Alan Partridge: Big Beacon

Alan Partridge Chronology

by Alan Partridge, Neil Gibbons, Rob Gibbons

In Big Beacon, Norwich's favourite son and best broadcaster, Alan Partridge, triumphs against the odds. TWICE.

Using an innovative 'dual narrative' structure you sometimes see in films, Big Beacon tells the story of how Partridge heroically rebuilt his TV career, rising like a phoenix from the desolate wasteland of local radio to climb to the summit of Mount Primetime and regain the nationwide prominence his talent merits.

But then something quite unexpected and moving, because Big Beacon also tells the story of a selfless man, driven to restore an old lighthouse to its former glory, motivated by nothing more than respect for a quietly heroic old building that many take for granted, which some people think is a metaphor for Alan himself even though it's not really for them to say.*

Leaving his old life behind and relocating to a small coastal village in Kent, Alan battles through adversity, wins the hearts and minds of a suspicious community, and ultimately shows himself to be a quite wonderful man.

*The two strands will run in tandem, their narrative arcs mirroring each other to make the parallels between the two stories abundantly clear to the less able reader.

Genres: Audiobook, Comedy, Fiction, Humor, Tv, British Literature

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2023

About the author

Journalist, presenter, broadcaster, husband, father, vigorous all-rounder – Alan Partridge – a man with a fascinating past and an amazing future. Gregarious and popular, yet Alan’s never happier than when relaxing in his own five-bedroom, south-built house with three acres of land and access to a private stream. But who is this mysterious enigma?

Alan Gordon Partridge is the best – and best-loved – radio presenter in the region. Born into a changing world of rationing, Teddy Boys, apes in space and the launch of ITV, Alan’s broadcasting career began as chief DJ of Radio Smile at St. Luke’s Hospital in Norwich. After replacing Peter Flint as the presenter of Scout About, he entered the top 8 of BBC sports presenters.

But Alan’s big break came with his primetime BBC chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You. Sadly, the show battled against poor scheduling, having been put up against News at Ten, then in its heyday. Due to declining ratings, a single catastrophic hitch (the killing of a guest on air) and the dumbing down of network TV, Alan’s show was cancelled. Not to be dissuaded, he embraced this opportunity to wind up his production company, leave London and fulfil a lifelong ambition to return to his roots in local radio.

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Alan Gordon Partridge is a fictional radio and television presenter portrayed by English comedian Steve Coogan and invented by Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Stewart Lee and Richard Herring for the BBC Radio 4 programme 'On The Hour.' A parody of both sports commentators and chat show presenters, among others, the character has appeared in two radio series, three television series and numerous TV and radio specials, including appearances on BBC's Comic Relief, which have followed the rise and fall of his career. He returned to television in 'Alan Partridge - Welcome to the Places of My Life,' which aired on Sky Atlantic in June 2012.

Reviews

[Mark Porton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite idiots, and I do consider myself an expert on this subject, are those that don’t consider themselves to be idiotic. They’re usually well-dressed, often qualified and inhabit that primordial swamp of senior/executive management of many, or even most organisations. We see them use jargon at meetings, tell staff how passionate they are about ‘employee well-being’ and they encourage us to ‘think outside the square’, ‘operate in that space’ and ‘reach out for one another’.

My favourite celebrity idiot is Alan Partridge. This is his third memoir. Unsurprisingly, he has considerable material. Alan is pompous, selfish, narcissistic, hopeless, misogynistic, racist, and self-aggrandising. But he does love Toblerone and his dog Seldom.

This memoir covers Alan’s attempts to breathe life back into his career as a presenter (TV or radio), but there’s more. There is a dual narrative here (described as ‘daring’ by Alan) as he also purchases and refurbishes a knackered lighthouse on the Kent coast.

There are so many laugh out loud moments here – I can’t get enough of this man. Steve Coogan the man behind the creation of Partridge, is very clever. He has developed this character for around 30 years. Partridge is a mature product, like an 18-month cheddar cheese.

I almost cried when Alan’s dog – “Seldom” – died at a fairground. Also, his denials of any romantic chemistry between Jennie and his co-host of TV’s “This Time” are unbelievably ridiculous. Allan treats his personal assistant appallingly and denigrates many other celebrities on British TV. Make no mistake, this bloke is bitter and pompous.



Alan here pictured with co-host of “This Time”, Jennie. Alan was lucky enough to snag a guest gig on the show following the illness and consequent death of the previous male co-host. You can sense the sexual tension between the pair. You can right??

I particularly enjoyed Alan’s attempts to ingratiate himself with the locals in Kent. A community consultation session regarding the lighthouse is Alan at his cringeworthy best as things didn’t quite go as expected. Oh my, he really came across as a tosser.

This book MUST, MUST, MUST be listened to. The funny thing here is not only the content, which is very clever – but it’s Alan Partridge’s voice, his delivery. He stumbles from one disastrous statement to another.

I love this – so funny, so hopeless.

5 Stars

[Fran Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

RIP Seldom the dog

[Ross Palethorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, heartwarming and the dual narrative breaks new literary ground. This final part of the I, Partridge trilogy of memoirs stands like a, well, big beacon of the triumph of hope over adversity in these dark times.

[Count Of Hibernia · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely stuff!

[Borntolose73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers - but needless to say, Alan had the last laugh.

[Seymour Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

The noises I made while listening to this.

[Sam Portillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first audiobook. Thanks Spotify! Provided me with frequent LOL moments in/on the street and in/in the car. Particularly enjoyed fleshing out of lore around Esther McVey, Jennie Gresham, HRH Princess Anne. Lighthouse B-plot less captivating. All felt in line with the character, though, which is the best thing about it.

