Has anyone read Griff Rhys Jones 'Semi-Detached'?

6 replies

KathyMCMLXXII · 07/03/2007 16:18

Just finished it, really enjoyed it & want to discuss with someone!

Did you come away thinking 'God, what a b*stard' because of the way he treated his girlfriends? I did, and I found it very hard to square with the way he comes across on tv, because he seems so likeable.
And of course, I only think he's mean because of what he himself has chosen to tell us.

Admired it very much, though; some really funny moments (I loved his father thinking he'd got his navigation wrong because he saw an oil rig in the Channel) and some beautifully delicate description.

OP posts:

Blandmum · 11/03/2007 08:53

I enjoyed it and found it very funny. You are right, he was horrid to his gf, but at least he realised he was horrid to the IYSWIM

Original poster

KathyMCMLXXII · 09/03/2007 14:49

It is certainly self-conscious, yes.
I agree that Bill Bryson is much more effortless.
I didn't 'hear' his voice, though, which probably helped.

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wheresthehamster · 09/03/2007 14:46

I felt he was trying too hard to be funny in his descriptions of things and it came across as a bit laboured.
Bill Bryson could write the same sort of thing in a sentence whereas Griff was taking a whole paragraph.
Plus I could hear his smirking voice all the time.

Original poster

KathyMCMLXXII · 09/03/2007 14:19

LOL, Wheresthehamster.
He probably gets less likeable as the book progresses so you did the right thing.
What was it that you couldn't stand?

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wheresthehamster · 09/03/2007 14:17

I only read the first few pages then realised I couldn't stand him.

Anyone want a barely used copy?

raspberryberet · 09/03/2007 14:02

Am partway through it at the moment and really enjoying it. His writing is wonderful and I'm having a job putting it down.

Would love to discuss it when I've finished with it ... see you back here in a day or two!

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