Autobiography of Griff, TV personality. Although he's younger than me, there's still a lot that he writes about which strikes a chord with my own upbringing

Griff Rhys Jones' childhood and young adulthood revolved around a loving but detached father, hence the title. Growing up in the 70s myself, I really emphasised with his experiences - Pink Floyd and flared trousers - but curiously I lost interest as he headed towards University and the theatre.

First book I've read on an e-reader (Elonex). ( )

I bought this at a book sale. I found this dedication on a post-it note inside:
"You may feel semi-detached but *I* am very attached to you. In fact I feel half a person without you"

How sad the person got rid of the book without keeping the dedication..

I liked the first part of the book and its tales about growing up in the UK in the 60ies (or was it 70ies?) a lot better than the second part. The first part is about holidays, grandparents, beach resorts in the UK, food, fashion mistakes and all the other things anglophiles like me like to read about.
From the second part I just remember a list of names of famous theatre and tv people who he collaborated with and what projects they worked on. Since I know nothing about theatre in the UK and almost nothing about TV in the UK none of these names mean anything to me. Except of course Douglas Adams, who Rhys Jones went to school with. Even though I squealed with delight every time I read Douglsa Adams' name (I am a huge fan) it didn't actually make the second part of the book any more interesting.

Self-deprecating, self-aware scrutiny of the youth of an entertaining man as recalled through a series of journeys to the places and people that shaped him. It is revealling but largely pedestrian and it is the familiarity of the ordinary that makes this so appealing. ( )

As well-written as his recent tv appearances would suggest and a fascinating insight into his early life. The only disappointment is the story finishes when he gets his first BBC job, but obviously that leaves plenty of scope for a sequel! ( )