Brilliant

If you have really strong views either pro or anti religion, you may find this book too much of a challenge. Marcus is not a religious man but he isn't an atheist either. He questions the values and the ideologies of both sides. Whilst I can't say I agree with everything he says (being an atheist myself), I very much enjoyed the challenge.

He brings humour and tribulation through observation as well as thought provoking anecdotes. A great listen.

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Like Marcus Brigstocke? You'll love this!

Fantastic. I especially love when he descends into ranting, which he does so eloquently and cuttingly. Was his exploration of wanting to find god genuine? I think so, probably. I can see why he would want to. Ultimately I don't care, I wanted entertainment, I got it. I wanted to hear organised religion exposed for what a lot of it is, I got that too.
If you like 'medium' in life, I don't think you'll like this. If you like 11/10, then you probably will.

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Absolutely brilliant.

For anybody who is fed up with being told what to believe by the Christians, Muslims & particularly the sanctimonious Atheists this is the book for you. As a none believer who has always been prepared to listen to others points of view, but has been frustrated by their pious response when dealing with an opinion that differs from theirs this is a breath of fresh air.

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14 people found this helpful

Thoroughly enjoyable listen

As a fan of Mr Brigstocke's comedy style and someone fascinated with the topic of belief, I expected this would be an enjoyable listen and I was not disappointed. Brutally honest, deeply thoughtful and most importantly genuinely funny, this is a fascinating journey through one man's struggle with both his atheism and the tenets of traditional religion. With lovely personal touches and an open 'no holds barred' approach I found the whole thing incredible engaging. No doubt helped by Brigstocke's superb narration and skills with well-formed arguments (as demonstrated to his fans through years of 'Now Show' rants and 'Argumental') this book is imbued with a real honest charm.There are odd arguments that seem over-repeated or dwelled upon but overall I would not hesitate to call this a 'must listen' audiobook.

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3 people found this helpful

Alternative guide to religion

Where does God Collar rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10.

What did you like best about this story?

The insightfulness of it all. An alternative take on what religion is all about. Thought provoking from the normal, taken for granted world we live in.

Which character – as performed by Marcus Brigstocke – was your favourite?

Marcus' son.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

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Brilliant, funny, honest.

I love everything Marcus Brigstock does, so no surprise to find I love this book. Great insight, searing wit and disarming emotion and honesty.

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A Witty Critique of Abrahamic Religions

I must confess that I enjoy Marcus Brigstocke's humour. Having said that, and trying to be objective, I found the book to be funny, intelligent, challenging and erudite. He addresses aspects of the religion/atheism debate with irreverance (as you would expect) and humour, and clearly revels in exposing the many hypocricies inherent in the Abrahamic religions and in the insititutions that espouse them (the Pope protecting child molesting Catholic priests being but one). He has also clearly done his research, quoting the base religious texts, Hitchens, Dawkins and many others.

The fact that he narrates it himself gives the book more weight (you can hear the anger and emotion in his voice, e.g. discussing his late friend) and makes it funnier (his delivery is brilliant).

On the minus side, I felt the book flag somewhere in the middle, during which time he seemed to focus more on jokes and less on addressing the subject matter, but this lasted for only a short while.

In summary, an excellent audiobook, giving a humorous and thought-provoking view on religion.

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Very very funny

This is audio books at their best - a great book read well by the author. Very enjoyable indeed. I found myself silently ranting along with Marcus!

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overated junk

As an atheist and someone who thinks he's funny I was terribly dissapointed by this book. I am A-political and was angry that he was performing a party political broadcast for a socialist party. I was buying a book about the mans struggle with God, not about slagging off the right wing press and the presenters of top gear. I was led to believe that the book would be funny, and would be factually correct. He stated that the Pope is checked by a cardinal feeling his male parts to make sure he's a male. This fact is incorrect, just watch DAVE for a couple of weeks and Stephen Fry and Giles Brandreth will tell you the truth. His arrogance to say that anybody who doesn't follow Darwins teaching is unread and stupid makes me feel uneasy. I think Darwins theory is the truth, but would not blanketly slag off non followers of the theory like he does. Even though I believe the reasons for writing the book were valid and admirable, I think he's being pius by putting forward his socialist values while pocketing a tidy sum of cash. And it just wasn't funny.

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2 people found this helpful

God, I'm a bit disapointed.

Would you try another book written by Marcus Brigstocke or narrated by Marcus Brigstocke?

Yes, but only if it was cheap or free

Would you ever listen to anything by Marcus Brigstocke again?

Yes, but only if it was cheap or free

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Included some facts, may be done a little research instead of just having a rant with his own views, which I felt were often insulting and arrogant. I thought this would be an amusing Bill Bryson type factual, yet comical book, not just Brigstocke going on in an annoying manner.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from God Collar?

I'd make him re-write nearly all of the book again, no really I would.

Any additional comments?

It felt like he was using the book to justify himself a lot. EVERYTHING he said was what an stereo-typical below par liberal guardian reader would say. Now most people, including myself, I know are liberal guardian types, but non are stereo-typical and so obvious.I also thought he was often acting overly emotional which ruined the audio book a bit.All in all it was very disappointing and I don't really like Marcus Brigstocke as much as I thought I did before I listened to this....

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