Simon

As such as this isn't really an autobiography but not that's not what I was expecting. The book is filled with anecdotes looking at Kermode's enthusiasm with film and how it shaped his life. They are frequently amusing and you will enjoy this book if you have an interest in cinema/film even if you don't always agree with Kermode. The stories rub shoulders with his thoughts and opinions on his favourite films and genres.

When I was growing up, Tony Robinson was one of my heroes (and still is), with his many TV appearances in series like Blood and Honey and Stay Tooned, and audio cassette readings.

In this book (which he wrote with Richard Curtis - one writer of classic 1980's comedy Blackadder) he presents a retelling of events in Homer's epic poem, The Iliad, and chooses to see the whole story from the point of view of one character, Odysseus. The result is well written, pacy and often truly hilarious.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and found it very funny. It's basically a selection of silly one liners to scenarios like Rejected Exam Questions, Unlikely Lines from a Political Memoir or Bad Things To Hear in a Costume Drama, just like the last round on each episode of the TV series. If you're familiar with the show then the humour is often close to the bone, and a bit silly at times, so may not be for everyone.