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Where Did I Go Right?: Memoirs of a Working Class Voter
***'Few people walk the line of thought provoking and laugh out loud funny like Geoff Norcott.' - Romesh Ranganathan' Where Did I Go Right? is sharp, considered, insightful, and helped me make sense of "the other side". And because Geoff Norcott is so funny, it unfortunately means I can't dismiss his views entirely. It's so important to have a friend you can disagree with but still admire and Geoff can be that friend to you!' - Katherine Ryan"I've always thought the benefit of having batsh*t parents is it increases the chance of you growing up funny. It's certainly worked for Geoff Norcott." - David Baddiel'Voting Conservative is like buying a James Blunt loads of people have done it, but weirdly you never meet them ...'Comedian Geoff Norcott should have been Labour through and through. He grew up on a council estate, both of his parents were disabled, and his Dad was a Union man. So, how was it that he grew up to vote Tory?In this courageously honest and provocative memoir, Geoff unpicks his working-class upbringing and his political journey from left to right. Raised by a fierce matriarch and a maverick father on a South London council estate where they filmed scenes for The Bill, Geoff spends his youth attempting to put out kitchen fires with aerosols and leaping in and out of industrial skips. But as he reaches adolescence, his political views begin to be influenced by major events including the early 90s recession, the credit crunch, and a chance encounter with Conservative PM John Major.As an adult, Geoff begins to have the gnawing feeling that the values and traditions he grew up with no longer match Labour's. And, as Brexit appears, he feels even more like a double agent operating behind enemy lines.Written with warmth, wit and often laugh-out-loud humour, Where Did I Go Right? is Geoff's attempt to understand why he ended up voting 'for the bad guys', and why blue-collared conservatism could be here to stay.Praise for Geoff'A mature, sharp take on modern politics' - The Sunday Times'Gently abrasive, but that's what makes him so entertaining... with a sharp, self-knowing wit' - The Times'Geoff Norcott genuinely has something original to say' - New European'A refreshingly brilliant new comedic voice' - Spectator'Norcott is an out-and-out rebel' - ExpressReviewWHERE DID I GO RIGHT? is sharp, considered, insightful, and helped me make sense of 'the other side'. And because Geoff Norcott is so funny, it unfortunately means I can't dismiss his views entirely. It's so important to have a friend you can disagree with but still admire and Geoff can be that friend to you! ― Katherine RyanBook DescriptionGeoff Norcott's colourful memoir of growing up Labour, but now voting Tory.About the AuthorComedian and writer Geoff Norcott is well known for his regular appearances on BBC2's The Mash Report, BBC1's Mock The Week, and Radio 4's The News Quiz. In 2019, he fronted his own BBC2 documentary How The Middle Class Ruined Britain and he has four Radio 4 specials to his name, one of which won the BBC Radio Award for Best Comedy Production. A satirical commentator in many national newspapers, Geoff has also been profiled in The Times and t he Guardian. He lives with his wife and son in Cambridgeshire.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
June 1, 2021
I'm a former Labour Party member and left leaning centrist. I've been a fan of Geoff for a few years. He has an honest take on the shitstorm that has been 21st century British politics as seen through the eyes of a council estate kid done good. The book is a great read rammed full of funny recollections and stories. The stuff about university and working life in the 90s and noughties really made me laugh. It's not a political treatise but an entertaining read with some solid opinions. Take them or leave them but it's hard to doubt the honesty and to not laugh a lot as you take them in.
January 3, 2023
In some ways, this book does everything that you'd want it to. Geoff Norcott talks through various influences and factors in his life that have led him to adopt a more conservative and Conservative viewpoint. From seeing people take advantage of the benefits system, the pace of change in modern society, views about the 2008 economic crash, a heavy political upbringing and a school that encouraged this. It's very helpful to see how people can begin to shift in their political opinions without necessarily being suddenly evil.
That said, I didn't gain a great amount from this book compared to those written with more of a political science perspective. It's just one person's perspective and there are lots of occasions where his anecdotes are taken as wider trends without much evidence. Plenty of parts in the book where he talks about something that Labour did, which he didn't like.. tangentially linked to Conservative electoral victories as a sign that everyone agrees Labour did badly, etc. I also wonder if the sections on the culture wars could have been explained more in-depth - compared to the parts of the book about his upbringing. The book is closer to being his autobiography than it is a more general book on changing political persuasions.
Finally, given that Geoff surely would have known that this book would be read by people across the political spectrum... and that he himself writes about the importance of not simplifying the views of others into caricatures... there are many occasions where I feel he falls short of this himself.
