• Mack the Life

  • By: Lee Mack
  • Narrated by: Lee Mack
  • Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)

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Mack the Life

By: Lee Mack
Narrated by: Lee Mack
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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)

What listeners say about Mack the Life

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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%.

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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!

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  • Dean
  • 07-16-22

Mack the life

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

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

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16 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 07-17-22

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.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Pretty Foxy
  • 07-16-22

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!

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9 people found this helpful

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  • Anxiety Solutions Official
  • 07-29-22

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

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8 people found this helpful

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  • xrchris
  • 07-28-22

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.

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3 people found this helpful

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  • Karl Perry
  • 01-12-23

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?!🤣

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  • mama
  • 07-28-22

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

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  • Bob
  • 07-23-22

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

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  • Lord Jeffrey
  • 01-19-23

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.

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 09-20-23

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 .

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  • Peter S
  • 09-19-23

Greatyarn

Wonderful storytelling engaging and entertaining walk through his driven and ADHD thought processes. A light listen that won't let Lee Mack fans down

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  • lindsay holliday
  • 05-18-23

A Story of a Real, Working Hard, Entertainer as much as a Comedian

Enjoyed listening to Lee Mack. Not really a comedy read but lots of fun and interesting to hear how Lee Mack got to where he is and how he thinks to be as funny as he is.

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  • Rob in Nelson NZ
  • 01-04-23

SLIGHTLY OUT OF DATE, BUT AN ENTERTAINING LISTEN

The audiobook industry seems to be booming. There are a lot of my favourite entertainers who have written/read memoirs of their lives. I have a "rule" that I'm reluctant to shell out on an autobiography for someone who hasn't read their life story themselves. A couple of exceptions with Freddie Mercury (for obvious reasons) and Elton John. I had this book on my wish list for well over a year, and the release kept getting pushed back. Presumably Lee Mack was busy with other work? When it finally landed in my library, I enjoyed it a lot. Some have said they didn't like the psychiatrist parts, but I enjoyed them. If you like Lee Mack, and are interested in how he became the person he is, I've no hesitation in recommending this. My main criticism is that it is a read through of the original book which was released in 2012. A lot of what has happened in the last decade is therefore not mentioned. In saying that because the reading was recorded in 2022, some comments are updated. Loved the reading and am glad Lee did take the time out of his busy life to read the book himself. Recommended if you enjoy Lee Mack's comedy work.

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  • Timothy Davis
  • 12-29-22

Just not funny

I have followed Lee Mac for many years, & enjoyed his humour
But this one was just not funny. Dull & boring

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Andrew Young
  • 12-28-22

Thank you for sharing your life

Highly interesting and funny. Thank you Lee. I hope you write about the latter years at some stage.

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  • shaun newcombe
  • 12-21-22

Prepare to be bored

Lee Mack, a usually quick witted comedian does his best here to entertain you about his life. It raises two thoughts: Just because it happened to you doesn’t mean it’s interesting OR a more applicable; is it still a comedy if nobody laughs?
Sadly, a very disappointing effort from a genuinely funny man (if you’ve seen his stand-up or caught him on tv) and the reading performance from the author adds no enjoyment this time, Avoid this one. Seek out his other work.

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  • Miss Tamara L Hunter
  • 12-05-22

Laugh out loud

Plenty of laugh out loud moments, but also a thoroughly compelling insight into the world of stand up comedy. Really enjoyed hearing about Lee's own relationship with comedy, his desire to remain grounded and not let it rule his life, and the furious duck paddling that goes on beneath what often appears as a slick and 'special' surface.

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  • Stephanie Argyle
  • 11-25-22

Laughing out loud and getting funny looks walking the dog!

Thoroughly enjoyed Lee’s well written witty memoir. My mum and aunts are from Southport and went to Stanley HS. Will recommend to them but with only a few “language warning” moments for their sensitive 70+ years and ears. The side notes with ‘Brian’ proof reader/psych were brilliant and had me crying laughing walking the dog, cleaning the house and mowing the lawn. This book made doing chores a breeze! Thanks Lee Mack*\\•> - legend

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  • Anonymous User
  • 10-28-22

Enjoyable

was good, although being Australian not English I didnt understand a lot of references. If you're a die hard Lee Mack fan, definitely listen!

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  • Humblebuz
  • 08-24-22

Enjoyable

Outstanding! Thanks Lee Mack. It was much more enjoyable than I thought it would be. I think I will listen to it a second time. Thanks again.

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