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Just Ignore Him

A BBC Two Between the Covers book club pick

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Just Ignore Him

By: Alan Davies
Narrated by: Alan Davies
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About this listen

'A simply astonishing achievement. The quality, depth, emotional power and terrifying honesty of Alan Davies's story-telling take the breath away' Stephen Fry

'This hugely affecting book is brave, insightful and, at times, funny about things it is hard to be funny about' Jo Brand

The story of a life built on sand. In the rain.

In this compelling memoir, comedian and actor Alan Davies recalls his boyhood with vivid insight and devastating humour. Shifting between his 1970s upbringing and his life today, Davies moves poignantly from innocence to experience to the clarity of hindsight, always with a keen sense of the absurd.

From sibling dynamics, to his voiceless, misunderstood progression through school, sexuality and humiliating 'accidents', Davies inhabits his younger mind with spectacular accuracy, sharply evoking an era when Green Shield Stamps, Bob-a-Job week and Whizzer & Chips loomed large, a bus fare was 2p - and children had little power in the face of adult motivation. Here, there are often exquisitely tender recollections of the mother he lost at six years old, of a bereaved family struggling to find its way, and the kicks and confusion of adolescence.

Through even the joyous and innocent memories, the pain of Davies's lifelong grief and profound betrayal is unfiltered, searing and beautifully articulated. Just Ignore Him is not only an autobiography, it is a testament to a survivor's resilience and courage.©2020 Alan Davies (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK
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Critic reviews

A simply astonishing achievement. The quality, depth, emotional power and terrifying honesty of Alan Davies's story-telling take the breath away. And what a story he has to tell. What a writer he is. Alternately funny, sad, frightening, sweet, savage and tender, Just Ignore Him will never leave you. I always knew that the dumb bewildered puppy persona that Alan so brilliantly projects was a mask for an acute, sensitive, powerfully intelligent and insightful mind, but nothing prepared me for such a tour de force of writing, for what is destined to become an instant classic. Not a klaxon but a peal of church bells and a twenty-one gun salute. Just Adore Him
Tender, funny and unusually inspiring (David Sedaris)
One oft repeated speculation about comedians is that their "otherness", as children, led them to take on the mantle of class clown in order to deflect bullying. In truth, the reality is so much more difficult to unravel. In this book Alan Davies explores the complexity of events in his childhood whilst maintaining his trademark sardonic humour, warmth and intelligence. It's very, very sad at times, but a fascinating look at how childhood tragedy and trauma were treated in that era and how, leavened with humour, one individual/stand-up comic tries to make his way from the dark to the light (Jo Brand)
A heart breaking but also uplifting memoir written with wit, wisdom and great humanity (Ben Elton)
The book is written extremely well . . . There have always been many reasons to admire Alan Davies. Now we can add extraordinary courage (Jake Kerridge)
Davies explores the complexity of his youth with warmth, intelligence and at times even humour. The narrative shifts seamlessly between the 1970s and the present day . . . important and insightful (Emma-Lee Potter)

What listeners say about Just Ignore Him

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Sensitive

A very frank life history, beautifully told, not always easy to read and I suspect harder to write! Is well done the right words probably not but there we are words are hard. Thanks for sharing x

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Very poignant and insightful

Heartbreaking and heartfelt, moving and poignant, insightful and inspiring. The courtage it took to write this is only surpassed by the courage it took to speak up and take action. A difficult but well worthy listen. In fact, I think everyone should hear this story.

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wonderful.

moving yet funny at times. not only a journey if understanding for the author but also for the listener. thank you Alsn for writing this

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NEVER ignore them ...

Alan's personal story
Beautifully written harrowing but joyously enlightening
touched beyond words at the final chapter
THANK YOU

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Wow

An amazing listen. Has moved me in many ways and encouraged me to write my own story…. Thanks Alan

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A very moving read

Very moving. I feel privileged to have heard your story, Alan. Well written and well read. Thank you for sharing the truth of what happened to you.

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Very moving

Profoundly moving and interesting listen - you never know what is going on in someone’s head or what they have endured. I am sure many people will find this book consoling. Very brave of the author to be so candid while maintaining his trademark humour. Thoroughly recommended.

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Incredibly moving story

This is a pretty harrowing book. I often had to stop, because it was so upsetting; but it’s such a necessary memoir, for survivors of abuse as well as for those who have no such experiences, and I’m grateful to Alan Davies for writing it, and for narrating it so movingly here!

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Sad, but something we all need to know.

I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. It showed the sadness and trauma suffered by someone whose public persona shows a funny, likable and happy individual. I found the book upsetting in many ways and wondered at the misfortune of being in the wrong place with the wrong person through no fault of your own. I hope that, by telling his story in this way, it has helped Alan Davies in some way, to deal with the unhappiness in his life. Hopefully it may also help those unfortunate people who find themselves in similar circumstances.

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Not what I was expecting,but very good.

An excellent, committed book. I expect the popular face of Alan Davis; the floppy haired fool to make me laugh. I got a real surprise to hear him read so calmly the details of his abusive childhood. So very sad and moving.

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