Jack and Michael Whitehall perform their laugh-out-loud autobiography Him & Me as a unique dual voiced comedy audiobook, filled with ad-libs, asides, and comic dialogue to create a uniquely funny listen.
Jack and Michael open up the rich and plentiful family lore archives on topics such as Jack's nanny's enormous feet, Michael's lifetime touchline ban from Jack's prep-school and the Whitehall collection of downright weird and eccentric relatives. With family photographs and sketches by Jack himself, the result is a hugely entertaining insight into a hilarious and sometimes bumpy journey of self-discovery and into the unique relationship between a father and a son.
The devotees that adore and worship Jack are already embracing his lovably grumpy father, who is rather enjoying his newfound fame. Watch out, fans of Reeves & Mortimer, Walliams & Lucas, Morecambe & Wise, there's a new comedy duo in town.
I've started by reading half of the book and then switched to the audio version, and I'm glad I did. The audio definitely adds to the enjoyment. The book is read by Jack and his father Mr. Whitehall. A comedy genius, I absolutely loved it and could not help but laugh out loud SO many times The love and the strong relationship between father and son is evident in the book and is beautiful to read or listen to
I listened to the audio version of this book and I am very glad I did, as although I am sure reading it would have been fine, the audio definitely adds to the enjoyment. The book is read alternately by Jack and his father whilst in the same room which results in many interjections by both parties. These are very funny, be it Michael criticising Jack’s command of the English language or Jack’s horror at his father’s inappropriate use of foreign accents.
The book clearly shows the differences between the two generations especially as Michael was a mature first father, but even more clearly shows the genuine love and respect between the two who obviously are very close.
I loved it and laughed out loud many times although I have to say I love Jack.
I think Jack Whitehall is funny and I have a general liking for posh people even though I am working class (probably middle class now but shhhh) however I just didn’t find Michael Whitehall to be very likeable or interesting. He’s like the most terrible ‘posh’ cliche and some of his comments and views, while they didn’t offend me, made me roll my eyes and think, ‘twat.’ I did find parts of this book humorous and I just wish there’d have been more about Jack’s siblings and mother rather than his obnoxious dad.
This worked very well as an audio book. Having both Jack and Michael Whitehall recording together, so they can bicker slightly, gently mock pronunciation errors and disagree over, well most things, was surprisingly fun to listen to. I developed a deep and genuine respect for Jack's parents, as it seems their son was difficult from birth right up until... about now I suppose! I hadn't known Richard Griffiths was Jack's godfather - an actor I love. Some of the anecdotes shared about him were truly lovely. Michael's bitterness towards Richard E. Grant runs deep and was unexpectedly amusing. Ditto Robert Pattinson who committed the unforgivable crime of securing the role of Cedric Diggory in the "Harry Potter" films, a role Michael had wanted for Jack (after his tragic failure to secure the title role, which, in fairness, he did look right for - not so sure about Cedric though.)
As quite a few years have passed since this book was written, I know Jack Whitehall himself now has a baby. I hope his child is less prone to projectile vomiting! I did laugh consistently throughout this book, particularly during some of the more outlandish moments of Jack's childhood, related resignedly by his father.
I received this book as a birthday present and it had been languishing on the to read pile for a while. Feeling uninspired with the other books I had picked out from the to read pile I sought this one out and I'm glad I did.
Each chapter is written by one of the Whitehall's with the other making the odd derisory comment in the margins. I loved this format and it was great to see the comedic interactions between them both.
As I expected this book was very funny, I was caught laughing out loud on too many occasions to remember. A stand out part, which left me with tears of laughter, was the chapter depicting Jack's various attempts to run away from home. I don't want to spoil it here but it is a true work of comedy genius!
The love and strength of the relationship between the Messrs Whitehall is evident throughout the book and a delight to read. The photographs that are dotted throughout the book add to the sense of what a happy and loving environment the Whitehall family is. I also loved hearing about Mrs Whitehall who must be a very patient woman :-)
A lovely, funny account of how two people grew up together and a light-hearted look into family life.
