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Russell Brand Memoirs #2
Booky Wook 2: This Time it's Personal
My Booky Wook was one of the most revered and successful celebrity autobiographies of all time (not including the Bible or anything by Jordan). The honesty, mayhem and scandal made it as riveting and fanciful as anything found in fiction. In Booky Wook 2, this award-winning achievement is surpassed as Russell charts his rise from crack-house junky to Hollywood star, indulging in sexual excesses that make Caligula seem like a prudish spinster.
On his quest to find true love, Russell encountered thousands of women, often three or four at a time (for efficiency), and his dizzying ambition led to chaos and controversy that could have landed him in prison and left the BBC in ruins.
This is the story of what happens when insatiable desire meets limitless opportunity and when a chancer from the wrong side of the tracks is given the keys to the palace. This riot of self-indulgence would be rampaging still but for a tossed bottle to the head from one of the world's biggest pop stars. Can true love conquer all? Is it a more powerful force than the raging libido of a professional madman? The answer lies inside.
On his quest to find true love, Russell encountered thousands of women, often three or four at a time (for efficiency), and his dizzying ambition led to chaos and controversy that could have landed him in prison and left the BBC in ruins.
This is the story of what happens when insatiable desire meets limitless opportunity and when a chancer from the wrong side of the tracks is given the keys to the palace. This riot of self-indulgence would be rampaging still but for a tossed bottle to the head from one of the world's biggest pop stars. Can true love conquer all? Is it a more powerful force than the raging libido of a professional madman? The answer lies inside.
311 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Russell Brand
37 books1,627 followersRussell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, radio host, author, and activist. Brand dresses in a flamboyant bohemian fashion describing himself as looking like an "S&M Willy Wonka." Brand's current style consists of black eyeliner, drainpipe jeans, Beatle boots, and long, shaggy, backcombed hair.
In October 2010, Brand married pop singer Katy Perry. The two separated in December 2011.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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January 19, 2020
"Being anonymous was an inconvenience for me..." I see...
And obviously, fanatic readers like myself needed-- yearned for, in fact-- the obvious continuation to the stellar first Booky. This time, there are anecdotes of the gods and goddesses of Mt. Hollywood themselves, precisely what the stand up comedy audience NEEDS. What begins with a kiss from (& short-lived romantic relationship with) Kate Moss unravels to later feature various co-stars (P. Diddy, Jonah Hill, Juliette Lewis, Ricky Gervais, Helen Mirren...) & Brand's own keen observations of them. He gets dissed by his hero in public (on Bob Geldof: "Well, you may've fed the world but you just broke my heart"). He acknowledges the vile victimization & downfall of a fellow professional-- just another casualty of the fame game ("isn't it a shame..."). His band of misfits is insinuated in a rape. He feels bad for child-star stand-ins (sometimes, they are little people). On Australia: "The price of a no-class system is no class(!)" He has an undaunted admiration for his nonfans and their t(h)reat letters. A fanboy gushing (many pages of this) at the great MOZ (in fact, his fanboydom never dims, even after that rarest of miracles has been achieved, fame).
Wook II is absolutely the Quixote legend revamped. In the second tome, fully realizing the scope of his famedom, Mr. Brand acts accordingly: like a well-conditioned diva and full-tilt asshole. Naturally. (For I wholly despise famous individuals who still admit that they "keep it real." Oh, please.) Brand admits, "You can't just waltz out of rehab into stardom, diddling birds wherever you go, and expect the world to tolerate it."
My favorite part is his view on the Beat Generation. "Of course the beats were a great movement and begat counterculture and gave birth to the 60s, but 50 years later to remain humorlessly enamoured of them would be a sure indication that you ain't no kind of comedian." AMEN! (My least favorite part? His inevitable hooking up with the charismatic Katy Perry-- see how long that lasted?)
And obviously, fanatic readers like myself needed-- yearned for, in fact-- the obvious continuation to the stellar first Booky. This time, there are anecdotes of the gods and goddesses of Mt. Hollywood themselves, precisely what the stand up comedy audience NEEDS. What begins with a kiss from (& short-lived romantic relationship with) Kate Moss unravels to later feature various co-stars (P. Diddy, Jonah Hill, Juliette Lewis, Ricky Gervais, Helen Mirren...) & Brand's own keen observations of them. He gets dissed by his hero in public (on Bob Geldof: "Well, you may've fed the world but you just broke my heart"). He acknowledges the vile victimization & downfall of a fellow professional-- just another casualty of the fame game ("isn't it a shame..."). His band of misfits is insinuated in a rape. He feels bad for child-star stand-ins (sometimes, they are little people). On Australia: "The price of a no-class system is no class(!)" He has an undaunted admiration for his nonfans and their t(h)reat letters. A fanboy gushing (many pages of this) at the great MOZ (in fact, his fanboydom never dims, even after that rarest of miracles has been achieved, fame).
Wook II is absolutely the Quixote legend revamped. In the second tome, fully realizing the scope of his famedom, Mr. Brand acts accordingly: like a well-conditioned diva and full-tilt asshole. Naturally. (For I wholly despise famous individuals who still admit that they "keep it real." Oh, please.) Brand admits, "You can't just waltz out of rehab into stardom, diddling birds wherever you go, and expect the world to tolerate it."
My favorite part is his view on the Beat Generation. "Of course the beats were a great movement and begat counterculture and gave birth to the 60s, but 50 years later to remain humorlessly enamoured of them would be a sure indication that you ain't no kind of comedian." AMEN! (My least favorite part? His inevitable hooking up with the charismatic Katy Perry-- see how long that lasted?)
July 24, 2012
This ended up being a super depressing read. I really enjoyed My Booky Wook the first and was looking forward to more, but he wrote this pre-divorce and it was so so sad at the end.
