Windswept & Interesting cover art

Windswept & Interesting

My Autobiography

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Windswept & Interesting

By: Billy Connolly
Narrated by: Billy Connolly
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About this listen

WINNER OF THE 2022 BRITISH BOOK AWARDS AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR: NON-FICTION

The funny, frank and full autobiography of the nation's favourite comedian.

'It's the first time I've done this. Other people have written about me - or for me - but this time it's just my own life in my own words'

In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life.

Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of 4, and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.

Billy found his escape first as an apprentice welder in the shipyards of the River Clyde. Later he became a folk musician - a 'rambling man' - with a genuine talent for playing the banjo. But it was his ability to spin stories, tell jokes and hold an audience in the palm of his hand that truly set him apart.

As a young comedian Billy broke all the rules. He was fearless and outspoken - willing to call out hypocrisy wherever he saw it. But his stand-up was full of warmth, humility and silliness too. His startling, hairy 'glam-rock' stage appearance - wearing leotards, scissor suits and banana boots - only added to his appeal.

It was an appearance on Michael Parkinson's chat show in 1975 - and one outrageous story in particular - that catapulted Billy from cult hero to national star. TV shows, documentaries, international fame and award-winning Hollywood movies followed. Billy's pitch-perfect stand-up comedy kept coming too - for over 50 years, in fact - until a double diagnosis of cancer and Parkinson's Disease brought his remarkable live performances to an end. Since then he has continued making TV shows, creating extraordinary drawings... and writing.

Windswept and Interesting is Billy's story in his own words. It is joyfully funny - stuffed full of hard-earned wisdom as well as countless digressions on fishing, farting and the joys of dancing naked. It is an unforgettable, life-affirming story of a true comedy legend.

'I didn't know I was Windswept and Interesting until somebody told me. It was a friend who was startlingly exotic himself. He'd just come back from Kashmir and was all billowy shirt and Indian beads. I had long hair and a beard and was swishing around in electric blue flairs.
He said: "Look at you - all windswept and interesting!"
I just said: "Exactly!"
After that, I simply had to maintain my reputation...'

(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2021 Billy Connolly
Entertainment & Celebrities Performing Arts Celebrity Comedy Biography Funny Inspiring Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

Billy Connolly's long and vivid life makes for a joyous memoir
There are a lot of laughs and love in the book, but a great grimness to it as well.
This is everything a celebrity autobiography should be and more.
All stars
Most relevant
You'd expect an autobiography by Billy Connolly to be humorous, however what made this extra special was it's truthful nature as Connolly recounts memories and anecdotes of childhood and into adulthood.

You learn early on of the tough life he lived in his younger years and his yearning to live a different life because he saw himself as different or as he puts it "windswept & interesting". From there a whole personality was formed into creating arguably one of the greatest comedians of all time.

A true gem of a book.

Funny, honest and tender

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Oh the big yin is a wonderful storryteller. Brilliant book, loved every minute of it .

Fantastic

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Thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook of Windswept and Interesting by Billy Connolly, narrated by the man himself. A few stories I'd heard before, but there was so much that I hadn't. He really had a hell of a life growing up. But what a treasure he is. Everything he has achieved in his life, and even now through his art, is nothing short of phenomenal. The true definition of how well life can turn out when you just go with the flow and don't give a monkeys.
Five stars. No question.

BRILLIANT!

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Absolutely loved this! Billy Connolly has always been influential in my life and to hear about his own life, in his own words is a treat.
At times sad , more often hilarious but consistently windswept and interesting.

absolutely bloody brilliant.

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Billy Connolly has led an amazingly interesting life. This book is well worth a listen. The way he narrates it had me laughing

Excellent book

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