Tough Crowd - Graham Linehan

https://guardianbookshop.com/tough-crowd-9781785633065

I see the Guardian are happy to profit from his 'entrenched and maniacal' views, too.

Unpleasant as bad reviews are for an author, they may actually help sales. A clutch of 'everyone loves it' array of 5 star gushing reviews (which he already has, from well known public figures) is fine, but the pitch perfect combination is a few vicious, mean-spirited reviews like this one added into the mix to prick up people's ears.

Everyone loves a good old stooshie.

Mine arrived during the week. I need to get stuck in now. I can’t wait.

The more he is abused for his opinions, the more entrenched and maniacal those opinions seem to become. Here, as on his Twitter page, he makes a show of misgendering trans men and women, and says he is stunned at his “inability to make people care about the daylight theft of women’s rights, or the greatest safeguarding scandal since Rotherham, or the greatest medical scandal since thalidomide”.

None of those three things sound 'maniacal' to me. They sound fuckling serious, which they are. Bit surprised at the Graun doubling down like this, after having shown a bit of a more nuanced position before. Still, fuck 'em.

BTW I had a look in my local Waterstones the other day. Confusingly, Biography seems to be split in two separate areas in the shop. Anyway, I couldn't see it, so asked, and yes, it was there, I just hadn't spotted it.

I'm amazed and pleased to hear that it's being stocked in Waterstones. My local Waterstones is notorious for not stocking books that its young blue-haired staff don't approve of.

Perhaps dimly aware that they can no longer ignore a bestselling book by one of the world's most successful tv comedy scriptwriters, the Guardian has finally run a review of the book - which, naturally, is typically small-minded, humourless and spiteful. How vile these people are.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/01/tough-crowd-by-graham-linehan-review-all-joking-aside

The audio-book is currently number 63 on the overall bestsellers list on audible. And remains at the top spot in Politics and Activism. I'm sure we can look forward to the next article from Popbitch article, with news that he's only sold 2 audible copies.😉

I pre-ordered and received my signed copy earlier this month but I decided to buy the audiobook via Apple Books and haven’t been disappointed - Graham reads the book really well and it feels like he’s recounting his life as part of a chat with listener. I’m listening to it as I soak in my morning bath and finding it really enjoyable.

I particularly enjoyed his descriptions of life as a teenager in 80s/90s Ireland, it’s so evocative that it really brings back the memories for me.

I've just finished this book, and I was deeply, deeply moved by it. It's a beautifully impassioned, funny, insightful biography. And a brilliant writing guide. It is a generous gift to baby writers everywhere (the ones with any sense).

Your daughter will be very proud of you one day @Glinner when she realises how her rights, dignity, and needs were undermined by a small group of deeply unhappy people - and how her dad stood up and was counted, at great cost.

I look forward to the day your biog makes it to the big screen, Trumbo style, because I believe it will. You and Kellie Jay are an inspiration to many. (And many more who don't quite know it yet.)

Simon Edge (Glinner's publisher) has also said, the total numbers on the Times bestseller list don't include direct sales from the publisher's website.

Along with the standing ovation he got, it's not been a bad week for Glinner. Well deserved! 😀

Excellent news,

Number 10 on the Sunday Times Bestseller List!

Congratulations, Graham.

<a class="break-all" href="https://archive.ph/2023.10.28-235046/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sunday-times-bestsellers-list-book-sales-chart-2023-wtf0fg8v7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://archive.ph/2023.10.28-235046/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sunday-times-bestsellers-list-book-sales-chart-2023-wtf0fg8v7

Just picked up my copy today

Then there's this one from someone who's so busy still trying to 'beeee kiiind' and an ally, that they nearly forget to review the book

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-opinion/opinion-thoughts-cancelled-irish-comics-27952824

Lovely review in the Irish Independent

https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/book-reviews/graham-linehan-makes-shift-from-sitcom-writer-to-author-seamlessly-with-his-memoir-tough-crowd/a1958503082.html

It has been archived.

Mine now says dispatched from Amazon

Just to reassure people, my copy ordered from Amazon, arrived a day early!

My signed copy from the publisher arrived today 👏! I've cancelled my Amazon order for a second copy and have ordered from Blackwells instead

I’m halfway through my kindle version. It’s fantastic. Apparently Popbitch says it’s only sold 390! Grahams just tweeted that first run of 10,000 has sold out and it is reprinting. I know who I believe. There are many reasons to like GL and one of them is his honesty even when self deprecating which he often is. I don’t trust Amazon’s distribution seems a bit odd, and as for Waterstones keeping it hidden! That stupid review in the independent is forever at the top of searches. His Wikipedia is forever being changed from him being a supporter of women’s rights to being transphobic. It’s a battle and whenever the TRA’’s are challenged they show the victim card, so few etc. what rubbish they have positioned themselves in very powerful positions and are controlling information in a very authoritarian way. Thank goodness for mumsnet and gransnet. Common sense and bravery, no hate no phobia just keeping women and girls safe from this dangerous ideology.

Excellent!

My kindle version arrived as it should from the pre order but I guess they can't really withhold that.

If you buy direct from the publisher, the publisher, who has had the courage to publish it gets all the money. If you buy from waterstones or even better, a smaller bookseller actual humans are more likely to notice the demand & see the profit in gc books. I never, ever, buy books from amazon! I got mine a couple of weeks ago crom the publisher.

I've only got so far as his comedy career.

How I laughed when he unexpectedly mentions Richard Ayoade's rap in cult classic Darkplace. I remembered it exactly.

He's left out that he actually cameod in a later episode, and also in I'm Alan Partridge.

He really could fill this book twice over with his career in comedy and he's so far been quite self effacing.

I see a reference to the Chris Morris fansite that every day targets him like a bloodsport. I agree with him that they turned out to be lunatics didn't they. That's why I no longer go on there. I would love Chris Morris to endorse this book like Ayoade has.