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

[KathyMCMLXXII]

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.

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!

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

Anyone want a barely used copy?

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?

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.

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.

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