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James Acaster's Classic Scrapes

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About this listen

The Sunday Times Best Seller

James Acaster has been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award five times and has appeared on prime-time TV shows like Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Russell Howard's Stand Up Central.

But behind the fame and critical acclaim is a man perpetually getting into trouble. Whether it's disappointing a skydiving instructor mid-flight, hiding from thugs in a bush wearing a bright red dress, or annoying the Kettering Board Games club, a didgeridoo-playing conspiracy theorist and some bemused Christians, James is always finding new ways to embarrass himself.

Appearing on Josh Widdicombe's radio show to recount these stories, the feature was christened 'James Acaster's classic scrapes'. Here, in his first book, James recounts these tales (including never-before-heard stories) in all their glorious stupidity.

©2017 James Acaster (P)2017 Headline Publishing Group Ltd Performing Arts Comedy Funny Witty Feel-Good Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"James Acaster has a brilliant comic mind, crackling with energy every bit as much as his corduroy slacks." (Milton Jones)
"I don't think I've ever read a book that has made me cry with laughter as much as this one. It was very difficult reading it in public as I looked like a madman." (Richard Herring)
All stars
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Heard interview with Richard Herring and thought would give a go. Despite not having listened to the radio show, James does an exceptional job of bringing new readers along with him, and I have to say I haven't laughed so much to a book since Alan Partridge's autobiography. Thoroughly recommended.

One of the funniest books I have listened too

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I have never cried so much listening to an audio book. Brilliantly written and beautifully read. Acaster's comedic prowess really shines through in these short tales of memorable moments throughout his life.

Eye-wateringly funny!

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Listening to this book, I couldn't imagine it being read by anyone else. James' voice is half the joke!
Not all of the scrapes made me laugh, but those that did would've had me on the floor laughing, if I wasn't driving! Parrot soup is by far the best bit!

The voice makes it!

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James' story telling is fantastic, its hard to believe that some of these scrapes actually happened to him, but once you've seen him on TV a few times, it's very easy to see how they happened to him. Great little audio book to listen to on the go, thoroughly recommend

Fantastic short memoirs

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Audiobook is the best way to consume these tales. Great performance from James. Very Funny.

Just Brilliant

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