Grow Up

by Keith Allen

The intimate and hilarious memoirs of notorious and controversial actor, bon viveur , father of pop sensation Lily Allen, and sometime songwriter—the irrepressible Keith Allen. "He'll either win the Victoria Cross or go to prison," said Keith Allen's headmaster in 1966. Born a Navy baby, Keith Allen learned young that when things get too settled you move on. That's the way he has lived his life ever since—always leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. He might have been a professional athlete if his criminal behavior hadn't got in the way. He spent time in prison, went on the run, drifted through squats and festivals, and survived marriages, relationships, and parenthood. He has loitered with intent in the worlds of comedy, music art, theater, and film, but never long enough to ever fully conform to expectations. He's become renowned for his extrovert and contentious behavior, his radical opinions, and his acting pedigree. But at 54 years-old, has he finally grown up? Revelatory and unapologetically honest, Grow Up takes you on a break-neck journey through the chaotic life of someone who's broken all the rules.

Genres: Biography

384 pages, Hardcover

First published June 7, 2007

Reviews

[Annalise Laidlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Id give this somewhere between a 3 and a 4 - I thoroughly enjoyed it, the honesty and the adventures of someone who likes to enjoy life

[Ipswichblade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough autobiography, very honest, the writer is not a very nice person!!!

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Funny, honest and interesting although it comes across as being written in a hurry. Not surprising really as Keith never seems to be able to sit still for more than 5 minutes! A likeable geezer though who seems to live his life exactly the way he wants to.

[Ian Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Grow Up’ is the title of Keith Allen’s accomplished and well written autobiography. It takes us from Keith’s childhood as a navy child in Portsmouth and his first experience as a performer, as a dare on the bridge over a steam train.

Keith then takes us to Malta, through borstal and into squatting. He tells us how he created alternative comedy at the Comedy Store and how he revitalised British Theatre and Film. Strangely enough Rik Mayall made the self same claims in ‘Bigger than Hitler, Better than Christ’ but for laughs, here Keith makes the claims in earnest and yet still comes across as very likable.

In the introduction Keith’s challenges’ us to decide if he ever has grown up and considering his name dropping is limited to his shameless bragging about the actresses he’s slept with and the actors he’s taken drugs with then I would have to concede that it is possibly a line he cannot cross as when confronted with a line his reaction is to snort it. It’s not big, it’s not clever, it is however very, very entertaining.

[Godzilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another plunder from the bargain bin, which I had no preconceptions about. I knew very little about Keith Allen before I read this, but he features in Alex James "Bit of a Blur", so I thought it might provide some further details.

Part of me wants to rate this book higher: the part that enjoys Allen's candidness, his joie de vivre and his ability to adapt to seemingly almost anything.

However, there are too many grey areas that left me wanting more detail, a better perspective and more analysis of his motives. Perhaps that's churlish of me, after all, a book cannot be all things to all men. In the afterword though Allen admits he's glossed over certain elements, which given his evident nature seems to run against type.

Having said all that, I would certainly read his next book as his style is accessible and warm.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a time when seemingly a British film couldn't be made without Keith Allen being in it whether this be a minor part or whatever...that was fine with me I've always felt there's an authenticity to his performances which this book has kind of cemented as an idea.
It's not really as unpleasant in its tales as I was expecting..Allen is alarmingly honest and has had a chequered past but as he explains the paths taken you kind of think ...it couldn't have happened any other way.
Though in many ways Keith kind of stumbles into the public eye you get a sense of hard word even if the determination sometimes seems lacking..there's not really a feel of lucky sod neither it all seems pre ordained.
As far as autobiographical tales go I enjoyed this it's unflinching honest fun and at times very funny.

[Lucy Lowry]

I enjoyed this and I don't think any of it is made up - I rather liked the randomness of all those experiences and the fact that he skips so merrily in the book from one to the next. He seems like your classic self-saboteur - starts to feel trapped the minute things begin to go well, and flushes it all down the pan before anyone else gets the chance to do it first. Very likeable but you have to be kind of glad you're not related to him. His poor mum!

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, amazing might sound slightly over-enthusiastic but i found it funny, enlightening, moving and entertaining and i've read it time and time again. I knew nothing about Keith Allen before i read this almost at random, but now i feel as if i really know what he was really thinking and feeling due to the candidness of his writing.

Please read it, you might love it too :D

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a sod, engrossing

[Victoire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tres funny... went a bit nutty after the LSD episode, then a bit moochy over relationships. He writes like I talk... what a c++t! lol

[Liz Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and Keith's colourful life . I didn't like him any more for it but it was a good laugh. Janet Street- porter !? Keith you got no taste! LoL

[Paul Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what life is about...living! Keith certainly puts most people's lives to shame and the fact he has come out the other side, makes this even more enjoyable!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roared with laughter.

[Getvoldsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written and enjoyable to read. Brutally honest, maybe too honest at times only twice did I find myself truly liking the man

[Jackthedad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drivel.

[Becca]

One of the best autobiography's I've ever read. Hilarious all the way through! Brilliant read.