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

Brilliant, Just Brilliant

I’ve been watching David Mitchell on TV for many years and always found him totally entertaining - on WILTY and other shows. Such a unique voice and interesting persona he’s created. This book really fills in a lot of “back story” of his life - some parts that weren’t surprising at all because he’s revealed snippets of many personal stories on WILTY. But there were interesting and surprising details. And the chapter on Victoria is beautiful and so very romantic. I’m only sorry I binge-listened to it, so the hours went by very quickly, and now I’ll have to listen to something else .... when I just want more of David Mitchell’s voice in my head. Very well done David.

Hilarious

David Mitchell narrates his own memoir, and it’s a real treat. It really feels like talking to a friend.

Very enjoyable.

I’ll get the next one for sure. Listened to it while walking. While shopping. While travelling. Perfect for all.

Very poignant.

David, your life story is very interesting and well told. Very entertaining. I can't help thinking however, don't you regret squandering a Cambridge education on a life of basic nonsense?

Great book

David’s writing style is so enjoyable and made even better by his narration. Full marks, don’t miss Unruly if you enjoy history.

Mark Corrigan Tells It Like It Is

Would you consider the audio edition of David Mitchell: Back Story to be better than the print version?

If you're familiar with Mitchell's work, you know that his deadpan voice is a big part of his appeal. Listening to him read his own words definitely gives the cynicism a really humorous edge that doesn't come across as well in text unless you're already quite familiar with him as a performer.

Any additional comments?

If you're considering this title, it's probably because you're already acquainted with Mitchell either through Peep Show or That Mitchell & Webb Sound/Look/etc. So speaking as one of these fans, the book delivered exactly what I was hoping it would. Genuinely funny in several places, and just as often thoroughly entertaining.

Honest and funny.

Any additional comments?

I had moved from the UK to the US back in 2000 so relied on relations back home to keep me up to date on 'newer' comics on TV there. One mentioned 'Peep Show' to me a while back and after finding a few episodes on YouTube I started to look into Mitchell and Webb a bit more as I enjoyed their brand of humour. David Mitchell is a regular on the panel TV show "Would I Lie To You" where his brilliant and eloquent wit is on full display and along with Lee Mack and Rob Brydon make this show required viewing.
So browsing Audible I came across David Mitchell's memoir. It is a very honest and engaging listen. Serious at times, beautifully written and extremely funny with many laugh-out-loud moments. Highly recommended!

Enjoyed every second of this book. Love it!

David Mitchell, one of my favorite comedians and co-creator of my favorite sketch show ever (I sound like I'm claiming ownership of him here, aren't I?) , has written a book that is in fact the long list of book genres he lists at the beginning but is also what he says it isn't. (I'm not going to spoil it here.) I don't read memoirs often or celebrity gossip stuff at all, but I must confess a curiosity of the lives of those artists (usually comedians) whom I greatly admire. And David Mitchell certainly tops that list and doesn't disappoint with a book written and performed with his brilliantly hilarious and thoughtful voice at full tilt boogie. It's a genuine pleasure, start to finish. Thank you, Mr. Mitchell.

Everything I expected from this book and more!

Funny, revealing, warm! Must ask friends on Twitter if it's weird that I fancy him!😋

Mitchell's great as always

A lovely story about one man's path to fame with a great ending. Narration's great.