Thursday 28 February 2013

Miranda Hart - Is It Just Me?

Another quick this-book-has-been-on-my-To-Review-shelf-forever review, I'm afraid - my reading has been so shamefully little recently - but that means you get to hear about some fun books in short bursts.  And today's is Miranda Hart's bestselling book Is It Just Me?  Note that I don't say 'autobiography' - we'll come onto that later.

I suspect you know who Miranda Hart is, but indulge me for a moment.  She is a comedian (we're not saying 'comedienne' anymore, are we, please?) who sprung to fame in an eponymous sitcom where she falls over things, embraces middle-aged activities a little early, and generally makes fun of herself.  I'm always drawn to female-driven sitcoms, so I've been watching since day one - but the third series, which finished here about a month ago, was the one which really saw Miranda pull in enormous audiences of over 9 million.  One in seven people in the UK were watching, which is extraordinary.

The sitcom has the occasional dud episode, but generally I love, love, love it.  How can I not feel affinity with a woman who, aghast at the idea of going out clubbing, says: "It's 9 o'clock! Four words: Rush. Home. For. Poirot."  For those who don't 'get' it, Miranda is just childish and meandering - but I really admire how she has made slapstick amusing to those of us who normally don't care for it.  I adore her friend Tilly and her ridiculous expressions (I was saying 'McFact' before it appeared on Miranda: McFact.) Stevie (with her 'allure') and Miranda have a wonderful friendship, which is all too rarely shown in comedy.  And then there's her Mum.  It's all great fun, and very watchable.  And very British.

Which brings me onto Is It Just Me?  Although it is by Miranda Hart, about Miranda Hart, it's only really an autobiography to the extent that the sitcom is - it feels a lot like it's been written 'in character'.  Presumably all the events she described happened, at least in outline, but it's certainly selective.  Her tales of dating, office life, holidays, weddings... they're all written as though outlining  an idea for a sketch comedy.  Which is fine - it's more than fine, it's great - but it isn't really an autobiography.  She spends a lot of the time in faux-conversation with her 17-year-old self, disillusioning her of the idea that she'll grow up into a graceful gazelle-type.  (Since I talked to myself in my first Vulpes Libris column - see yesterday's post - I don't have a leg on which to stand.)

Of course, having languished on my To Review shelf for so long, I can't remember any examples to give you.  I chuckled my way through Is It Just Me? without making any notes on it, for reviewing purposes.  So I'll borrow this clip of Miranda reading an excerpt herself...



I haven't mentioned yet, but this was a gift from my lovely friend Lucy, whom I love even though she went and LEFT Oxford last year, to move to big old London town.

So, yes, a giggle of a book which does no more and no less than you'd expect.  Lots of amusing, light-hearted moments, and a surprisingly moving moment when she tells her younger self that her secret ambition to go into comedy has happened, and that she's even spoken to her heroines French & Saunders.  I guess it's the perfect Christmas book, but since that's been and gone... Mothering Sunday?

(By the by, if you have watched the sitcom, and enjoy Sally Phillips wonderful turn as Tilly, may I recommend you seek out her sitcom Parents...)

18 comments:

  1. On the basis of your recommendation Simon, I have put in a request at my local library. I am 379th in the queue of those wishing to read Miranda's story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. which means, Margaret, that, based on a 3 week loan, you'll be laughing at this book around December 2107!

      Delete
    2. Oh dear, Margaret, that is a long way ahead! As Dad points out, might be a while before you sit down to enjoy...

      Delete
  2. That's what I call "such fun".

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's what I call Totes Spiffulent!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was thrilled to see this pop up on the list of 'books on order' at my library the other day, Simon! Love Miranda and her show, once that intro music starts all is well in the world and I could care less about anything on my 'to do' list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wonderful! It's so relaxing and jolly, isn't it? The book is the same.

      Delete
  5. I doubt my little library will get this one, but I did enjoy the clip. Loved "a pity purchase?"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was great, wasn't it? She's v good at self-deprecating.

      Delete
  6. Her sitcom sounds like a lot of fun. As far as I know, it hasn't made it over here yet. In fact, I was only aware of Miranda Hart because I so loved her in Call the Midwife.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Which I have not seen! Too squeamish... but I do find it curious that some people will know her from that role first.

      Delete
  7. I cry with laughter so often when watching Miranda. As you say, there is the odd dud episode, but on the whole it is eye-wateringly funny and I think Patrica Hodge is wonderful in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some of it is just weepingly funny, isn't it? Patricia Hodge is so good, and so game for a laugh.

      Delete
  8. Like you, I LOVE 'Miranda' and really enjoyed reading 'Is Its Just Me?'. In fact, I enjoyed this book so much, that I received some very funny looks, as I was laughing out loud so much. Indeed as someone has already said, this book is 'such fun'!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really like Miranda so is it worth buying?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a really fun book for a lazy afternoon or two, so I'd say yes!

      Delete

I've now moved to www.stuckinabook.com, and all my old posts are over there too - do come and say hello :)

I probably won't see your comment here, I'm afraid, but all my archive posts can also be found at www.stuckinabook.com.