That said, I didn't gain a great amount from this book compared to those written with more of a political science perspective. It's just one person's perspective and there are lots of occasions where his anecdotes are taken as wider trends without much evidence. Plenty of parts in the book where he talks about something that Labour did, which he didn't like.. tangentially linked to Conservative electoral victories as a sign that everyone agrees Labour did badly, etc. I also wonder if the sections on the culture wars could have been explained more in-depth - compared to the parts of the book about his upbringing. The book is closer to being his autobiography than it is a more general book on changing political persuasions.
Finally, given that Geoff surely would have known that this book would be read by people across the political spectrum... and that he himself writes about the importance of not simplifying the views of others into caricatures... there are many occasions where I feel he falls short of this himself.
September 10, 2021
Good job
Written in an entertaining way that carries you along with little or no effort, funny and moving with great insights.
Written in an entertaining way that carries you along with little or no effort, funny and moving with great insights.
May 21, 2021
Been a fan and follower of Geoff since seeing him on mash report and his first Question time appearance. This is a great account of how he arrived at being a right leaning but well meaning conservative, having been a Blair voter and teacher. Packed with some great anecdotes, especially around his parents who sound like they were amazingly colourful characters, this book should be on any Labour party's member's reading list if they really want to know why they've lost the working class vote. A great book that carefully straddles being entertaining and insightful. Well done Geoff.
August 2, 2022
As something of a "leftie" I know I need to read more opposing opinions to mine, for fear of ending up in an echo chamber (as Geoff calls it). I really enjoy Geoff's comedy, and even agree with him on a few things.
This book isn't going to change anyone's political leanings but I don't think that's his intention. Overall he comes across as the clearly intelligent man he is.
Really enjoyed & would read again.
This book isn't going to change anyone's political leanings but I don't think that's his intention. Overall he comes across as the clearly intelligent man he is.
Really enjoyed & would read again.
June 29, 2021
This is an average book.
Who is Geoff Norcott? I read an article he wrote in a paper which I thought was interesting and thought I'd try his book out. Turns out most of the article was just a regurgitated section of this book. As a closet Conservative for many years myself(even knowingly liking Margaret Thatcher in the 80's) I thought this book may help me understand where my own Conservative allegiance came from. It didn't.
I have only ever seen clips of the show Mr Norcott has appeared on (the Mash Report) and had no time for it. Very right on and up itself. So this comedian passed me by, in a way, I wish this book had. More a biography than the book it claims to be. Margaret Thatcher is mentioned 3 times I think, always never mentioning her, in case he may say how he feels about her; potentially losing some of his audience whichever way he feels about her.
I am about the same age as the author and both free up in the 80's. And the 80's were full of politics; you couldn't ignore Margaret Thatcher or her Conservative government which spanned the decade. Yet the author does not go into any detail about it, which seems at odds with this book supposedly being about politics and how he turned to the right. Spitting Image was huge and even though I was much too young to understand it all, I still remember watching it and it's political satire. Again, tumbleweeds.
I think a better title for the book would have been, I've been let down by the left and so claim to be right leaning (because I think they're less rubbish than Labour). Not as catchy or misleading but would have suited it better.
It's a quick and easy read but I'd read something that actually gave you what it promised.
Who is Geoff Norcott? I read an article he wrote in a paper which I thought was interesting and thought I'd try his book out. Turns out most of the article was just a regurgitated section of this book. As a closet Conservative for many years myself(even knowingly liking Margaret Thatcher in the 80's) I thought this book may help me understand where my own Conservative allegiance came from. It didn't.
I have only ever seen clips of the show Mr Norcott has appeared on (the Mash Report) and had no time for it. Very right on and up itself. So this comedian passed me by, in a way, I wish this book had. More a biography than the book it claims to be. Margaret Thatcher is mentioned 3 times I think, always never mentioning her, in case he may say how he feels about her; potentially losing some of his audience whichever way he feels about her.
I am about the same age as the author and both free up in the 80's. And the 80's were full of politics; you couldn't ignore Margaret Thatcher or her Conservative government which spanned the decade. Yet the author does not go into any detail about it, which seems at odds with this book supposedly being about politics and how he turned to the right. Spitting Image was huge and even though I was much too young to understand it all, I still remember watching it and it's political satire. Again, tumbleweeds.
I think a better title for the book would have been, I've been let down by the left and so claim to be right leaning (because I think they're less rubbish than Labour). Not as catchy or misleading but would have suited it better.
It's a quick and easy read but I'd read something that actually gave you what it promised.
January 11, 2022
Having established early on that he hates whingeing people, something he picked up from his straight talking mum, he then goes on to whinge about everything!, The Labour Party, the education system, Wokeism, The Labour Party, gender politics, the welfare state, The Labour Party…..
He moans about families who choose unemployment as a lifestyle choice whilst wheeling out the old, tired, ‘good for tourism’ defence of The Royal Family, in my opinion, the biggest benefit, dole dossers of them all! He spends a good part of the latter part of the memoir picking the left apart, making some valid points, to be honest, but fails to balance this out by highlighting any of the many skeletons in the Tory cupboard.
He summarises our voting options on polling day as choosing who is the least shit party, then moans (whinges) about low voter turnout at elections! No Shit?!
I read this book hoping to gain some insight into why people get passionate about politics of any stripe, Mr Norcott appears to have inherited his belly fire from his mother and used it to blaze a trail through to a lucrative niche as a right wing comedian.
He moans about families who choose unemployment as a lifestyle choice whilst wheeling out the old, tired, ‘good for tourism’ defence of The Royal Family, in my opinion, the biggest benefit, dole dossers of them all! He spends a good part of the latter part of the memoir picking the left apart, making some valid points, to be honest, but fails to balance this out by highlighting any of the many skeletons in the Tory cupboard.
He summarises our voting options on polling day as choosing who is the least shit party, then moans (whinges) about low voter turnout at elections! No Shit?!
I read this book hoping to gain some insight into why people get passionate about politics of any stripe, Mr Norcott appears to have inherited his belly fire from his mother and used it to blaze a trail through to a lucrative niche as a right wing comedian.
December 29, 2021
I’ve never really understood the motivation of the working class Tory voter, and after reading this, I still don’t. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this book (on the whole) because I genuinely like Geoff Norcott as a comedian even though I am very firmly entrenched on the left side of the political divide. He is someone I’d recommend lefties getting to grips with to avoid getting trapped in a political echo chamber of like-mindedness.
June 20, 2021
Really enjoyed Geoff Norcott’s narration. Sure I won’t be the only person who recognises aspects of Geoff’s experiences in my own life.
August 20, 2021
Absolutely excellent. And very funny.
February 3, 2023
Another 3.5, really, but I tend to round up.
This was part of my annual mission to read things that confront rather than confirm what I already think about the world. Norcott is a conundrum - he grew up poor but votes Conservative. Or at least, he would have been an conundrum until a few years ago, when the infamous "Red Wall" collapse saw previously solid Labour heartlands swept up in a tide of Tory blue.
Norcott has made a pretty good career out of being the token Tory on otherwise solidly leftie/liberal panel shows, and his stand-up plays up to that as well. It's clear that this isn't just a character, though he admits that the more stick he gets for his views, the more he plays up to them. (So say we all, most likely.)
This is more of a memoir than a treatise, an attempt to trace the personal turning points that saw him part company with the politics of his parents, the politics he by rights *ought* to have. He's not so much tryig to persuade as to explain, maybe even to himself. Like Norcott, I grew up in a community that was transitioning from "working class" to "deprived". And like him, I felt the visceral stirrings of Toryism at an early age, a reaction against the apparent apathy and defeatism of that community. When half of your classmates are either indifferent to education or actively ridiculing your efforts to learn, the appeal of a "screw you lot" reaction is obvious, if a tad juvenile.
Where our paths divereged was, I think, in our university experiences. For Norcott, that involved immersion in a population of terribly right-on kids from (at least relatively) wealthy families. It's pretty clear that this experience marked him, leaving him with a lasting suspicion of the kind of people who talk a good game about caring for social justice, but barely know anyone who went to a state school. Leaving Goldsmiths every day to return to his own South London neighbourhood also left him asking, not unreasonably, why "an 18-year-old already working as a welder should be paying tax for someone called Hugo to study the classics."
There's a lot here for the complacent leftie middle classes (in which I include myself!) to consider, and even if a lot of it has been said many times before, Norcott says it pretty well. And no lie, I can get some of where he's coming from ... literally, because I came from somewhere pretty similar. It's easy to see the gulf opening between the Oxbridge-educated aspirational "anywheres" that largely comprise the Labour party, and the "somewhere" working people, whose lives are rooted in communities which political candidates claim to represent but don't understand. As he writes at one point of the 2015 General Election:
"I don't know about you, but when I lookm at the Miliband brothers there's very little about them that screams 'Doncaster'. They gave the impression of the kind of people who'd only spend any time in the town if their train to the Edinburgh Festival was delayed."
There's some commendable honesty here about the non-rational aspects of his shift, including a memorable anecdote about the much-maligned "bigoted woman" slip by Gordon Brown. Unexpectedly, Norcott's main feeling here wasn't resentment but guilt - he'd once spoken to his own recently deceased mother in similar terms.
What's left less clear is how this sense of distance didn't seem to trouble him much about the Old Etonians of the Conservative Party. Does he really think they look at his community with any greater understanding or affection? The book often feels like the first half of a thesis. Yes, sure, Labour has let you down. But ... why the Tories, Geoff? Why them??
I don't expect this book will change any minds, and it surely didn't change mine. What it might achieve is to give a little insight, into the sorts of concerns and values and experiences that sees about half the voting population make very different choices to my "tribe."
This was part of my annual mission to read things that confront rather than confirm what I already think about the world. Norcott is a conundrum - he grew up poor but votes Conservative. Or at least, he would have been an conundrum until a few years ago, when the infamous "Red Wall" collapse saw previously solid Labour heartlands swept up in a tide of Tory blue.
Norcott has made a pretty good career out of being the token Tory on otherwise solidly leftie/liberal panel shows, and his stand-up plays up to that as well. It's clear that this isn't just a character, though he admits that the more stick he gets for his views, the more he plays up to them. (So say we all, most likely.)
This is more of a memoir than a treatise, an attempt to trace the personal turning points that saw him part company with the politics of his parents, the politics he by rights *ought* to have. He's not so much tryig to persuade as to explain, maybe even to himself. Like Norcott, I grew up in a community that was transitioning from "working class" to "deprived". And like him, I felt the visceral stirrings of Toryism at an early age, a reaction against the apparent apathy and defeatism of that community. When half of your classmates are either indifferent to education or actively ridiculing your efforts to learn, the appeal of a "screw you lot" reaction is obvious, if a tad juvenile.
Where our paths divereged was, I think, in our university experiences. For Norcott, that involved immersion in a population of terribly right-on kids from (at least relatively) wealthy families. It's pretty clear that this experience marked him, leaving him with a lasting suspicion of the kind of people who talk a good game about caring for social justice, but barely know anyone who went to a state school. Leaving Goldsmiths every day to return to his own South London neighbourhood also left him asking, not unreasonably, why "an 18-year-old already working as a welder should be paying tax for someone called Hugo to study the classics."
There's a lot here for the complacent leftie middle classes (in which I include myself!) to consider, and even if a lot of it has been said many times before, Norcott says it pretty well. And no lie, I can get some of where he's coming from ... literally, because I came from somewhere pretty similar. It's easy to see the gulf opening between the Oxbridge-educated aspirational "anywheres" that largely comprise the Labour party, and the "somewhere" working people, whose lives are rooted in communities which political candidates claim to represent but don't understand. As he writes at one point of the 2015 General Election:
"I don't know about you, but when I lookm at the Miliband brothers there's very little about them that screams 'Doncaster'. They gave the impression of the kind of people who'd only spend any time in the town if their train to the Edinburgh Festival was delayed."
There's some commendable honesty here about the non-rational aspects of his shift, including a memorable anecdote about the much-maligned "bigoted woman" slip by Gordon Brown. Unexpectedly, Norcott's main feeling here wasn't resentment but guilt - he'd once spoken to his own recently deceased mother in similar terms.
What's left less clear is how this sense of distance didn't seem to trouble him much about the Old Etonians of the Conservative Party. Does he really think they look at his community with any greater understanding or affection? The book often feels like the first half of a thesis. Yes, sure, Labour has let you down. But ... why the Tories, Geoff? Why them??
I don't expect this book will change any minds, and it surely didn't change mine. What it might achieve is to give a little insight, into the sorts of concerns and values and experiences that sees about half the voting population make very different choices to my "tribe."
May 15, 2022
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I was given a digital copy of this book for free to offer a honest review.
Having grown up in and around the same areas as Norcott, I was definitely able to recognise the division in class he mentions very early on in the book. Down my own road we have 3 council estates and then 3 streets of million £££ houses and a top of the line private school.
In terms of the structure and the context of the book, it came off a lot as the ramblings of a man who didn't particularly appreciate the benefits Labour had to offer while in power & criticises the working-class, despite being from a working-class background, highly typical of a Tory supporter (and doesn't recognise that even though he is a well-known comedian, he is still working class as he works to earn his living).
As much as I enjoyed reading this, as I do usually with books that are opposite to my own views, values and opinions; I can't help but be critical of his attitude as a new Tory towards the low classes we have in England. Even more so when you acknowledge the fact he (like myself) lived on a council estate, with disabled parents.
In terms of the topic of Brexit, everyone has their reasons as to why they voted leave or remain. As much as it has shown negative results alongside the C-19 pandemic, hopefully something will come out of it in the years to come as Norcott himself expresses hope for the EU free Britain.
I've decided to rate this 3.5*. Although I enjoyed reading the book and at times felt (almost) enraged by some comments made by Norcott, the moments he shares about his childhood and family were interesting to read about, as well as the some-what positive aspects of council estate life of feeling apart of a community when community is needed.
I was given a digital copy of this book for free to offer a honest review.
Having grown up in and around the same areas as Norcott, I was definitely able to recognise the division in class he mentions very early on in the book. Down my own road we have 3 council estates and then 3 streets of million £££ houses and a top of the line private school.
In terms of the structure and the context of the book, it came off a lot as the ramblings of a man who didn't particularly appreciate the benefits Labour had to offer while in power & criticises the working-class, despite being from a working-class background, highly typical of a Tory supporter (and doesn't recognise that even though he is a well-known comedian, he is still working class as he works to earn his living).
As much as I enjoyed reading this, as I do usually with books that are opposite to my own views, values and opinions; I can't help but be critical of his attitude as a new Tory towards the low classes we have in England. Even more so when you acknowledge the fact he (like myself) lived on a council estate, with disabled parents.
In terms of the topic of Brexit, everyone has their reasons as to why they voted leave or remain. As much as it has shown negative results alongside the C-19 pandemic, hopefully something will come out of it in the years to come as Norcott himself expresses hope for the EU free Britain.
I've decided to rate this 3.5*. Although I enjoyed reading the book and at times felt (almost) enraged by some comments made by Norcott, the moments he shares about his childhood and family were interesting to read about, as well as the some-what positive aspects of council estate life of feeling apart of a community when community is needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2024
While the book had some moments of amusement, it largely honed in on the author's
a) working class background and
b) their right-wing conservative leanings.
Unfortunately the author falls in the usual trap of touching on the importance of "sovereignty and self-determination" yet neglects to bring up any EU law that actually impacts their way of life. The other classic hurdle the author fails on is his complaint about the NHS being not fit for purpose and yet is all about "small state" and "low tax"... Then there's the glaring inconsistency when he refers to the EU as neo-liberal yet he cannot see the very neo-liberalist policies that have been in play since 2010.
And perhaps he shouldn't be so focused on benefit fraud when wages are low, getting lower and yet we have multinational companies earning billions in revenue yet paying piddling amounts in tax? If the incentive to work is this low, perhaps there's more to change rather than removing a sticking-plaster public policy?
It's a great book if you want to read about someone who's fixated on identifying with his working class roots (everyone's entitled to establishing their own identity but the author shouldn't demonise others for doing the same) and dishing out Brexit fallacies. It's a bit of "been there, done that" for everyone else.
a) working class background and
b) their right-wing conservative leanings.
Unfortunately the author falls in the usual trap of touching on the importance of "sovereignty and self-determination" yet neglects to bring up any EU law that actually impacts their way of life. The other classic hurdle the author fails on is his complaint about the NHS being not fit for purpose and yet is all about "small state" and "low tax"... Then there's the glaring inconsistency when he refers to the EU as neo-liberal yet he cannot see the very neo-liberalist policies that have been in play since 2010.
And perhaps he shouldn't be so focused on benefit fraud when wages are low, getting lower and yet we have multinational companies earning billions in revenue yet paying piddling amounts in tax? If the incentive to work is this low, perhaps there's more to change rather than removing a sticking-plaster public policy?
It's a great book if you want to read about someone who's fixated on identifying with his working class roots (everyone's entitled to establishing their own identity but the author shouldn't demonise others for doing the same) and dishing out Brexit fallacies. It's a bit of "been there, done that" for everyone else.
May 2, 2022
Geoff Norcott! Well, what a fab comedian he is. Every time my husband and myself see him on a programme he has us both laughing. This book is not only about being funny, no, it's also more emotional than I expected. The reader does gain insight into his life along the way, which I found so interesting. Being born into a working class family as I was, then seeing his personal journey to get to where he is now.
I am not a Tory supporter and never will be, but I took this book as I do every other...as entertainment. He does give his views and does it well. For me that's fine, It's great to hear how other people feel and think. That's what makes us interesting and this book was, very!
I related to the tales of when you locked your car doors as you entered certain estates and places. That was normal for me back in the day. Having Manchester on my doorstep says a lot! It could have almost been my upbringing on the roughest estate in my town too!
Such a witty,warm and moving book. Don't be put of reading this no matter what your politics are. If you do you are missing a little gem of a read.
I am not a Tory supporter and never will be, but I took this book as I do every other...as entertainment. He does give his views and does it well. For me that's fine, It's great to hear how other people feel and think. That's what makes us interesting and this book was, very!
I related to the tales of when you locked your car doors as you entered certain estates and places. That was normal for me back in the day. Having Manchester on my doorstep says a lot! It could have almost been my upbringing on the roughest estate in my town too!
Such a witty,warm and moving book. Don't be put of reading this no matter what your politics are. If you do you are missing a little gem of a read.
July 26, 2023
My fave comedian wrote a book and I'm unashamed of loving his comedy, despite being left-wing and despising the Tories for wearing down our public services for god knows how long. I really appreciate this book for so many reasons - namely its class dimensions. I laughed a lot at the chapter about how Geoff dealt with being a working-class student in a middle/upper-class uni. He shines a light on how class alienates just as much as race or gender can - despite not a lot of people talking about it. I also appreciated the discussion of how particular events and moments in your personal life can change your political beliefs or throw them into question
Obviously the Labour party should read this as a lesson as to why they've lost a huge voter base, but I also feel like it didn't really shine a light on how Geoff's views attracted him to vote Tory in particular. They struck me as right of centre political no-man's land. The current model of Eton boys club Tory party doesn't contribute meaningfully to working-class interests either. Perhaps that could have been better explained, but also he did say that it was largely about "the least shit of two options" which also makes sense.
Obviously the Labour party should read this as a lesson as to why they've lost a huge voter base, but I also feel like it didn't really shine a light on how Geoff's views attracted him to vote Tory in particular. They struck me as right of centre political no-man's land. The current model of Eton boys club Tory party doesn't contribute meaningfully to working-class interests either. Perhaps that could have been better explained, but also he did say that it was largely about "the least shit of two options" which also makes sense.
June 12, 2022
It feels like Geoff Norcott hasn’t quite reached the stage of his career where a biography is needed or merited. However this memoir is a vehicle for an interesting conversation, how did a working class man from strong Labour roots become a Conservative voter and Brexiteer?
It’s an important conversation, not because of Norcott’s status particularly, but because, in a polarised society dominated by thought bubbles, it’s important to understand why people vote and think the way they do. Particularly if their beliefs are different from our own.
Overall Norcott explains his journey well, although I feel that he could have dived deeper into his political journey and less into the relatively unremarkable life story.
I’m glad I read this but I didn’t feel that it’s a game changer in getting opposing sides of the political divide to better understand each other and treat each other’s views with more respect. But perhaps it will help some move a little closer together.
It’s an important conversation, not because of Norcott’s status particularly, but because, in a polarised society dominated by thought bubbles, it’s important to understand why people vote and think the way they do. Particularly if their beliefs are different from our own.
Overall Norcott explains his journey well, although I feel that he could have dived deeper into his political journey and less into the relatively unremarkable life story.
I’m glad I read this but I didn’t feel that it’s a game changer in getting opposing sides of the political divide to better understand each other and treat each other’s views with more respect. But perhaps it will help some move a little closer together.
February 19, 2022
It's a very easy read and contains Geoff Norcott's view of the world (UK) mainly from a political angle.
It's not overly comedic but is enjoyable. I'm sad & worried that we currently seem to live in a one party country with Labour effectively making themselves unelectable as without Scotland they need normal people voting for them, not just extremists.
Norcott touches on this and it's really important we accept and understand the views of working class people who in the vast majority of cases better themselves and work very hard to better themselves.
I've seen Geoff Norcott live and it might be my bias but he didn't come across as particularly right wing, didn't attack the left, but was very entertaining.
I wanted to read his book to get a better sense of who he was and where he came from and it didn't disappoint.
It's not overly comedic but is enjoyable. I'm sad & worried that we currently seem to live in a one party country with Labour effectively making themselves unelectable as without Scotland they need normal people voting for them, not just extremists.
Norcott touches on this and it's really important we accept and understand the views of working class people who in the vast majority of cases better themselves and work very hard to better themselves.
I've seen Geoff Norcott live and it might be my bias but he didn't come across as particularly right wing, didn't attack the left, but was very entertaining.
I wanted to read his book to get a better sense of who he was and where he came from and it didn't disappoint.
January 19, 2022
I misread the blurb to this book - which is just as well as I probably wouldn’t have bought it. I thought it was a political views book but, as the blurb actually says it’s a memoir (basically a biography which I normally avoid).
The first half to two thirds is a biography, easily readable and generally interesting with bits of politics thrown in. The last bit is the political views I thought I was getting in the whole book.
All of it came with Geoff Norcott’s GSH and occasional insight which makes you think. We share a similar upbringing but I ended up Green and he ended up Blue. As someone who doesn’t like left or right I’d like the chance to talk to him. It’ll never happen but I think we’d disagree about a lot but likely get on.
Worth a read - particularly as I only paid 99p.
The first half to two thirds is a biography, easily readable and generally interesting with bits of politics thrown in. The last bit is the political views I thought I was getting in the whole book.
All of it came with Geoff Norcott’s GSH and occasional insight which makes you think. We share a similar upbringing but I ended up Green and he ended up Blue. As someone who doesn’t like left or right I’d like the chance to talk to him. It’ll never happen but I think we’d disagree about a lot but likely get on.
Worth a read - particularly as I only paid 99p.
February 10, 2022
First off: The book is great!
But there are some errors throughout that annoys me a bit. A few sentences here and there looked like he started writing a sentence, then deleted it to rephrase it, but forgot to delete a word or two. So it looks like two sentences in one. Now I do the same thing from time to time on simple tweets, so him doing it in a whole book isn't so strange, but that and a few punctuation errors I feel an editor should have picked up on that!
