Celebrity novels

[tobee]

Reading the disappointing reads thread it made me wonder if any celebrity novels are any good?

So Richards Osman and Coles, Bob Mortimer 👎 (hear the Family Fortunes "uh-oh" X sound affect. And everyone seems to hate David Willaims books on Mumsnet. But seen people talk about Jenny Eclair books favourably.

So can celebrities write novels?

I tend to avoid like the plague as I think agents/publishers are after the buck that the cachet of the celebrity name gives and standard of writing is a secondary consideration. I may be missing out.

Anyway, celebrity novels that you loved, hated, feel indifferent to.

NB This is really about fiction only not non fiction.

I think there's a big difference between the clearly ghost-written 'celeb novel' where it's purely cashing in, and perhaps the likes of Richard Osman, who I haven't read but I thought everyone loved his books?

I have to say, I definitely have an aversion to 'big names' writing books, so have never read Dawn French, Jenny Eclair, the Richards, and I'm not sure why. Dawn French has effectively been writing her entire career so it's not like she's just discovered this as a new thing. But I do find it off-putting.

The one I did read was State of Terror 'by' Hillary Clinton and (actually written by) Louise Penny. That had a hilarious premise, of a deranged, corrupt and incompetent former president who might be doing a secret deal with a Taliban-style organisation. So in fairness might not pass your 'fiction' test 😬

Overall celebrity fiction is not for me.

I don't tend to go for celebrity written fiction for exactly the reasons you've stated OP. But I got swept up in the hype around Thursday Murder Club, read it and was inevitably disappointed.

Eldest DS5 got given a couple of children's books by Tom Fletcher from McFly. And they're just bloody awful! They swiftly went in to the bag for the charity shop.

I read the first of Richard Osman’s books, I thought it was awful.

Any that posters here have liked?

Looking at what major booksellers push at Christmas time it's pretty blah fair altogether. I always feel there's a bit of desperation from buyers at this time of year and a tv name makes it seem easier.

I had high hopes for Richard Coles book but struggled to finish one chapter. Shame as he's such a lovely guy and interesting to listen to.
The Richard Osman books I dislijed immediately and I usually like a bit of cosy crime.
I did enjoy Graham Norton's first book.
I know you said only fiction but I am loving James Blunt's new book, which to be fair he claims is mostly fiction. Listening to it on Spotify audiobooks and it's hilarious. I've never listened to an audio book before and it's perfect for driving to.

I've heard that Tom Hanks and Ethan Hawker are actually quite good writers.

Like a previous poster, I've enjoyed Graham Norton's novels. I love TV Graham Norton but I thought I'd be hearing his voice while reading his novel which might get a little irritating but you really wouldn't know he was the author. They come under the category of mystery/crime novels and have read A Keeper and Homestretch while I saw and enjoyed the TV dramatisation of Holding. Recommended.

PS Couldn't get very far with Richard Osman's first book and haven't tried any more. Tried Richard Coles' first book, just found it immensely boring.

I haven’t read any Coles or Osman, but I did read the Bob Mortimer book, and oh my god I thought it was awful. How it’s still on the bestseller list is an enduring mystery, but I guess it’s just not my cup of tea. I’ll probably avoid more celeb novels

I feel the same as you, OP.
I read the first Richard Osman one and was indifferent to it. Was bought the next two but they will remain unread.
I bought the first Richard Coles one and it was very boring and twee (about a vicar doing vicary things, as a poster said on another thread). But I do like both Richards on tv and radio.
The only other celeb book I have read is Ruth Jones' first one, which was truly awful, with a bunch of terrible, unlikeable characters.

I was really looking forward to Richard Coles' book buf every sentence seemed to last half a page and I had to refer to the dictionary quite a few times although I'm well educated.
My daughter read Osman's first offering but won't be reading any more!

I enjoyed all Edwina Currie's novels.

Read the 1st Richard Osman book. Thought it was readable but I'm not tempted to read any more of his.
My mum absolutely loves them though. I think they'll be bothering the bestsellers list for some time.

His brother Mat Osman has also got a book out!

I've read Robert Peston's 1st book - weird book, in the 'so bad it's good' way.

I may read the 2nd in the series but I don't want to buy it , would rather get it from the library.

I've also read his 1st and Forever Home.
Forever Home was pretty good I thought.

I like the fact that they're not sentimental and the plot of Forever Home held together well .

Not all celebrities are equal. Someone said above about Edwina Curry, there have been several politicians who have been successful writers, e.g. Disraeli or Churchill. A celebrity whose job involves writing (like a comedian) has a better chance of being a decent writer than e.g. a reality star. That doesn't mean they will definitely be a great writer and obviously celebrities have a massive advantage when it comes to publicising their book which is why they get publishing deals.

With children's books I agree with everything people say about David Walliams but I also know that DD1 adored his books when at the right age and she had no idea about his celebrity so he's obviously doing something right.

I really enjoyed ‘Contacts’ by Mark Watson, and I’m looking forward to reading more of his books.

Has anyone read Martin Kemp’s first novel? Although I’ve always had a soft spot for him since spandau ballet, I can’t quite bring myself to read it

I liked one of Ben Elton's - based on Big Brother, can't remember the title now

Ruth Jones's books get good reviews, although I haven't read any yet.

Don't tend to read them however, I am reading 'The woman in me' - Britney Spears and loving it so far 😊🫶

I really enjoyed Graham Norton's books - I usually listen to them in Audible and he narrates them very well.

Dawn French is good, and Jenny Éclair is amazing. Highly recommended.

Ben Elton has written some brilliant books. I particularly loved Two Brothers and Time and Time again.
Ruth Jones' books were an enjoyable easy read.
My biggest surprise was Fern Britton. I read one of hers recently and was pleasantly surprised how good it was.

They really annoy me. Writing a novel is an incredibly arrogant thing to do. There are so many great books out there you’d need several lifetimes to read them all. The world doesn’t need yet another crappy novel by a B-list celebrity clogging up the bookshelves. Instead of reading Richard Osman or Dawn French, read Virginia Woolf or George Eliot or the Brontes for crying out loud.

A celebrity memoir is different. They can be quite entertaining, especially if you like the person concerned. I really enjoyed Brian Blessed’s autobiography, for example.

@JaneyGee or go to your local library and try out one of the many many new authors that have books out and who are not celebrities but might be able to write!!!