What do you think?
Rate this book
Small Man in a Book
Rob Brydon tells story of his slow ascent to fame and fortune in Small Man in a Book.A multi-award-winning actor, writer, comedian and presenter known for his warmth, humour and inspired impressions, Rob Brydon has quickly become one of our very favourite entertainers. But there was a time when it looked like all we'd hear of Rob was his gifted voice.Growing up in South Wales, Rob had a passion for radio and soon the Welsh airwaves resounded to his hearty burr. However, these were followed by years of misadventure and struggle, before, in the TV series Marion and Geoff and Gavin and Stacey, Rob at last tickled the nation's funny bone. The rest, as they say, is history. Or in his case autobiography.Small Man in a Book is Rob Brydon's funny, heartfelt, honest, sometimes sad, but mainly funny, memoir of how a young man from Wales very, very slowly became an overnight success.Rob Brydon was brought up in Wales, where his career began on radio and as a voiceover artist. After a brief stint working for the Home Shopping Network he co-wrote and performed in his breakthrough show, the darkly funny Human Remains. He has since starred in the immensely popular Gavin and Stacey, Steve Coogan's partner in The Trip, and was the host of Would I Lie to You? and The Rob Brydon Show. He now lives in London with his wife and five children.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
119 people are currently reading
1105 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
October 25, 2018
A highly enjoyable look at the Welsh comedians childhood and early attempts to break into show business.
The book mainly covers he’s early career as a voice actor before he’s big break with Marion and Geoff.
It’s just a fun light read, I would definitely buy a follow up covering the rest of he’s career.
The book mainly covers he’s early career as a voice actor before he’s big break with Marion and Geoff.
It’s just a fun light read, I would definitely buy a follow up covering the rest of he’s career.
August 23, 2014
My only awareness of Rob Brydon until I saw this book was as a guest presenter on "Have I Got News For You". Indeed there was something vaguely familiar...but more about that later, as Brydon is so fond of remarking in his book.
I enjoyed the first part where he relates his childhood/schooldays. The text doesn't seem ghostwritten, as so many UK Celeb Bios are--all of which share a particular writing style, not evident in this book. However, the writing is much more engaging in the first half of the book; when he begins to relate his professional adventures, the narration somehow begins to drag. Perhaps this is in part because of his self-confessed ineptitude in pursuing his dream, and then in selling himself. After pages of expatiation on his dream to act, to do standup, to be in front of an audience, he tells of jettisoning his drama-school training halfway through his course...for a career in BBC Radio. After seven years or so of this, he decides to try the club circuit and work as a "warmup artiste" for other comedy shows, but admits that he really didn't bother to come up with any material of his own. There was evidently no real drive to create a persona or work out "an act"--he just seemed to be waiting around for the world to discover how wonderful and funny he was in himself. Well, apparently that's where it stayed--in himself. He can't imagine why the bit parts he was offered in movies were, by his own admission, so badly done. Could it have helped if he'd actually learned to act in the school he so merrily left all those years before?
Bored with his inability to get "discovered" (for doing what, exactly?), Brydon then plumps for the steady work and money of voiceovers. That's where he was vaguely (so vaguely) familiar from--I do tend to recognise people by their voices, having synasthesia and very little visual memory. (I actually had a portrait photo taken of my husband, as I realise that if he passes on before I do, within a month I will be totally unable to recall his features, and we've been married over 30 years. But I digress, as I am wont to do).
Brydon repeatedly states in the book that while he "desperately" wanted to cross over into acting on films or TV, he was "somehow" unable to put together the all-important video demos, attend more than a few auditions, or put himself round those who might offer him work--a far cry from the go-getting story of many successful comics. The further I read, the more frustrated I became; Rob Brydon gives the impression that he simply sat round waiting for someone to hand him a big juicy career on a platter.
