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Gotta Get Theroux This
- My Life and Strange Times on Television
- Narrated by: Louis Theroux
- Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Art & Literature
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Vast collection of funny stories
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Summary
From much-loved documentary maker Louis Theroux comes a funny, heartfelt and entertaining account of his life and weird times in TV.
The Sunday Times best seller.
In 1994 fledgling journalist Louis Theroux was given a one-off gig on Michael Moore’s TV Nation, presenting a segment on apocalyptic religious sects. Gawky, socially awkward and totally unqualified, his first reaction to this exciting opportunity was panic. But he’d always been drawn to off-beat characters, so maybe his enthusiasm would carry the day. Or, you know, maybe it wouldn’t....
In Gotta Get Theroux This, Louis takes the reader on a joyous journey from his anxiety-prone childhood to his unexpectedly successful career. Nervously accepting the BBC’s offer of his own series, he went on to create an award-winning documentary style that has seen him immersed in the weird worlds of paranoid US militias and secretive pro-wrestlers, get under the skin of celebrities like Max Clifford and Chris Eubank and tackle gang culture in San Quentin prison, all the time wondering whether the same qualities that make him good at documentaries might also make him bad at life.
As Louis woos his beautiful wife Nancy and learns how to be a father, he also dares to take on the powerful Church of Scientology. Just as challenging is the revelation that one of his old subjects, Jimmy Savile, was a secret sexual predator, prompting him to question our understanding of how evil takes place. Filled with wry observation and self-deprecating humour, this is Louis at his most insightful and honest best.
The audio edition contains an exclusive additional chapter.
Critic reviews
"Funny, engaging." (Sunday Times)
"Gripping." (Daily Mail)
"Absorbing and surprisingly candid." (Telegraph Magazine)
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What listeners say about Gotta Get Theroux This
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kate Pennington
- 21-09-19
Great book
I could not recommend this book more. I listen to a lot of audio books when I am going to sleep. With this book, not only do I get to hear the interesting stories, I get to hear them told by Louis! What better way to end your day!
43 people found this helpful
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- Jessica
- 29-09-19
Was pretty much a rehash of all shows - him reading it made it worthwhile
I was hoping for more “off-screen” Louis Theroux. If you’re familiar with his TV shows this will be a familiar re-hashing of these shows in his own words. I felt it was too focused on Saville - for international audiences (or young millennials) who didn’t know this guy, it will probably feel like he spends too much time talking about him. It’s clear he’s trying to make sense of having had this particular person in his life, but his best works had nothing to do with this person. Louis lets the shadow of Saville dominate this book’s content too much - hopefully this means his next book won’t mention him at all. Louis has done so many great documentaries for TV - the other works deserved more discussion. I would have enjoyed hearing more about his thoughts on life vs verbal replay of what I can watch on Netflix. Looking forward to future works nonetheless.
33 people found this helpful
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- Mr. Scott A. Gordon
- 06-11-19
Not bad
I’m a big fan but found was not massively into this. Nice to find out a bit more about his personal life. However, his work stuff is largely repetitive if you’ve seen the shows. His attempt at voices and accents are a little annoying too :P
That said, I remain a massive admirer and there’s plenty to enjoy.
9 people found this helpful
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- Peter Meredith
- 26-09-19
I got Theroux it very quickly!
I absolutely loved this audiobook. I have always been fascinated by Louis and have been watching his documentaries long before it was age appropriate for me to do so and this book is a great companion to his series giving a greater insight into the real life beyond the camera.
I have always enjoyed listening to Louis since his book 'The Call of the Weird' and my only criticism is I would have liked to heard more from the one off episodes such as 'gambling' and 'hunting' however I'm aware that more people are interested in Louis' relationship with Jimmy Saville.
Overall though a fantastic book and I recommend it to anyone who has or has ever had an interest in his documentaries.
19 people found this helpful
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- Katja Frisinger
- 26-09-19
Honest and fun read from an honest and fun guy
Really enjoyed this honest and entertaining summary of the path Louis has taken to get to where he is now. Very funny at times (loved all the commentary regarding the gap year!) but also deeply honest and relatable. It's kinda nice to know Louis is pretty much what you'd expect him to be like... although a bit more pretentious. You definitely sympathise and feel for the guy, but in the same way you feel bad for one of your really talented friends who can't see their own brilliance. He manages to tell his story without ever feeling self-indulgent or bragging.
My only issue was the at best embarrassing, and at worst, offensive, attempts at other people's accents in the book. Otherwise, excellent book.
I had fallen out of love with my audible account and had let my credits gather a bit, but this got me right back into it. Thank you very much Louis for this fun and interesting read!
12 people found this helpful
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- David smith
- 21-11-19
Not really an autobiography...
Basically an open letter about his experiences with Jimmy Saville in the guise of an autobiography, interlaced with banal renditions of his many documentaries.
The performance is poor. He obviously recorded it over several sessions, with the middle third being read with what sounds like a cold.
If you’re a huge fan of his work then give it a go, if not then just stick to his documentaries.
Disappointed.
3 people found this helpful
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- P. Morriss
- 26-09-19
Interesting but focused on a few subjects
I am a huge fan of Louis Theroux’s documentaries so was very excited about this book.
The overall story is interesting but he does focus a large amount of time on the Jimmy Saville story with the rest being very short passages. I would have liked to hear more about the kookie characters he met.
This is a good book and well written as one would expect from a consummate profession such as him, although his voice got a little monotonous at times and monotone.
Overall well worth a read/listen.
6 people found this helpful
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- Combat Johnny
- 23-09-19
A good retrospective of Louis' Career
I found this book much more enjoyable than Mr Theroux's previous book. If you are a fan of his documentaries then I would high recommend it.
6 people found this helpful
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- John
- 26-09-19
Therouxly Enjoyable
loved it, would have liked more behind the scenes insight though. Louis is the best
16 people found this helpful
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- John Christopher
- 19-11-19
Excellent listen , little too much about Saville though
This is an excellent listen , giving a good insight into Theroux the man . Although Saville is an emotive subject I though he dwelt on it a little too long . Well worth a listen though
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 19-10-21
another gem from the man himself
wish it was longer, enjoyed the hell out of the behind the scenes of wierd weekends.. underrated journo
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-03-21
Best audible book
Best book I have read in years. Are the documentaries still available! Please let me know
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- L
- 22-01-21
Really great!
A brilliant read, and even better that it is voiced by the man himself. His use of accents bring the piece to life and is a really interesting venture into his work and life surrounding it.
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- Ilikespoons
- 13-08-20
Enjoyable - especially the narration
An entertaining and easy holiday listen, with plenty to ponder and amuse. I appreciated getting to know Louis a little better, and his openness. Makes me want to binge watch all his work...
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- Joanne
- 20-07-20
To be honest more interesting than I expected
Full disclosure, Im a fan of Louis! After seeing him speak by chance in Melbourne I bought this book. I didn’t expect the depth of analysis of self which was not in the least indulgent. The examination of Saville and his crimes I felt was important and personal - and allowed space to think about the unthinkable - it has to happen in some way in order to support victims and stop it happening to more people.