Good morning dear readers. Today I am on the blog tour for Some Old Bloke By Robert Llewellyn. A big thank you to Unbound and Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for sending me a copy to review. It has been a while since I have dived into an autobiography so this was much-needed. Thank you.
About The Author
Robert Llewellyn is an actor, novelist, screenwriter, comedian and TV presenter. He drives an electric car and writes under a rack of solar panels in Gloucestershire.
Some Old Bloke
When writer, comedian and Red Dwarf actor Robert Llewellyn’s son scrawled a picture of him at Christmas and titled it ‘Some Old Bloke’, Robert was cast deep into thought about life and what it means to be a bloke and an old one at that.
In this lighthearted, revealing and occasionally philosophical autobiography, we take a meandering route through Robert’s life and career: from the sensitive young boy at odds with his ex-military father, through his stint as a hippy and his years of arrested development in the world of fringe comedy, all the way up to the full-body medicals and hard-earned insights of middle age.
Whether he is waxing lyrical about fresh laundry, making an impassioned case for the importance of alternative energy or recounting a detailed history of the dogs in his life, Robert presents a refreshingly open and un-cynical look at the world at large and, of course, the joys of being a bloke.
My Review
Ageing. It’s a funny thing. Always slipping through our fingers, never stopping or slowing down to allow us to catch up to it for a second, in fear we might actually start acting our age.
It has been a while and I mean a good long while since I have read an interesting autobiography. I enjoy reading people’s stories and experiences about their life. It’s fascinating to see through the eyes of a complete stranger and by the end feel like you have known them your whole life. It’s also a difficult thing to achieve as an autobiography is personal and not many people these days want to strip naked in front of the world, exposing all their open wounds and scars.
However…
I was not disappointed with Some Old Bloke By Robert Llewellyn. He has a natural talent for not only telling the reader a story but keeping it entertaining and engaging. Llewellyn is personal and honest in his opinions which I admire. He doesn’t shy away from things he is ashamed of and admits he has made mistakes. In other words; he is human. And it is so refreshing to read.
“For the last few years I have been trying to reclaim the word ‘bloke’. It’s a very common word in both the UK and Australia. For me, it denotes a man in late middle age, a bit knackered, a bit broken down by life, but still willing to get stuck in.”
Llewellyn accompanies the reader on a real road-trip of a journey driving bumpy, uncertain roads in an enormous truck with a dog and film equipment before switching to a much smoother ride in a futuristic electric car as we near our destination. From learning to make customised shoes to becoming a father it made me realise how much we as people can change and shape our future. Nothing is forever so make the most of it while you can before it’s too late and you regret not living your best life.
The amount of emotion Llewellyn pours into Some Old Bloke had me in tears at certain points. Especially when he was talking about the passing of his father and mother. Powerful writing that punches you right in the heart-strings. To be that open and honest is such a rare sight to witness in this day and age.
Llewellyn’s style of narrative was most enjoyable to read as I felt a growing sense of calm, wisdom and acceptance throughout the book that comes with ageing. I couldn’t help myself but chuckle as he talked about his physical appearance changing with age. Real and something we all experience. No matter how many creams, products or cosmetic surgery we put our bodies through, there will always be something that shows your age. And isn’t that beautiful. To fully accept ourselves in our natural bodies. My arse may get saggy and wrinkly as I get older but it’s proof I have lived and am very much alive. Be proud of that arse dear readers! Be proud.
“Now, when some bit goes wrong it stays wrong, and you have to accept that you’ll spend the rest of your living days ‘treating’ the complaint.”
At the back of the book the reader is treated to three chapters of a science-fiction novel Llewellyn had been writing before the whole explosive mess of Brexit happened, Josh Joshi and the Great Divide. It’s exciting stuff. I have been left on tenterhooks as I am intrigued to know where this story could go. Please, please continue it. Please!
I give Some Old Bloke By Robert Llewellyn a Five out of Five paw rating
Witty, charming, emotional and powerful writing, this book had me all over the place. And I loved every second of it. I could not put it down until the very end. I was gripped by Llewellyn’s colourful tale of his life. I highly recommend this book to everyone, words can not express just how brilliant it really is. Grab yourself a copy and see for yourself. It’s glorious dear readers. Simply glorious.
Don’t forget to follow the rest of the blog tour!
Links
@bobbyllew
Buy A Copy Of Some Old Bloke By Robert Llewellyn
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Some-Old-Bloke-Robert-Llewellyn/dp/1783526025
Unbound Website
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Bunny’s Pause 
Huge thanks for your blog tour support x
Love doing them 🙂 xxx