He Who Dares

by Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter

Jack-the-lad, wheeler-dealer, and international playboy (just ask the manageress of El Sid's, Torremolinos, 1978), this was a man destined for greatness. One day he would mature into an award-winning man of business, thriving entrepreneur and glittering member of the jet-set. A force of nature, a man who beat the odds, if only for a bit. This is his story. The story of Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter. Who else could tell the glorious tale of rags to riches to rags to rich(ish) but the man himself? You've heard of The Wolf of Wall Street, now meet the Pug of Peckham. Trotter's Independent Traders, employee of the year 1982 - 2003. [ He Who Dares has been written by the family of John Sullivan, creator and writer of Only Fools and Horses, who sadly died in 2011. Ebury Press have produced and published the book with full support and involvement of the family.]

Genres: Comedy, Tv

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2015

Reviews

[Mac Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty amusing, not usually my kinda thing but I fancied a change, glad I read it. Mostly regurgitated stories from the TV series, but from Del's perspective. Although there is also some new stuff, enough to make it fresh.

[Paul Shrimpton · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay and slightly funny read at times, it's written from a different perspective and at times delivers although not enough hence the 3 stars. Also it's very cheeky from the publisher, as it's just repetition in the main, of the main character's life "Del Boy".

[David Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how the author used the trotter family in this book. Brought back many funny scenes from the program.

[Mark Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're familiar with the tv characters, you can hear them, and see their mannerisms as you read this book. Although well written, I had hoped for a deeper insight and some new stories. Instead, I found it to be a retelling of a selection of episodes. In short, nothing new here to hold my interest.

[Is Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

What it promises: A force of nature, a man who beat the odds, if only for a bit. This is his story. The story of Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter. Who else could tell the glorious tale of rags to riches to rags to rich(ish) but the man himself?

What it delivers: Rock & Chips/Only Fools & Horses in Del's own words, plus some extra epilogue-style things.

Inescapable limitations: There's a million season show of Del's adult life on TV already, plus a couple of eps of his teenage years SO there's not much new ground to cover.

Pitfalls 🕳️: None that I can really think of? The inescapable limitations pretty much covers everything here.

Bright shining 🌟 moments: Rodney's forward + the bit at the end that revisits Freddy the Frog's gold + the bits where Del's retelling of events diverged from what we know to be true because of the TV show (the bits with the Mob in Miami come to mind).

Diverse?: Nope

Monetary value 💸: Library borrowed!

Recommend: Yes! If you like the show - especially if you've not seen it recently - I think you'd get a kick out of this, especially if you can get it from the library.

[Graham Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and funny

[Bekha Youmans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing I’ve never laughed so much in my life at a book. Being a massive fan of the show I didn’t think anything could come close but this book did just that. Reading about the life of del trotter was amazing. The stuff he got up to you just couldn’t imagine it. Such a fantastic read. Defiantly something I will be reading again and again.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially just reliving the joy of Only Fools and Horses, although that's not to say it's not cleverly done.
For the most part this is enjoyable, the vast majority of the book tells the story of Del Boy from his point of view. The language used when talking as Del is excellent, expanding on what is used in the TV series "statelite" being just one example.
The end of the book is also done well, it expands on the characters after the series and various spin offs finished. Interesting to read what had been done, again with the humour that works so well for the series.
This is enjoyable and laugh out loud, cleverly done and a further Gem to be added to any OFAH fans collection.

[Sinead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book but being such a fan of Only Fools and Horses that was obvious I guess! It was great re-living the highs and the lows....the ducking and diving of Del-Boy and Rodney all in one book

[Ceri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book I would have picked but as it was a Christmas present then I had to read it!

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but nowwhere near as much as I enjoyed Alan Partridge's autobiograhy. This is just a retelling of episodes of the TV show.

[Barry Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"During the war..."

Stone me! This was lovely jubbly. Fromage frais, as they say in France.