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Animal QC: My Preposterous Life
'An extraordinary yarn, a great autobiography… Marvel Comics should take Gary Bell on' - Libby Purves, Radio 4 Midweek
'Hugely entertaining, heartwarming and inspiring' - Mail on Sunday
'Riotous… unvarnished candour' - Daily Telegraph
'A compelling delight' - Daily Mail
'Gary Bell is one of Britain's leading criminal barristers. He's also got one of the most interesting CVs I have ever seen.' - Sarah Brett, BBC Radio Five Live
GARY BELL QC is one of Britain's top barristers, with his own hit BBC TV show, a Who's Who entry and a wife whose family is listed in Burke's Landed Gentry.
But behind his silk gown and horsehair wig is a compelling and hilarious backstory.
The chronic bedwetting son of a teenaged cigarette factory worker and a nineteen-year-old miner, Gary grew up in a condemned Nottingham slum, and left his tough comprehensive school without taking any exams to follow his dad down the pit.
He spent his teenage years as a drunken football hooligan known as 'Animal' (for his terrible eating habits, not his fighting skills), baking pies at Pork Farms, stacking shelves at Asda, and trying and failing to become (among other things) a miner, a bricklayer, and a fireman. After being convicted of fraud and sentenced to six months (he worked out how to fiddle pub fruit machines), he was homeless for some years.
Finally deciding to make something of himself, he took O and A levels and hitch-hiked to Bristol University as a mature law student in his mid 20s. After three hilarious years - he somehow managed to wangle a job with a Beverly Hills law firm before he'd even graduated - he went on to become a barrister and, twenty years later, achieved the rare honour of being appointed Queen's Counsel.
His preposterous story - which contains some fascinating details of the many major cases he has worked on - reads like a strange dream and redefines the word 'amazing', as well as being extremely funny, very moving, and utterly life-affirming.
'Hugely entertaining, heartwarming and inspiring' - Mail on Sunday
'Riotous… unvarnished candour' - Daily Telegraph
'A compelling delight' - Daily Mail
'Gary Bell is one of Britain's leading criminal barristers. He's also got one of the most interesting CVs I have ever seen.' - Sarah Brett, BBC Radio Five Live
GARY BELL QC is one of Britain's top barristers, with his own hit BBC TV show, a Who's Who entry and a wife whose family is listed in Burke's Landed Gentry.
But behind his silk gown and horsehair wig is a compelling and hilarious backstory.
The chronic bedwetting son of a teenaged cigarette factory worker and a nineteen-year-old miner, Gary grew up in a condemned Nottingham slum, and left his tough comprehensive school without taking any exams to follow his dad down the pit.
He spent his teenage years as a drunken football hooligan known as 'Animal' (for his terrible eating habits, not his fighting skills), baking pies at Pork Farms, stacking shelves at Asda, and trying and failing to become (among other things) a miner, a bricklayer, and a fireman. After being convicted of fraud and sentenced to six months (he worked out how to fiddle pub fruit machines), he was homeless for some years.
Finally deciding to make something of himself, he took O and A levels and hitch-hiked to Bristol University as a mature law student in his mid 20s. After three hilarious years - he somehow managed to wangle a job with a Beverly Hills law firm before he'd even graduated - he went on to become a barrister and, twenty years later, achieved the rare honour of being appointed Queen's Counsel.
His preposterous story - which contains some fascinating details of the many major cases he has worked on - reads like a strange dream and redefines the word 'amazing', as well as being extremely funny, very moving, and utterly life-affirming.
- GenresNonfictionLawBiography
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2015
26 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Gary Bell
27 books21 followersBorn into a coal mining family, Gary Bell QC left school without any qualifications and was an apprentice mechanic, fork lift truck driver, production line worker, builder, fireman and door-to-door salesman, as well as a notorious football hooligan, before being arrested for fraud aged 18. After a brief stint in prison, he set off to seek fame and fortune abroad and, after two years drifting around Europe ended up penniless and homeless.
He next enrolled in a FE College to study his O and A levels, and then went on to study law as a mature student at Bristol University where he 'became' an Old Etonian. After graduating he spent a year as a litigation lawyer in Beverly Hills before coming back to England to become a barrister. He has spent over thirty years at the Bar, specialising in defending in major fraud and murder trials, becoming a QC in 2012.
He next enrolled in a FE College to study his O and A levels, and then went on to study law as a mature student at Bristol University where he 'became' an Old Etonian. After graduating he spent a year as a litigation lawyer in Beverly Hills before coming back to England to become a barrister. He has spent over thirty years at the Bar, specialising in defending in major fraud and murder trials, becoming a QC in 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 28, 2016
I won a copy of Animal QC from the publisher and was encouraged to give an honest review.
The summary of this book reminded me a little of Gregory David Roberts with Shantaram....with Gary starting out as a poor working class boy, turning into quite a bad lad along the way, who then has an unbelievably interesting lifetime of experiences and careers and completely turns his life around.
The difference, and the reason I enjoyed this book more, is that Gary writes with so much humour and is completely unpretentious. Even when pretending to be an Etonian, it seems to be done in a childlike way of just 'having a laugh'.
I romped through this book, laughing out loud in places and really appreciated the honest inclusive of Gary's less appealing features! I would certainly recommend it as an inspiring and entertaining read.
The summary of this book reminded me a little of Gregory David Roberts with Shantaram....with Gary starting out as a poor working class boy, turning into quite a bad lad along the way, who then has an unbelievably interesting lifetime of experiences and careers and completely turns his life around.
The difference, and the reason I enjoyed this book more, is that Gary writes with so much humour and is completely unpretentious. Even when pretending to be an Etonian, it seems to be done in a childlike way of just 'having a laugh'.
I romped through this book, laughing out loud in places and really appreciated the honest inclusive of Gary's less appealing features! I would certainly recommend it as an inspiring and entertaining read.
April 20, 2016
An interesting life that given the changes in the justice system is unlikely to be repeated, well written with less law than you might expect.
November 29, 2016
Excellent start, fades to finish
A remarkable story, told in a very breezy, very honest way. The last third was a bit long on legal stories, which I don't find of much interest. Hence the four stars.
Still worth the reading for the first two-thirds. As I said, a remarkable (preposterous) tale.
A remarkable story, told in a very breezy, very honest way. The last third was a bit long on legal stories, which I don't find of much interest. Hence the four stars.
Still worth the reading for the first two-thirds. As I said, a remarkable (preposterous) tale.
December 12, 2017
Entertaining
While there is no doubt this is engagingly written it's full of so many coincidences it casts doubts on so much he says. Gary Bell can pass exams without work and is a total success at everything from football hooliganism to major fraud. For me he is rather too full of himself.
While there is no doubt this is engagingly written it's full of so many coincidences it casts doubts on so much he says. Gary Bell can pass exams without work and is a total success at everything from football hooliganism to major fraud. For me he is rather too full of himself.
June 9, 2020
Preposterous Indeed!
What a brilliant life story Gary Bell portrays in this gritty book.
I relished the ups and downs of the author's challenging upbringing. The anger and fierce loyalty depicted had me cringing.
As the clouds of youth dissipated, there emerged a new Gary. A chancer, yes, but also a determined young man who really did grab life by the balls. The result (no spoilers) just goes to show that you can achieve Valhalla if you put your mind to it.
Humerous, tense, insightful and heartbreaking at times, this book is well worth a read. Be inspired!
What a brilliant life story Gary Bell portrays in this gritty book.
I relished the ups and downs of the author's challenging upbringing. The anger and fierce loyalty depicted had me cringing.
As the clouds of youth dissipated, there emerged a new Gary. A chancer, yes, but also a determined young man who really did grab life by the balls. The result (no spoilers) just goes to show that you can achieve Valhalla if you put your mind to it.
Humerous, tense, insightful and heartbreaking at times, this book is well worth a read. Be inspired!
September 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this autobiography. A frank and honest no punches pulled examination of Gary Bell's preposterous life (as he describes it). It was easy to read with lots of humorous accounts and sincere lessons learnt with also some interesting explanations relating to the law in which he is well versed. I have read two of his very exciting crime fiction novels and found this book to be just as entertaining. I look forward to reading anything else Gary Bell decides to write as I am indeed a fan. Highly recommended.
July 26, 2023
Having read his two novels which I knew were based on his unconventional rise to the bar, I felt I should read this and wasn’t disappointed. Fascinating story of overcoming the odds - insightful and also touching and amusing.
To those who have reviewed his comments about cases he has defended saying he should only prosecute you clearly didn’t understand his comments about the taxi rank principle of legal counsel.
To those who have reviewed his comments about cases he has defended saying he should only prosecute you clearly didn’t understand his comments about the taxi rank principle of legal counsel.
June 25, 2017
An interesting record of one mans life experiences taking him from a Nottingham mining town to sleeping rough on the beaches of Spain. His route to QC was a combination of personal determination and fluctuating hard work - there were occasions throughout the book that aspects of Gary's gluttony distracted his path.
August 14, 2018
A rags to riches tale - more about life than the law
Animal's fascinating story of a difficult start to a life he turned round is gripping - but don't read it if you are looking to learn about life as a criminal barrister. Nonetheless, it still is worth reading, as a story of the importance of second chances and the wild turns life can take.
Animal's fascinating story of a difficult start to a life he turned round is gripping - but don't read it if you are looking to learn about life as a criminal barrister. Nonetheless, it still is worth reading, as a story of the importance of second chances and the wild turns life can take.
June 24, 2023
Book Thirty Seven of 2023: I bought this book several years ago and it has sat on my kindle ever since. Until now.
For some reason, though I have no desire to ever actually be a lawyer, I love these books about them. And although Gary bell didn't sound like the kind of bloke who would be my mate, his story was interesting.
For some reason, though I have no desire to ever actually be a lawyer, I love these books about them. And although Gary bell didn't sound like the kind of bloke who would be my mate, his story was interesting.
August 20, 2025
Fantastic story
It is an amazing story of friendship, perservance, and persuasion. Parts are unbelievable, but it goes to show how being true to yourself is important as is believing in your own story, even when you know you have left bits out.
It is an amazing story of friendship, perservance, and persuasion. Parts are unbelievable, but it goes to show how being true to yourself is important as is believing in your own story, even when you know you have left bits out.
December 7, 2017
Not what I expected, as it is a life story rather than a book of barristers tales. Nonetheless it was a good read and left me admiring Mr Bell for his tenacious attitude and ability to achieve.
January 5, 2020
A truly preposterous story
A fantastic read and a fascinating tale of Gary Bells rise from a Nottingham slum and career as a football hooligan to being a QC. Very funny book.
A fantastic read and a fascinating tale of Gary Bells rise from a Nottingham slum and career as a football hooligan to being a QC. Very funny book.
June 14, 2021
Great book
Entertaing fast paced and compulsive reading couldn't put it down once started and identified with his self help message throughout
Entertaing fast paced and compulsive reading couldn't put it down once started and identified with his self help message throughout
September 6, 2021
A bit self-involved to be honest.
July 7, 2015
What an amazing life Gary Bell has had and he tells his story - warts and all - with tremendous verve and humour!
Animal QC: My Preposterous Life is probably the most honest, captivating and amusing autobiography I've ever read.
Briefly, and without giving too much away, Gary was born into poverty, left school without taking a single exam and drifted into football hooliganism, homelessness and crime before pulling himself together, getting his O' and A' levels as a mature student and going to university to study law.
Even once he got to university his life was a roller coaster ride; as a skinhead in stonewashed jeans, with a moustache and a thick Nottingham accent, he was nothing like the Hugh Grant look-alike privately-educated toffs on his course.
There have been tremendous highs and lows in his life - from being literally starving in France because of a poor decision he made, to wooing and marrying the woman he loved unrequitedly from afar at university and becoming one of the country's top criminal defence barristers.
Now in his fifties, Gary is a QC, an honour bestowed on only a handful of lawyers. His legal career is also interesting and some of his most riveting trials are also featured in the book.
It is refreshing to read a memoir where you get the feeling that the author is genuine and not afraid to tell stories against himself.
(For instance, I don't think you'd read in a celebrity autobiography that the subject sometimes still wets the bed, or ate dog biscuits for lunch when he worked at a pet food warehouse because he'd spent all his wages days before, or got a nickname that has stuck with him because of his disgusting eating habits.)
Animal QC is a great read and proof that even with the poorest start, you can turn your life around.
* I received a free ARC of this book from the publishers in return for an honest review.
Animal QC: My Preposterous Life is probably the most honest, captivating and amusing autobiography I've ever read.
Briefly, and without giving too much away, Gary was born into poverty, left school without taking a single exam and drifted into football hooliganism, homelessness and crime before pulling himself together, getting his O' and A' levels as a mature student and going to university to study law.
Even once he got to university his life was a roller coaster ride; as a skinhead in stonewashed jeans, with a moustache and a thick Nottingham accent, he was nothing like the Hugh Grant look-alike privately-educated toffs on his course.
There have been tremendous highs and lows in his life - from being literally starving in France because of a poor decision he made, to wooing and marrying the woman he loved unrequitedly from afar at university and becoming one of the country's top criminal defence barristers.
Now in his fifties, Gary is a QC, an honour bestowed on only a handful of lawyers. His legal career is also interesting and some of his most riveting trials are also featured in the book.
It is refreshing to read a memoir where you get the feeling that the author is genuine and not afraid to tell stories against himself.
(For instance, I don't think you'd read in a celebrity autobiography that the subject sometimes still wets the bed, or ate dog biscuits for lunch when he worked at a pet food warehouse because he'd spent all his wages days before, or got a nickname that has stuck with him because of his disgusting eating habits.)
Animal QC is a great read and proof that even with the poorest start, you can turn your life around.
* I received a free ARC of this book from the publishers in return for an honest review.
January 11, 2016
I will review this book on my Law blog.
This is a fantastic book I would recommend to anyone interested in the Law and in Life.
Ex Nihilo out of Nowt Law and Lawyering, just how I like it!
GR is forcing Reviews on me in order to advance their Native advertising programme. I don't do forced reviews but I do support this book and it's very worthy author.
This is a fantastic book I would recommend to anyone interested in the Law and in Life.
Ex Nihilo out of Nowt Law and Lawyering, just how I like it!
GR is forcing Reviews on me in order to advance their Native advertising programme. I don't do forced reviews but I do support this book and it's very worthy author.
December 26, 2016
Enjoyable book. Incredible life story.
July 31, 2015
An easy and enjoyable read.
March 31, 2017
Amazing story of rags to riches and the first half is pretty amusing. Gets a big less exciting once he makes it big and becomes a barrister unless you are interested in legal cases. 4 star first half, 3 star second half, 3.5 overall but marked down as I've had loads of 4 star reads lately and this isn't quite up with them.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews