There is only one comedian that could get away with that as a name of a book title and that person is Rik Mayall. He was one of the UKs comedy geniuses and produced some of the best characters and anti-establishment shows that made him the king of comedy and in this book he makes sure you don’t forget that.

This book is like no other book you have ever read before – from the first page you can hear Rik Mayall saying the words that you read because it is written in such as way that his characteristics and mannerisms really lift out from the page. The errors, spelling mistakes and pure “Rikisms” have been all left in so whilst at some points you can wonder what on earth you are reading, at the same time you are smiling to yourself thinking only Rik could make something so uncharacteristically brilliant.

The autobiography is very different to any other that you have read and being true Rik Mayall, a lot of it is written in some style of character or persona so it can be very difficult at times to know what is true and what is fiction. One of the most insightful and sad chapters to read is about his crash that he had on his quad bike and whilst a lot of it is sad and very truthful at the end of the chapter true to Riks wit, it starts to take a more comedic look and goes on a bit of a tangent.

One of the highlights of the book is the letters that he used to write to celebrities, politicians and producers, they are long at times but very funny to read and get an insight into The Rik.

It is a book that if you have the time to read you really should, whilst it can be hard at times to get used to the way it is written, it is also lovely to have something in your hand that feels like Rik is still with us today. When you finish the book it feels like the Rik that was with you on the journey has disappeared and you feel sad that someone who was such a genius and legend like himself isn’t with us anymore.

Readability Rating – 7/10