Brand is really smart and I enjoy his writing. He doesn’t have someone else write for him, which I always appreciate in a celebrity memoir. His voice is clear, his asides are hilarious and you can feel his personality on every page. As in his first book, he isn’t trying to clean up his past and make himself look better. He knows he was horrible at times and doesn’t try to brush it off or blame it on other things. Although there are a few times where I feel he has the attitude of “This is who I am and I’m honest about it, so you can’t get mad at me.” and that doesn’t really fly.
He’s writing about clean and sober times now, so there’s a much happier and lighter tone. However, his sex addiction is still turned up to eleven and it’s sad to see. Even though women delight him on all levels, you get the sense early on that he realizes there’s something more than sex and that he’s both bewildered by it and drawn to it.
He continues his story about fame and how weird it is. He is huge in England and began to get excited about the idea of coming to the States to make movies. He steps off the plane and no one knew who he was. Although he tried not to let fame change him, it threw him to suddenly be able to walk around and not be mobbed. Suddenly he had to audition for a part just like all the other unrecognized actors instead of being welcomed in and asked to relax with tea and biscuits.
Some of the most interesting and powerful moments Brand writes about revolve around when he’s alone. He doesn’t seem to know who he’s supposed to be when it’s just him. He’s always entertaining everyone else and almost everything he does is with the intent so have sex and/or make people laugh, so when he’s alone it’s sad. When filming Forgetting Sarah Marshall, he hides in his trailer, petrified to go out and talk to anyone. He’s in Hawaii, miserable and depressed because he doesn’t know how to engage with anyone. He attempts to bed Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell but they both had boyfriends, so he retreats back to his trailer and rather quickly goes mad. I know I keep saying this, but it’s just so sad.
Several times when he travels he brings a girlfriend along to keep him company. Sometimes he even convinces himself that this girl will help him “be good” and not sleep around the set. He often then sends her home when he realizes there are many other women in the area that he can sleep with. He’s addicted to sex and his constant stream of women becomes more and more depressing to see. He has women waiting for him in bed, in the bath, in the kitchen, on the front step, the car, the hotel, the office… I get the feeling some people are impressed and jealous of the constant orgasms, but knowing his marriage didn’t last and seeing him want to make a genuine connection with a woman really bummed me out.
The final few pages are heartbreaking. He’s met Katy Perry, she’s invaded his brain and he writes about how happy he is and amazed that she’s in his life. Only she’s not any more and I wanted to know what went wrong.
It’s still a great book and I enjoy his writing and comedy, but man… I wish I had read this before the divorce.
Brand is really smart and I enjoy his writing. He doesn’t have someone else write for him, which I always appreciate in a celebrity memoir. His voice is clear, his asides are hilarious and you can feel his personality on every page. As in his first book, he isn’t trying to clean up his past and make himself look better. He knows he was horrible at times and doesn’t try to brush it off or blame it on other things. Although there are a few times where I feel he has the attitude of “This is who I am and I’m honest about it, so you can’t get mad at me.” and that doesn’t really fly.
He’s writing about clean and sober times now, so there’s a much happier and lighter tone. However, his sex addiction is still turned up to eleven and it’s sad to see. Even though women delight him on all levels, you get the sense early on that he realizes there’s something more than sex and that he’s both bewildered by it and drawn to it.
He continues his story about fame and how weird it is. He is huge in England and began to get excited about the idea of coming to the States to make movies. He steps off the plane and no one knew who he was. Although he tried not to let fame change him, it threw him to suddenly be able to walk around and not be mobbed. Suddenly he had to audition for a part just like all the other unrecognized actors instead of being welcomed in and asked to relax with tea and biscuits.
Some of the most interesting and powerful moments Brand writes about revolve around when he’s alone. He doesn’t seem to know who he’s supposed to be when it’s just him. He’s always entertaining everyone else and almost everything he does is with the intent so have sex and/or make people laugh, so when he’s alone it’s sad. When filming Forgetting Sarah Marshall, he hides in his trailer, petrified to go out and talk to anyone. He’s in Hawaii, miserable and depressed because he doesn’t know how to engage with anyone. He attempts to bed Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell but they both had boyfriends, so he retreats back to his trailer and rather quickly goes mad. I know I keep saying this, but it’s just so sad.
Several times when he travels he brings a girlfriend along to keep him company. Sometimes he even convinces himself that this girl will help him “be good” and not sleep around the set. He often then sends her home when he realizes there are many other women in the area that he can sleep with. He’s addicted to sex and his constant stream of women becomes more and more depressing to see. He has women waiting for him in bed, in the bath, in the kitchen, on the front step, the car, the hotel, the office… I get the feeling some people are impressed and jealous of the constant orgasms, but knowing his marriage didn’t last and seeing him want to make a genuine connection with a woman really bummed me out.
The final few pages are heartbreaking. He’s met Katy Perry, she’s invaded his brain and he writes about how happy he is and amazed that she’s in his life. Only she’s not any more and I wanted to know what went wrong.
It’s still a great book and I enjoy his writing and comedy, but man… I wish I had read this before the divorce.
May 26, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Booky Wook. It was funny, honest and quite charming. The second, however, did not deliver in the same way.
Basically, it is mostly previously told stories in book form. Anyone who follows Russell's comedy will know just about every anecdote within this book. This is coming from someone who enjoys his interviews and former radio show rather than a fan of the stand-up, so I think there may be even less new material for these fans.
In his defence, there has been so much media attenion surrounding much of what one would include in an autobiography, that it would be difficult to avoid this, being Russell Brand. Nonetheless, it is to be considered. For example, I skipped most of the 'Sachsgate' saga, as well as the pages of self-quoting.
The American tales were mostly what he has talked about in recent interviews so I found myself skimming rather than reading, and we all know how he met Katy Perry.
Another reason for my disappointment is that this book was promoted, by Russell, as an account of fame and how it isn't all it's cracked up to be. That fame won't make you happy. I was looking forward to this. But it did not come across strongly at all.
Overall, it is not a bad book, it's just that the reason anyone reads an autobiography is to get a revealing account by someone who they enjoy for whatever reason. And this Booky Wook just was not at all revealing.
Basically, it is mostly previously told stories in book form. Anyone who follows Russell's comedy will know just about every anecdote within this book. This is coming from someone who enjoys his interviews and former radio show rather than a fan of the stand-up, so I think there may be even less new material for these fans.
In his defence, there has been so much media attenion surrounding much of what one would include in an autobiography, that it would be difficult to avoid this, being Russell Brand. Nonetheless, it is to be considered. For example, I skipped most of the 'Sachsgate' saga, as well as the pages of self-quoting.
The American tales were mostly what he has talked about in recent interviews so I found myself skimming rather than reading, and we all know how he met Katy Perry.
Another reason for my disappointment is that this book was promoted, by Russell, as an account of fame and how it isn't all it's cracked up to be. That fame won't make you happy. I was looking forward to this. But it did not come across strongly at all.
Overall, it is not a bad book, it's just that the reason anyone reads an autobiography is to get a revealing account by someone who they enjoy for whatever reason. And this Booky Wook just was not at all revealing.
August 6, 2017
I can't tell if this book(y wook) is inferior to the the first autobiography written by Russell Brand, or if I'm just getting older. As a teenager, I was an avid follower of Russell- I watched him on Big Brother, downloaded his podcast every week and went to one of his live shows, but now I can't help but feel unimpressed with some of his tales of womanising. His jokes frequently fell a little flat, and I found it hard to sympathise with him.
Sorry Russell- I suspect it's me, not you.
Sorry Russell- I suspect it's me, not you.
June 17, 2015
As advertised, this is the second memoir Russell Brand has released, and he speaks to the evolutionary trajectory here:
"Booky Wook 1 had the huge advantage of being the tale of a man with a troubled childhood behaving badly as a result of crack and heroin addiction, this book differs because the drugs and childhood are gone but the madness remains. Well this, I'm afraid, is the way with addiction - you must know an alcoholic or a junky - we're all like it - we're nuts. Getting off drugs is just the first part, after that you've got to learn to use a brain that's previously only been employed as a filter for chemicals. Expecting good moral conduct from a junky is like expecting a clockwork mouse to cry biscuits. Stupid."
While I'm not sure he's thought that idea completely through, it is true that Russell's conduct has landed him in hot water on occasion - and recounting those troubles is what makes up the majority of material in his books. He's honest, if slightly defensive, with these recollections. And that's part of the draw. The inner conflict is clear. The rest of it, expectedly, is the humor.
On the untransferable nature of his British popularity -
"...I'd organized my entire personality around fame, not to mention my physical appearance - my haircut for heaven's sake! Without fame my whole persona doesn't make sense. Without fame my haircut just looks like mental illness. So once me and Nik landed in LAX, I was no longer an edgy comic with a bright future. I was just another lunatic with access to strong hairspray."
Brand is an observant guy. His comedy is well-reasoned. When he points out that the Jonas Brothers' touting of their virginity is, in fact, calling attention to their sexuality, he's right. Where he shoots himself in the foot is failing to include his reasoning onstage, in the set-up of his jokes. One suspects, very much like the addict, he's so intent on the rush of the laugh that he barrels toward it - sacrificing the craft for the high.
And then, of course, he pays for it.
So, Russell...still a work-in-progress. A bit shy in the courage department, but I do believe we're getting there.
"Booky Wook 1 had the huge advantage of being the tale of a man with a troubled childhood behaving badly as a result of crack and heroin addiction, this book differs because the drugs and childhood are gone but the madness remains. Well this, I'm afraid, is the way with addiction - you must know an alcoholic or a junky - we're all like it - we're nuts. Getting off drugs is just the first part, after that you've got to learn to use a brain that's previously only been employed as a filter for chemicals. Expecting good moral conduct from a junky is like expecting a clockwork mouse to cry biscuits. Stupid."
While I'm not sure he's thought that idea completely through, it is true that Russell's conduct has landed him in hot water on occasion - and recounting those troubles is what makes up the majority of material in his books. He's honest, if slightly defensive, with these recollections. And that's part of the draw. The inner conflict is clear. The rest of it, expectedly, is the humor.
On the untransferable nature of his British popularity -
"...I'd organized my entire personality around fame, not to mention my physical appearance - my haircut for heaven's sake! Without fame my whole persona doesn't make sense. Without fame my haircut just looks like mental illness. So once me and Nik landed in LAX, I was no longer an edgy comic with a bright future. I was just another lunatic with access to strong hairspray."
Brand is an observant guy. His comedy is well-reasoned. When he points out that the Jonas Brothers' touting of their virginity is, in fact, calling attention to their sexuality, he's right. Where he shoots himself in the foot is failing to include his reasoning onstage, in the set-up of his jokes. One suspects, very much like the addict, he's so intent on the rush of the laugh that he barrels toward it - sacrificing the craft for the high.
And then, of course, he pays for it.
So, Russell...still a work-in-progress. A bit shy in the courage department, but I do believe we're getting there.
May 6, 2020
Russell Brand's sequel to 'My Booky Wook', and in my opinion just as good and just as interesting - as well as charting Brand's Hollywood career, it also covers the big controversies at the MTV Video Music Awards and the BBC / Andrew Sachs affair. With interesting personal insight on the likes of Morrissey, Puff Daddy and Noel Gallagher, from the obviously intelligent Brand, I found this a really good read... and as Brand fans know, the book also covers him finally falling in love (with Katy Perry!) and changing his shagger ways! 8 out of 12
June 3, 2011
No one can better describe Russell Brand, than Russell Brand himself! So I'll just go ahead and use his words. In his first book, he was "a tentative little worm in distressed T-shirt and pumps", and in this book he was "a spiky, lacquered Jack Frost sex sprite". In other words, in the first one, he was more himself, and in this one he was just a product of the industry. He was trying too hard to sound funny instead of just being himself which is far more hilarious.
The book felt like it was almost trying to be delivered in more of a novel-style rather than as an autobiography- which I think sapped all the essence of what made the first book so good. I find the title, 'This Time It's Personal', very ironic because it couldn't be farther from the truth. My Booky Wook (the first one) was a deeply personal and revealing autobiography, whereas this one felt very closed off and just... boring.
The book felt like it was almost trying to be delivered in more of a novel-style rather than as an autobiography- which I think sapped all the essence of what made the first book so good. I find the title, 'This Time It's Personal', very ironic because it couldn't be farther from the truth. My Booky Wook (the first one) was a deeply personal and revealing autobiography, whereas this one felt very closed off and just... boring.
December 14, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Booky Wook. I don't know how to really describe the change in tone of this one. Maybe Russell just got...i don't know...grosser? His womanizing becomes less charming when he isn't sat telling the anecdotes on a talk show. Now he's married and while I was really looking forward to some loquacious and flowery description of his "true love" and the end of his womanising ways, it was kind of eh. Well anyway he had some really great sentences here. To wit: "For a torturous ten stretch I hobbled through a steel and glass Hogarthian London with bandaged hands and bare feet, a destitute vagabond, and all the while within my ragged heart and agonised orb of white light hummed and sough its purpose."
Overall entertaining but...well, kinda gross.
Overall entertaining but...well, kinda gross.
January 12, 2012
Much like the first book, but i was still shocked at several parts in the book... Drinking breast milk, really? I don't know, I'm a fan of Brand, but I don't think it was necessary to split a biography into two. Especially since it took a while for me to get reacquainted with the characters in his life. Prob should have had a little meet and greet in the beginning of this book or something, rather just picking up where the first book left off and assuming everyone had A. read the first book and B. remembered everything and everyone. Took longer than it should have for me to get into this book, especially since his style of humor and writing really are entertaining. I just can't get into a book if I have to sit and play catch up (one of the reasons I like Stephen King's Dark Tower series is for his recaps in the beginning of each new installment, minus the sixth for some odd reason).
One of the parts that I did like was his account of the 2008 MTV VMAs, and the utter failure of his humor being accepted right off the bat in America. Those death threat emails (so thoroughly analyzed in this book) were actually a lot of fun to read. Even though they really just serve to show the world how violent and self-righteous American citizens are. Of course, that's a topic better left for political blogs. Or at least, from a separate post than a discussion of a comedian's memoir.
As much as I appreciated the fact that more of this biography was relevant to me, an American with little access to Brand's earlier work in Britain, I feel like this was just an effort to make a little bit more money off the hype surrounding his first Booky Wook. Less entertaining than the first one, it almost felt like a chore to read.
I have to say though, I thought the ending, all about Katy Perry, was pretty sweet. Even if they're getting divorced and he was apparently a jerk to her anyway, it's good to see love in action. Cheesy and lame and a little too romantic for my tastes, but there you have it. Everyone just wants to be loved. Sidenote: the psychologist in me really enjoyed the intense relationship with his mother, and the not-so-close bond with his father, and his countless sexcapades throughout his life. Both to impress daddy and make him proud, and to feel some attachment, even somewhat close to what he feels to his mother (although clearly a different relationship than mother-son)... I really am a nerd for once again bringing psychology into my recreational reading.
So anyway, my final thoughts- I was still entertained by Brand, but this felt a little more like required reading to me. Plus it was so similar to his first Booky Wook, it got kind of monotonous and boring. Which is something I never thought I'd say about Russell Brand, especially after reading his first book. I recommend it, but take your time reading it or you'll feel forced to read it which makes it less fun.
One of the parts that I did like was his account of the 2008 MTV VMAs, and the utter failure of his humor being accepted right off the bat in America. Those death threat emails (so thoroughly analyzed in this book) were actually a lot of fun to read. Even though they really just serve to show the world how violent and self-righteous American citizens are. Of course, that's a topic better left for political blogs. Or at least, from a separate post than a discussion of a comedian's memoir.
As much as I appreciated the fact that more of this biography was relevant to me, an American with little access to Brand's earlier work in Britain, I feel like this was just an effort to make a little bit more money off the hype surrounding his first Booky Wook. Less entertaining than the first one, it almost felt like a chore to read.
I have to say though, I thought the ending, all about Katy Perry, was pretty sweet. Even if they're getting divorced and he was apparently a jerk to her anyway, it's good to see love in action. Cheesy and lame and a little too romantic for my tastes, but there you have it. Everyone just wants to be loved. Sidenote: the psychologist in me really enjoyed the intense relationship with his mother, and the not-so-close bond with his father, and his countless sexcapades throughout his life. Both to impress daddy and make him proud, and to feel some attachment, even somewhat close to what he feels to his mother (although clearly a different relationship than mother-son)... I really am a nerd for once again bringing psychology into my recreational reading.
So anyway, my final thoughts- I was still entertained by Brand, but this felt a little more like required reading to me. Plus it was so similar to his first Booky Wook, it got kind of monotonous and boring. Which is something I never thought I'd say about Russell Brand, especially after reading his first book. I recommend it, but take your time reading it or you'll feel forced to read it which makes it less fun.
January 26, 2011
Not quite as good as 'My Booky Wook', although maybe my view of it has been colored by too much information on Brand.
He just doesn't come off as wonderfully as he did on the first...which i suppose is a bit odd considering the first one dealt with his descent into various types of addiction. On this one we get to see how he deals with women and with some of his friends...just because you say 'Wasn't i naughty?' doesn't excuse your behavior. It became a bit tiring after a while.
It also suffered a bit from repetition although not the literal kind within the book. But if you've seen one of his comedy shows or have ever turned on the internets, you'd already have known half of the stories mentioned in this book. There were parts of the book where I found myself correctly guessing exactly what was coming up next. Sometimes word for word. I am by no means a scholar of Russell, having only seen him live twice, yet I could've dictated half this book. I wish he'd had more stories, newer stories to write about, rather than just almost literally at times, jot down anecdotes he's told verbatim in his stand-up.
Having said that, if you've only just heard of Russell Brand, then this would be a pretty great book to pick up...but if you can only get your hands on ONE Brand memoir, make it the first one :o)
He just doesn't come off as wonderfully as he did on the first...which i suppose is a bit odd considering the first one dealt with his descent into various types of addiction. On this one we get to see how he deals with women and with some of his friends...just because you say 'Wasn't i naughty?' doesn't excuse your behavior. It became a bit tiring after a while.
It also suffered a bit from repetition although not the literal kind within the book. But if you've seen one of his comedy shows or have ever turned on the internets, you'd already have known half of the stories mentioned in this book. There were parts of the book where I found myself correctly guessing exactly what was coming up next. Sometimes word for word. I am by no means a scholar of Russell, having only seen him live twice, yet I could've dictated half this book. I wish he'd had more stories, newer stories to write about, rather than just almost literally at times, jot down anecdotes he's told verbatim in his stand-up.
Having said that, if you've only just heard of Russell Brand, then this would be a pretty great book to pick up...but if you can only get your hands on ONE Brand memoir, make it the first one :o)
December 4, 2010
Russell we miss you, how about you come visit earth once and a while.
Yeah, i know that may have been harsh, but it's a shame. I've been a fan of Russell for the last couple of years and i've been waiting for a 2nd book from him for a while, but i've lost some faith.
All i can say, to keep things short and bitter sweet, Booky Wook (classic) was far more charming.
The pacing, the writing style, the constant exaggeration of any one word when any simple word would fit perfectly - This book is a mess, he fills in every gap pointlessly. For only being an update on a previous book you would think there would be less mess. The sad story here is with the complete exaggeration on even the most simplest of things you feel like you are being battered with words, that you then begin to wonder if even Russell himself knows what he's saying.
The refernces to his childhood and old friends (Matt Morgan) were rather good and you felt what he was trying to get across to you.
There is a lack of the present day Russell - Present day Brand is almost non existent and what he's put in about his life now was just annoying. I really felt myself longing for the scruffy English Russell - not glam squad Hollywood. It's a shame, that's all i can say. This book could have been so much more.
Yeah, i know that may have been harsh, but it's a shame. I've been a fan of Russell for the last couple of years and i've been waiting for a 2nd book from him for a while, but i've lost some faith.
All i can say, to keep things short and bitter sweet, Booky Wook (classic) was far more charming.
The pacing, the writing style, the constant exaggeration of any one word when any simple word would fit perfectly - This book is a mess, he fills in every gap pointlessly. For only being an update on a previous book you would think there would be less mess. The sad story here is with the complete exaggeration on even the most simplest of things you feel like you are being battered with words, that you then begin to wonder if even Russell himself knows what he's saying.
The refernces to his childhood and old friends (Matt Morgan) were rather good and you felt what he was trying to get across to you.
There is a lack of the present day Russell - Present day Brand is almost non existent and what he's put in about his life now was just annoying. I really felt myself longing for the scruffy English Russell - not glam squad Hollywood. It's a shame, that's all i can say. This book could have been so much more.
October 20, 2011
Absolutely Loved this book, but I love Russell Brand. I think he is hysterical.In this 2nd book(y wook) he has now kicked heroin and is aiming at spectacular stardom. Sometimes Russell will ramble using many big words when 1 would suffice, but I think thats just him being him, he has access to a huge vocabulary and he is going to use it. If you have seen "Scandalous" some of that is covered in the book(y wook).Many celebrity appearances in this one my favs were Noel Gallagher and Morrisey, every page Morrisey is on is gold. If you love Brand, you will enjoy this book, if you can't stand him this will only fan the flames of your hatred.
December 9, 2010
While Brand's first foray into writing, Booky Wook, was funny, literate and self-aware. The continued story feels self-aggrandizing and cobbled-together to capitalize on the star's growing fame (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek). Two books in, Brand's "beautiful fucked-up man" (TM Sarah McLachlan) schtick begins to wear thin. Ultimately, you win no points for admitting that you are a predatory, selfish, womanizing asshole (albeit using flowery, anachronistic turns of phrase) if these self-revelations don't lead to changed behavior.
June 28, 2012
As good as the first one except the boy has grown up (sort of) and off the booze but still on the girls...and they don't seem to be complaining! I love him
September 8, 2017
Title: Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal
Series: Russell Brand Memoirs (#2)
Author: Russell Brand
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 3.5 stars
I enjoyed this. I didn't know if I would - really it could go either way with Russell Brand. Now I haven't read his first memoir, so I didn't have any expectations when I began this which I think certainly helped by the sound of a lot of the reviews.
Brand's memoir had some raw honesty and some comedic content but there were some dragging points. Hold out! The last couple of chapters make the book, I promise. It's sad now, but at the time it would have been truly beautiful. It shows a completely different and softer side to Brand, one which more should see to understand him better as a human, as a comedian.
Some favourite quotes:
Teresa Palmer: "Do you think you'll ever change?"
Russell Brand: "I'll change for you."
And I did. For a week.
~ page 190 ~
"Oh, I forgot to give this back," I say, flimsily attempting to remove the bracelet, but she interrupts.
"It's ok. Keep it. To remind you of me."
And I begin to understand what all these symptoms are. I look at her and it makes me feel still. Then looking into her eyes, quietly I say, "I don't need anything to remind me of you."
That is how I fell in love.
~ page 308 ~
'From the first date I changed. No more women. Well, actually, thousands of women. I wake up to a different one each day, but they're all her.'
~ page 309 ~
Series: Russell Brand Memoirs (#2)
Author: Russell Brand
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 3.5 stars
I enjoyed this. I didn't know if I would - really it could go either way with Russell Brand. Now I haven't read his first memoir, so I didn't have any expectations when I began this which I think certainly helped by the sound of a lot of the reviews.
Brand's memoir had some raw honesty and some comedic content but there were some dragging points. Hold out! The last couple of chapters make the book, I promise. It's sad now, but at the time it would have been truly beautiful. It shows a completely different and softer side to Brand, one which more should see to understand him better as a human, as a comedian.
Some favourite quotes:
Teresa Palmer: "Do you think you'll ever change?"
Russell Brand: "I'll change for you."
And I did. For a week.
~ page 190 ~
"Oh, I forgot to give this back," I say, flimsily attempting to remove the bracelet, but she interrupts.
"It's ok. Keep it. To remind you of me."
And I begin to understand what all these symptoms are. I look at her and it makes me feel still. Then looking into her eyes, quietly I say, "I don't need anything to remind me of you."
That is how I fell in love.
~ page 308 ~
'From the first date I changed. No more women. Well, actually, thousands of women. I wake up to a different one each day, but they're all her.'
~ page 309 ~
April 25, 2020
Very well written but not as engaging as the first book.
September 4, 2017
Great insight
Great second book and Insight into this amazing mans warped world. Fantastic open hearted writing style. He truly is a national treasure.
Great second book and Insight into this amazing mans warped world. Fantastic open hearted writing style. He truly is a national treasure.
March 12, 2020
If you like Russell Brand, then you won't be disappointed. He is a very curious person.
July 24, 2017
Not nearly as engaging as his first installment but I still enjoy his writing voice and sense of humor as well as his surprising level of insight.
October 10, 2013
I used to love Russell Brand. This is a testament to his skills as an actor. The dedication of this book is perhaps the most heartbreaking one you will ever read. He calls Katy Perry his future. Future meant a couple of years, as we all know he divorced her via text message one year after this book was released. While the first book can be excused as a former junkie trying to make sense of his life, this second book becomes increasingly less forgivable. Here there is no such junkie mask for Brand to hide behind. He doesn't relapse. He instead proves he has learned nothing by relocating his drug addiction to sex addiction. Seems the treatment he underwent for it in 2005 did nothing to help. It is safe to say we can never call Brand a feminist. The only thing truly offensive about this book is that every regular girl he beds is known as big knockers, beautiful butt, or some combination thereof. The really atrocious thing is that the celebrities he has bedded, the ones who deserve a modicum of privacy, are not spared and are actually degraded more than the regular women. Teresa Palmer, the sweet beauty from Take Me Home Tonight and Warm Bodies, gets completely thrown to the wolves in Brand's chapter on the filming of Bedtime Stories, where they met. He admits to charming her for the sake of a cuddle and promising to change his womanizing ways... Which he does, for a week. That's how he leaves that story - just as high and dry as he left Teresa. Is she supposed to be grateful she didn't marry him or insulted that she didn't have as much of an impact on him as Katy? Oy. And Katy herself, oh god. Can we invent a time machine to stop all this? We know now that Brand cheated on her, never came to see her on the Teenage Dream tour, and also began using his relationship with Katy as fodder for his stand-up, and not in a good way. Hindsight provides a lot of clarity to this book. Is this a man truly sorry for his past actions? Maybe, but more likely not. Is this a man destined to repeat his past mistakes? Definitely. Mostly this is a man destined to always love himself more than he loves any of his fellow humans. Friends of Katy and Teresa: you've been warned.
July 8, 2012
To start with, you must be a fan of Russell Brand's standup to appreciate this book. If you do not like that type of humor, you will not like this book. Period. Fortunately, I LOVE Russell Brand's standup, and found the book a breezy, intriguing read. The beginning had a couple of draggy bits, but by chapter two it was just a rollercoaster of hilarity, followed by one chapter of draggy bits, and then the final chapter of complete and utter touching sweetness that was so unexpected I had to give it the extra star. (Though, I will admit, I have not yet read the first installment, and that may have put me out of order.)
I feel after reading this book two things: 1.) Russell Brand (if you can believe his sexploitations portrayed in this tome) seems to have replaced his drug and alcohol addiction with a sexual one. 2.) He seems to see women either as sex objects or mother figures, and wishes for whomever his wife is to be both for him, to take care of him and pull him from his constant precipice of madness.
The thing that has always struck me about him is that though he is hyper, raunchy and a bit... well, all over the place at times... is that clearly he comes from a place of intelligence and deep thinking despite his persona. He appreciates those who are well spoken, as he is himself, and also for them to have a good sense of humor, because life is too short to take anything-- especially yourself!-- too seriously.
