David Mitchell: Back Story

By: David Mitchell

Narrated by: David Mitchell

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

David Mitchell, who you may know for his inappropriate anger on every TV panel show except Never Mind the Buzzcocks, his look of permanent discomfort on C4 sex comedy Peep Show, his online commenter-baiting in The Observer or just for wearing a stick-on moustache in That Mitchell and Webb Look, has written a book about his life.

As well as giving a specific account of every single time he's scored some smack, this disgusting memoir also details:

• The singular, pit bull-infested charm of the FRP (‘Flat Roofed Pub’)
• The curious French habit of injecting everyone in the arse rather than the arm
• Why, by the time he got to Cambridge, he really, really needed a drink
• The pain of being denied a childhood birthday party at McDonalds
• The satisfaction of writing jokes about suicide
• How doing quite a lot of walking around London helps with his sciatica
• Trying to pretend he isn’t a total **** at Robert Webb’s wedding
• That he has fallen in love a LOT, but rarely done anything about it
• Why it would be worse to bump into Michael Palin than Hitler on holiday
• That he’s not David Mitchell the novelist, despite what David Miliband might think

©2012 David Mitchell (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘One of the best celebrity memoirs of last year…his outsider geek personality translates just as well on the page as it does on TV.’ Metro

‘It livened up about half way through with the appearance of me. But enough of David's life. The book is wonderful from beginning to end.’ Robert Webb

'David Mitchell is an extremely funny man on screen, in person, in print and very probably underwater.' Sam Bain, co-writer of Peep Show

‘He can write’ Evening Standard

‘Fluent, discursive, intelligent.’ Evening Standard

‘If you like Mitchell on television, you will like him in this book.’ Shortlist

Extremely entertaining, a Real RollerCoaster*

What did you love best about David Mitchell: Back Story?

I thoroughly enjoyed the overall honesty of the book. I am being asked what I 'loved best' about the book and now after investing near 10 hours listening to it, it is that. I enjoyed so many parts of this book, but the candid nature of the book was most(dare I say) refreshing. It was. *Read book

What other book might you compare David Mitchell: Back Story to and why?

The other book I would most compare w/David Mitchell's 'David Mitchell: Back Story'(I am being asked this) would have to be 'Bossypants' by Tina Fey. This is because of obvious similarities in age and industry, along with the fact they are both biographies. My first thought was Outliers by Gladwell. Simply because David Mitchell would fall into the category of an 'outlier' who invested the time over time to become excellent in a field. And be where necessary to benefit from time invested.

What does David Mitchell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was grateful to have been read the book by the author as opposed to any other talent and least likely myself. Nothing to take away from anyone who narrates their own books, but this man is a performer and has already mastered the art of saying things others find funny.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

(I am now being asked to make a tag line for a film made out of the book)If you thought he was bookish, unsure around women and wears a 'Hitler' haircut, you might be right about some of those things.

Any additional comments?

I found out about Mitchell and Webb just over a month ago from a friend who I am writing comedy with as to something we could strive towards for our own sketches. I immediately became a fan with 'baddies' and have seen half the series, 'Magicians'(Yes, A funny film, as suggested by the author) and twenty minutes of 'Peep Show'. Such a small preview before I watched 'Magicians', not a reflection of the show. I now know more about that first episode and plan to watch more. In case the reader was concerned. All that said, I have become a fan. Of the work certainly and now the journey as expressed by the author. I don't write reviews much, but felt it important to write this one. Especially because I'm certain the author will read it and I would really want to thank him for making all those sketches. 'That Mitchell and Webb Look' is really fantastic and I enjoyed your book as much. Cheers.

Well written, well read

A conversational format for storytelling that adds something personal to the book. Hearing him read it adds another layer of connection, so that listening to this book really just feels like taking a walk with him. It's sweet, honest, open, and charming.

A must read / listen to book

A terrific journey into David's life path. That, together with his witty and upbeat narration has made my many hours sitting in NYC traffic feel like but moments of commute!

Listen again and again

David's insights are so funny that this book is well worth listening to multiple times. The chapter on his wife is especially touching.

Laugh Out Loud

Where does David Mitchell: Back Story rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to. Its light and funny and a very easy listen. I keep it on my device so I can turn it on when I have nothing else to listen to. I've probably read it 6 or 7 times.

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

No

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

I kept laughing, uncontrollably and audibly on an airplane while listening to this book. My husband, sitting next to me, couldn't believe I was listening to an audiobook. This is truly a very funny read and made all the more hilarious by David Mitchell's performance.

wonderful

David Mitchell has an amazing insight into himself he shares with the reader. You will forever feel aquainted with him.

That was good

Listening to David Mitchell being honest about the things most of us like to pretend never happened to ourselves is a real joy.

Great book

I’ve listen to a few books by comedians, most disappointed me, but this was quite to opposite

a hilarious autobiography

this is an absolutely amazing on a biography I love listening to David Mitchell this is one of my favorite books I would highly recommend anyone read this as long as you have a pulse

David Mitchell’s Backstory Review

Absolutely loved listening to David Mitchell narrate this. For fan’s of Mitchell’s comedy and punditry, this shouldn’t be missed.