Under a Mackerel Sky

De: Rick Stein

Narrado por: Rick Stein

‘All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why’. Rick Stein's childhood in 1950s rural Oxfordshire and North Cornwall was idyllic. His parents were charming and gregarious, their five children much-loved and given freedom typical of the time. As he grew older, the holidays were filled with loud and lively parties in his parents' Cornish barn. But ever-present was the unpredicatible mood of his bipolar father, with Rick frequently the focus of his anger and sadness.

When Rick was 18 his father killed himself. Emotionally adrift, Rick left for Australia, carrying a suitcase stamped with his father's initials. Manual labour in the outback followed by adventures in America and Mexico toughened up the naive public schoolboy, but at heart he was still lost and unsure what to do with his life. Eventually, Cornwall called him home.

From the entrepreneurial days of his mobile disco, the Purple Tiger, to his first, unlikely unlikely nightclub where much of the time was spent breaking up drink-fuelled fights, Rick charts his personal journey in a way that is both wry and perceptive; engaging and witty. Narrated by Rick Stein himself.

©2013 Rick Stein (P)2013 Random House Audiobooks

His life in his voice - what a treat!

Would you consider the audio edition of Under a Mackerel Sky to be better than the print version?

Yes - I always enjoy his soothing voice

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rick - he is honest about his own shortcomings and misdeeds

Have you listened to any of Rick Stein’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have the Food heroes of Britain and Seafood Odyssey on DVD, but listening to his life story on audio, as I drove to work was a special treat.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed at some bits, was made very hungry at some of the scrumptious descriptions of food! I was also taken aback at some things, like his father's death, and other unexpected events that were quite shocking!

Any additional comments?

Fascinating man and fascinating life.

Honest, but tedious and unreflective

Would you ever listen to anything by Rick Stein again?

No

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

I found him very honest especially in his discussion of his family and his relationship with his father and also his sexuality. But he displays so little maturity or self awareness, especially in relation to his relationships with women, and the events which comprised his travels. I would have preferred not to have heard this unflattering autobiography.