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Boycie & Beyond
'Boycie and Beyond' is the second volume of John Challis's autobiography. It covers the years 1985-2012 and describes his continuing love of live theatre, his third marriage to Sabina Franklyn and their subsequent painful divorce. He writes movingly of the death of his parents and hilariously of his venture into an aloe vera farm in Portugal and the eccentric Danish lover he met there.
- GenresBiography
266 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 10, 2015
Marleen, these books are excellent!
I really enjoyed these two volumes of John Challis’ honest, humorous and entertaining autobiography. Aptly titled, these two book cover John’s life before, during and after his most famous role as Boycie in, in my opinion, the best ever British sitcom ‘Only Fools and Horses’.
Reading this autobiography certainly shows there is more to John than the smarmy dodgy car dealer married to the ever suffering , but loving, Marleen.
‘Being Boycie’ and ‘Boycie and Beyond ’ illustrates in a very easy to read, and sometimes smile inducing self-deprecating style, that John was a hard working jobbing actor who worked through all the ups and downs of his chosen craft, both on stage and screen and through his personal life.
Children’s plays, West End shows, classic British sitcoms, films, pantomimes, Radio, Shakespeare, Stoppard and Sullivan, John has done the lot, and a few surprises along the way, and it’s nice to read that he is still hard working and appears very happy with his life today
If you are an ‘Only Fools and Horses’ fan, as I am, you’ll enjoy the behind the scenes stories of the show, a show that John still hold very dear to his heart and never once moans about being typecast as some in the profession do.
If you are an actor, then you will be equally entertained with tales of life on the road, the highs and lows, the doors that are opened and some that are slammed shut and also be able to take heed at the dedication that is need to survive in the business they call ‘show’.
If you are neither of these, then I still recommend this book, as it’s a very personal story, where no punches are pulled and you actually feel that John is chatting to you as you read. Such is relaxed and accessible style of writing. It isn't about Hollywood and extravagant riches and mansions. It's not about blockbuster films, premiers and showbiz parties, neither is it a endless collection of name dropping, it’s the recollections, both good and bad, of a seemly approachable actor that we all know of, even if most only know him as ‘Boycie’.
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, thank you John Challis.
Signed copies of ‘Being Boycie’ and ‘Boycie & Beyond’ are both available from wigmorebooks.com
I really enjoyed these two volumes of John Challis’ honest, humorous and entertaining autobiography. Aptly titled, these two book cover John’s life before, during and after his most famous role as Boycie in, in my opinion, the best ever British sitcom ‘Only Fools and Horses’.
Reading this autobiography certainly shows there is more to John than the smarmy dodgy car dealer married to the ever suffering , but loving, Marleen.
‘Being Boycie’ and ‘Boycie and Beyond ’ illustrates in a very easy to read, and sometimes smile inducing self-deprecating style, that John was a hard working jobbing actor who worked through all the ups and downs of his chosen craft, both on stage and screen and through his personal life.
Children’s plays, West End shows, classic British sitcoms, films, pantomimes, Radio, Shakespeare, Stoppard and Sullivan, John has done the lot, and a few surprises along the way, and it’s nice to read that he is still hard working and appears very happy with his life today
If you are an ‘Only Fools and Horses’ fan, as I am, you’ll enjoy the behind the scenes stories of the show, a show that John still hold very dear to his heart and never once moans about being typecast as some in the profession do.
If you are an actor, then you will be equally entertained with tales of life on the road, the highs and lows, the doors that are opened and some that are slammed shut and also be able to take heed at the dedication that is need to survive in the business they call ‘show’.
If you are neither of these, then I still recommend this book, as it’s a very personal story, where no punches are pulled and you actually feel that John is chatting to you as you read. Such is relaxed and accessible style of writing. It isn't about Hollywood and extravagant riches and mansions. It's not about blockbuster films, premiers and showbiz parties, neither is it a endless collection of name dropping, it’s the recollections, both good and bad, of a seemly approachable actor that we all know of, even if most only know him as ‘Boycie’.
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, thank you John Challis.
Signed copies of ‘Being Boycie’ and ‘Boycie & Beyond’ are both available from wigmorebooks.com
March 2, 2013
Wow a brilliant follow up. Loved reading about Only Fools & Horses and all the fun they had whilst shooting it.
Loved how John has kept the lovely writing style of his, I can hear him reading it to me!
Also fascinating about his beautiful home, Wigmore. Having spent the last 11 years restoring a Grade 2 listed house I loved his pithy remarks about the conservation officers!
A wonderful, warm autobiography with out any 'Aren't I a clever fellow' just honest charm. Thank goodness he found the love of his life when he did, she sounds a wonderful woman and that John Sullivan had the talent to write such wonderful characters.
Loved how John has kept the lovely writing style of his, I can hear him reading it to me!
Also fascinating about his beautiful home, Wigmore. Having spent the last 11 years restoring a Grade 2 listed house I loved his pithy remarks about the conservation officers!
A wonderful, warm autobiography with out any 'Aren't I a clever fellow' just honest charm. Thank goodness he found the love of his life when he did, she sounds a wonderful woman and that John Sullivan had the talent to write such wonderful characters.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews