out otherwise you will look like a crazy person. Great book for fans, totally reads like Alan speaks. If watched all his shows some great takes on his opinion of events. If not a fan unlikely to sway you, but for me a definite 5 stars. Best biography ever.

Love Alan Partridge so I am biased. I would love anything Steve did as Alan, even that terrible tour he did of assorted characters a few years back. Just buy the book so he will see the pound signs and do more Alan stuff, your cooperation is greatly appreciated in this matter.

If you get Alan Partridge, you will certainly enjoy this. This book is funny throughout, the comic writing being of a consistently high standard. While some of the book is a narrative to the Partridge we know, recounting in more detail his escapades as a chat show host and DJ, it is at its best when covering new ground, filling in the gaps. I was often in tears of laughter reading this.

One of those rare items - a book that merits the huge number of 5 star reviews it has received.

Everything you've read about this book is true, even if you are unfamiliar with Alan Partidge you will find this book very funny, if you do know of Alan's work, this book brings an insight into what was going on in the great man's mind and will make you laugh out loud, a lot.

Alan Partridge - one either seems to love him, or hate him. I know people who see him as the most impressive comedy creation of modern times; others who find him completely unamusing and actually very aggrevating.

Obviously, if you fall into the second camp, don't read this book.

If you fall in to the first camp, let nothing stand between you and reading this book.

It is funny, genuinely funny, laugh-out-loud funny (and the last time I laughed out loud at a book was in 1998.) Quotation is hopeless because of the huge number of potentially quotable sections; my personal favourite of these being how Alan relates his feelings at the births of his son and daughter.

There is only one thing that I would say to people unsure over whether to read it or not, which is that it is without doubt funnier to read if you've encountered earlier Partridge projects, either radio or TV (but preferably both.) Otherwise, in-jokes and running gags may not quite have the edge that they did for me. If you're looking for an introduction to Alan Partridge (which seems unlikely, but is possible) then pick something else first.

But the long and the short of it is that "I, Partridge" is the funniest book I have read - possibly in my life, but if not, then definitely since 1998.

READ THIS BOOK. Subject to the above caveats.

This book is hilarious. I have been a fan of Alan Partridge since 'Knowing Me, Knowing You', but I don't believe that any comic vehicle he has been involved with comes close to this book.
The writing in this book is fantastic, and reading it a second time provided me with a number of hilarious moments that I hadn't come across the first time around.

The story traces Alan's life from a child in Norwich, to being a top chat show host, to his return to local radio. Alan reflects on the time he accidentaly shot one of his guests, his wife's affair with a gym instructor and many other very funny stories. When he recalls his teenage and university years the tone reminds me of Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole. Alan's pedantry and his attempts to be cool at these points in his life are hilarious.

For those who are unfamiliar with Mr Partridge, he is a fictional character who is an amalgam of naff, insensitive, grandiose and politically incorrect TV presenters. He has a wonderful ability to always say the wrong thing. Has a wonderful ability never to see any wrong in his insensitive actions. He is certainly up there with the very best of British comedy creations: Basil Fawlty, David Brent and Edmund Blackadder.
I urge you to give this a try you won't be disappointed.