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Gareth Cliff On Everything
“Some people think it a very bad thing to have an opinion about anything. Blend in, don’t make too much noise, just be happy with what you know and do. I can’t do that.” — Gareth Cliff
Gareth Cliff likes to shoot from the hip. Whether on air or judging a trembling Idols contestant, he’s always quick with a point of view.
In Gareth Cliff on Everything, Gareth throws caution to the wind and writes about all those subjects that make him glad, sad or simply mad. Cliff takes on all comers with his brash, iconoclastic and pointed musings. It’ll engage, enrage and derange you all at once.
Gareth Cliff likes to shoot from the hip. Whether on air or judging a trembling Idols contestant, he’s always quick with a point of view.
In Gareth Cliff on Everything, Gareth throws caution to the wind and writes about all those subjects that make him glad, sad or simply mad. Cliff takes on all comers with his brash, iconoclastic and pointed musings. It’ll engage, enrage and derange you all at once.
- GenresNonfiction
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 19, 2019
If you aren't a fan of Gareth Cliff, then this book won't be for you. I enjoyed listening to him when he was at 5fm and I still listen to him now through his app Cliff Central. In this politically correct world, it is always refreshing to come across people who have opinions and are not afraid to share them, even if you don't agree with them.
This book is just a collection of his random opinions about everything from social media, to politicians, to fat people. I think you would know most of these opinions if you listened to him regularly. I most enjoyed the list of historical people he would want to have at a dinner party, and I think it would be fun to make my own list of who I would want to sit with.
A very quick, random read, with very short chapters each with their own theme. Only for fans of his, as people that don't enjoy his show won't enjoy this.
This book is just a collection of his random opinions about everything from social media, to politicians, to fat people. I think you would know most of these opinions if you listened to him regularly. I most enjoyed the list of historical people he would want to have at a dinner party, and I think it would be fun to make my own list of who I would want to sit with.
A very quick, random read, with very short chapters each with their own theme. Only for fans of his, as people that don't enjoy his show won't enjoy this.
September 12, 2014
Not my cup of tea
April 22, 2012
Review first appeared on the Women24 website.
One of my favourite words I've come across on Urban Dictionary, is the word Internuts. According to the website, Internuts is defined as "the phenomenon that occurs when someone becomes a baddass when addressing others on a message board."
It goes on to add that this behaviour often comes from the one person who wouldn't dare bitch outside the boundaries of the interwebs, because frankly, they just don't have enough fortitude to do so; and because they know they can hide under the guise of anonymity.
As a result, they resort to trolling on the internet (Which, we at women24, have seen MORE than our fair share of). In my experience, their trolling is characterised by the fact that they exhibit a low to no tolerance level for anyone who DARES to offer an opinion that is different to theirs.
Especially when it comes to the ever lovely topics of politics, race, crime and religion; because apparently, their word is law and everyone else who disagrees is wrong.
So what has this got to do with Gareth Cliff's book you might ask? It's simple.
This book was probably written for you. Or not, depending on which way you look at it.
Either way, the one thing you can be certain of is that you won't be left feeling indifferent when you're done reading this book.
From tackling political scandals to the vacuous life of social butterflies; from restaurant etiquette (or rather the lack thereof) to fat people on aeroplanes (actually just fat people in general) , Gareth Cliff writes with a witty, sardonic and biting honesty that one can't help but admire, even though your first instinct is to set the book down, phone in and give him a piece of your mind.
I'm not particularly a fan of his, but I absolutely love the fact that he has such a no-holds barred approach to airing his thoughts and opinions. If ever you've at one staged believed that he edits or sugar coats what he says, let this book cure you of any misconception you may still harbour.
He says what many people are afraid to say, fearlessly takes on taboo subjects and, what's more, does a pretty phenomenal job of doing so. He is eloquent, writes incredibly well and engages you with his thoughts, views and cut-to-the-throat honesty.
Are you going to agree with everything he says?
Of course not.
If you're reading the book with that expectation, then I suggest you put the read down right now.
Whether you're vegan, an ardent environmental activist, rich, poor, black or white, religious or not, chances are that you will balk at some of his thoughts expressed in his book. Almost no one is exempt from being disparaged against, coming under fire or being hailed as an idiot.
Is he mean-spirited? Rude? Crass? Insensitive? Annoying?
