Odd Boy Out: The hilarious and unforgettable Sunday Times bestselling autobiography

A rollicking good read!

If the fact had escaped you, you will soon come to realise that GB is obscenely well-connected. He sprays well-known names around like a demented garden hose. However, this is not done with any degree of one-upmanship - merely that he has met most people of merit (and others outside that category) in his (for want of a better word) Career.The greenhouse for his life of rubbing shoulders with the hobnobs, thespians and royalty was undoubtedly his private schooling but chiefly University - which he put to good use by making himself indispensable to anyone involved in the theatre or public speaking. To say he used these people as springboards to his next big thing would be a little unkind, but he does indeed leave friends and acquaintances way behind in his shooting star existence.A good if not exhausting read.

A throughly enjoyable read

Gyles sounds and looks like a toff but has amazing multi-demographic appeal. Blending his shameless name-dropping with self-effacing bluntness is the secret to his popularity and endurance.At times his anecdotes about encounters or exchanges with the rich and famous do become boorish. And don’t expect him to blow the whistle on any of his celebrity chums - he’s not about to compromise his access to the celebrity set.But he will throw the occasional curve ball with revelations about his personal experiences - as you’d expect in an autobiography that aims to be nothing less than Frank.It’s a worthwhile read, even if you feel the need to skip the odd paragraph

I always thought GB was an oddball! Turns out i’m right but in the most interesting manner . what a fabulous meandering through his life so far and the many,many people he has met .

A very enjoyable biography which betrays the personality of a sycophant with garrulous relish for name dropping in an entertaining manner.

I don’t know how I feel about Gyles Brandreth. Part of me hates the relentless me, me, me focus and interminable name dropping. But, as I discovered from reading this book, there are signs that under the outward narcissism there lurks really quite a decent and nice man. His interest in things like prison reform and a range of other worthwhile endeavours tends to be undermined by his supercilious TV career. Which is a great pity. So, on balance, I think I like him. I’m sure he will sleep better for knowing that.The book is an interesting read. Despite the fact that he sounds like something out of Brideshed Revisited, he actually grew up in a middle class family with a Father always on the brink of not being able to pay the bills. But somehow young Gyles sailed through it all with a self confidence that is by turns endearing and irritating. If the book taught me anything it’s that having the drive and “balls” to simply ask for what you want in life helps you a long way towards getting it. From getting Sir Michael Redgrave to appear in his Panto to becoming part of the Isis staff (The Student Newspaper not the terrorist organisation) - whereas many of us would be too shy or intimidated Gyles just goes for it and asks! As he says, if you don‘t ask, you don’t get. And more often than not Gyles gets.Definitely worth a read.

I bought this book as a birthday present for a dear, close friend and I was so pleased when she messaged me to say how much she was enjoying it. I had read good reviews and I know that Gyles Brandreth is an amusing and entertaining writer about his life and acquaintances so I was pleased that I had chosen it.