Me: Moir

by Vic Reeves

Vic Reeves' vivid, enchanting, and utterly hilarious childhood memoir is a comic masterpiece.

Before there was Vic Reeves, there was a boy called James Moir who was much the same as any other lad.Obsessed with owning a pet crow, a master at writing his name and terrified of his father's immense moustache. Growing up in Yorkshire and then CountyDurham, the boy who would be Reeves somehow managed to escape the attentions of 'Randy Mandy' and get a crash course in pig castration, before having encounters with Jimi Hendrix and the Yorkshire Ripper.

Peopled with weird and wonderful characters, Vic Reeves' memoir is authentic, witty and inventive, and as unique as you'd expect from one of Britain's most exceptional comedy talents.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Humor, Audiobook, Memoir, Comedy

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 8, 2006

Reviews

[Jenna M]

If you are a fan of reeves, you'll be delighted with the easy charm and strange wit of the book.
If not, sod off.

[Joe Loftus]

Funniest book I’ve ever read.

[Hazyhazy]

Taking in the earlier years up to the eve of his escape to London, this isn’t so much a biography of Vic Reeves than of Jim (Rod) Moir. A series of chronological anecdotes, some more fanciful than others, nothing can be taken as fact and it’s all the better for it. Charming, unpretentious and very funny. If you spent your youth painstakingly painting band logos on your school bag, behaving like an idiot for the benefit of your friends and plotting a way to escape small town life by forming a succession of diabolical bands then you’re going to love it. And if you didn’t, well at least you’ll enjoy the pictures.

[Owen Watts]

I'd heard the abridged audio version of this some years ago, but decided to splash out and buy a cheapy second hand version of the physical thing, knowing that it would have more detail in it as well as Reeves's glorious drawings. Vic, or Jim, or Rod Moir - had a strange and flamboyant youth in the suburban semi rural lands of Darlington, way up north between Leeds and Newcastle. I'm a gigantic fan of Vic's surrealist foolishness and general daftness he's sort of a hero figure to me. An idol, if you will. He paints a warm, but admirably unvarnished portrait of an adolescence in the 70's. It's a grim time in some ways but the pop culture is vibrant and we see psychedelia give way to glam and avant prog turn to acerbic punk through his eyes. It's an era (particularly musically) that I'm always deeply fascinated by and to have my favourite fella take me through it is charming in the extreme.

The presentation from Virgin Books, is functional, and not particularly inspiring. Each chapter is illustrated by a drawing of his, either from the time or contemporary with the writing of the book, most of which as also needlessly repeated in the glossy "photo" bits you get in all memoirs. Most infuriatingly each chapter has a "quote" from it at the start for some reason. Like you're reading a long magazine article which seems wildly superfluous. Otherwise though, it does the trick and I'd be genuinely fascinated to see a second volume one of these decades, bridging the decade gap between "going to London" at the end of the seventies to getting gigantic on Channel 4 at the start of the 90's. Although, just watching him paint gigantic birds on the internet is good enough for me, frankly.

[Angela]

Anecdotal tales from the childhood of Vic (Jim Moir) Reeves. Told in the style you would expect from Vic, so if you're not a fan generally, you won't enjoy this style of storytelling or comedy.

[Warren Best]

Vey funny memoir and interesting to read about his early life in 70’s

[Ashley Gordon]

"I was eight pounds when I was born, healthy and of good cheer, yet the midwife suggested that it might be a good idea for Mum to feed me on Complan, the weight-gaining food supplement. This she did, and I ballooned to a frightening ten stone by the age of three months. I became so corpulent so quickly that my mother was unable to pluck me from my cot and I was eventually prised out with an oar. To remedy the situation, a skip was later rented to accommodate my ever-increasing mass..."

[Keziah Morley]

It’s hard for me to give an unbiased review of this book because it was just so interesting to read about his childhood antics in Darlington and recognising all the place names and really being able to see everything he was describing. Definitely recommend if you’re a fan of his comedy. Had some laugh out loud moments!

[Savina King]

I loved Vic Reeves in the "Dove from above", can't remember the name of the show, blast it
I was so pleased to learn that he came from this area and drank in the green dragon pub
This book is funny and just makes you feel good Thanks Vic, nice one

[Sheldon]

What is here is good, but it's over before it truly starts and 15 years later there is still no volume 2 to finish the story.

[Jim Coleman]

You try harder - Volume One v. 1

Slightly disappointing effort, Mortimer history was more entertaining and concise. Surprisingly Moir tries to be a debonair punk about time, he's much better being who he is than trying though always failing to be a trend setter. Part of his problem seems to have come from his inability to settle flitting like some lost butterfly trying to find a last plant but always failing forcing him to move on again to pastures new. There is something of Peter Pan about the guy, never grown up and to his credit never wanting to. He relates his tails, most are exaggerated for increased comic effect, with an eye akin to a Goons script writer. I did enjoy this effort but it should have been better.

[Russell Taylor]

This autobiography covers the first 20 or so years of Vic Reeve's life. It reads exactly as Vic speaks which makes it a very enjoyable read. He tells the various anecdotes with warmth and a sense of fun which makes them entertaining to read. As always with Vic there is a sort of anarchy that runs through the book. It was this style that made him famous, and so if you are a fan you will enjoy this. I would imagine that people not familiar with Vic reeves would find this an easy enough read but perhaps, rightly, class it as a bit odd. Bring on volume 2!

[Sam Hunn]

I know that some were disappointed that this volume covers only childhood but I found it very familiar and charming. The classic experience of a young man’s childhood in a working class environment - a coming of age story.

Jim Moir obviously has an unique voice and it comes across really well in the autobiographical format. Was laughing out loud at a number of occasions, which I don’t usually get even from books that I do find funny.

Would 100% read again.

[Ksenia]

as usual charmed and bewitched by his mind overall but also always loveeee this sort of thing and related themes of coming of age in the twentieth century britain… genuinely lold irl at many of the anecdotes. and not going to lie in my mind’s eye couldn’t stop seeing him as just a smaller version of vic reeves in his sixties fop drag from the 1991 new year episode of big night out which makes it even funnier somehow.

also when he referred to bob mortimer as his ‘partner in amusement’ 😭😭😭

[Steve Ripley]

Strike up another unfinished book by a comic. I was prepared for a surreal element now and then - this is just non-stop rubbish. Maybe fascinating for a Vic Reeves addict, but not for me sadly. Too many good books to persist past page 94.

Edited to add: the best thing about the book? The irresistible title. Almost as good as I Asimov for Isaac Asimov’s biography. It may be telling that Mr Moir gives credit to Rod Wilcox for the title. It’s the best thing about a poor book.

[Vicky]

Called James at birth. Called Rod by his family.
This is a bonkers rambles & his drawings from the first 20 years. Some ridiculously funny parts, then just a lot of teen stuff during the 60s which is pretty reckless and silly. Then it just ends. Not sure there is a Part Two which might be about the TV Vic Reeves we know. I wouldn't rush to read this.

[Pauline Woods]

Absolutely loved this. Hilarious first installment of Vic Reeve's memoir up to him leaving home. Being a similar age and living in the North East at the time there were lots of childhood memories which resonated, causing my own reminiscence. Great insight into the man though and highly recommended.

[Kyt Wright]

A Christmas present from one of my children who knows me well. A slightly tongue in cheek and thoroughly enjoyable bio that takes you from his birth (!) up to moving to London. I look forward to Volume Two if there is to be one.

[Terry]

If you want to read about Vic Reeves the performer then this isn't the volume you want to read. However if you want to read about the young Rod Moir who grew up to be Mr Reeves, then this is the volume you want to read! Some surprises and laughs along the way that makes you want to read Moir.

[Stephen J]

fantastic
i want more ASAFingP
best use of the word
GENUFLECT ever

[Rory Tregaskis]

I love Vic Reeves, but this book ends just before things get interesting.

[David Milburn]

Gave up . Couldn't get into it.

[Hannah Kaye]

It took me a few minutes to get into it, but once I did, I loved it. Typical Vic story telling, never sure what is true and what isn't but it is all part of the fun ❤

[Stephen John Clutterbuck]

The 70’s… The decade when nobody had a clue?

[Steve Myers]

I really enjoyed this, but it has quite an abrupt ending. It has been quite a long time since Vic (Jim/Rod) wrote this and I look forward to part 2.

[Joanne Love]

Started off brilliantly but got a bit boring towards the end

[R7835]

It was ok - not as funny as I hoped it would be.

[Melanie Serenity]

Was a fun read, but I was dismayed to find no further volumes were published

[Jemma]

An enjoyable, funny memoir made all the better by a mention of Hinton's.

[John]

Looking forward to the inevitable follow up!