I feel after reading this book two things: 1.) Russell Brand (if you can believe his sexploitations portrayed in this tome) seems to have replaced his drug and alcohol addiction with a sexual one. 2.) He seems to see women either as sex objects or mother figures, and wishes for whomever his wife is to be both for him, to take care of him and pull him from his constant precipice of madness.
The thing that has always struck me about him is that though he is hyper, raunchy and a bit... well, all over the place at times... is that clearly he comes from a place of intelligence and deep thinking despite his persona. He appreciates those who are well spoken, as he is himself, and also for them to have a good sense of humor, because life is too short to take anything-- especially yourself!-- too seriously.
February 13, 2015
Russell, Russell, Russell, Russell... What I think is interesting about this book has very little to do with this book. I was interested in reading this book after Russell went on a book tour for this book where he talked to people like Jeremy Paxman about how to find meaning in a culture that is more interested in the pantheon of celebrity than helping ourselves (individually and collectively). I think Jewel vaguely made this point before she was dashed into obscurity. However, this book addresses few of these topics. This text presents the specter of celebrity. This text is a present day Great Gatsby without any consequence. Russell screws his way through the celebrity ladder and then meets Katy Perry. There are no more pages after this. There is no car crash, downward spiral, naked ladies beckoning from teardrops in a crying sky. This book is useful if you are a trained (or amateur) psychologist or psychiatrist. It is nice to put Russell's behaviors in DSM V categories: bipolar (check), sexually abused (check), sex addict (check), obsessive compulsive disorder (check), drug addict in recovery (check), narcissistic personality disorder (it's hard to diagnose this one with the bipolar diagnosis). So, I await Booky Wook 3: I hit rock bottom and sort all my shite out. Alas, Russell has moved into political activism and the next book of his I will be reviewing will be revolution. Thanks.
April 8, 2012
The second installment of Russell's shenanigans.
First of all, I'm a huge fan. I love his stand-up routines and the first Booky Wook was an enjoyable read. I've never heard a person that can match his speaking magic, eloquence and style, and we see a lot of that style in the books. You can't help it but read them in his voice and be inspired by some brilliant lines. It was interesting to hear about his encounters with celebrities and get a first hand impression of what they're like.
But, Booky Wook 2 wasn't THAT magical. There were a lot of routines that he already mentioned live. If the first one dealt with drugs and alcohol, this one deals with his excessive womanizing, never really facing it as an issue, abruptly ending his bedroom conquests with the arrival of the antidote/deux ex machina, Katy Perry.
Apparently, Booky Wook 3 is in the works. Can't wait to check it out.
First of all, I'm a huge fan. I love his stand-up routines and the first Booky Wook was an enjoyable read. I've never heard a person that can match his speaking magic, eloquence and style, and we see a lot of that style in the books. You can't help it but read them in his voice and be inspired by some brilliant lines. It was interesting to hear about his encounters with celebrities and get a first hand impression of what they're like.
"Being anonymous was an inconvenience to me."
"Expecting good moral conduct from a junky is like expecting a clockwork mouse to cry biscuits. Stupid."
"I’ve always wanted a parrot as a result of Enid Blyton filling my head with pipe dreams as a little boy, but it is very hard to befriend a parrot, all they really want is sesame seeds and to tear your eyes out with their cruel beaks."
But, Booky Wook 2 wasn't THAT magical. There were a lot of routines that he already mentioned live. If the first one dealt with drugs and alcohol, this one deals with his excessive womanizing, never really facing it as an issue, abruptly ending his bedroom conquests with the arrival of the antidote/deux ex machina, Katy Perry.
Apparently, Booky Wook 3 is in the works. Can't wait to check it out.
August 7, 2011
Hilariously candid with ores of linguistic gold and some real comedic gems. The story of the flirtation between him and Katy Perry is j'adorable, too.
While I'm still certainly on the "Brand-Wagon," this one didn't capture my attention quite as much as his first book(y wook) and I didn't zip through it the way I expected. Still a good summer read.
"I like a good chat, a chinwag, a lovely conversation." p. 79
My favorite bit was the chapter where he met Keith Richards:
"I became friends once with this swami who looked at me with timeless eyes, a man uncluttered by hypocrisy, who knew that life had no meaning but to be beautiful and lived, with each breath, that ethos. This man came to mind in the company of Keith. I sense the reason he's become an icon is because of an essential quality. Rock'n'roll, it seems, is not borrowed or learned or slung about his shoulders like his guitar, but emanating from his core." p. 108
"Without fame my haircut just looks like mental illness." p. 130
"The guiding star of my anguished adulthood has been the knowledge, absent in my childhood, that shame, embarrassment and failure are funny." p. 272
While I'm still certainly on the "Brand-Wagon," this one didn't capture my attention quite as much as his first book(y wook) and I didn't zip through it the way I expected. Still a good summer read.
"I like a good chat, a chinwag, a lovely conversation." p. 79
My favorite bit was the chapter where he met Keith Richards:
"I became friends once with this swami who looked at me with timeless eyes, a man uncluttered by hypocrisy, who knew that life had no meaning but to be beautiful and lived, with each breath, that ethos. This man came to mind in the company of Keith. I sense the reason he's become an icon is because of an essential quality. Rock'n'roll, it seems, is not borrowed or learned or slung about his shoulders like his guitar, but emanating from his core." p. 108
"Without fame my haircut just looks like mental illness." p. 130
"The guiding star of my anguished adulthood has been the knowledge, absent in my childhood, that shame, embarrassment and failure are funny." p. 272
October 22, 2010
Russell Brand is endlessly entertaining; in fact, he'd join Malcolm Gladwell on my ideal dinner party guest list, if I had one and wasn't scathingly dismissive about that whole concept (some may call me hypocritical, but I disagree!). Anyway, Brand is always hilarious and he's a brilliant natural comedian, but unfortunately this isn't really a brilliant natural book. There are some good bits, but god, there were SO many rehashed jokes, especially for someone like me that's seen him live and listens to him on youtube at work when there's not enough to do and I feel like drawing attention to myself for seemingly laughing out loud at nothing.
For originality, I liked My Booky Wook 1 better, which dealt with his rise out of drug addiction; but if you're not that familiar with his material, My Booky Wook 2 is still pretty good, as a light, trashmedy (that's supposed to be an amalgamation of trash and comedy... ok fine it doesn't really work) book.
For originality, I liked My Booky Wook 1 better, which dealt with his rise out of drug addiction; but if you're not that familiar with his material, My Booky Wook 2 is still pretty good, as a light, trashmedy (that's supposed to be an amalgamation of trash and comedy... ok fine it doesn't really work) book.
September 7, 2011
Dear Russell,
I'm wondering what kind of treatment centre allowed you to address your drug and alcohol addiction without even scratching the surface of your cross addictions. If I were you I'd be asking for at least a partial refund!
If you can come out from behind the shelter of your insatiable dick and constant buffoonery I know there is a razor sharp mind under that hair. I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of some of what goes on in there before I get much further into your book(y) which is, quite frankly, by page 143 becoming boring.
Having finished the book I was glad to find that you were finding it all rather boring too, and lonely. HALT immediately springs to mind so maybe this was not only a money-spinner on a grand scale but also a relapse prevention tool for you. All I can say at this point is thank the God of my understanding for Kate who will save us from Booky Wook 3 being a repeat of Booky Wook 2.
I'm wondering what kind of treatment centre allowed you to address your drug and alcohol addiction without even scratching the surface of your cross addictions. If I were you I'd be asking for at least a partial refund!
If you can come out from behind the shelter of your insatiable dick and constant buffoonery I know there is a razor sharp mind under that hair. I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of some of what goes on in there before I get much further into your book(y) which is, quite frankly, by page 143 becoming boring.
Having finished the book I was glad to find that you were finding it all rather boring too, and lonely. HALT immediately springs to mind so maybe this was not only a money-spinner on a grand scale but also a relapse prevention tool for you. All I can say at this point is thank the God of my understanding for Kate who will save us from Booky Wook 3 being a repeat of Booky Wook 2.
June 26, 2014
I expected a clever, entertaining memoir culminating in how Russel had now turned his back on his lecherous ways to settle down with the beautiful Katy Perry.
Instead, it is a self-indulgent sex-tale of not at all clever sexual anecdotes that left me feeling that I was wrong to ever have respected Russel's intellect in the first place.
I do enjoy his television appearances but he does seem to have become a bit too self-important since American success. The book was full of this self-importance told in a false modesty style. It does indeed end, as I predicted, with a statement that this was his life but his new life would be with Katy, thrown in like an afterthought to not get him in trouble with the missus!
By the time I finished the book they had split up and filed for divorce anyway. What a self-indulgent waste of time!
Instead, it is a self-indulgent sex-tale of not at all clever sexual anecdotes that left me feeling that I was wrong to ever have respected Russel's intellect in the first place.
I do enjoy his television appearances but he does seem to have become a bit too self-important since American success. The book was full of this self-importance told in a false modesty style. It does indeed end, as I predicted, with a statement that this was his life but his new life would be with Katy, thrown in like an afterthought to not get him in trouble with the missus!
By the time I finished the book they had split up and filed for divorce anyway. What a self-indulgent waste of time!
September 27, 2011
After reading the original Booky Wook, I rushed out to buy this (ok, I ordered it on Amazon, and waited for it to arrive!)
I was slightly disappointed. Much as I loved his writing style in the first installment, the guy really needed a good editor this time. He would go off on lots of different tangents that really made it hard to understand and keep up.
It was also very hard to work out who the REAL Russell Brand is, as one minute he is starstruck and can't believe he gets to mingle with the elite, and yet the next, he is just arrogant and feels it's his god given right to be given special treatment.
I still think he's a genius, but more in the way on Van Gogh now - totally off his rocker.
Needless to say though, I'll still buy his next one!
I was slightly disappointed. Much as I loved his writing style in the first installment, the guy really needed a good editor this time. He would go off on lots of different tangents that really made it hard to understand and keep up.
It was also very hard to work out who the REAL Russell Brand is, as one minute he is starstruck and can't believe he gets to mingle with the elite, and yet the next, he is just arrogant and feels it's his god given right to be given special treatment.
I still think he's a genius, but more in the way on Van Gogh now - totally off his rocker.
Needless to say though, I'll still buy his next one!
February 8, 2012
I really like Russell's stand-up and acting, and his written pieces for the Guardian, but I found myself counting the pages of this to the end - it sounds like he basically swapped one addiction for another, and was looking for some sort of magic bullet in the shape of the "right woman" to solve all his issues, which no woman could ever live up to. Plus his excuse of charm and talent as some sort of entitlement for riding roughshod (excuse the metaphor!) over other people started to grate about a third of the way into the book. I kind of hope that in a few years he'll be able to look back and cringe at this, rather than with the sense of gloating and smugness that it conveys. Even his usual self-deprecation comes across as false, but maybe that's Hollywood for you...
January 6, 2012
I hear that a lot of people preferred Brand's first book, but I enjoyed this one just as much. There is a lot here I didn't know about his career to date. I had a very vague sense to the Sachs incident, so it was good to read about what it was all about. Quite ridiculous, really. Brand really must have an amazingly thick skin, really. He strikes me very much as the type of person I would like....from a safe distance. His writing style is as wordy yet eloquent as his first book. I do hope there will be another some way down the track. All up I laughed and often cringed my way through this book.
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