Mack the Life

By: Lee Mack

Narrated by: Lee Mack

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Where do comedians come from?

Why is it that one person is a funny bloke down the pub while another actually makes a living by standing up in front of an audience telling jokes?

And where does all that material come from?

Well, young Lee McKillop used to wonder that too.

Growing up in his parents’ pub, small and wiry in a world of bigger and chunkier specimens, Lee quickly learned that cracking jokes was a way to get attention. After a somewhat random series of jobs, which included being Red Rum’s stableboy and a bingo hall barman, it was as a Great Yarmouth holiday camp entertainer that he had his first crack at telling jokes on stage. It got him some laughs, the sack and a punch in the face.*

Now, as Lee Mack, he’s one of our best loved and most successful comedians, both as a live stand-up and on television. In Mack the Life, Lee tells the story of how he got there and gives extraordinary insight into what really makes comics tick. Hilarious and brilliant, it’s the kind of book which reminds you why you learned to read in the first place.

*Nearly.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Lee Mack (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"His book is a joy to read, full of homespun wisdom and hilarious asides." (Independent)

I give it 99%

I “genuinely” enjoyed this book from start to finish. As a huge fan of #wilty I genuinely find Lee’s comedy one one stand outs in the show, so had to buy this audio book. Although I have only watched a handful of episodes of “Not Going Out” I will now rectify that. I genuinely didn’t realise that the show’s title might be a reference to a relationship status and not just a description of a boring Friday night, so I also learned something from this book. You will genuinely enjoy this book and if my over-use of the word “genuinely” has grated a little, you now know why I didn’t give it 100%.

Lee Mack delivers!!

I have looked forward to this book and was not disappointed! I saw him on segment of The Graham Norton show then looked for him on YouTube and watched everything on YouTube so now we got Britbox so the laughter goes on! I highly recommend this audiobook, Lee Mack is a master of his craft!!
A fan in Texas …it’s hot here!

Mack the life

If you like Lee Mac… you will like this book.

If you don’t like Lee Mack, guess what?

Warm, honest and full of Lee’s natural charisma

I was excited for this audio book, and having read the print copy several times, I was intrigued as to how Lee would deal with the psychiatrist dialogue. I can now say, I absolutely loved it. It’s a cleverly written and very funny autobiography anyway, but a real joy having Lee’s lovely voice tell the story. I really enjoyed all the bits with Angela McHale, and what a fabulous, unique idea to perform them as little sketches. It has been cleverly updated here and there, as the book is quite a few years old now, so it felt really current.
It’s a warm and honest storytelling, full of Lee’s natural wit and charisma, and reflective of the gentle, humble man behind the mask.
Lee ascertains throughout the book that comedians are not a special type of breed, but I think he’s pretty damn special.

Fantastic!

A brilliant account of Lee Mack’s life as a stand up comedian and actor. Read wonderfully by the brilliant Lee Mack himself. I enjoyed every part of it and interspersing the autobiography with talks to a psychiatrist was an amazing idea, really insightful. Loved it!

Perhaps not what you might expect....

I was excited about this book (as the release was pushed back at least a dozen times), I'm not sure why as I'm not the biggest fan of Lee Mack but I do find him very funny, quick witted and (at least on the face of it) very genuine. The book doesn't go into any particular depth and comes a cross more as an account of his life as told to his mates down the pub... which I believe is exactly the point! Lee doesn't have any pity parties or dwell too long on mistakes or regrets which is very refershing. Fans will love it and since listening I've gone down the youtube rabbit hole and can say Lee is even funnier than I thought - one to come back to

Potential ruined by psychiatrist

I could not get past chapter 3 or possibly 4 I forget. The psychiatrist sections just made the whole book, well the portion I listened to, to feel disjointed and didn’t really add anything of value.

Really entertaining, grounded autobiography!

In all honesty, I don’t really watch Not Going Out. I’ve seen a few but not many. I’ve always quite Lee Mack’s comedic style though and his stand up and game show performances, so thought I’d give this a go. I really enjoyed the style of delivery, his honesty and his ability to view the TV world through un-rose tinted specs. He spins some subjects into jokes although there are clearly underlying truths, whether about himself, his career or the industry he operates in. 8+ hours went quickly on walks! Well worth a listen! Have you built up to that second book yet, Lee?!🤣

big let down

I like Lee Mack a lot but this was so excruciatingly dull...the psychiatrists bits were really boring and seemed to be just added padding...... same stuff over and over...I learned nothing of interest about his life or the man and who he really is ....very disappointing

perfect

finally a funny honest detailed entertaining autobiography from a stand up who's not just doing it for cash no work on or to revive a dead career brilliant

A down to earth, funny book

I am biased as Lee is one of my favourite comedians , this book is very enjoyable, not too heavy and a real insight into Lees life and career .
I didn’t want it to end.

Hat off to Mr Mack

I enjoyed the openness, insights and honesty. The growing up and family life background was interesting. Most of all the positivity (and pitfalls) of wanting to and becoming a stand up comic. Hat off to Mr Mack . A def read (listen to) if you fancy trying out some standup .