Listen free for 30 days
-
Son of a Silverback
- Narrated by: Russell Kane
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
People who bought this also bought...
-
Russell Kane Live
- By: Russell Kane
- Narrated by: Russell Kane
- Length: 1 hr and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Multiaward winning comedy star Russell Kane is at his hyperactive best as he rips through his brand-new stand-up show. Recorded live in London’s theatre land at the Vaudeville Theatre, Essex-born comedy genius Russell hits the stage running as he comes to terms with how we are supposed to behave in a modern British society.
-
-
Funny, yet insightful narratives.
- By Teena P on 05-02-20
-
The Humorist
- By: Russell Kane
- Narrated by: Russell Kane
- Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Survivor, genius, critic. Murderer. Meet Benjamin Davids White, blessed since his infancy with an extraordinary gift: to understand humour at its deepest level. Yet Benjamin is cursed, too: in all his life, he has never laughed or smiled. At the height of his profession as a comedy critic, yet lacking any kind of human empathy, Benjamin discovers a formula that will allow him to construct the most powerful joke the world has ever known. A joke that has the power to kill....
-
-
sneaky in it's appeal
- By mandy on 10-09-13
-
Smokescreens & Castles Live
- By: Russell Kane
- Narrated by: Russell Kane
- Length: 1 hr and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
2011’s big new name in comedy, the star of Comedy Rocks, Let’s Dance For Comic Relief, Live At The Apollo and co-host of ITV2’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here NOW! In his debut stand-up show. Last year’s winner of the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award, Smokescreens & Castles is inspired by Russell’s moving relationship with his dad and the consequences of owning their council house.
-
-
Fantastic - he's a comedy anthropologist!
- By B Kennedy on 20-04-19
-
It's Not Me, It's Them
- Confessions of a Hopeless Modern Romantic
- By: Joel Dommett
- Narrated by: Joel Dommett
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a 17-year-old virgin working...for Virgin, Joel Dommett has grand ambitions. Firstly, he is going to swap suburbia for the bright lights of showbiz. Secondly, he is going to find 'the one' - and sets himself the very achievable target of finding her in the first 50 people he's definitely going to sleep with. What follows is a series of disastrous romantic encounters, including carpets mistaken for toilets, futile grand gestures and the catfishing to end all catfishing.
-
-
Laughed like a drain. Well done Joel what a treat.
- By Em on 11-02-18
-
Straight Outta Crawley
- Memoirs of a Distinctly Average Human Being
- By: Romesh Ranganathan
- Narrated by: Romesh Ranganathan
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the age of 9, Romesh Ranganathan delivered his first ever stand-up set at a Pontin's Holiday Camp talent competition, smashing the only other competitor, a young girl playing the kazoo. The gig went so well that Romesh retired his comic genius for 22 years, hiding behind the guise of a maths teacher, before finally revealing himself again (no, not like that) at the tender age of 31. In 2010, Ranganathan staged his epic comeback gig to an almost silent room, and has since gone on to earn his place as the most in-demand overweight vegan Sri Lankan comedian in Britain.
-
-
If you like Romesh's work then listen to this
- By Gervaise Miller on 05-10-18
-
No Shame
- By: Tom Allen
- Narrated by: Tom Allen
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No Shame is a very funny, candid and emotional ride of a memoir by one of our most beloved comedians. The working-class son of a coach driver and the youngest member of the Noel Coward Society, Tom Allen grew up in '90s suburbia as the eternal outsider. In these hilarious, honest and heart-breaking stories Tom recalls observations on childhood, his adolescence, the family he still lives with and his attempts to come out and negotiate the gay dating scene. They are written with his trademark caustic wit and warmth, and will entertain, surprise and move you in equal measure.
-
-
Listened without stopping
- By Helen RP on 13-11-20
-
Russell Kane Live
- By: Russell Kane
- Narrated by: Russell Kane
- Length: 1 hr and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Multiaward winning comedy star Russell Kane is at his hyperactive best as he rips through his brand-new stand-up show. Recorded live in London’s theatre land at the Vaudeville Theatre, Essex-born comedy genius Russell hits the stage running as he comes to terms with how we are supposed to behave in a modern British society.
-
-
Funny, yet insightful narratives.
- By Teena P on 05-02-20
-
The Humorist
- By: Russell Kane
- Narrated by: Russell Kane
- Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Survivor, genius, critic. Murderer. Meet Benjamin Davids White, blessed since his infancy with an extraordinary gift: to understand humour at its deepest level. Yet Benjamin is cursed, too: in all his life, he has never laughed or smiled. At the height of his profession as a comedy critic, yet lacking any kind of human empathy, Benjamin discovers a formula that will allow him to construct the most powerful joke the world has ever known. A joke that has the power to kill....
-
-
sneaky in it's appeal
- By mandy on 10-09-13
-
Smokescreens & Castles Live
- By: Russell Kane
- Narrated by: Russell Kane
- Length: 1 hr and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
2011’s big new name in comedy, the star of Comedy Rocks, Let’s Dance For Comic Relief, Live At The Apollo and co-host of ITV2’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here NOW! In his debut stand-up show. Last year’s winner of the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award, Smokescreens & Castles is inspired by Russell’s moving relationship with his dad and the consequences of owning their council house.
-
-
Fantastic - he's a comedy anthropologist!
- By B Kennedy on 20-04-19
-
It's Not Me, It's Them
- Confessions of a Hopeless Modern Romantic
- By: Joel Dommett
- Narrated by: Joel Dommett
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a 17-year-old virgin working...for Virgin, Joel Dommett has grand ambitions. Firstly, he is going to swap suburbia for the bright lights of showbiz. Secondly, he is going to find 'the one' - and sets himself the very achievable target of finding her in the first 50 people he's definitely going to sleep with. What follows is a series of disastrous romantic encounters, including carpets mistaken for toilets, futile grand gestures and the catfishing to end all catfishing.
-
-
Laughed like a drain. Well done Joel what a treat.
- By Em on 11-02-18
-
Straight Outta Crawley
- Memoirs of a Distinctly Average Human Being
- By: Romesh Ranganathan
- Narrated by: Romesh Ranganathan
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the age of 9, Romesh Ranganathan delivered his first ever stand-up set at a Pontin's Holiday Camp talent competition, smashing the only other competitor, a young girl playing the kazoo. The gig went so well that Romesh retired his comic genius for 22 years, hiding behind the guise of a maths teacher, before finally revealing himself again (no, not like that) at the tender age of 31. In 2010, Ranganathan staged his epic comeback gig to an almost silent room, and has since gone on to earn his place as the most in-demand overweight vegan Sri Lankan comedian in Britain.
-
-
If you like Romesh's work then listen to this
- By Gervaise Miller on 05-10-18
-
No Shame
- By: Tom Allen
- Narrated by: Tom Allen
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No Shame is a very funny, candid and emotional ride of a memoir by one of our most beloved comedians. The working-class son of a coach driver and the youngest member of the Noel Coward Society, Tom Allen grew up in '90s suburbia as the eternal outsider. In these hilarious, honest and heart-breaking stories Tom recalls observations on childhood, his adolescence, the family he still lives with and his attempts to come out and negotiate the gay dating scene. They are written with his trademark caustic wit and warmth, and will entertain, surprise and move you in equal measure.
-
-
Listened without stopping
- By Helen RP on 13-11-20
-
As Good as It Gets
- Life Lessons from a Reluctant Adult
- By: Romesh Ranganathan
- Narrated by: Romesh Ranganathan
- Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Confronted by the realities of adulthood, Romesh Ranganathan must face an uncomfortable truth: this is not quite how he imagined it. Watching his friends descend into middle age, his waistline thicken and his finances dwindle to fund his family’s middle class aspirations, Romesh reflects on the demands of daily life and the challenges of adulting in the modern world.
-
-
Romesh is a funny little prick
- By Steve T on 19-10-20
-
Not Ready to Adult Yet
- A Totally Ill-informed Guide to Life
- By: Iain Stirling
- Narrated by: Iain Stirling
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Looking back at his journey to adulthood, Iain explores why millennials are the way they are - and whether that makes us self-obsessed, work-shy, mollycoddled egomaniacs or just a misunderstood generation with a crippling fear of failure. Millennials have been celebrated and scorned; they’re the envy, fascination and disgrace of the world. But is there more to this #selfie- and avocado-obsessed generation that can’t grow up than meets the eye?
-
-
Don't ignore this if you're not a Love Island fan
- By iRachx on 11-09-18
-
Brung Up Proper
- My Autobiography
- By: Jason Manford
- Narrated by: Jason Manford
- Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jason Manford is firmly established as one of the country's favourite stand-ups and is up there with the best northern comedy legends. His career began one night in a pub in Chorlton when a comedian didn't arrive for his set and Jason, the 17-year-old glass collector stepped in to fill the gap. From that point on he's never looked back, until now that is.... This is the story in his own words of everything that lead up to that fateful moment – a colourful tale of growing up with lots of family and not enough money, of getting by and sticking together.
-
-
good rrad
- By Shep on 22-04-19
-
Just Ignore Him
- By: Alan Davies
- Narrated by: Alan Davies
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Through even the joyous and innocent memories, the pain of Davies' lifelong grief and profound betrayal is unfiltered, searing and beautifully articulated. Just Ignore Him is not only an autobiography, it is a testament to a survivor's resilience and courage.
-
-
No syrup, just a breathtaking autobiography
- By df1968 on 04-09-20
-
Parsnips, Buttered
- Bamboozle and Boycott Modern Life, One Email at a Time
- By: Joe Lycett
- Narrated by: Joe Lycett
- Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this book I have attempted to solve each and every one of life's problems. And I have succeeded. Dear Listener, Using letters, emails, tweets and telegrams I will show you how the things in your life that make you sad, low or anxious can soon appear trivial, insignificant and like a fish. In short, I will butter your parsnips.
-
-
Same Story’s As His Stand Up
- By Amazon Customer on 15-08-18
-
We Need to Talk About Kevin Bridges
- By: Kevin Bridges
- Narrated by: Kevin Bridges
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of We Need to Talk About... Kevin Bridges.Aged 17, Kevin Bridges walked on stage for the first time and brought the house down. He only had a five-minute set but he discovered he really could earn a living from making people laugh.Kevin began life as a shy, nerve-ridden school-boy. Reaching his teens, he followed his true calling as the class clown.
-
-
New standard for comedians biography.
- By alexander on 11-10-14
-
Once upon a Tyne
- By: Ant McPartlin, Dec Donnelly
- Narrated by: Ant McPartlin, Dec Donnelly
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From their modest beginnings in Byker Grove through to their 'unique' time as pop stars and an award-laden TV career, those three decades have flown by in the blink of an eye. They've also featured an incredible cast of supporting characters, including their first scriptwriter - (an unknown comedian called David Walliams), Saturday night fun and games with countless Hollywood A-listers and celebrities they torture - sorry, work with - every year in the jungle.
-
-
Aw Ant & Dec Made My Day
- By Miss T. A. Scott on 03-09-20
-
No Cunning Plan
- By: Sir Tony Robinson
- Narrated by: Tony Robinson
- Length: 14 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sir Tony Robinson is a much-loved actor, presenter and author with a stellar career lasting over 50 years. Now, in his long-awaited autobiography, he reveals how the boy from South Woodford went from child stardom in the first stage production of Oliver!, a pint-size pickpocket desperately bleaching his incipient moustache, to comedy icon Baldrick, the loyal servant and turnip aficionado in Blackadder.
-
-
A great listen by a talented story-teller
- By Kirstine on 27-03-17
-
Gotta Get Theroux This
- My Life and Strange Times on Television
- By: Louis Theroux
- Narrated by: Louis Theroux
- Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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 his book, Louis takes the listener on a joyous journey through his life and unexpectedly successful career.
-
-
Great book
- By Kate Pennington on 21-09-19
-
Him & Me
- By: Jack Whitehall, Michael Whitehall
- Narrated by: Jack Whitehall, Michael Whitehall
- Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jack and Michael Whitehall perform their laugh-out-loud autobiography Him & Me as a unique dual-voiced comedy audiobook, filled with ad-libs, asides, and comic dialogue to create a uniquely funny listen. Jack and Michael open up the rich and plentiful family lore archives on topics such as Jack’s nanny’s enormous feet, Michael’s lifetime touchline ban from Jack’s prep-school and the Whitehall collection of downright weird and eccentric relatives.
-
-
The most fun you can have with your clothes on!
- By CCWEST on 18-10-13
-
Spectacles
- By: Sue Perkins
- Narrated by: Sue Perkins
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Spectacles, the hilarious, creative and incredibly moving memoir from much loved comedian, writer and presenter Sue Perkins. When I began writing this book, I went home to see if my mum had kept some of my stuff. What I found was that she hadn't kept some of it. She had kept all of it - every bus ticket, postcard, school report....
-
-
I loved this book
- By Jeannette on 31-01-16
-
Little Me
- My Life from A-Z
- By: Matt Lucas
- Narrated by: Matt Lucas
- Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hello there. Welcome to my autobiography. Throughout this audiobook I talk about my life and work, including Little Britain, Come Fly with Me, Bridesmaids, Les Miserables, Alice in Wonderland and, of course, Shooting Stars. The thing is, this is a bit different to most memoirs you may have listened to, because it comes in the form of an A-Z. Anyway, I hope you buy it at least twice. Thank you.
-
-
Bright & Breezy
- By Craig M. Hanson on 06-01-18
Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
From one of Britain’s most popular and prolific comedians comes a hilarious and deeply moving memoir of life lived under the rule of a Silverback dad.
The Silverback is considered the undisputed king, a creature whose authority is never challenged and who does not yield to compromise. He walks proudly, feeds greedily, grafts tirelessly, mates voraciously, swears constantly and is threatened all too easily. The Silverback is known to nestle in the misty peaks of central Africa but can also be found in Barking, Essex. Meet Dave Kane, the disappointed, steroid-ingesting, metal-wielding, bouncer father of slight, effete Gamma Male Russell Kane.
This is a story about fathers and sons, class and education and how one scrawny, sensitive, fake-tan-applying 'ponce' stepped out of his father's shadow and became a man - whatever that means.
More from the same
Author
Narrator
What listeners say about Son of a Silverback
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- K O'Leary-Leeson
- 17-11-19
What next: Dave Kane the movie?
This book is an open account of Russell’s life up to the point of his inaugural stand up gig! This heart felt insight into his relationship with his dad is moving, hilarious and at times cringeworthy. There were many parts of this I could identify with having grown up with a 70’a dad, Ford Escorts, Capris etc. I’ve enjoyed having Russell in my left ear for the last 2 weeks and I’m going to really miss him. There are many inspirational moments in this book that make you feel you need to strive for more in your own life. Most my family thought I’d gone mad quietly chucking to myself all around the house courtesy of Kane in the EarPods. Next step: Russell Kane world domination! Thanks Russell, what’s your next book?
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- dani
- 16-11-19
Absolutely brilliant!
Found this hard to complete in stages, wanted to keep going until the end! Captivating, enthralling, amusing, interesting, open and honest. Loved it :-D
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- catherine
- 14-11-19
Sociology /History/ Psychotherapy
A beautiful book that is funny and moving. The descriptions capture an era and transports you. it gives insight into the lives of many young men and the struggle of relationship. Russel works through attachment theory eloquently. Genius. The silver back would be proud .
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Richie-d
- 12-11-19
7hrs of stand up
If you don’t like swearing, change the book now. If you have seen Russell live this is an extension of his set.
His voice of his mum and late dad really add to the story. If you want a laugh buy it now.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- hugh riddell
- 06-11-19
Belly wobbling
So I saw Russell in Liverpool recently on stage and found him fascinating,
I loaded the book to keep me amazed while lying on my sun lounger in Spain in November... Its day 2 and I’ve completed it.... my rather large belly jiggled non stop as I happily giggled my way through it.
Stared at by strangers, constantly interrupted by my friend asking me what’s so funny.....
I also lost my father quickly and unexpectedly and he like yours, was head of our household. And this book brought me closer to him than I thought possible
Thank you Russell xxx
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Paul Conlon
- 22-11-19
Really good - candid!
Great, true story ...impressions are hilarious. Lots of swearing but look past that & the psychological lessons learned by the author are extremely interesting. like Russell says...audiobook is best way to consume this material!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 19-11-19
Brilliant.... Hilarious at times.
Loved it and it was made even better by the fact it is read by a Russell Kane. An interesting account of his jour ey so far and of course his father. Also very relatable in terms of family relationships and views.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bruxadent
- 17-11-19
Loved it
My wife and I saw Russell perform recently and downloaded this for the journey home. Really glad we opted for the audio version as Russell really brings the stories and the personalities of his family to life. There's a lot I could relate to in this book and there are funny, sad and thought-provoking parts throughout. It was a bit deeper than I thought it would be given Russell's stage persona but it was a positive surprise. A really enjoyable listen.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- kate
- 09-11-19
Brilliant !!!
Didn’t want this to end .....
Love this guy, if only the Silverback could see him now, he’d be made up
Brilliantly written and narrated I laughed a lot out loud all the way through cept the sad bits
Thank you Russell Kane u r a fantastic human
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- L. Fuchs
- 07-11-19
Sad, sweet, searingly honest. And very funny.
Loved it - as the daughter of a tyrannical working class father ('I pay, I say') it resonated on many levels. It could have easily been turned into a misery memoir but Russell's take on it is touching, humane and best of all, hilarious. I love him and can't wait to see what he does next. I am urging all my friends and family to buy it/listen to it.
Oh, yes, and he is a great actor - he narrated/performed the text brilliantly.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 20-09-20
Astonishing audiobook!
I've followed Russel Kane since first seeing him doing his part on Live at the apollo.
His stories of his dad and his impersonations of him are out of this world!
The icing on the cake is that Russel reads the book himself, and no one could have done it better, listen to it if you want to have a god time!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jaynus
- 27-07-20
Very enjoyable
I can 100% picture his dad after hearing the story. I laughed out loud at points and felt his pain at others. Great Biog.