Despite that it's still a 5 out of 5 star book! It's about his upbringing, his family, starting work, how he got into comedy, politics and more. Told in a funny and sometime heartfelt way! I highly recommend it! Should also be read by people on the "left", maybe they'll learn a thing or two!!
But there are some errors throughout that annoys me a bit. A few sentences here and there looked like he started writing a sentence, then deleted it to rephrase it, but forgot to delete a word or two. So it looks like two sentences in one. Now I do the same thing from time to time on simple tweets, so him doing it in a whole book isn't so strange, but that and a few punctuation errors I feel an editor should have picked up on that!
Despite that it's still a 5 out of 5 star book! It's about his upbringing, his family, starting work, how he got into comedy, politics and more. Told in a funny and sometime heartfelt way! I highly recommend it! Should also be read by people on the "left", maybe they'll learn a thing or two!!
October 26, 2022
Like-minded c***
This is really well-observed, and sent me down memory lane too. Full disclosure, I am a fan of Geoff's stand-up which brought me to this book.
It turns out we're similar politically too, although his recollections involve much more opinionated parental units!
The backdrop to his young life, adulthood, and career clearly identified by incredible political (and social) moments, well described without leaning into academia worked really well for me, I found the humour appropriate and the moments of sadness understated.
Also, although a print version, I could 'hear' him reading it, which worked better than if he'd got, say, Benedict Cumberpatch to have a go!
10/10 highly recommended for anyone with the slightest interest in politics.
This is really well-observed, and sent me down memory lane too. Full disclosure, I am a fan of Geoff's stand-up which brought me to this book.
It turns out we're similar politically too, although his recollections involve much more opinionated parental units!
The backdrop to his young life, adulthood, and career clearly identified by incredible political (and social) moments, well described without leaning into academia worked really well for me, I found the humour appropriate and the moments of sadness understated.
Also, although a print version, I could 'hear' him reading it, which worked better than if he'd got, say, Benedict Cumberpatch to have a go!
10/10 highly recommended for anyone with the slightest interest in politics.
December 24, 2023
Far from hilarious, but a good read.
I'm not a huge fan of Norcott but he is a rare breed, a right wing comedian. Plus, he's a cockney geezer and I'm a boring northern bloke. I'm not even sure why I read this actually, but I did. Anyway, I enjoyed the book and enjoyed Geoff's life story. I could relate to it and find his insight into the media luvvie circuit to be interesting. I didn't find the description of his early life in any way shocking. He seemed to have had a fairly normal life for the time in my experience. He didn't seem to particularly suffer any major hardship other than being working class, real working class.
I would recommend this book as an easy read about a decent bloke genuinely swimming against the media flow.
I'm not a huge fan of Norcott but he is a rare breed, a right wing comedian. Plus, he's a cockney geezer and I'm a boring northern bloke. I'm not even sure why I read this actually, but I did. Anyway, I enjoyed the book and enjoyed Geoff's life story. I could relate to it and find his insight into the media luvvie circuit to be interesting. I didn't find the description of his early life in any way shocking. He seemed to have had a fairly normal life for the time in my experience. He didn't seem to particularly suffer any major hardship other than being working class, real working class.
I would recommend this book as an easy read about a decent bloke genuinely swimming against the media flow.
September 10, 2021
Geoff Norcott comes across as a nice guy, someone to have a pint with, funny, and friendly. But his support for the Tories is abhorrent and disgusting. Time and time again the Tories have deliberately acted against the interests of the working class. Labour under Starmer are doing the same and leaving working class people like me (and Geoff) without representation. But I would never vote Tory, yet I still feel that Geoff is fundamentally a good guy, and not the 'c*nt' he labels himself at one point.
The book succeeds in giving us a sense of a real person, unlike some other celebrity memoirs I've read.
The book succeeds in giving us a sense of a real person, unlike some other celebrity memoirs I've read.
June 4, 2023
Well, it's pretty funny, but suffers from being just like most celeb memoirs, treading a familiar arc.
He isn't really super-left to begin with. OK, he grew up in a leftie family, but it's not like he was convinced from one set of beliefs to another, going through a difficult process of challenging his own deeply held beliefs. It's just his personality type, and he was always likely to go that way. So in the book he's fleshed out the arc of his journey to the niche within comedy he currently occupies. It's....decidedly OK, but I don't think we're learning anything amazing here.
Going cheap in an audible sale. Yes please. I wouldn't have paid full price though, sorry.
He isn't really super-left to begin with. OK, he grew up in a leftie family, but it's not like he was convinced from one set of beliefs to another, going through a difficult process of challenging his own deeply held beliefs. It's just his personality type, and he was always likely to go that way. So in the book he's fleshed out the arc of his journey to the niche within comedy he currently occupies. It's....decidedly OK, but I don't think we're learning anything amazing here.
Going cheap in an audible sale. Yes please. I wouldn't have paid full price though, sorry.
June 7, 2023
One student started a session with the crushing news that she’d have to share a room with her sister…
“Look Freya. Look out there. What do you see? That’s right, the school field. And what’s beyond that? Correct…a fence. Well, beyond that fence is approximately 7 billion people who don’t give a fuck about your petty problems. And that includes me. I know I seem like I give a shit now but that’s contractually obliged”
I have yet to find an (audio)book that I deem ‘laugh out loud’ and this is no exception. I nonetheless appreciate Norcott’s honesty and his ability to relate a story to the common man.
I will be following this fellow closely from now on.
“Look Freya. Look out there. What do you see? That’s right, the school field. And what’s beyond that? Correct…a fence. Well, beyond that fence is approximately 7 billion people who don’t give a fuck about your petty problems. And that includes me. I know I seem like I give a shit now but that’s contractually obliged”
I have yet to find an (audio)book that I deem ‘laugh out loud’ and this is no exception. I nonetheless appreciate Norcott’s honesty and his ability to relate a story to the common man.
I will be following this fellow closely from now on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2021
An honest account of how many people I know think, not the woke, Londoncentric liberals that believe Twitter is a good indicator of the National mood nor the people that are on the BBC wagging a finger at them.
The message of the book seems to be that the left need to wake up and drop the identity politics if they ever want to get near a major election victory again, after all, trans issues are not top of the agenda in a northern ex mining town.
It’s part bio, part political journey but in the end the two things are one and the same.
The message of the book seems to be that the left need to wake up and drop the identity politics if they ever want to get near a major election victory again, after all, trans issues are not top of the agenda in a northern ex mining town.
It’s part bio, part political journey but in the end the two things are one and the same.
January 15, 2023
For me this book is four stars because of how much I expected myself to dislike it and rage over it, versus the mostly calm and logical consideration of a different perspective I found. Norcott’s description of his own journey through politics and move to the right was intriguing and definitely eye opening. There were moments where I rolled my eyes, recognised immense privilege that Norcott skated over, or found his politics to be quite cold. However, for a book written by an author I knew I deeply disagreed with, it was surprisingly worthwhile reading.
December 11, 2023
Enjoyable read comically telling memories of recent history
I like Geoff Norcotts style of humour and his refreshing right wing slant that so many other comedians cannot bring themselves to look at. He has been through some really dark days that broke my heart but still is honest throughout the book. It also highlights that since the 2015 election the country has not progressed, the political parties are still fighting over exactly the same thing, immigration, brexit, cost of living and one new thing whether a woman has a penis. What a waste of the last decade.
I like Geoff Norcotts style of humour and his refreshing right wing slant that so many other comedians cannot bring themselves to look at. He has been through some really dark days that broke my heart but still is honest throughout the book. It also highlights that since the 2015 election the country has not progressed, the political parties are still fighting over exactly the same thing, immigration, brexit, cost of living and one new thing whether a woman has a penis. What a waste of the last decade.
June 28, 2021
I doubt, somehow, that this will trouble the Booker shortlist, but…and there really needs to be a “but”… it is a great read. I’ve seen him a few times at live gigs and his voice really lifts off the page.
It’s a good tale and one that, in many places, I can relate to in having a similar journey from Left to Right and 2 up-2 down to doing ok.
Go read the book and go see him live. He’s a unique presence and voice on the comedy circuit and all good TV programmes.
It’s a good tale and one that, in many places, I can relate to in having a similar journey from Left to Right and 2 up-2 down to doing ok.
Go read the book and go see him live. He’s a unique presence and voice on the comedy circuit and all good TV programmes.
December 2, 2021
Just OK. Too much Geoffography, not enough political comment. Plus, there’s only so many times I need to be told somebody is working class before it starts to seem a bit Queen Gertrude.
I’ve found my own political compass shifting from left to centre lately, but this book didn’t provide me with any fresh ideas or arguments that I could use to explain why. Half a dozen episodes of Triggernometry will teach you a lot more.
I’ve found my own political compass shifting from left to centre lately, but this book didn’t provide me with any fresh ideas or arguments that I could use to explain why. Half a dozen episodes of Triggernometry will teach you a lot more.
September 12, 2021
Interesting and intriguing
Sharing the political views more popular than any other makes Geoff Norcott stand out which tells us more about the snobbery of the BBC and middle class contempt for anything disturbs their cosy worldview. A telling explanation of how Labour has lost its voters and a plea for a return to real politics.
Sharing the political views more popular than any other makes Geoff Norcott stand out which tells us more about the snobbery of the BBC and middle class contempt for anything disturbs their cosy worldview. A telling explanation of how Labour has lost its voters and a plea for a return to real politics.
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