That's up to you to decide. But that is, also, I believe wherein the crux of enjoying this book lies. It shouldn't matter what you think of him. As I've quoted in a previous review of mine, the books that are often most worth reading are those that challenge your convictions.
And Gareth certainly manages to do so and more.
As he says in his book, "Opinions are like arseholes - everyone has one."
And that is what he's doing in his book - he is simply expressing his opinion. The only difference is that he has a more public platform in which do so.
Of course, you do reserve the right to not want to read his book, but you'll probably be missing out on a thought-provoking, insightful, funny and very un-pc read.
One of my favourite words I've come across on Urban Dictionary, is the word Internuts. According to the website, Internuts is defined as "the phenomenon that occurs when someone becomes a baddass when addressing others on a message board."
It goes on to add that this behaviour often comes from the one person who wouldn't dare bitch outside the boundaries of the interwebs, because frankly, they just don't have enough fortitude to do so; and because they know they can hide under the guise of anonymity.
As a result, they resort to trolling on the internet (Which, we at women24, have seen MORE than our fair share of). In my experience, their trolling is characterised by the fact that they exhibit a low to no tolerance level for anyone who DARES to offer an opinion that is different to theirs.
Especially when it comes to the ever lovely topics of politics, race, crime and religion; because apparently, their word is law and everyone else who disagrees is wrong.
So what has this got to do with Gareth Cliff's book you might ask? It's simple.
This book was probably written for you. Or not, depending on which way you look at it.
Either way, the one thing you can be certain of is that you won't be left feeling indifferent when you're done reading this book.
From tackling political scandals to the vacuous life of social butterflies; from restaurant etiquette (or rather the lack thereof) to fat people on aeroplanes (actually just fat people in general) , Gareth Cliff writes with a witty, sardonic and biting honesty that one can't help but admire, even though your first instinct is to set the book down, phone in and give him a piece of your mind.
I'm not particularly a fan of his, but I absolutely love the fact that he has such a no-holds barred approach to airing his thoughts and opinions. If ever you've at one staged believed that he edits or sugar coats what he says, let this book cure you of any misconception you may still harbour.
He says what many people are afraid to say, fearlessly takes on taboo subjects and, what's more, does a pretty phenomenal job of doing so. He is eloquent, writes incredibly well and engages you with his thoughts, views and cut-to-the-throat honesty.
Are you going to agree with everything he says?
Of course not.
If you're reading the book with that expectation, then I suggest you put the read down right now.
Whether you're vegan, an ardent environmental activist, rich, poor, black or white, religious or not, chances are that you will balk at some of his thoughts expressed in his book. Almost no one is exempt from being disparaged against, coming under fire or being hailed as an idiot.
Is he mean-spirited? Rude? Crass? Insensitive? Annoying?
That's up to you to decide. But that is, also, I believe wherein the crux of enjoying this book lies. It shouldn't matter what you think of him. As I've quoted in a previous review of mine, the books that are often most worth reading are those that challenge your convictions.
And Gareth certainly manages to do so and more.
As he says in his book, "Opinions are like arseholes - everyone has one."
And that is what he's doing in his book - he is simply expressing his opinion. The only difference is that he has a more public platform in which do so.
Of course, you do reserve the right to not want to read his book, but you'll probably be missing out on a thought-provoking, insightful, funny and very un-pc read.
April 3, 2014
I really quite enjoyed this. Okay so I quite like Gareth Cliff generally. People either seem to like him or not and there is no middle ground. If you don't like him you probably won't even consider reading this. If you do like him, I'd recommend it as an entertaining, bite-size-chapters look at his opinions on South Africa.
November 12, 2011
The man is arrogant and condescending but also very intelligent and funny – some chapters were rubbish and others very insightful but all was very entertaining.
January 6, 2012
The Gareth Cliff Monologue. Too much by page 50.
March 7, 2012
Thought I would love this and read it in a breeze but it's not like a novel, rather individual chapters that are wholly unrelated rants. Struggled slowly through in case I missed a gem. I didn't!
July 22, 2016
I struggled through the first half of this book, and eventually decided to end the misery. What self-centred drivel (and this from a person who actually enjoys Gareth Cliff: the radio DJ).
July 25, 2013
If you listen to his radio show the book is exactly the same if not a duplicate in some aspects. Not as funny as I thought it was going to be. Still love him as a DJ though, just not as an author
October 26, 2013
A book perfect for re-reading. I enjoyed it from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews