Someone Like Me: Tales from a Borrowed Childhood

by Miles Kington

Book by Miles Kington

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Bionic Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This "created autobiography" by Miles Kingston made me laugh out loud at its absurdity. An example of one of the events he described was incorporating the names of people into the actual snapshots of them, since lots of us have old albums with faded photos which make us scratch our heads and wonder who on earth they were....

Of course it becomes slightly ludicrous when an old lady in a hat is holding a placard saying "Great Aunt Marge". But I have actually copied this idea for photographic records of things - thanks Miles!

[^ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly clever and superbly executed; the style and grace of this ‘autobiography’ shows just how all books of this genre are best written (but cannot all be). I hugely enjoyed the humour and good spirit enormously, and came away feeling that I now knew something of the ‘real’ Miles Kington. Or did I? Did that matter? No. Or yes? The dividing line between fact and fiction is left entirely to the reader, and it’s an impossible line to draw.

I never before thought to attempt to apply Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle to a written (visualised) biography; “The more precisely the position is determined, the less precisely the momentum is known in this instant, and vice versa.”

The “waves” and “particles” of a life described autobiographically. What happens where? And when? Or not? The path our observation takes must first find its own existence where we observe its connection. To read “Someone Like Me: Tales from a Borrowed Childhood” is to enjoy a book prompted by the Master, then shot through with whatever connections are made in the mind of its reader. Its playful humour is unquestionably and helplessly addictive. But what is real, and what is not? Is there a difference? Does that matter? We’re talking “Tales” after all. Or are we?

Get my grasp? Media ‘stars’ who value their privacy would do well to learn from Miles, who, alas, is dead. Or … or is he yet still riding the wave, and flinging the past participle? I like to think so.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this memoir, which is full of comic anecdotes from before the author finished school. Starting with those from his pram, which apparently was stolen but the baby left on the grass. Prams were big and valuable in those days.
Much of the later fun comes from the older brother Ralph, who was determined to go into theatre and become a director and producer. He stage managed and investigated many aspects of life. Including inserting contemporary figures into the crib at the church. When the family had an exchange student from France, Miles was worried they would want to play with his Meccano. Within a short time the three kids were building a guillotine from Meccano and decapitating Ralph's figures. Sadly, it appears Ralph was an invention, a vehicle, and Miles in fact had a younger brother, so probably some of the tales are role-reversal.
Miles can't imagine wanting to read, or re-read, the family's Letters From Lord Nelson. "If I wanted to know what it was like to be Nelson, I would read a Hornblower book."
And more of that nature.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.

[TT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remind me of Bill Bryson.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only this book was true! Miles Kington is very funny and it is a shame I only discovered him just about the time he died. A great loss (though not sure about all the Franglais books).

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once I stopped finding the method of delivering the stories a bit strange I really quite enjoyed this - there were some amusing anecdotes that made me smile.

[Haslinda Kaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I envy you Miles
I envy you for being able to write your childhood stories in such a fascinating way.

[JoJo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing in parts and filled with the wry sense of humour of the author.

[Germae · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest accounts of boyhood, Miles Kington delivers a humourous autobiography of his childhood years.

There were so many laugh-out-loud moments in the book! Really entertaining and oftentimes engaging read due to his amusing story-telling of moments in childhood which I believe are common among most children.

One conclusion: Kington is a hilariously delightful author.

This is a must-read (true story: my sister used to own the book, but upon lending it to someone and that person defaulting on returning it, I had to hunt another copy of this book down for keepsake as it wasn't available on many websites, for, you know, in case I wanna read it again, and again, and again.)

[Sarah Dunsbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun,light hearted, lots of little amusing tales from his childhood, heard abridged version on Rado,wonder if any serious stuff in it at all,doubt it somehow...but that makes a nice change...borrowed childhood? Mmm I wonder...