David Mitchell: Back Story

By: David Mitchell

Narrated by: David Mitchell

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

David Mitchell, who you may know for his inappropriate anger on every TV panel show except Never Mind the Buzzcocks, his look of permanent discomfort on C4 sex comedy Peep Show, his online commenter-baiting in The Observer or just for wearing a stick-on moustache in That Mitchell and Webb Look, has written a book about his life.

As well as giving a specific account of every single time he's scored some smack, this disgusting memoir also details:

• The singular, pit bull-infested charm of the FRP (‘Flat Roofed Pub’)
• The curious French habit of injecting everyone in the arse rather than the arm
• Why, by the time he got to Cambridge, he really, really needed a drink
• The pain of being denied a childhood birthday party at McDonalds
• The satisfaction of writing jokes about suicide
• How doing quite a lot of walking around London helps with his sciatica
• Trying to pretend he isn’t a total **** at Robert Webb’s wedding
• That he has fallen in love a LOT, but rarely done anything about it
• Why it would be worse to bump into Michael Palin than Hitler on holiday
• That he’s not David Mitchell the novelist, despite what David Miliband might think

©2012 David Mitchell (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘One of the best celebrity memoirs of last year…his outsider geek personality translates just as well on the page as it does on TV.’ Metro

‘It livened up about half way through with the appearance of me. But enough of David's life. The book is wonderful from beginning to end.’ Robert Webb

'David Mitchell is an extremely funny man on screen, in person, in print and very probably underwater.' Sam Bain, co-writer of Peep Show

‘He can write’ Evening Standard

‘Fluent, discursive, intelligent.’ Evening Standard

‘If you like Mitchell on television, you will like him in this book.’ Shortlist

Wonderful!

David Mitchell is one of my favorite comedians. It was really cool to learn more about him in his own words. His love story with Victoria is both sweet and inspiring. And of course the entire book is packed with laugh out loud moments.

Building character through playing characters

A lovely romp through the trial and tribulations that have built David Mitchell. With the wry wit of man who wants to be "normal", David explains his history that has twisted his humor. For me it was a fun find brought on by surfing YouTube and seeing David on panel shows. When I found the book on Audible I was intrigued to learn how this seemingly upper crust fellow found his way into the hearts of a nations entertainment. A lovely listen.

After the book was over, I missed him.

Any additional comments?

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I suppose since I have watched all over Peep show, and loved watching him on "panel shows" such as Would I lie to you" and QI, it felt as if I was sitting down with him and listening to all the "back stories". At times I listened when I was walking. Today I walked with out listening...and actually missed him as if he had been walking along with me chatting.

surprisingly brilliant! Average guy, amazing life :-)

David Michel's folks should be proud, he's a decent man telling an amazing story. With all his fun, sometimes biting rants there's always an element of kindness👣

Very Comforting - Sounds Like My Own Inner Voice

Delightful, quirky, and exceptionally intelligent, David has a keen way of sounding exactly like my own inner voice. It's very comforting to know there's someone out there - and a successful someone at that - who thinks the way I do. It's like having a conversation with a close friend who thinks exactly the way I do. I thought I was just weird. ...Well, I probably am still weird, but at least I'm not the only one subscribing to this particular form of oddity.

consistent onservations, excellent vocabulary

fantastic effort by Mitchell, an enjoyable read and insightful to the career of David and Rob.

One of the Funniest, Clever Brits around

I admit, I already went into this book a little prejudiced in its favour, as I became somewhat addicted to watching David Mitchell on various British Panel Shows. This book did not disappoint. I prefer my comedians to be clever, with witty remarks about interesting subjects, current events etc. I am not really a fan of the Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Adam Sandler style of humour and this is so far off that style as to be in a different category altogether.
Mitchell is just so likeable, currently being one of the most popular comedians in Britain. Even when being critical of whatever subject he is currently on a rant about, that you can't help but chuckle, whether you agree or not with his views. I also love his self-mocking admissions of what he sells as his faults, vulnerabilities and weaknesses. He plays up the whole nerd, or dysfunctional loser persona, but in actuality he really isn't at all. He also sometimes pretends to be an arrogant know-it-all, and yet he can't maintain that with a straight face for long, so you know it's all just a funny act. He is such a gentleman, even if he does drop the odd "F" bomb, it comes across more as charming, rather than crass, but even so, you won't find that sort of thing in this book.

If you are undecided on whether his style would suit your taste, check him out on Youtube with some episodes of "Would I Lie to You" or "QI" and that will give you a good idea of the humour in this audiobook. Or check out his podcasts "David Mitchell's Soapbox." He also has a couple of other series, The Mitchell And Webb show, which is a comedy variety type show and another series called Peep Show, which while funny, is a little darker, with ruder language and situations. Those two shows are a little less indicative of the style of this book and might not be to everyone's taste.

This book is a mix of biography and just his ramblings on all manner of subjects, told in a very different style, as we are taken on a walk with him around his neighbourhood. It's narrated as though you are out for a walk and a chat with him.
My only problem with this audiobok was that the few times I listened to it in public on my iphone and headphones, I couldn't help grinning like an idiot, or even laughing out loud, which did cause a few strange looks my way.

Extremely entertaining, a Real RollerCoaster*

What did you love best about David Mitchell: Back Story?

I thoroughly enjoyed the overall honesty of the book. I am being asked what I 'loved best' about the book and now after investing near 10 hours listening to it, it is that. I enjoyed so many parts of this book, but the candid nature of the book was most(dare I say) refreshing. It was. *Read book

What other book might you compare David Mitchell: Back Story to and why?

The other book I would most compare w/David Mitchell's 'David Mitchell: Back Story'(I am being asked this) would have to be 'Bossypants' by Tina Fey. This is because of obvious similarities in age and industry, along with the fact they are both biographies. My first thought was Outliers by Gladwell. Simply because David Mitchell would fall into the category of an 'outlier' who invested the time over time to become excellent in a field. And be where necessary to benefit from time invested.

What does David Mitchell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was grateful to have been read the book by the author as opposed to any other talent and least likely myself. Nothing to take away from anyone who narrates their own books, but this man is a performer and has already mastered the art of saying things others find funny.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

(I am now being asked to make a tag line for a film made out of the book)If you thought he was bookish, unsure around women and wears a 'Hitler' haircut, you might be right about some of those things.

Any additional comments?

I found out about Mitchell and Webb just over a month ago from a friend who I am writing comedy with as to something we could strive towards for our own sketches. I immediately became a fan with 'baddies' and have seen half the series, 'Magicians'(Yes, A funny film, as suggested by the author) and twenty minutes of 'Peep Show'. Such a small preview before I watched 'Magicians', not a reflection of the show. I now know more about that first episode and plan to watch more. In case the reader was concerned. All that said, I have become a fan. Of the work certainly and now the journey as expressed by the author. I don't write reviews much, but felt it important to write this one. Especially because I'm certain the author will read it and I would really want to thank him for making all those sketches. 'That Mitchell and Webb Look' is really fantastic and I enjoyed your book as much. Cheers.

Well written, well read

A conversational format for storytelling that adds something personal to the book. Hearing him read it adds another layer of connection, so that listening to this book really just feels like taking a walk with him. It's sweet, honest, open, and charming.

A must read / listen to book

A terrific journey into David's life path. That, together with his witty and upbeat narration has made my many hours sitting in NYC traffic feel like but moments of commute!