Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Boy in a China Shop  By  cover art

Boy in a China Shop

By: Keith Brymer Jones
Narrated by: Keith Brymer Jones
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.52

Buy for $14.52

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The star presenter and judge of Channel 4's The Great Pottery Throw Down looks back on his life and career - and the passion for ceramics that started it all.

Keith Brymer Jones is the star presenter and judge of Channel 4's The Great Pottery Throw Down, famous for his emotional responses to the heartfelt and personal pieces made by contestants on the show. He is also the ultimate professional craftsman who's done the hard yards to get where he is today, working his way up from being a skivvy in an industrial pottery to running his own hugely successful international ceramics business.

Here, in his first ever memoir, Keith tells the story of his life and inspiring rise to success through the objects and images that have been meaningful to him every step of the way, as he recounts key moments and events as well as the people and places that have shaped him. From his childhood and early devotion to dance to discovering clay at the age of 11, to his tough apprenticeship at Harefield Pottery and struggles to establish his own business, this memoir goes beyond the TV show to offer us a rare insight into Keith's own philosophy and outlook on life.

©2022 Keith Brymer Jones (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

What listeners say about Boy in a China Shop

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    56
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    52
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    52
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read!

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I really do! I first came in contact with Keith through reruns of Great Pottery Throw Down on YouTube, and assumed he was a long time big name in pottery in Britain. I guess you can blame that on me being American, and the tendency on this side of the pond to always go with famous people for shows like this, but it was so nice to meet and get to know him as a person, with successes and failures, and the same love of ceramics I have. All the best, Keith!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

hopeful, comforting and honest

Thank you KBJ. your generosity in sharing your story is itself inspiring! you have a message that is very important in these times.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Potter of New England

I truly enjoyed the author reading his own journey. It was a delight and inspiring! Halfway through the first chapter I recommended it to my Mentor in clay. Highly recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read (or listen)

As a potter,I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to hear Keith’s early experiences through The Great Pottery Throwdown!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating tales of life, connections and hard work

I’m a huge fan of the Pottery Throw Down and often day dream about how amazing it would be to be part of something like that. So I was already partial to KBJ before getting this book. This book is as much a series of tales from an interesting life and touching anecdotes about family and friends as it is a really good primer in being a small business owner and what it takes to be a success (hint: a lot of hard work) Thank you for sharing it all!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must listen for any potter

Listened to this on a recent road trip. What a fantastic book. Keith is a great storyteller, eloquently outlining his trials and tribulations, both personal and professional. I can’t wait for “The Great Pottery Throwdown” season to start and another book by Keith!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

the best thing I have listened to in years!

sweet, funny, honest, and interesting. Keith is inspiring, entertaining, and he made me cry.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

what an absolute treasure.

I didn't quite know what I was expecting, but definitely not falling in love with KBJ. he's so sweet and kind. absolute treasure. He's a great narrator and a very nice voice to listen to. his stories are incredibly entertaining and educational, too!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A professional ceramicist

This industry is long in history and just as varied as any in terms of individual experiences. Keith tells his in a way that peers and Mughals alike. can gain respect for all that is encompassed in in a timeless profession.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Get the audio book

If you enjoy The Great Pottery Throw Down, you'll love this book. I loved hearing Keith narrate his book. It felt like I was sitting in the pottery with him listening to his stories. It was so much better than reading the book myself.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!