Just Ignore Him

A BBC Two Between the Covers book club pick

By: Alan Davies

Narrated by: Alan Davies

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

The story of a life built on sand. In the rain.

In this compelling memoir, comedian and actor Alan Davies recalls his boyhood with vivid insight and devastating humour. Shifting between his 1970s upbringing and his life today, Davies moves poignantly from innocence to experience to the clarity of hindsight, always with a keen sense of the absurd.

From sibling dynamics, to his voiceless, misunderstood progression through school, sexuality and humiliating 'accidents', Davies inhabits his younger mind with spectacular accuracy, sharply evoking an era when Green Shield Stamps, Bob-a-Job week and Whizzer & Chips loomed large, a bus fare was 2p - and children had little power in the face of adult motivation. Here, there are often exquisitely tender recollections of the mother he lost at six years old, of a bereaved family struggling to find its way, and the kicks and confusion of adolescence.

Through even the joyous and innocent memories, the pain of Davies' lifelong grief and profound betrayal is unfiltered, searing and beautifully articulated. Just Ignore Him is not only an autobiography, it is a testament to a survivor's resilience and courage.

©2020 Alan Davies (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK

The Best

...memoir I've ever read. Every reader will be a little kinder towards others. Thank you.

Thanks for this, Alan

It must have taken immense courage to write this book. Not sure if you read these reviews, but I want to thank you for the sense of camaraderie I felt reading your story, because it has also helped me have more compassion for my child self and to take more seriously what happened to me and to properly reevaluate it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Heart wrenching and heartfelt.

This book was hard to listen to, but well worth it. I have only ever know the Alan Davies we see on tv, have never known the hardships he went through in his life. Knowing them now, I hope to be able better appreciate his laughter. This book is a pointed reminder, that we don’t know what goes on behind the closed doors of others houses. We all need to be ready to listen, and believe.

Not for everyone. Beautifully read.

such direct simplicity in writing
Alan's calm and gentle voice
courageous work
from the ashes we may rise

A Big Fan from America

A big fan of memoirs, none has moved me like this in quite some time. Alan Davies has always been a charming an funny man to me since I was introduced to him when I first watched Jonathan Creek years ago. His story was beautifully written and narrated. I laughed, I cried (having lost my own mother when I was younger) and fell in love. I just wanted to give him a big hug. I’ve listened to the book twice since purchasing. Truly brilliant.

Alan amazes again

What can’t this guy do? Alan was able to tell his story without bitterness, anger or denial. I hope he writes something fictional in the near future. I could listen to his sardonic prose for hours no matter how he conceals it.

Heartbreaking and entertaining

Come for Alan's great storytelling, stay for the emotional rollercoaster that he'll take you on.

Moving memoir

This is a thorough examination through storytelling of the effects of childhood trauma. Alan eloquently describes what he lived through. The way confusing trauma plagues the mind is described extremely well. The narrator gets over five stars. He’s so adept at conveying every feeling and mood.

Beautiful, poignant memoir

Alan Davies memoir is beautifully written. The whole book is as evocative as any well written poetry. At times difficult to listen to, but so necessary and well worth the emotion. The whole book is a deep reminder of what it is to be a child, a sibling, a father, a mother, and the complexities of being a human being. As far as his reading, I could listen to Alan Davies speak all day about anything. Highly recommend this book to anyone. I will be buying this book in print as well!

Quiet

it wasn't what i was expecting but still insightful. There were moments his voice was quiet enough to sound like he was whispering.