I Love the Bones of You

By: Christopher Eccleston

Narrated by: Christopher Eccleston

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

"My father was an 'ordinary man', which of course means he was extraordinary. I aim to capture him and his impact on my life and career."  (Christopher Eccleston)

Drawing on his memories, Chris describes a vivid life of growing up in a Salford, working-class household in the 1970s with his siblings, a loving mother, and the totemic figure of his hardworking, serious-minded and socialist father - Ronnie. How his life changed from a potential future as ‘factory fodder’ in his native Northwest, to a deep-rooted desire to perform onstage, and what developed into a burgeoning acting career - from his stunning film debut Let Him Have It; to the BBC’s landmark drama miniseries Our Friends in the North; his remarkable relaunch of the iconic Doctor Who franchise; and many more BAFTA-nominated roles over the past three decades such as starring in the current production of Macbeth for the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford and playing the role of the grandfather in the BBC1 hit drama series The A Word.

Along this path of fame and fortune also lay a man still bonded to his home city of Salford, his politics, his family, and especially his beloved parents. Chris discusses openly the loss of his father and his family’s struggle to cope with his condition over the past decade of his life as they watched his health deteriorate. A journey thousands of British families travel on each year. A heart-rending, honest and often touching memoir of a man embedded in his roots and mourning the loss of the father who nurtured those roots.

©2019 Christopher Eccleston (P)2019 Simon & Schuster UK

A kinder view of a loved one

I love Chris Eccleston already, but I appreciate getting to hear him talk about some of the things that fashioned his world view and then some of the performances we've seen from him. During some of the times where he talks about the fragility of his mental health, I wish I could hug him like an old friend. It both comforted me and grieved me to hear someone I do respect and admire talk about how hard he's struggled, and I think I will watch his roles with a greater appreciation than before. There were times where I wish he'd taken a step back from the constant self deprecation, but it was something that honestly affected those experiences. I appreciated the way he talked about gender and gender roles, especially in the way that he acknowledged them as a product of their time, and how often he saw his parents either transcend them or personify them. I loved hearing him talk about how experiences with being The Doctor, and explaining it to his children. I love how he talks about his children, too. I loved getting this new perspective of him, and I think I will appreciate watching him more now that I see where he's come from to get there.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

All the words I heard in my head as I listened to a great voice of my generation

Poignant, honest, reverie, blustery, deep, intense, commentary, raw, open, wonderment, willingness, generational, grateful,
Thank you.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wow

This book is a deep dive all about how Christopher see's not only himself, but the world. There are times he gets on his soap box and preaches but hey its his book and I paid my dime so I listened. Over all hear his love/fear of his dad, and even more fear of the realization that in end we are all just like our parents comes threw. I enjoyed this book immensely.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I laughed & I cried. Thank you Chris. You moved me

I came in to this as a fan of Christopher Eccleston the actor.
I come out of this as an admirer of Christopher Eccleston the man.

I've been a fan of Christopher Eccleston's work since Let Him Have It. It still sits with me after all these years. I became more of a fan after falling in love with Doctor Who.
Hearing him open up about his life and his struggles and his family and his views on life, relationships and what makes a person who they are, was incredibly moving. He's fiercely intelligent, has a strong sense of fairness and a world view very similar to mine, which includes disdain for societal class systems, unjust justice systems, bullies and those who punch down instead of up. It may come from having grown up working-class poor and the innate rejection of that "this is all you are" message thrust upon us. His definition of success is one I admire and agree with.

I noticed that later chapters had lots of editing in them, and some had passages that sounded almost slurred, which I attribute to his either being exhausted after a long day of narrating or due to the intimately personal material being emotionally draining.

I don't think our paths will ever cross professionally, although I would love to work with him. But if our paths ever cross in real life, even if it's at something like a Doctor Who convention, I would like to shake his hand and thank him for being the person he is. Quite honestly, I feel like I owe him a hug after this book.

Well worth your time.

Open and from the heart, very powerful and moving. A book I'll be referring to friends.

Beautiful Poignant Biography

A beautiful story about Christopher Eccleston's father. His life , his family and his dementia.
Also an autobiography of the actor and an insight into working class life in the 1960's and 70's
Also a useful description about mental illness.
A great book

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

outstanding

a passionate insight to a passionate man, the struggles he went through throughout his career have been immense

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Thank you

Thank you Christopher for sharing your story in such an honest way. My Dad has Alzheimer’s and so much of what you talk about resonates with me and my Dad.
I am sorry that your Dad and your family had to go through all that but here we are , my family going on this journey. It is somehow comforting to hear that we are not alone. From standing at the window waiting for mum to come back when she was out to the calming effects of music, the anxiety and sheer bewildered look on his face. His eyes say it all.

I have received great comfort in a weird way from listening to it. We are looking for a care home at this time. But we will be strong.

Sharing your struggles especially about Anorexia was also very enlightening as I have found this illness hard to understand.

An excellent listen.

Thank you for sharing.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Incredible

You cannot listen to this book without recognising, the deep seated love pouring from it.

Northern. Working Class

Wonderful listen. Funny and bleak. A little different from the usual autobiography. Essentially a letter to his dad and their complex relationship.

Touching and sensitive read

Not always an easy listen, but a touching and thought provoking read. It tackles difficult subjects. Christopher’s account of his experience of mental ill health is raw and gripping as it is for those who experience such challenges. Equally the account of dementia was moving and real , not sugar coated . A beautiful and authentic tale.

Inside Mr Ecclestone

Never morose, deeply brave sharing of Christopher Ecclestone's personal experiences of mental health, political perspectives and his relationship with his father. Inspiirational and a fantastic legacy for his own children. Highly recommended

Brilliant, so unexpected yet captivating.

One of my favourite actors and this book is not your usual autobiography. Written from his family's, mostly his father's perspective and intertwined with his own account of real struggle. Don't want to give anything away, but listen to this, I couldn't stop. Great book. Laura

I love the bones of you

This was a well written book about Chis Eccleston's life. It was very hard to listen to in that it was true, raw, painful. Later too his account of his breakdown and father's illness. I admire him tremendously since reading this account.

The best book

Thank you for sharing this book, it won't be the last time I read it. I was glad to hear it said in your own words - a great listen

0 of 1 people found this review helpful