Bravemouth: Living with Billy Connolly

by Pamela Stephenson

"Billy", the ground-breaking biography of the nation's favourite iconoclast, gave millions of readers a fascinating insight into the personal and professional life of the genius that is Billy Connolly. Now, in the sequel to that bestselling book, the award-winning Pamela Stephenson celebrates life with the Scottish beastie as he hits the big six-oh. Here we relive colourful and epic moments from Billy's early life in Glasgow - the background to an intimate portrait of his marriage with Pamela and his life in Scotland, LA and the rest of the world. Witty, insightful and intimate, "Bravemouth" draws the reader into two very different worlds - hers of international sexology and the serious psychology of humorists, his of incontinence pants, being married to a shrink...and the finer points of banjo playing.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, Comedy, Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2003

About the author

Dr Pamela Helen Stephenson Connolly is a New Zealand-born Australian clinical psychologist and writer now resident in the United Kingdom. She is best known for her work as an actress and comedian during the 1980s. She has written several books, which include a biography of her husband Billy Connolly, and presents a psychology-based interview show called Shrink Rap on British television.

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow up to 'Billy', this follows a year of Pamela and Billy's life, the year he turned 60. It is funny, interesting and the accompanying photos are brilliant.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not elegant writing, but kind and quite true to life, as far as we know, about the comedian. Like when he refused to pay to watch a tiger eating a goat on holiday, and went out on a trail that might be used by free tigers hoping to see one. Only as it grew dark did it occur to the man that tigers stalk people and anything else moving.
This is a nice lighter read about travel and family and the world of entertainment, which can be read in stages as we get time. We follow a year or so of activity, in Pamela's own words, but sometimes look back at how far the Glasgow entertainer has come.
This is an unbiased review.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite comedian. Really enjoy most of Billy's work whether it's his stand-up or otherwise(The Man Who Sued God - seriously amusing)- and liked this alot. Hate to be harsh but I could've done with less of Pamela Stephenson. Minor moan though. Good read.

[Derek Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much Pamsy not enough Billy

[Snicketts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I should have read the blurb - and indeed the title - a little better, then I might have been happier in my choice. I'm a great admirer of Billy Connolly and although this had some sweet, personal insights into his view on life it was more skewed towards the relationship he has with his wife, the author, Pamela Stephenson, a talented and celebrated person in her own right. And one of the things she is celebrated for is career switch from comedian and actress to clinical psychologist, which we are reminded of at least once every few pages. Her insights into Billy and his personality come from the standpoint of her profession more than I cared for. In some ways it reminded me of an analysis rather than a memoir.

This book was based around the year that Billy celebrated a significant birthday - and celebrated in style too. I don't get invited to too many celebrity parties, but the scale and opulence recorded in this book made me re-evaluate my dismissal of some tall tales I've heard about Hollywood parties. They're obviously not short of a few bob, but the events planned, staged and retold in the book made my eyebrows take up residence in my hairline.

Stephenson writes with wit and timing which was welcome, but I put down the book, glad that I had finished it and could start on something else.

[Holly Kenyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read Billy I was full of enthusiasm for this 'sequel'.
I was a little disappointed.
As much as I enjoy Pamela Stephenson's friendly writing style there was far too much content all about her. Her opinions, her experiences, her feelings, her travels.
Apart from a brief anecdote at the beginning of each chapter, there was very little Billy Connolly. It was as if she would occasionally remember that the book was actually supposed to be about her husband and would drop in the odd "when I told Billy all about what I had done, what I thought, what I was doing he would reply with "Och Pamsy that's great!"
The reminiscence of his epic Birthday party was rather fun and the brief glimpses into Billy's own world were fantastic. Just not enough of them.

[Nicholas Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only a funny read, but also a very interesting insight to one of the best comics of all time. The personal life of Billy Connolly is so fascinating, especially his childhood, his family and their commitment to providing disadvantaged children great opportunities in India.

Not only that, reading about a very grand, bizarre, yet imaginative 60th birthday party that was thrown for him by his wife was also very enjoyable.

I'm very glad that I have taken the opportunity to read this before taking on the new book 'Windswept and Interesting' by the man himself.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's Scottish, he's funny, he's an opinionated comedian.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective into the life and times of a well known personality and his wife. I hadn't read the first book 'Billy', so would like to read it as well. Kept me interested as a holiday read.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brill

[Callum Soukup-Croy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of the Big Yin but this book is not about him and is far from being a biography of any sort. I know Stephenson starts by saying that she had already written a biography for Billy (which was well received) and this was a follow-up, a year in the life of the Scots comedian. However, the snippets of Billy's past and his current day activities seem only to serve as introductions to the main event which is Stephenson herself. This is a book about her more than anything; her actions, her thoughts and her opinions.

Now don't get me wrong, Stephenson has every right to write about herself. However, her style is poor. Clumsy metaphors litter every page and you find yourself rolling your eyes constantly. Her anecdotes are trite (and at times unbelievable) and on a few occasions there are flashes of rather unfortunate prejudices. I would give this book a wide berth.

[Alyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not up to the high standard set by 'Billy'.

I hope I've misinterpreted the author's intent, but many stories felt slightly tainted by name-dropping... though maybe this is unavoidable when telling the story of one so famous!

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful look at the iconic man and a great followup from her first book. We get a raw and unbridled view of a man surviving in Glasgow to riches as a comedian.

[Gareth Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sure like many others I purchased this book hoping to read more about billy Connolly but was slightly disappointed the first time I read it. Having now reread the book with different outlook many years later I enjoyed the book more.
Before reading this book it’s important not to expect the same kind of book as billy Pamela stephensons first book which was a better read.
This book is about the year of Billy’s 60th birthday and covers his birthday celebrations,family life and global travels.
Some reviews have criticised the book for having too much of Pamela in it but she is his wife after all and a big part of his life. And approaching the book from that viewpoint made the book more enjoyable.
Having said that the book can be a bit of a drag in some parts and although an interesting read I didn’t find it quite as enjoyable as pamelas first book.

[Haldoor42 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Pamela Stephenson should know her subject; she's married to him. I love the way she writes with complete love and affection for Billy, and even though she clearly has her frustrations with him, she loves him for who he is, and has obviously enjoyed sharing that with us, the readers. The snippets of Billy's life and the insight into his take on things is just priceless.

Highly recommended.

Now I need to find "Billy", her earlier book on him.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing man Billy Connolly is. This book by his equally wonderful wife Pamela Stephenson; or "Pamsie" as Billy calls her, gave me a window into their lives. The funniest man in the world has overcome an extremely difficult start to life to become family-loving humanitarian who sees through bullshit. I am of similar age and find myself often agreeing with his views. For me taupe is equivalent to Billy's beige. Long live eccentricity, colour and laughter.

[Johnboy Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of Pamela's original book, Billy. I love the Big Yin but the writing lacked something for me.

This later follow on book is however a triumph.
Centered on Billy and the lead up to his 60th birthday, the book follows Billy's journey as well as the journey of Pamela and the children without Billy.
A great book.

[Simon Armitage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 6/10 Having read Pamela’s book relating to her travels through the pacific, I was probably a bit disappointed in this one. Yes it gave some insights into the world of Billy Connolly who’s well known in his own right for his interesting outlook on life. I haven’t read Billy so not sure how it compares.

[Pixi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written with such great love, adoration, insight and humor. Laughed out loud a lot. A wonderful insight into the extraordinary life of Billy and his family. A truly remarkable man who has helped so many in so many ways.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Billy Connolly is such an iconic entertainer, he is unfailing hilarious...just wish he was not such a potty-mouth. His wife seems to understand him and can deal with the naughtiness. I think he got a winner in her.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a patch on the first book, but saved by a few classic Billy lines. A fun, easy read.

[Ine Gundersveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read Billy, you also have to read this. It explains so much.

[TGH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but sometimes it was hard going & it took me a while to get through it

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. So informative

[Paula-Diane Lufflum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilariously funny

[MrsMascara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, what a life!

[Steve Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insight into the GOAT with the purple goatie

[Nigel Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read and funny

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically a diary of Billy and Pamela life in Billy’s 60th birthday year. Fun read if you enjoy Billy. Some insights and very honest writing by Pamela.

[Lainey Grieve Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good insight into the life of this famous man written by his wife, Pamela Stevenson.