Would have been five stars if the plot was more cohesive, but then… it was the first time something as bold as a dual narrative has been attempted in writing, so you’ve got to appreciate the audacity of it.

Would recommend to all Partridge fans.

[Rachel Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back of the net!

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A passionate auto-biography written in a style unheard of in literature; the dual narrative. Alan has to be given credit for his forward thinking, this really is a game changer for the written word and has to be considered for the Booker prize.

The book is also quite funny as well.

7.5/10

[asif khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I didn't understand why there were 2 stories going on at the same time I still enjoyed it and especially the last bit that you only get in the audiobook that teaches you how to make money off air b and b.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Georgians had Fielding, the Victorians had Thackeray and we have Coogan. Perfectly on the nose satire - yet again. Cackled my way through the whole book.

[Eloise Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still funny as helllll but wasn’t as hooked on this one as his previous ones

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than Alan's Deep Bath.

The audiobook has bonus content for those too lazy to read a proper book. Maybe that agent really did get Alan the This Time gig. Form your own theories!

[Cian Aherne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funniest book I’ve ever read

[Jamie Bookboy Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

His best yet, a triumph

[Hayley]

Exactly as ridiculous as you would expect it to be.

[Alison S ☯️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comedy gold! Just what I needed to beat the January Blues. This was my first ever audiobook. I decided to use Audible's one month free trial, as I thought that listening to Steve Coogan narrate this would add something to the reading experience. The narration was excellent - he even does the voices of all of the other characters as well as Alan. The humour was up to the usual high standard of the other Alan Partridge broadcasts I've watched. However, although I enjoyed it, I won't be extending my subscription, as I much prefer reading a physical copy of a book.

[Thomas Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Alan Partridge books go this might be my favourite? There are so many fantastic jokes and plot lines laden throughout while akso adding some much needed narrative work. The dual narrative is a bit of a cheap gimmick but I think that's the joke. I will definitely have to re-read this soon to pick up on more of the jokes and references.

[Matthew O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny

[Erica Douglas-Skyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realised I have about 20 different types of laughs that I do (originally would have suspected under 10), and that is good to know about myself. Full credit to this book.

[Rhys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed, first forray into Partridge beyond clips and absolutely infatuated with the character. The tone is perfection and kept me laughing to the end, cameos brought new life into the dual narrative which worked well however so much time in the character's head probably has something of a ceiling.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Partridge is back, having inevitably fluffed up his presenting job on This Time, a setback he handles with his usual humility or thereabouts. Big Beacon handles two threads: the lead up to This Time, and the fallout, during which he decides to go and renovate a lighthouse. There are various reasons which include a dead dog and also spite. He’s as delightfully full of it as ever, and his latest memoir walks the usual tantalising line between wanting him to go on to greater things and wanting those things to collapse to bits as fast and unforgivingly as possible.

[Matthew Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5) What a wonderful update to the life of Partridge, really great to listen to especially. The dual narrative really comes together well and end up almost explaining each other, with Seldoms death and the opening of the Lighthouse both being really touching and heartfelt climaxes

[Dan Mortimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan continues to be an inspiration for us all

[Michael Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back of the net!

[Dylan Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice world.

The Gibbons brothers have elevated Partridge to new heights. Mid morning matters and everything since has been gold.

Audiobook is a must for this.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Partridge soars here. He writes like the wind. His descriptions of lighthouses are especially stirring and effervescent.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worst thing about starting an Alan Partridge book is that you also have to finish an Alan Partridge book. I will miss him desperately. And let it be known that if you listen to Big Beacon on Audible you are rewarded with an extra chapter for being too lazy to read the book, and I approve of that wholeheartedly. Also it has a gull in it, and I love gulls!

Favourite quote amongst so many; "I couldn't help thinking of the teen Christ telling the money lenders that if they insisted on screwing people who were cash poor they should at least have the decency not to do it in an f*ing temple. Footnote: Christ Jesus, God Almighty, the Holy Ghost, if any of you are reading this I've got good news and bad news. The good news; Christianity is still really popular, despite a few bumps. The bad news, money lenders are doing even better, and that's got to hurt." I sent it to my vicar. He loved it.

[Hannah Edmonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Partridge's groundbreaking new book is a revelation in storytelling! Using a brand new, completely original idea of dual narrative, Partridge sets the pace from the very first page in the latest chapter of his illustrious, fascinating life.

I'm not normally a big fan of audiobooks, but Partidge's books are better listened to, in order to fully appreciate the writing and to be fully immersed by his wonderful sound effects.

After being let go from his BBC show, This Time, Partridge sets off to Kent and buys a dilapidated lighthouse, along the way, he has a very physical affair with a beautiful redhead, and befriends a seagull.

Although not quite as good as his previous two books, anything Partridge writes or is involved in, is sure to be very entertaining and this is no exception.

I love that his assistant, Lynn is mentioned more frequently in this book, and even by name. Another great reason to listen instead of read is for his perfect imitation of Lynn.

I sincerely hope Partridge does release his children's book about Covid, I'm sure that would be a very popular read.

[Adil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read or watched anything Partridge related for quite some time and then this book caught my eye. A great read that follows a loose narrative about Partridge's attempt at acquiring a lighthouse that so perfectly demonstrates his ego and allows for great insight into his rather comedic perceptions of other people. There were some hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud, other moments gave way to a quiet chuckle and some moments that even brought out sympathy for Partridge which were cleverly turned into instances of gentle mockery. I enjoyed it although the pace slows a little at various places throughout the book. A scene involving a radio interview with a group of teenagers was probably one of the funniest/most awkward things I've ever read.