I have watched Travels with my father countless times and would sometimes put that on when I potter about. Thats what led ne to this book because I enjoy the silly yet easy banter between Jack and his father. The both of them couldn’t be more polar opposite yet has such a strong bond. Michael is a conservative man that idolises Winston Churchill and prides himself in being a refined English gentleman that carries the utmost decorum; a complete (endearing) snob. Jack is a standup comedian, that enjoys riling Michael up with his silly antics. The past divulged in both of their voices provided in this book sheds more light on how their bonds are forged despite their differences and also shows how strong it is. Their relationship is really cute and wonderful. I’m actually quite sad that now that Michael is quite old, because he did mentioned that traveling can be taxing and the trip across the British isles would be the last, so he won’t be globe trotting around the world with Jack anymore.
I have read countless reviews that the audiobook is better, and I probably would get that in a few years since I just finished this. I would also recommend anyone that wants to read this book to watch their travels series first!
For those who don't know Jack Whitehall is a stand up comedian, his father Michael is a distinguished agent who represented Nigel Havers and Richard Griffiths from Harry Potter. I don't find Jack Whitehall on his own particularly funny. Jack is obviously from a privileged background and his success is mainly due to his father's agent connections. However I find Michael and Jack's comedy chat show hilarious.
In this book we are regaled with stories from Jack's childhood from Jack and Michael's POV. Such as when Jack deliberately sabotaged his interview for the Dragon School and when Michael confronted some thugs outside his house and his dressing gown blew open and he was naked underneath.
To be honest If you have ever watched Jack's stand-up performance you will probably have heard these antidotes before. However I loved the performance of the Tory voting, curmudgeonly Michael. The stories are heart warming and I loved the playful arguing and teasing between the pair.
This book was not laugh out loud funny but I did enjoy listening.
Okay, so I love Jack Whitehall, he's a great comedian. His father, however, not so much. I get that the concept of this book is the differences between father and son and their relationship, but after a few chapters, it stopped being funny. Michael Whitehall is (or at the very least overwhelmingly came across as) racist, sexist, and homophobic. I can't laugh at that. Jack was still great, and I enjoyed his chapters, when they weren't about his father, but I really really wish the book had just been about and by him. There were some funny anecdotes, but they were very all over the place and most weren't quite good enough to keep me interested. And the commenting on each other's writing (and narration) got stale after a while. All in all, a disappointing read.
Light, fluffy and laugh out loud funny. This is not going to be an intellectually edifying book but it is very funny reading. The comments in the margins made me laugh so much that my son told me to calm down. Perfect for a rainy Saturday afternoon.
This book was a collection of Whitehall family stories narrated by comedian Jack and his dad Michael. The stories were mainly from Jack's childhood but a few were personal to Michael and they were all very funny.
Having both Whitehalls narrate the stories was a joy as they would regularly interrupt one another, for example Jack, to tell his dad not to do the accents as he told his story as he sounded racist, or Michael, to tell his son he was lying at this point and clarify the real event. It really added to the hilarity.
It really felt like you were just sitting with father and son, listening to them go over old times as they would pause to make fun of each other or just laugh at not being able to pronounce a word. The tone was easy-going, relaxed and you felt included in the narrative, like you were there with them. They're both natural born storytellers so there was no preference for me as to who was narrating.
Being of a higher class than myself, I thought I would find stories of private schools, expensive holidays and showbiz life, alienating, but I didn't. I found them all to be totally entertaining and humorous. There was also a surprising amount of content that I, and every family can relate to and I was pleased to find that some things are the same no matter how you grow up.
What was best though, even better than the non stop laughing I did whilst listening to this book, was how much love there was, not just in every story but unspoken, between Jack and his dad as they narrated this, mercilessly taking the piss out of one another in a way that only a father and son, who are also best friends can do. I loved it.
I enjoyed reading Him & Me - it’s genuinely entertaining, the whole Jack Whitehall + his dad duo. Their dynamic is funny, affectionate, and messy in a very real way, and it’s what kept me turning the pages (but I was not really hooked).
That said, I read the paperback and the cursive sections were so hard to read. It sounds like a small thing, but it honestly disrupted my flow and made parts of the book feel like unnecessary effort.
Also, there were moments where Jack’s dad came across as a bit arrogant - especially when he kept emphasizing his background. I understand it’s part of his personality (and sometimes it’s funny), but at times it felt a little too self-congratulatory for my taste.
Overall: a fun, enjoyable read with a great father��son dynamic, but the formatting and a few tone moments held it back for me.
I listened to this as an audiobook rather than a physical copy - and it didn't disappoint.
The book is told by both Jack and Michael respectively, and if you're a fan of their netflix documentaries/comedy skit then you will love this.
They talk a lot about both their lives, from Jack growing up and nearly being in a Harry Potter movie, to Michael becoming a first time dad later in life and agent to a lot of well-known celebs. Throw this together with Jack's comedic wit and Michael's dead pan sarcastic seriousness, it's a recipe for greatness.
If I were to read the physical copy would it hit the same? Probably not, but I would recommend anyone to listen to the audiobook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I ADORED this book. I listened to the audiobook after being told it added an extra layer of entertainment, and there were so many times throughout it I was crying of laughter. Such a wonderful, lighthearted read (or listen!) ✨
I’ve never read a biography or anything similar. I really enjoyed it! I found it hilarious, even laughing out loud at points. I found the ending a bit bleh, but other than that I loved it!
Comedians are amusing by both what they say and how they say it. So in just written form it does lack something. Some enjoyable banter though and easy reading.
What a wonderful book. It's not long. It's not intellectually stimulating. It didn't teach me something or make me suspend reality. What it did do, was make me laugh - out loud, scaring the dogs I was looking after.
Michael and Jack both write very engagingly and it's clear where Jack gets his funny bone from, though Michael is happy to play the straight man for his son. They are clearly very close and have a wonderfully loving relationship, which this book can only have strengthened. As well as the funny anecdotes and cringing honesty, there are also gentler notes. Their mutual sorrow at the recent passing of Jack's godfather Richard Griffiths (of Harry Potter and Withnail & I) is palpable and there are rays of genuine love and care (Jack screwing up a senior school interview because he was worried about his dad being in hospital stands out as a real, honest example of a boy who loves his father).
Each chapter is written in one voice or the other. However, each of them will make comments in the margins of the other chapters, expressing outrage, annoyance or, in Michael's case, a complete misunderstanding of modern slang. And at the end of each chapter, they get three or four points to object, refute, agree or explain their POV. The other gem is Hilary's (wife/mother) "10 things I wish to correct about this book" where she finally gets a say.
And now I might go and get the audiobook, so I can hear the arguments aloud...
I used audible for this book as it is narrated by Jack himself, and my god was that a good thing to do! After watching everything on Netflix and on iplayers, I thought I should give his book a go- see what it is all about, what all the fuss is about and all that.
And now I know! This book is a perfect pick-me-up when you are feeling down and want a laugh!! Brilliant way for me to start the year!
So many funny points i don't want to spoil! I recommend the book to anyone who fancies a light hearted and moving story about Jack and his life! Can't wait for more!
‘I need a drink, Edwin.’ ‘What’s happened, Michael?’ asked Edwin in a concerned voice. ‘I’ve just seen Vivienne Chambers disporting in the altogether,’ my father said in what I imagine to have been a hoarse, hunted tone. ‘Oh, God, join the club,’ came the reply. ‘I was subjected to that last year and it will be burned on to my retinas for the rest of my life. They look like two fried eggs on a plate – I couldn’t eat breakfast for weeks,’Edwin went on as he poured out two large vodka and tonics, triple measures, one of which my father accepted with a shaking hand. After that particular incident, the fence at the end of our lawn was raised another three feet and a thick hedgerow of Leylandii was planted. Just to make sure (...) Rabbits were bought, lost and died. One of the corpses was even found in Vivienne Chambers’ garden. ‘Maybe it saw her sunbathing like I did and just keeled over, hypothesized my father to his unamused teary children.'
The whole chapter 10, which started with this disguisting and sexist comments towards a womans body, put me off. Then, the very same chapter, goes on to describing Jack's grandmother and her hoarding tendencias. It looks like this is not a habit, rather it is an issue to be dealt with, or at least not shared with the whole world. I would never speak of my grandparents like that, there are certain things that should not be joked about.
I have always thought that Jack had a lacking sense of humour, his jokes are more about being silly and childish, rather than actually funny. I alwys much prefered his father's, Michael's, cynism and sarcasm, which at times came across as very grotesque and humouristic. Truth be told, his father was the only reason I watched 'Travels with my Father' in the first place. Anyways, reading about what he said about his neighbour's physique, I am starting to doubt whether I actually want to have anything to do with this man.
I must admit, at the beginning, the chapters written by Jack were somewhat entertaining, but then, up until chapter 10, this 'humour' began to deteriorate. Jack is like a child surrounded by great comedians like Trevor Noah or Mo Gilligan - he is trying his hardest to become one of them, but if it wasn't for his father, he would not have been heard of even once. In Jack's defence, he did mention his priviledge and financial stability, which was a surprising act of honesty. But if he wants to be a good comedian, he needs to up his game.
P.s. I'm glad I got this book for £0.99 on Kindle deal, I won't feel like I have to finish it just for the money.
Very funny book. This talks about Jack’s childhood years told in the memory of Jack and his father Michael. Both write/narrate chapters separately, but both also have individual fonts for when they want to add something to the chapter they haven’t wrote to disagree with the other. The reading style is great this way as each one gets to interject with their opinion at any point throughout - calling the other out on their bullshit basically haha. It’s such a funny read, lots of anecdotes of years gone by and plenty name dropping by Michael (much to Jacks’s annoyance). Their rapport is great and you can tell they have such a loving relationship. Barnaby and Molly (Jack’s other siblings) are mentioned too within the stories which is lovely. Jack’s Mum is always included featuring so many funny moments for her too, she also has a little writing part at the very end, putting some wrongs to right! I just loved how they both constantly try to argue with each other and you never really know who is telling the truth. Each chapter has bullet points at the end by the other correcting all the lies they have written, or have they?, we will never really know haha. Read this is two days, such a fun read, I literally love the Whitehall family so much. This was written pre travels with my father surprisingly, had it of been after I’m sure it would have sold even more copies. Best 50p I’ve spent in a long time. Massively Recommend this book.
I love watching "Travels with My Father" and the dynamic between Jack, the immature, rambunctious comedian always looking for the next laugh, and his serious but always quick-witted father, whose generational gap always brings about hilarious exchanges.
I wish I was able to listen to this publication as an audiobook, but alas, none were accessible to me. Therefore, I had to do the next best thing - read the entire book in a British accent, whether in my head or out loud, much to the chagrin of family members and colleagues who happened to be near me. My 6-year-old son was the only one who appreciated the accent, although he thought I was doing a Peppa Pig impression.
Michael and Jack take turns telling amusing anecdotes, often without any regard for embarrassment toward the other. Some of the stories are so outrageous they can be quite hard to believe, if not for the corroboration given by both father and son and the photographs provided for proof. Their relationship is a unique one, but the affection between father and son is evident through these stories, as ridiculous as they may be. Their humor is never mean-spirited and they are great sports about it, so it makes for a thoroughly entertaining experience. Both father and son are gifted, sharp comedians and masterful storytellers, with many fun memories to recount.