The Complete Acid Drops

by Kenneth Williams

This is Kenneth Williams’ collection of his favourite barbed stories and malicious bon mots in an A to Z of unsurpassed cruelty, including cartoons by Graeme Garden and introduced by Gyles Brandreth who knew Williams for many years and is an executor of Williams’ estate. Kenneth Williams is regarded as one of the great raconteurs and comedy actors of the century. His bestselling diaries, edited by Russell Davis, reveal a complex, deeply insecure character whose bitter, excoriating wit alienated just about everyone who crossed his path. The brilliantly crafted vitriol in his private diaries found life through his TV interviews and appearances on radio shows such as Just a Minute. These outbursts have made him synonymous with the wicked story and the caustic put down. Since his suicide in 1988, his popularity has grown. A two part Omnibus programme on his life appeared on ITV and a touring one man show of Williams’ life has been playing to full houses for the last two years. Terry Johnson’s play Cleo, Camping, Emanuelle and Dick, exploring Williams’ relationship with Barbara Windsor and Sid James, ran to rave reviews and ‘The Diaries’ continue to sell.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Comedy, Biography

183 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

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Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit this is a book I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. In fact years. I have long found Kenneth Williams to be somewhat a inspirational figure for me. Often while watching his archive interviews I have seen clips of him speaking about this book. Having discovered World of Books I was able to get my very own original copy. A fantastic book crammed with acid retorts it makes for a fun read. Definitely one for fans of KW!

[Rachael Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many Oscar Wilde quotes, but entertaining reading. That said, I much prefer Kenneth Williams' diaries...

[Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute howler. Williams was one of Britain's most outrageous and brilliant comedians having been eagerly awaited in the old days of radio comedy and later TV for his trademark very "camp" remarks. Like others of his contemporaries a deeply sad man but much bereaved when he died

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An encyclopedia of the many forms of sarcasm and snark that exist in the world. Loved that it was a book of quotations but written in first person so that Kenneth explains the context and the result of the bitchy exchange. How he wrote was full of such warmth and it definitely inspired me to read some of his diaries perhaps. We have some insight into the quotation so though some of them are very pointed and insulting, they never seem too nasty. Makes you miss a past era of humour where wit is the reward.

I only rated a 4/5 because I tired of the format half way through. However, I kept picking it up to read another chapter because I looked forward to it!

[Nick Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I love watching the Carry Ons… and Williams in interviews, but this book didn’t grab me as I thought it would.

I think, for me, the issue is that apart from the likes of Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward etc., I don’t know who most of the people are who he mentions in the book. It’s difficult to get a feeling of the person’s voice or even have an image of them in your head if you have no idea who they are.

[Gillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was slightly disappointed as I was expecting lots of laughs from Kenneth Williams. He comes over as "snarky" and a bit mean-spirited. Nevertheless it is interesting to discover the origins of some wellknown and often-used comments.

[Mikey James · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m quite surprised by this one. I was really looking forward to it especially after reading the reviews it was given at the time of release, but there’s just something about it that doesn’t sit well with me. I love Kenneth Williams but for some reason, just couldn’t finish this one.

[Ollie Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biting and deliciously sequacious.

[Stuart Aken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kenneth Williams, of ‘Carry On…’ fame for many, was a troubled character. Clever but socially handicapped, he lived a mostly solitary life. It comes as no surprise, then, that his collection of witty quips and quotes is entirely made up of the sort of put-downs that leave the victim feeling bad. Of course, the title gives a clue to the nature of the assortment; his selection is pungent with acerbic witticisms.

As an optimist and, bearing a philanthropic nature, I found only a few of these short forays into wit amusing. Many are cruel. At best, most are caustic. I laugh easily; it’s in my nature. But I didn’t laugh at many of these. Though I can admire the intelligence that created them. And Williams’ short accompanying accounts of how the quips came to be are quite amusing and informative.

Of course, this is a book intended to be dipped into rather than read, as I did, at one sitting. Perhaps I was overwhelmed by the nastiness of much of the material.

I have no doubt that those of a misanthropic or sour disposition will find plenty to enjoy here. But, for me, there was a little too much acid to make the book enjoyable. This is a volume that illustrates that beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder. For me, it was distinctly ugly, but clever. So a mixed review. If you like your wit with a cutting edge and little mercy, this will suit you.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious