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Some Old Bloke
When writer, comedian and Red Dwarf actor Robert Llewellyn's son scrawled a picture of him at Christmas and titled it 'Some Old Bloke', Robert was cast deep into thought about life and what it means to be a bloke and an old one at that.
In this lighthearted, revealing and occasionally philosophical autobiography, we take a meandering route through Robert's life and career: from the sensitive young boy at odds with his ex-military father, through his stint as a hippy and his years of arrested development in the world of fringe comedy, all the way up to the full-body medicals and hard-earned insights of middle age.
Whether he is waxing lyrical about fresh laundry, making an impassioned case for the importance of alternative energy or recounting a detailed history of the dogs in his life, Robert presents a refreshingly open and un-cynical look at the world at large and, of course, the joys of being a bloke.
In this lighthearted, revealing and occasionally philosophical autobiography, we take a meandering route through Robert's life and career: from the sensitive young boy at odds with his ex-military father, through his stint as a hippy and his years of arrested development in the world of fringe comedy, all the way up to the full-body medicals and hard-earned insights of middle age.
Whether he is waxing lyrical about fresh laundry, making an impassioned case for the importance of alternative energy or recounting a detailed history of the dogs in his life, Robert presents a refreshingly open and un-cynical look at the world at large and, of course, the joys of being a bloke.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2018
16 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Robert Llewellyn
57 books75 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Robert Llewellyn is an English actor, presenter, and writer. He is best known for his roles as presenter of Scrapheap Challenge, and as the android Kryten in the hit sitcom Red Dwarf.
Robert Llewellyn is an English actor, presenter, and writer. He is best known for his roles as presenter of Scrapheap Challenge, and as the android Kryten in the hit sitcom Red Dwarf.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 30, 2023
I like Robert Llewellyn and quite enjoyed his 'Man in the Rubber Mask', but this was just a hodge podge of stuff about...oh, let's see... the dogs he's owned, ex-girlfiends, shoe-making, his kids, his wife, his libido, some of the travelling he's done, some of the TV shows he's done... The book ends with a long chapter about electricity and environmentalism, and then three chapters of a work of fiction. It's all rather chucked together, aimless and overly long. If I wasn't such a charitable soul I'd say this was a vanity project. But as I am chariatble I've rounded my score of 2.5 stars.up to three.
Interesting enough, I suppose, in places.
Interesting enough, I suppose, in places.
November 24, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable. Robert Llewellyn always seems like someone who you'd want to spend time with - this shows how broad his life experience is and what a genuinely fascinating bloke he is.
November 4, 2018
I’ll be honest, I volunteered to be on the blog tour for this book for the sole reason that I am, and have been since its inception (yes, I am that old, I watched the first ever episode on TV when it aired), a massive Red Dwarf fan. I have seen every episode multiple times and it still makes me laugh like a drain whenever I watch it. I have them all on DVD (yes, I am that old, I still own and watch DVDs). I was very keen to read stories about the filming of the series from the man who played Kryten.
It turns out this was a mistake, because Red Dwarf is barely mentioned in this book. Robert has written many other books that I had been unaware of, including one called The Man in the Rubber Mask, which is the inside story of Red Dwarf and the one I should have been reading. Robert’s other programmes, Scrapheap Challenge etc., are not ones that I am familiar with, as a bookish (sssh, 40+) woman with little interest in the workings of machinery. I am also, patently, not a ‘bloke’, so I began to worry that this book was not for me. However, I was committed so I ploughed in.
It turns out this was a fortuitous mistake because I bloomin’ loved this book. Turns out that (sssh, 40+), bookish non-blokes may have a lot in common with Robert Llewellyn that has nothing to do with being a massive Red Dwarf nerd, sorry ‘fan’. Being at odds with ones parents politically but still loving them deeply. Despairing of the current state of UK politics. No understanding nationalism. Who knew Kryten and I were so aligned?
There is also a lot in here that did not resonate with me. I’ve never been a shoemaker, lived in a van, been on stage or smoked pot. I’ve never been to Australia, although I’d like to, so there was also a lot to learn from this book. The information about renewable energy in particular really got me thinking, which is always a good thing.
Plus this book is bloody funny. I kept laughing out loud and having to read bits out to my partner. And it has dogs. And funny stories about dogs. Really, what’s not to like. Although, if you are a ultra-right-wing Tory nationalist, you will hate it, but then you are probably not reading my blog anyway.
Robert’s writing style is very open, warm, chatty and totally candid. I mean, really candid. If you are offended by talk of penises, drugs or pornography, this is not the book for you but I found his honesty really refreshing. It seems really normal and down to earth. He seems like a good bloke.
Read this book, you won’t be disappointed. I’m just off to download The Man in the Rubber Mask, which is the book I wanted to read in the first place but am glad I didn’t.
It turns out this was a mistake, because Red Dwarf is barely mentioned in this book. Robert has written many other books that I had been unaware of, including one called The Man in the Rubber Mask, which is the inside story of Red Dwarf and the one I should have been reading. Robert’s other programmes, Scrapheap Challenge etc., are not ones that I am familiar with, as a bookish (sssh, 40+) woman with little interest in the workings of machinery. I am also, patently, not a ‘bloke’, so I began to worry that this book was not for me. However, I was committed so I ploughed in.
It turns out this was a fortuitous mistake because I bloomin’ loved this book. Turns out that (sssh, 40+), bookish non-blokes may have a lot in common with Robert Llewellyn that has nothing to do with being a massive Red Dwarf nerd, sorry ‘fan’. Being at odds with ones parents politically but still loving them deeply. Despairing of the current state of UK politics. No understanding nationalism. Who knew Kryten and I were so aligned?
There is also a lot in here that did not resonate with me. I’ve never been a shoemaker, lived in a van, been on stage or smoked pot. I’ve never been to Australia, although I’d like to, so there was also a lot to learn from this book. The information about renewable energy in particular really got me thinking, which is always a good thing.
Plus this book is bloody funny. I kept laughing out loud and having to read bits out to my partner. And it has dogs. And funny stories about dogs. Really, what’s not to like. Although, if you are a ultra-right-wing Tory nationalist, you will hate it, but then you are probably not reading my blog anyway.
Robert’s writing style is very open, warm, chatty and totally candid. I mean, really candid. If you are offended by talk of penises, drugs or pornography, this is not the book for you but I found his honesty really refreshing. It seems really normal and down to earth. He seems like a good bloke.
Read this book, you won’t be disappointed. I’m just off to download The Man in the Rubber Mask, which is the book I wanted to read in the first place but am glad I didn’t.
November 4, 2018
Now like many other people, I have fond memories of watching Red Dwarf, in which Robert Llewellyn played the unforgettable Kryton, so I was very intrigued when offered the chance to read this book and I have to say I'm glad I did. It may have escaped people's notice but I am not now, have never been, nor am I ever likely to be, a bloke - old or otherwise - and so I entered the book open minded, wondering what pearls of wisdom the author would impart from his life, ready to see if any of it, despite the lack of blokedome on my part, would resonate.
From reading there are clearly a number of other books in which I can find out more about Robert Llewellyn's life, including the Red Dwarf years, and I am looking forward to reading those. This book, however, doesn't really touch on those so much, but is more about the awkward transition from childhood to adulthood and all those traumatic moments which shaped the person he has become today. It is really hard to describe the book too much as it is one man's story and a journey he needs to take the reader on rather than me trying to explain it to you.
There are many moments of wit which shine through in this book. I have to be honest, although one some occasions Robert Llewellyn describes a bitter sweet relationship with some of his canine pals, some of the scenes featuring his dogs had me creasing with laughter as they were captured so matter of factly and yet we so absolutely spot on as observations. From Lurcher cabbage, who was a dog clearly loved, to the more colourful and memorable dog, Ruffage, there were so many moments to make you laugh, as well as some to make you sad too.
The book takes you through the authors Hippy years in which travels in a camper van were the height of luxury, and clearly framed his life and moral code and environmental convictions in later life, through to the beginnings of his comedy career and time spent at the Edinburgh Fringe where he would later meet his wife. Form there to the fun but challenging Scrap Heap years, we are treated to highlights of his childhood and working life. The highs, and lows, are all captured and very eloquently put, in a writing style which kept me engaged, the tone more conversational and light, even when, towards the end, it takes a far more serious tone, the talk turning far more towards the environmental and socio-political side of the author's beliefs. It's not all doom towards the end though with readers being treated to an excerpt from an unpublished tome, a futuristic/dystopian read which is scarily close to where modern life seems to be heading.
All in all and enjoyable and engaging read which has left me wanting to hunt down those other books and find out more about this very fascinating man.
From reading there are clearly a number of other books in which I can find out more about Robert Llewellyn's life, including the Red Dwarf years, and I am looking forward to reading those. This book, however, doesn't really touch on those so much, but is more about the awkward transition from childhood to adulthood and all those traumatic moments which shaped the person he has become today. It is really hard to describe the book too much as it is one man's story and a journey he needs to take the reader on rather than me trying to explain it to you.
There are many moments of wit which shine through in this book. I have to be honest, although one some occasions Robert Llewellyn describes a bitter sweet relationship with some of his canine pals, some of the scenes featuring his dogs had me creasing with laughter as they were captured so matter of factly and yet we so absolutely spot on as observations. From Lurcher cabbage, who was a dog clearly loved, to the more colourful and memorable dog, Ruffage, there were so many moments to make you laugh, as well as some to make you sad too.
The book takes you through the authors Hippy years in which travels in a camper van were the height of luxury, and clearly framed his life and moral code and environmental convictions in later life, through to the beginnings of his comedy career and time spent at the Edinburgh Fringe where he would later meet his wife. Form there to the fun but challenging Scrap Heap years, we are treated to highlights of his childhood and working life. The highs, and lows, are all captured and very eloquently put, in a writing style which kept me engaged, the tone more conversational and light, even when, towards the end, it takes a far more serious tone, the talk turning far more towards the environmental and socio-political side of the author's beliefs. It's not all doom towards the end though with readers being treated to an excerpt from an unpublished tome, a futuristic/dystopian read which is scarily close to where modern life seems to be heading.
All in all and enjoyable and engaging read which has left me wanting to hunt down those other books and find out more about this very fascinating man.
December 16, 2018
I was unsure what to expect from this book. I backed it on Unbound due to my admiration of the author, Robert Llewellyn. Normally, I am not a big fan of autobiographies unless they deal with items of historical significance or focus on aspects of the author's life that I am interested in. I thought the latter would be the case so I gladly invested in the project. Once published, this volume proved to be more a collection of random meanderings throughout Robert's life that just did not excite me in any way. I found it to be the equivalent of a long chat over a pint or two where random topics sprang up.
Just so I am clear, the book was well written, there are some humorous anecdotes within, and while the author has some definitive views on some topics, he is not attempting to force an agenda down anyone's throat. In fact, his unvarnished honesty about some aspects of his life was both courageous and refreshing. However, about half of the book was about things that would have occurred in anyone's experience and I just did not find captivating. This is not the fault of Mr. Llewellyn, it was simply not what I was expecting.
Just so I am clear, the book was well written, there are some humorous anecdotes within, and while the author has some definitive views on some topics, he is not attempting to force an agenda down anyone's throat. In fact, his unvarnished honesty about some aspects of his life was both courageous and refreshing. However, about half of the book was about things that would have occurred in anyone's experience and I just did not find captivating. This is not the fault of Mr. Llewellyn, it was simply not what I was expecting.
May 15, 2020
What an odd little book. Now I’m a fan of Llewellyn, in particular ‘Thin He Was and Filthy Haired’; his memoirs of hippie-dom from before he was a television presenter and actor. The bits of this that were reminiscent of that earlier work I loved: stories of traveling in a van, his early days with a comedy troupe and his time in Australia. However this book takes an alarming turn for the worst towards the end when there’s a whole chapter about Teslas and batteries, which I appreciate is a big part of Llewellyn’s life but seems an odd addition.
Even worse though is finishing on a few chapters of a novel that... let’s just say is not to my taste. I actually think this book just needs a good editor - I’m not sure the editing process but the words seemed a pretty direct conduit from Llewellyn’s brain when a bit of mediation was called for. I wouldn’t discourage readers but I would advise reading his other memoirs first, and the fiction ‘The Man on Platform 5’ which are some of my all-time favourites, and are superior to the fare in these pages. 📚📚📚
Even worse though is finishing on a few chapters of a novel that... let’s just say is not to my taste. I actually think this book just needs a good editor - I’m not sure the editing process but the words seemed a pretty direct conduit from Llewellyn’s brain when a bit of mediation was called for. I wouldn’t discourage readers but I would advise reading his other memoirs first, and the fiction ‘The Man on Platform 5’ which are some of my all-time favourites, and are superior to the fare in these pages. 📚📚📚
November 6, 2018
I was interested in reading this book as I’m a lifelong Red Dwarf fan and have watched Robert Llewellyn for many years play the mechanoid, Kryten, in the series! The author has written so many books but, shamefully and to be honest, this is the first book I’ve ever read!
Robert, at the wisely old age of 57, sees himself as ‘some old bloke’, which is also helped by a picture which his son drew of him titled with the same thing! This book gives us chapter after chapter of anecdotes and meanderings spread over almost every single one of those 57 years.
These anecdotes cover a multitude of topics, and as the book does have a tagline of ‘recollections, obsessions and the joys of blokedom’, us women may find some of these hard to get our heads round and may feel that this book is best left for the ‘blokes’ it is aimed at! Thankfully not me, and I found these little glimpses into the author’s life as honest, revealing and very amusing!!
The author comes across as a thoroughly nice and funny man, sharing his years of experiences and stories in an easy to read book. Perfect as a gift for a fan, ideal as a treat for yourself for no other reason than ‘that book looks great!’ Genuinely riveting, this book is definitely worthy of a read, whether you be woman or bloke.
Robert, at the wisely old age of 57, sees himself as ‘some old bloke’, which is also helped by a picture which his son drew of him titled with the same thing! This book gives us chapter after chapter of anecdotes and meanderings spread over almost every single one of those 57 years.
These anecdotes cover a multitude of topics, and as the book does have a tagline of ‘recollections, obsessions and the joys of blokedom’, us women may find some of these hard to get our heads round and may feel that this book is best left for the ‘blokes’ it is aimed at! Thankfully not me, and I found these little glimpses into the author’s life as honest, revealing and very amusing!!
The author comes across as a thoroughly nice and funny man, sharing his years of experiences and stories in an easy to read book. Perfect as a gift for a fan, ideal as a treat for yourself for no other reason than ‘that book looks great!’ Genuinely riveting, this book is definitely worthy of a read, whether you be woman or bloke.
June 3, 2019
Disappointing
There are large parts of this book that are genuinely funny, heart warming, thought provoking and witty. Unfortunately the last chapter (of the book proper not the sci fi taster) just turned into a pseudo political rant. I have no problem with writers expressing views..that's why I try and find a wide range of topics/authors/genres to read..but this became annoying in the extreme...sorry, the rest of it was really good
There are large parts of this book that are genuinely funny, heart warming, thought provoking and witty. Unfortunately the last chapter (of the book proper not the sci fi taster) just turned into a pseudo political rant. I have no problem with writers expressing views..that's why I try and find a wide range of topics/authors/genres to read..but this became annoying in the extreme...sorry, the rest of it was really good
December 15, 2022
It seems like an amazingly honest view of himself and I admire him for this. I particularly enjoyed his rants on YouTube about various topics in his life and I was hoping for more of this in the book. I was a bit disappointed not to see this. It was very good value however as I bought this from kindle for only about $7 Canadian
March 20, 2021
Loved this book, I've read the earlier ones ie "Thin he was and Filthy Haired " and "Man in the Rubber Mask" and this completes the trio. Can I suggest an amendment to the title of "Nice Old Bloke (not actually that old though)".
January 1, 2019
An interesting read about the life of someone I have enjoyed watching on television since the late 1980's.
May 29, 2019
I'm possibly not the target audience....
I was finding this a compelling read until the section on electric cars, at which point I lost interest. Sorry.
I was finding this a compelling read until the section on electric cars, at which point I lost interest. Sorry.
February 15, 2020
Fantastic book and funny as hell
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews