This Way To Spaceship

by Rhys Darby

"A handy autobiographical end-of-the-world companion"--Cover.

Book Blurb:
You've probably heard the rumours about the world ending in 2012 right? Did you know that the smart and powerful people are secretly building three giant spaceships in which to make a getaway but it's only for them? And did you also know that to get on one of those spaceships and escape you've got to be a VIP? That's right, you've got to MAKE IT BIG! You didn't know? You don't know how? Rhys Darby has written just the book for you. Get noticed? Dance like a demon? Score with the opposite sex? Not just talk the talk but walk the talk as you walk? And achieve fame and fortune? This book won't just change your life - it will save it! The result is a book as zany and hilarious as Rhys Darby himself. Now is the time to act, people!' shouts Darby. 'Get off your ass and make sure you're on the invite list.' 'But just to start with: read this book!'

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

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Rhys Darby is a New Zealand author, actor and comedian. In 2018 he released his first kid's book Top Secret Undercover Notes of Buttons Mcginty and then in 2019 he released The Top Secret Interdimensional Notes of Buttons McGinty: Book 2.

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently read a David Attenborough book, and amused myself for far too long reading it in his voice. And of course, I did the same with this book by Rhys Darby.

Not sure whether I should assume people know who he is, but Rhys Darby is a Kiwi comedian and actor who is most famous for the character Murray Hewitt, who is the manager of the Flight of the Conchords (self proclaimed as New Zealand's 4th Most Popular Folk Parody Duo). Murray has a distinctive way of speaking and mannerisms. The character of Murray Hewitt never seems very far from Darby's natural character, and as such the whole book feels like Murray.

So the book. The pretext for the book is that, as we are all expected to know, the world is about to end, and those of us important enough have received our invites to the spaceships for our escape. What, you didn't get an invite? Well, Rhys will help you get onto that spaceship. Just read on...

So this pretext is introduced at the start and at a few points in the first 3/4 of the book is only softly alluded to. In reality, we get an autobiographic memoir, where Rhys tells us the story of his childhood. I found this pretty funny. A couple of times I even laughed out loud, which is a good sign. There was very little in this 3/4 that didn't make me want to read on and on, pushing the limits of my lunch breaks. Rhys clearly doesn't suffer from embarrassment, as evidenced by his sharing of humiliating experience after humiliating experience, but he is also proud of many of the things he has achieved. This makes for a good mixture of experiences to read about.

Towards the end, he gets himself back on task with his spaceship story, and it turns from bio/memoir to the absurd story. This was probably fine to read as that - an absurd story, but I was enjoying the bio so much it was an annoyance for me, and probably tainted the reading experience for me.

Accompanying the text are various sketches (by the author) and a number of photos, mostly from Darby's youth. Many could be considered embarrassing, but as noted above, Darby doesn't seem to feel embarrassment. The photos and sketches definitely add to the narrative.

Another plus is that Darby spent much of his youth in Christchurch, where I have lived most of my life. His recollections of terrible nightclubs (The Palladium (which he loved)), and other local landmarks made a connection with me.

Some quotes, in case you are interested.

I rode a sheep when I was ten years old in a rodeo show. It was basically the kids' version of a bucking broncho. I lasted 8 seconds and won a prize. Guess what the prize was? A leg of lamb.

-

While he was in the Territorial Army

Then the Sergeant major pointed me out and said something that has stuck with me until this day. He said:
'You are very silent aren't you Darby? There is something about the look in your eyes. You're either
very smart of very stupid.'
I smiled at this statement, trying hard not to give away which category I fitted into. In the many years that have followed since being questioned in that way I have often wondered myself whether I'd very smart or very stupid. Is it possible to be both?

-

The three golden rules of leadership
1 Always do a roll call
2 Always have meetings
3 Always write things down
4 Always have a spare rule up your sleeve
M Hewitt

-

After he joined the regular army

I brought light comic relief to the other soldiers who were finding it hard. During moments of spare time I would do impressions of the NCOs who were in charge of us - just on a whim, to bring joy to my fellow cadets. One day I was caught doing this by the NCO I was impersonating. He was not happy at all and decided to make an example of me.
'You think you're funny, Darby?'
'Yes, corporal.'
'Well, we'll see how funny you are when I get you to do your impressions directly in front of those who you mock!'
'...'
'Nothing to say to that, Darby?'
'No, corporal. I'm just slightly excited about this opportunity.'

Of course, he does his impressions and all those except the corporal love it. Not the punishment the corporal was expecting.


3.5 stars, rounded down.

[Trin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't possibly rate this like a sane and normal human being. A thousand stars. Or four. One of those.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were pretty funny as long I read it in the voice of Murray Hewitt. 3 stars.

[Rachel Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love you Rhys Darby and whatever the fuck is happening in your funky little brain.

Idk how best to sum up this book other than to say that it perfectly encapsulates the underlying reason why the show Taskmaster works so well. I know RD has never been on it, but that’s irrelevant.

Finally don’t make the mistake I did and take this in to your new job for some lunchtime reading. Hysterically cry-laughing to yourself in the staff break room may not be the ‘first intro to colleagues’ vibe you want to cultivate 👌

[Nicole Mello · Rating 4 out of 5]

an enjoyable, fun, light book that reads pretty much exactly how rhys darby speaks! his charm translates fairly well to the written word. this was a whole hoot all the way through and, honestly, i would read a dozen books by rhys just having fun and telling us whatever pops into his head. an extravaganza of goofiness, joy, comedy bits, the occasional heartbreaking lore drop, and some genuinely good advice that i want to hold onto for a long, long time!!

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book, and I like Rhys Darby very much. I just wish he hadn't gone with the whole Mayan apocalypse theme because he doesn't really sustain it throughout the text and it is not going to be all that funny a reference after today. He is very funny though, and the book is well worth a read, especially if you read it in a kiwi accent like I did.

[Flexanimous · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this made me much less keen to see Rhys Darby's stand-up than I was before.

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The instructions for finding/getting onboard a spacecraft before the end of the world and surviving in space and if any battles should occur is very helpful though not sure if necessary now seeing as how it is 2022. Well I guess it is always good to keep this stuff in mind since things aren't going so great now anyway.

Really enjoyed this, I read part of it during a conference call and it made me laugh hard enough to make coffee go in my nose, which my boss didn't appreciate. Rhys Darby has a really weird, funny mind. Wish I had a friend like him, it would make life more interesting, since all the weirdos I know are the kind that yell at me about 'the rabbits interfering with their communication with the moon' and 'how the government broke into their apartment to steal their pet crabs that were infused with shark DNA that could be used to cure cancer'. Scary weird, not fun weird. Rhys is fun-weird.

That's really all I have to say.

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing and incredibly funny! One of the most humorous and enjoyable autobiographies that I have ever read. What a brilliant sense of humour Rhys Darby has, and this shines through as he tells of his adventures before he becomes a comedian (although, I should say paid, well-known comedian). The best parts of the story are his adventures in the New Zealand army, and before that with his friends. A must read is the chapter on his friends performing a "scouting mission" onto a cordoned off area of army grounds - absolutely brilliant. Laughed out loud throughout this entire book, and probably woke my housemate more than once. :) Also love that his wife has a section in this too.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book filled with hilarious and heartfelt stories from one of my favourite comedians. I really enjoyed hearing about Rhys' journey to success, it was very raw and sometimes emotional... but obviously everything worked out in the end because he's a brilliantly successful guy now. The little stories from his childhood were very cute, and I particularly loved Rosie's comparisons between him and Murray (as a big FOTC fan, it made my heart happy). I'm all into space and aliens but the last section lost me a little bit, it seemed out of place with the autobiographical sections that filled the book before it, hence knocking off a star. But I love you Rhys!!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a hilarious and fun read! If you've seen Rhys Darby on the screen or heard him on podcasts and interviews, it is impossible to NOT hear his voice and Kiwi accent as you read his tale! Such fun hearing more about his roots and his immensely detailed survival guide for the end of the world had me laughing out loud! I would love for him to write a follow up with some revised tips and the game he's continued to achieve with the magnificent Our Flag Means Death! Being a fan since first hearing Brian/Murray with Flight of the Conchords it's a special treat to read those stories as well as a great perspective from his wife, Rosie!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love me some Rhys Darby. My favorite comedian. He really epitomizes the dry wit of Kiwi humo(u)r.

I read the whole book in a day or two as I traveled through NZ. Some parts of the book at laugh-out-loud funny, while the rest is mostly amusing. All of the book is entertaining.

The book works best as a biography. The apocalypse theme is amusing, but somewhat perplexing at times. Still, it adds a nice absurdist element to the book.

Recommended.

[Wyktor Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny guy, funny book, well worth reading too.
Rhys Darby first appeared in my universe on comedy shows on NZTV and appeared to be one of the better ones, his antics and voices really cracked us up.
He's gone on to bigger and better things and is definitely a star in his own universe.
As we say down here, "world famous in New Zealand," that's our Rhys.
Well done that man!
Excellent book!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light-hearted fun read

Being a fan of the human being Rhys Darby is enough to get through some of the less interesting bits in the book. However, Rhys is an exceptional human with a natural silly and playful attitude that comes across in all of his bodies of work. If you're a fan of the man, you'll be happy you read this book.

[Trina Dubya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very strange and funny. I'm American, and sometimes the Kiwi sense of humor goes over my head (sometimes by a lot), so there were times when I was sure what he was saying was funny, but I didn't get it. But I was always entertained.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect read for a long-haul flight: easy, entertaining and surprisingly engrossing.

[Brendan Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your life wasn't interesting enough. Live it again!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess how much you love this will be how much you enjoy Rhys Darby!

A lovely, whimsical, autobiography; not deep on detail, but many laughs and some really dodgy jokes, haha!

[Brendan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheeky lil book from a cheeky chap! 10/10, best book since the Bible, I'd say!

[Dean Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for the most part

A great read. Crying with laughter at one point. Definitely a book for fans, though I don't feel his humour comes through fully in written form.

[Laura Tremaine]

Jesus poo!

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading a book written by the actual love of my life was an amazing experience

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonkers, and I like it!

[Carlotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Liz Stoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, especially if you can read it with his accent in your head.

[Sarah Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely chaotic, very dry humour. Loved it, finished in 2.5hrs.

[Shaunee Broadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

a quick read and honestly was quite sad when i finished it, if rhys ever did another book i’d be right there to read it cover to cover

[Kayleigh Benham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a pleasure to read this in his voice.

[Nina ( picturetalk321 ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comedian Rhys Darby's bonkers random galloping-pace memoir. We learn about his childhood and youth, close bond with his mum, time in the army, predilection for vintage shirts (the book includes a drawing of one of those shirts and it has a KRAKEN on it -- caption "What a kraken top!" -- took me a few seconds to get the pun...), pauperish early comedy years and breakthrough with the Flight of the Conchords. This was written in 2012, ten years before Darby's truly groundbreaking breakthrough in Our Flag Means Death (yes, disclosure: I am a fan and in fandom).

Format: half the illustrations were missing. All I saw were black-rimmed white squares. Are these sensitive photographs? Why is there no warning on the book that it is mutilated?

The #52bookclub reading challenge of 2023 has a prompt: 'written by a comedian'. I was never going to pick anybody else but Rhys Darby.

[Thomas Edmund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This probably isn't the first time I've mentioned this, but there is something strange about reviewing biographies. Are we passing a judgement on someones life, or looking at the story that is woven around them?

The reason Darby's autobio prompts this thought, is that he has depicted his life in the most original way yet: This way to Spaceship is crafted as a guide to making sure you'll get on the spaceship when the world ends. By way of advice Darby uses his own life stories (and thus rather than being an actual book about how to win a spot on the ship, it is about why Darby thinks he deserves a spot [maybe])

No doubt this is a fun way of doing things, and reading through I certainly enjoyed the wit expected of the ginger funny man. Even when he went so far as to discuss what life might be like on the spaceship (aliens)

Nonetheless I feel I need to only give this work 4 stars. While it is quite funny, and quite interesting learning about Darby's life he only really provides snippets of each. The most interesting section was a brief chapter on a low period between filming Flight of Concords and becoming popular for his role as Murray. (and this chapter was only brief)

In short it may be the case that Mr Darby simply has too much more life to go and no doubt there will be more biography produced. This Way to Spaceship presents more as a 'passing project' than a magnum opus, but at least was still enjoyable.