Boy in a China Shop

Life, Clay and Everything

By: Keith Brymer Jones

Narrated by: Keith Brymer Jones

The inspirational memoir from the star of OUR WELSH CHAPEL DREAM and THE GREAT POTTERY THROWDOWN

'During downtime on the pottery throwdown Keith made my hair curl with some of his tales - he's a great raconteur and recounts his story in this book as he does in real life - with joy, charm & mischief.' - Sara Cox

Ballet dancer. Front man in an almost famous band. Judge on The Great Pottery Throw Down. How did all that happen?

'By accident mostly. But I always say we make our own luck. What if an art teacher hadn't given me a lump of clay? What if my band had properly taken off? What if I hadn't taken a photograph of a bowl to the buyer at Heals in London? What if she'd hated it? Or hadn't seen it...

Every chapter of my book is based around an object (usually a pot) that's been significant in my life. It's just a trigger to let me go off in a lot of different directions and tell a few stories. A lot of stories. Dyslexia. The art teacher who changed my life. My Mother. My Father. A life-changing job interview with a man who lay under his car throughout. *That* video. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, a quick search of 'Keith Brymer Jones Adele' should do it.)'

The end product? A warming, clever memoir of Keith's pottery life with some very loud music, some pretty good dancing, and a lot of throwing, fettling and firing. Oh ... and a good dose of anxiety.

©2022 Keith Brymer Jones (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Great read!

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I really do! I first came in contact with Keith through reruns of Great Pottery Throw Down on YouTube, and assumed he was a long time big name in pottery in Britain. I guess you can blame that on me being American, and the tendency on this side of the pond to always go with famous people for shows like this, but it was so nice to meet and get to know him as a person, with successes and failures, and the same love of ceramics I have. All the best, Keith!

hopeful, comforting and honest

Thank you KBJ. your generosity in sharing your story is itself inspiring! you have a message that is very important in these times.

Great read (or listen)

As a potter,I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to hear Keith’s early experiences through The Great Pottery Throwdown!

Potter of New England

I truly enjoyed the author reading his own journey. It was a delight and inspiring! Halfway through the first chapter I recommended it to my Mentor in clay. Highly recommend!

Fascinating tales of life, connections and hard work

I’m a huge fan of the Pottery Throw Down and often day dream about how amazing it would be to be part of something like that. So I was already partial to KBJ before getting this book. This book is as much a series of tales from an interesting life and touching anecdotes about family and friends as it is a really good primer in being a small business owner and what it takes to be a success (hint: a lot of hard work) Thank you for sharing it all!

A must listen for any potter

Listened to this on a recent road trip. What a fantastic book. Keith is a great storyteller, eloquently outlining his trials and tribulations, both personal and professional. I can’t wait for “The Great Pottery Throwdown” season to start and another book by Keith!

Beautifully told real stories.

As a habitual self doubter even though I had many essential tools to do pottery the Great Pottery Throwdown inspired me to believe in myself and give it a go. Keith was monumental in that and I was absolutely grinning while he told so many of these stories, even shed a tear thinking about how much love he has for this amazing art and feeling that with my whole being. Keith is the perfect example of the ceramic community. I don't think there are many potters out there that aren't inspired and uplifting (as well as uplifted) by other potters. Thank you for sharing your life and history with us. 💜

Get the audio book

If you enjoy The Great Pottery Throw Down, you'll love this book. I loved hearing Keith narrate his book. It felt like I was sitting in the pottery with him listening to his stories. It was so much better than reading the book myself.

Very enjoyable, interesting, entertaining, and heartfelt

Loved listening to Keith’s book. His personality comes across seamlessly as if he is sitting across the table from you. I will recommend this book to any that inquire.

Very Enjoyable

A great listen! Well read, and enjoyable!
If you love the Great Pottery Throwdown this is a must read/listen.