Strangely, when that "big" break finally came (10 ten-minute long "bits" slotted in to round out an hour of BBC programming is apparently success--to him), Brydon seems to lose interest in his own story, and the style shows it. (I'm not surprised; either the three series he did land were funnier on film than in the telling, or they were as they seemed to me in the reading--not funny at all.) The successful years from 2001 to the present are glossed over at lightening speed in less than ten pages, leaving me grinding my teeth in frustration. Not only do we get precious little insight into his work and technique (does he have any?), but Brydon chooses to end with the old gimmick, "Fast forward from 2001 to the present" or words to that effect. It was almost as if someone else had written the final third of the book. Perhaps someone else wrote the engaging section, leaving Brydon to fill in the end. In any case, the story just sort of peters out, leaving him eating fish and chips poolside in Australia while working on a project mentioned only in passing.
Two stars for a frustrating read.
I enjoyed the first part where he relates his childhood/schooldays. The text doesn't seem ghostwritten, as so many UK Celeb Bios are--all of which share a particular writing style, not evident in this book. However, the writing is much more engaging in the first half of the book; when he begins to relate his professional adventures, the narration somehow begins to drag. Perhaps this is in part because of his self-confessed ineptitude in pursuing his dream, and then in selling himself. After pages of expatiation on his dream to act, to do standup, to be in front of an audience, he tells of jettisoning his drama-school training halfway through his course...for a career in BBC Radio. After seven years or so of this, he decides to try the club circuit and work as a "warmup artiste" for other comedy shows, but admits that he really didn't bother to come up with any material of his own. There was evidently no real drive to create a persona or work out "an act"--he just seemed to be waiting around for the world to discover how wonderful and funny he was in himself. Well, apparently that's where it stayed--in himself. He can't imagine why the bit parts he was offered in movies were, by his own admission, so badly done. Could it have helped if he'd actually learned to act in the school he so merrily left all those years before?
Bored with his inability to get "discovered" (for doing what, exactly?), Brydon then plumps for the steady work and money of voiceovers. That's where he was vaguely (so vaguely) familiar from--I do tend to recognise people by their voices, having synasthesia and very little visual memory. (I actually had a portrait photo taken of my husband, as I realise that if he passes on before I do, within a month I will be totally unable to recall his features, and we've been married over 30 years. But I digress, as I am wont to do).
Brydon repeatedly states in the book that while he "desperately" wanted to cross over into acting on films or TV, he was "somehow" unable to put together the all-important video demos, attend more than a few auditions, or put himself round those who might offer him work--a far cry from the go-getting story of many successful comics. The further I read, the more frustrated I became; Rob Brydon gives the impression that he simply sat round waiting for someone to hand him a big juicy career on a platter.
Strangely, when that "big" break finally came (10 ten-minute long "bits" slotted in to round out an hour of BBC programming is apparently success--to him), Brydon seems to lose interest in his own story, and the style shows it. (I'm not surprised; either the three series he did land were funnier on film than in the telling, or they were as they seemed to me in the reading--not funny at all.) The successful years from 2001 to the present are glossed over at lightening speed in less than ten pages, leaving me grinding my teeth in frustration. Not only do we get precious little insight into his work and technique (does he have any?), but Brydon chooses to end with the old gimmick, "Fast forward from 2001 to the present" or words to that effect. It was almost as if someone else had written the final third of the book. Perhaps someone else wrote the engaging section, leaving Brydon to fill in the end. In any case, the story just sort of peters out, leaving him eating fish and chips poolside in Australia while working on a project mentioned only in passing.
Two stars for a frustrating read.
June 6, 2018
a funny and self-deprecating autobiography covering his childhood up to the age of 35, his breakthrough year
March 29, 2015
Published: 2011
Author: Rob Brydon
Recommended for: fan's of Biographies and Rob Brydon
Rob Brydon is one of my favourite comedians, this book shows us just what a 'normal' man he is. It gives an insight into his life and how he became to be a comedian, we follow him through his life and go on all of his journeys with him. Rob Brydon's humor style comes through in the book as you read it. It is an easy book to find yourself laughing out loud at. It isn't full of swear words or alcohol infuced conversations. It is a nice and easy book to read and is very enjoyable. The way the book is written means that you can hear his voice in your head while you are reading it, as if he was sat in the room telling you about his life. A really wonderful read.
Author: Rob Brydon
Recommended for: fan's of Biographies and Rob Brydon
Rob Brydon is one of my favourite comedians, this book shows us just what a 'normal' man he is. It gives an insight into his life and how he became to be a comedian, we follow him through his life and go on all of his journeys with him. Rob Brydon's humor style comes through in the book as you read it. It is an easy book to find yourself laughing out loud at. It isn't full of swear words or alcohol infuced conversations. It is a nice and easy book to read and is very enjoyable. The way the book is written means that you can hear his voice in your head while you are reading it, as if he was sat in the room telling you about his life. A really wonderful read.
October 19, 2014
I will be honest with you, I only knew Rob from Gavin & Stacey and I was intrigued to read his autobiography. I had not realised how much he had achieved in his life. The audio version was brilliant as he read it himself and introduced so many voices that I found myself laughing out loud in the car!
I always learn something when I read an autobiography, and this book was no different. Rob could have easily given up and just provided voice-overs for the rest of his career, but his determination and vision kept him going through until success. He also proved that the law of attraction works wonders!
I always learn something when I read an autobiography, and this book was no different. Rob could have easily given up and just provided voice-overs for the rest of his career, but his determination and vision kept him going through until success. He also proved that the law of attraction works wonders!
October 22, 2014
A great read. He has a way with words that renders the mundane interesting. A light and easy read.
May 26, 2024
I only know Rob Brydon as host of Would I Lie To You, and sometime panellist on QI, but I like him and decided to read this autobiography. Unfortunately, the book ends before he was cast as Bryn in Gavin and Stacey.
It was an interesting read with some funny moments. Rob had a happy childhood and adolescence. Following his dream to become an actor/comedian seemed like it was doomed to failure, but Rob didn't give up. His impatience shows in the narrative though. You don't get the same exuberance that is present when recounting his childhood years.
Worth a read if you're a fan.
It was an interesting read with some funny moments. Rob had a happy childhood and adolescence. Following his dream to become an actor/comedian seemed like it was doomed to failure, but Rob didn't give up. His impatience shows in the narrative though. You don't get the same exuberance that is present when recounting his childhood years.
Worth a read if you're a fan.
July 10, 2012
Phew, at last an autobiography that paints a picture of what seems to be a fairly normal bloke. No tearful, alcohol-fuelled impeachments of a depersonalised God (Frank Skinner), no family child molestations (Billy Connolly), no scuzzy deflowerings by prostitutes (Frank Skinner again). You'd think it would be boring, but surprisingly it's not. Another surprising thing is that I picked this up with hardly a knowledge or preconception about Brydon. I've rarely watched or seen any of his stuff on telly and what I have seen was far from laugh out loud funny. Wry, observational humour, more like, which is fine by me if I was to find such repeated in the book. Well, it was and it wasn't. It must be difficult to write something like this - you try sitting down to write a tasteful reprise of how (and to whom) you lost your virginity, knowing that the chances are the other half in the liaison will read it too. Providing they can read of course. Or you're Frank Skinner, who seemingly could write a book about it. As Brydon sometimes points out though, attention and fame were for him a calling that he couldn't not follow. People are pulled along in the slipstream when the autobiography gets written, and I had the feeling that Brydon was often cognisant of the fact that they'd probably rather not be.
For me, it's the pre-fame and fortune years that are the interesting ones before celebrity hits, whether that applies to a comedian, actor, politician, footballer, whatever. The hungry years, which Neil Sedaka wrote he missed, when their view of the world wasn't warped by who they have to be when in public persona. Brydon stops writing in this book when fame begins to loom large in his life and I wondered if he's still trying to come to terms with it? Maybe it's easier to write about when you could still pretend you led a normal life and that chatting to, say, Bruce Springsteen, didn't leave you with the feeling you have more talent in your little finger. Brydon seems to be at pains to show just how normal a guy he was, and hopefully still is, while the rest of us wonder how the hell Jimmy Carr was able to avoid paying tax on an income of over £8m. If Carr's worth that, what's Brydon worth, given the former is, at best, mildly entertaining and/or famous? So, good try at convincing us you're normal, Rob. But you're not.
For me, it's the pre-fame and fortune years that are the interesting ones before celebrity hits, whether that applies to a comedian, actor, politician, footballer, whatever. The hungry years, which Neil Sedaka wrote he missed, when their view of the world wasn't warped by who they have to be when in public persona. Brydon stops writing in this book when fame begins to loom large in his life and I wondered if he's still trying to come to terms with it? Maybe it's easier to write about when you could still pretend you led a normal life and that chatting to, say, Bruce Springsteen, didn't leave you with the feeling you have more talent in your little finger. Brydon seems to be at pains to show just how normal a guy he was, and hopefully still is, while the rest of us wonder how the hell Jimmy Carr was able to avoid paying tax on an income of over £8m. If Carr's worth that, what's Brydon worth, given the former is, at best, mildly entertaining and/or famous? So, good try at convincing us you're normal, Rob. But you're not.
January 6, 2013
This is an enjoyable read, but as somebody else noted, it tends meander in parts so I found myself picking up other books when my interest dipped. I did find a couple of chuckles and enjoyed the Bruce Springsteen mentions.
One of the passages I really enjoyed was surprisingly insightful and I made a note of it, so I thought I'd quote it here for you too!
"..Hugh Laurie once described how he eventually came to realise that there is not a finite amount of success in the world, and that someone else gaining great success did not necessarily mean that there was now less to go around for everyone else. It's a good thing to remember."
One of the passages I really enjoyed was surprisingly insightful and I made a note of it, so I thought I'd quote it here for you too!
"..Hugh Laurie once described how he eventually came to realise that there is not a finite amount of success in the world, and that someone else gaining great success did not necessarily mean that there was now less to go around for everyone else. It's a good thing to remember."
August 9, 2015
Obviously a "part 1" as this covers Brydon's childhood and early start up to the year 2000. Interesting in parts with a few laughs, but I haven't seen much of his early work so the stories behind the tv shows and movies are lost on me
May 17, 2024
It was just ok. The author definitely had a lot of chutzpah. It was refreshing though, to read a book out of Great Britain where the author experienced a very positive upbringing, and the fact he did not feel the need to use potty language. Those were big points in Brydon's favor.
May 13, 2025
Had me genuinely chuckling out loud at points. Thoroughly enjoyed. Would highly recommend the audiobook read by Rob himself.
December 8, 2025
I’m docking one star for the fact that it just gets really interesting and then the book stops.
Dubious effusive praise for Jimmy Savile too, which surely was removed in later editions?
Dubious effusive praise for Jimmy Savile too, which surely was removed in later editions?
July 2, 2018
My memory tells me that I first saw Rob Brydon on QI (however, this is not the case apparently as I shall explain below). I thought he was funny, and latterly enjoyed his show 'The Trip' with Steve Coogan.
His autobiography focuses on his pre-fame days. He recalls growing up in Baglan, Wales, and his early attempts at performing, along with his accident prone mishaps. His childhood memories include his father's temperamental speed boat, summers at Lawrenny and unrequited teenage loves , something we can all relate I'm sure (the unrequited loves, not our father's speedboat or summers at Lawrenny). He also describes the hard work and disappointments of his early professional life including trying to be taken seriously as an actor (apprently he was in First Knight starring Sean Connery and Richard Gere, which I have seen but don't remember seeing him in it), and his early attempts at writing and stand-up routines.
Although confident in his abilities, he is self-depricating, as only the British can be. In my head whilst reading, I could hear his soft Welsh accent reading the words aloud to me which made reading about his life all the more intereting and enjoyable.
His autobiography focuses on his pre-fame days. He recalls growing up in Baglan, Wales, and his early attempts at performing, along with his accident prone mishaps. His childhood memories include his father's temperamental speed boat, summers at Lawrenny and unrequited teenage loves , something we can all relate I'm sure (the unrequited loves, not our father's speedboat or summers at Lawrenny). He also describes the hard work and disappointments of his early professional life including trying to be taken seriously as an actor (apprently he was in First Knight starring Sean Connery and Richard Gere, which I have seen but don't remember seeing him in it), and his early attempts at writing and stand-up routines.
Although confident in his abilities, he is self-depricating, as only the British can be. In my head whilst reading, I could hear his soft Welsh accent reading the words aloud to me which made reading about his life all the more intereting and enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2019
A nice enough read - nothing too unexpected!
Nice bloke, struggles a bit, has a few lucky breaks, stays on good terms with old friends, comes through ok and becomes successful!
Fairly humorous without trying too hard to be funny.
Nice bloke, struggles a bit, has a few lucky breaks, stays on good terms with old friends, comes through ok and becomes successful!
Fairly humorous without trying too hard to be funny.
February 19, 2012
I had this autobiography as a Christmas present and got into it as soon as I picked it up to read from my "to read" pile. It was like reading something written by a friend as Rob has a brilliant narrative voice.
I really enjoyed reading about his youth and was suprised that he had a fairly privileged upbringing compared to the majority in South Wales. I think it made it better for me as I knew a lot of the places he talked about in the book so it made it more personal for me.
The book itself only tells Rob's life story up until 2000, so pre Gavin and Stacey and basically pre fame! Rob's struggle to make it was pretty interesting, but the last 80 or so pages runined my enjoyment to be honest as he went into too much detail about the writing and making of Human Remains and Marion and Geoff. I understand that these are the shows that made him, but it just wasn't for me.
All in all a good read with an easy going style and packed with humour.
I really enjoyed reading about his youth and was suprised that he had a fairly privileged upbringing compared to the majority in South Wales. I think it made it better for me as I knew a lot of the places he talked about in the book so it made it more personal for me.
The book itself only tells Rob's life story up until 2000, so pre Gavin and Stacey and basically pre fame! Rob's struggle to make it was pretty interesting, but the last 80 or so pages runined my enjoyment to be honest as he went into too much detail about the writing and making of Human Remains and Marion and Geoff. I understand that these are the shows that made him, but it just wasn't for me.
All in all a good read with an easy going style and packed with humour.
August 10, 2015
Finally got to read Rob Brydon’s memoir “Small Man in a Book” and loved it!!! :D I’ve been trying to read it since I saw “The Trip” movies last year and so glad I was able to. Made me love Rob even more after reading his story and how he stuck with being an actor even though the road to get to stardom took longer than he thought. It was great to read about his childhood, his love for his favorite actors & singers (especially Bruce Springsteen), and his journey starting out as a radio voice over artist and working his way to a full time actor. Was sad to see the book ended right when his career finally took off with “Marion & Geoff”, “Human Remains”, and “Gavin & Stacy”. Hopefully means there’ll be a 2nd book which I would love to read behind the scenes stories of his later shows and “The Trip” films and all the other movies & shows he’s been in since.
March 1, 2012
This book was entertaining, and I enjoyed reading the stories of Rob's life, but it seemed to meander at times and spent a little longer than necessary in his childhood on things that didn't necessarily have much impact on his later life, other than giving him an anecdote to share. I also would have liked something on the past five years, particularly his Gavin & Stacey experiences, and there was nothing there. I guess that will come out in the next volume. Not sure why he'd release a book in 2011 that only ran through the early part of the decade, but that's Rob's call, I suppose. It really hit home reading this (as well as in James Corden's memoir) how difficult it is to break into show business. He certainly overcame some long odds, though it was a long road.
August 4, 2012
The reason I gave this book an 'ok' rating was that as far as a biography went, it was pretty guarded - or at least that is how it came across as being to me. In the book, Rob talks about his childhood and teens and then his long slog, trying to make it in film and TV. What the book lacks is anything terribly personal or insightful. At the start he pretty much states that aspects of his personal life (such as talking about his ex wife and 2nd wife) would not be covered. So what we get is pretty much the ins and outs of his professional career - interesting in itself, though as a biography, it doesn't make a well rounded book to read.
April 28, 2018
Listened to this on Audible with my other half and it was fab. Listening to Rob Bryson himself tell his own story, from early life in Wales and through chance meetings and voiceover work which eventually led to Human Remains and Gavin And Stacey was great. There were many laughs and with his impressions of the famous people he met they could have been on the recording themselves!
I’m glad I picked this out as I don’t think I’d have enjoyed reading the book as much as listening to it. And my OH is impressed he’s made it through a whole book already this year!
I’m glad I picked this out as I don’t think I’d have enjoyed reading the book as much as listening to it. And my OH is impressed he’s made it through a whole book already this year!
November 10, 2011
This was a great book to read and made even more enjoyable with all the extra features on the E-Book version. If you own an iPad I certainly recomend downloading this book. Full of videos, audio clips and extra photos. Its great to read about him talking about some of his early work and then being able to watch the clip right away.
In all great story about Rob and his struggle for success. If you enjoy any of his work, then this is a must read.
In all great story about Rob and his struggle for success. If you enjoy any of his work, then this is a must read.
August 20, 2015
Now I know where the life I wanted went: Rob Brydon took it. Not the best or funniest memoir ever, but I love Rob, and this is true to his voice (and best heard in his voice - you get the impersonations along the way.) Related to so much of it - except of course the fame and success - from his childhood experiences and early working jobs, to his love of Bruce Springsteen, which runs like a thread through the story.
April 10, 2018
Have been a fan of Rob Brydon's since "The Trip" series, in which he stars with Steve Coogan. In his autobiography, which actually ends before he and Steve unite, he comes across as a very nice, humble and funny man. I don't believe this book is available in the US and his audience here is probably pretty limited, but if you've seen "The Trip" and its sequels you'll probably really like this.
March 13, 2019
Read this while on our honeymoon in Europe really helped me while we were on long train journeys. It was a really interesting story it tells the story from his birth to just before Gavin and Stacey. Rob Brydon is now an incredibly funny national treasure but it wasn’t always that way he had to graft to get where he is today. Going through drama school, working on Radio Wales it’s a really inspiring tale, that shied what you can achieve if you believe in yourself.
July 23, 2012
Rob Brydon is naturally a warm and funny man, and this comes across lovely in this book, charting his life up until his association with Steve Coogan and the success of Marion & Geoff and Human Remains.
It's a testament to his easy charm that I read the last 70% of the book in one setting whilst parked out in the countryside.
It's a testament to his easy charm that I read the last 70% of the book in one setting whilst parked out in the countryside.
August 25, 2012
I love watching Rob Brydon on TV and we went to watch one of his shows too. I really enjoyed the autobiography. Although I normally am not keen on reading about the very early parts of life in an autobiography, Rob made his sound really funny. Definitely worth a read and I look forward to reading the next part of his life story when he publishes it.
January 29, 2016
Some biographies are told in a definitive past tense, some in a revealing present, but this one retains the ambiguity of memories. Rob Brydon talks through how he remembers his past but doesn't neglect to mention how sepia tinted or distorted his memories may be. Which lends this the charming informality of a reminiscence.
February 3, 2016
I'm a fan of Rob Brydon and also having Welsh connections, I was intrigued enough to want to read it. I found I was 'hearing' his voice telling the story - he writes like he speaks. It's an easy read and I found myself carrying it around so I could snatch a few pages wherever I was. Not exactly page-turning like a thriller, but I found myself wanting to know what happened next.
December 27, 2017
This novel is Rob Bryson’s life and journey prior to becoming famous. A large chunk of it is about his childhood / adolescence which being of a different generation to him I found it difficult to relate to. Still enjoyed it though and hope he does a follow up of what life has been like since becoming famous (Gavin & Stacey, Would I Lie to You etc.)
November 25, 2011
An interesting and entertaining autobiography. The beginning didn't grab me but the book does start to get better.
If you are a Rob fan, this is well worth the read. It is a reasonably quick read too.
Would be a great Christmas present.
If you are a Rob fan, this is well worth the read. It is a reasonably quick read too.
Would be a great Christmas present.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews