Time spent with Suggs

Would you consider the audio edition of That Close to be better than the print version?

I've got both - you can hear Suggs' voice in the book and then get closer with the audiobook - it's like listening to the same story you always love to hear from a pal

What other book might you compare That Close to, and why?

Rock autobiographies, social history books - because that is what it is

Which character – as performed by Suggs – was your favourite?

Erm, Suggs

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It was the cat what made me do it

Any additional comments?

I've always been a fan of Suggs - he's so down to earth and loyal to his roots - and, of course, a great singer/songwriter.

9 people found this helpful

Fantastic

What did you like most about That Close?

I adored the 'rude boy' charm that came across so well. This is a cheeky, funny, really entertaining book, and Suggs is so humble it's obvious he is a truly, lovely gentleman. It's interesting to listen to, as Suggs has the soul of an urban poet, and a brilliant way of utilising words.

What about Suggs’s performance did you like?

I appreciated that it was narrated by the author, it really made the book come to life.

8 people found this helpful

The life of a "National Treasure"

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Having just watched Suggs at the Garrick Theatre delivering a monologue and music, I was slightly disappointed to hear word-for-word the same sections within the book. However, it was entertaining and had me listening to it over a short amount of sittings.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Ending? Not sure an autobiography actually ends but how it finished was slightly disappointing. It was as if he had made it to the promised word count and fired it off to his publisher. The clever circular narrative of the live performance involving the singer's search for his dead father and inner-meaning to life lingered longer in the mind than a quick anecdote about being the last band to play at the BBC Television Centre.

Which character – as performed by Suggs – was your favourite?

Suggs himself. He managed to chart the amazing success of Madness without giving off an air of smug gloating. He came across as genuinely suprised at his achievements. Proud but humble.

Could you see That Close being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Well it did make the Theatre, but it won't be commissioned as a film. I'd much rather see the Richard Curtis penned sitcom - mentioned in the book - in which the prime minister is kidnapped and Madness are installed as interim leaders of the UK.

Any additional comments?

I think Suggs's decision not to use a ghost writer on this autobiography largely paid off. I've read a ton of celebrity biogs and most read like they've been constructed around a couple of interviews recorded onto a dictaphone and then padded out into a book. Suggs is a natural raconteur as he has depicted in his lyrics over the last three decades. It's not clear if he hired the services of an editor, because the chapter on the history of Ska and the singer's recent take up of serious cycling felt like padding and should have been cut. I enjoyed learning that the school his school fought against every term was my school. Listening to Baggy Trousers will never be the same again!

3 people found this helpful

Suggs man behind the Madness

Excellent whimsical biography Suggs. It is a very humerous and interesting story that just asks to be binge listened too. I don't normally listen to biographies for fear of being stuffy and boring. Suggs however makes for an interesting audio book.

2 people found this helpful

Gritty and Funny... Complete Madness

If you could sum up That Close in three words, what would they be?

Its a heart warming, gritty but funny story of one of Britains best loved singers from a true British institution. The story weaves its way from growing up and moving to Wales .. To coming back to London becoming Suggs that we know and love. Weaving its way from the early days of Madness.. Chasing cheese down a hill to earthquakes In Finsbury Park.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Suggs is the obvious favourite, you want him to succeed and sometimes you feel sorry for him

Have you listened to any of Suggs’s other performances? How does this one compare?

None

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Hard - loving and Fun... that's Mad

2 people found this helpful

Suggs narrating really brought it to life

Loved it when he laughed at his own jokes and tried some accents. Excellent book, excellent narration

1 person found this helpful

suggs very much underused..

love suggs very funny can relate to much in book as of same age.
from similar area in fact moved around in same area's camden , hampstead, anyway jolly fine listen.

1 person found this helpful

Misses chunks and doesn’t always finish a story

Really enjoyed it but was it me or does some bits get left hanging? Madness break up, goes on lots of trips abroad in the 90s then jumps back to getting married in the 80s about 6 chapters later. Bit odd.

1 person found this helpful

Great trip down memory lane

Absolutely loved it my Era exactly and tikd in s grrst style that only suggs can do

An interesting and amusing insight to Suggs' life

A wonderful storyteller and a British icon, it's a great insight into his life, family and upbringing. Narrated by Suggs himself makes it a more personal listen as he tells tales and anecdotes from his childhood and growing up in London and Wales through to being a part of Madness and beyond. Hopefully a second book will be in the making soon.