Book description
This collection of Russell Brand's columns for The Guardian not only
follows the drama and tumult of the domestic and international football
season but also a season in the life of one of our most celebrated comic talents.
Brand chronicles events both on and off the pitch as he travels between
Upton Park and Hollywood. In his literary riffings, football legends and
newfound heroes brush shoulders with a pantheon of cultural icons.
Matches are won and lost, Brand's faith in his beloved West Ham tested,
while the palette of company he keeps stretches from Morrissey to
Gallagher to Gascoigne and back again.
Managerial manoeuvres at Wigan are discussed in reference to Joe Orton
and the mysteries of the souks. The departure of Mourinho sparks
reminisces of the shapely arse of a previous girlfriend. Love blossoms
in the unlikely form of Paolo DiCanio. Arsenal's fluidity and purpose
brings to mind yogic coitus of Sting and Trudie Styler. And the fate of
his beloved West Ham is seen in parallel with the workings of his
legendary libido.
'On what little things does happiness depend' he quotes Oscar Wilde -
in football as in life. His writing is articulate and original.'
'It's cheeky stuff, but beautifully rounded.'
Daily Echo Bournemouth
'Brand's columns on football are an acquired taste - and if you have
acquired it, they are wonderful. They are gloriously freewheeling,
eccentic, unrestrained; and above all, they are original. You will not
hear another voice like Brand's in the sports pages.'
Scotland on Sunday
'Erudite and perceptive on fandom, the media and the beautiful game,
it's undeniably original and entertaining sports writing'.
The Big Issue
Four-star review in Q: 'If you're a fan of both football and the
Dickensian dandy, this is a great and consistently funny read.'
'I would definitely recommend this as a gift for a man this Christmas'.
Glamour
'Even if you can read most of the pieces online, there's still
something comforting about having them in a form you can read on the toilet.'
Irish Sunday Independent Russell Brand is a comedian, journalist, TV
and radio presenter and actor. He has won numerous awards including Time
Out's Comedian of the Year, Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards,
Best TV Performer at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, Most Stylish
Man at GQ's Men of the Year Awards. His autobiography, My Booky Wook,
was a No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller. It also won the Tesco Biography of
the Year award at the Galaxy British Book Awards.
