I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan

By: Alan Partridge

Narrated by: Alan Partridge

Journalist, presenter, broadcaster, husband, father, vigorous all-rounder – Alan Partridge – a man with a fascinating past and an amazing future. Gregarious and popular, yet Alan’s never happier than when relaxing in his own five-bedroom, south-built house with three acres of land and access to a private stream. But who is this mysterious enigma?

Alan Gordon Partridge is the best – and best-loved – radio presenter in the region. Born into a changing world of rationing, Teddy Boys, apes in space and the launch of ITV, Alan’s broadcasting career began as chief DJ of Radio Smile at St. Luke’s Hospital in Norwich. After replacing Peter Flint as the presenter of Scout About, he entered the top 8 of BBC sports presenters.

But Alan’s big break came with his primetime BBC chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You. Sadly, the show battled against poor scheduling, having been put up against News at Ten, then in its heyday. Due to declining ratings, a single catastrophic hitch (the killing of a guest on air) and the dumbing down of network TV, Alan’s show was cancelled. Not to be dissuaded, he embraced this opportunity to wind up his production company, leave London and fulfil a lifelong ambition to return to his roots in local radio.

Now single, Alan is an intensely private man but he opens up, for the second time, in this candid, entertaining, often deeply emotional – and of course compelling – memoir, written entirely in his own words. (Alan quickly dispelled the idea of using a ghost writer. With a grade B English Language O-Level, he knew he was up to the task.)

He speaks touchingly about his tragic Toblerone addiction, and the painful moment when unsold copies of his first autobiography, Bouncing Back, were pulped like ‘word porridge’. He reveals all about his relationship with his ex-Ukrainian girlfriend, Sonja, with whom he had sex at least twice a day, and the truth about the thick people who make key decisions at the BBC.

A literary tour de force, I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan charts the incredible journey of one of our greatest broadcasters.

©2011 Alan Partridge (P)2011 HarperCollins

Critic reviews

‘The funniest book of the year and possibly all time.’ *****Heat

‘This book is a genuinely hilarious read’ Shortlist

‘A rare treat… painfully funny in that inimitable Alan way.’ **** Sunday Express

‘As a parody of celebrity autobiography, it’s sound; but as a sustained piece of comic writing, it’s outstanding.’ **** Time Out

‘Brilliantly witty’ The Times

‘This should be nominated for the Booker prize…it’s a really funny book but it’s actually more than that…it blows my post-modern mind’ David Baddiel

'I, Partridge might just be the funniest book I've ever read. Proper laugh out load moment on every page.' Richard Bacon

‘This fictional memoir … could be the antidote to the celeb biographies that clog the Christmas book market. It's as acute a spoof of the publishing sub-genre as the Alan Partridge character is of a whole tranche of crassly opinionated lowbrow broadcasters…brilliantly sustained wit.’ Evening Standard

‘I, Partridge is an indispensable guide to what it’s like to be an all-round media personality in the 21st Century. In this, it compares very well with the finest in the genre.’ **** Mail on Sunday

***** The Telegraph

‘Extremely funny’ Word Magazine

‘Pure comic genius’ The Independent

‘The best book of the year… without peer… I urge people to go out and buy it.’ Danny Baker

‘An acutely observed mock-memoir, touching on the great man's highs (receiving a Burton's Gold Card) and lows (Toblerone addiction) in equally self-regarding manner.’ Independent on Sunday

‘A magnificent comedy creation’; ‘The significant celebrity book this year.’ The Guardian

Brilliant

Hilarious writing, great delivery by Coogan. Subversive satire, similar in tone to Stephen Colbert’s I Am America (And So Can You!), having fun with a ridiculous character while painting a picture of East Anglia and its surrounds that will be all the funnier if you’re already familiar with British institutions, culture, etc. Highly recommended.

Health warning: you will laugh aloud as you listen

I loved most of this book - a few chapters dragged - but overall a great laugh - a tonic. Such amazing imagination, satire, and sometimes just plain silliness. I listened as I took my daily walks and found that I was walking along the street laughing out loud, causing folks to look at me as if I had a screw loose.

aha

aha aha aha aha aha aha aha aha aha aha aha aha aha aha aha ahhaa ahhaa is very good and shit

Literally laughing out loud during my commute.

I honestly thought this would be a serious biography of Steve Coogan. Up to now I mainly listen to biographies of comedians or musicians and a bit of fiction. I'm only 6 chapters in of 30+ but this really is hilarious if you're a fan of Alan Partridge. Highly recommended.

loved it

no other book has made me laugh out loud as much as this did. highly recommend!

Even Better Than "Bouncing Back!"

Would you listen to I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan again? Why?

Yes, until Alan gets his much deserved second series, this is the best way to enjoy more Partridge.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan?

Learning about Alan's heroic return after his crippling addiction to Toblerones.

Have you listened to any of Alan Partridge’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Refreshing to hear Alan's version of his life, instead of that impostor Steve Coogan's.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed so hard that the other train riders thought I was a sexual deviant.

Finali a kindred spirit!

Would you listen to I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan again? Why?

Yes, It is verry insightful. Alan is a delightful broadcaster and has a story worth telling

What did you like best about this story?

The personal stile and his abilaty to shift from past to present tence

What about Alan Partridge’s performance did you like?

he has the x factor.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I myself am also in broadcasting And it would be wonderful to have Alan on my show.thank you, Ivo Niehe, Amsterdam

Alan Partridge a double life.

This story is excellent, but there must be more. Is it all just a clever cover? There is more than a pretty face to judge this book of a man's life by. His well known radio persona 'Alan' has lived a full life, from the origin story of his birth, to his assent to radio stardom. What I'd like to know more about is not this alter ego, but of his secret identity Steve Coogan. What is this double life, my bet mi5 super spy. Outwardly 'Alan' plays the fool as did emperor Claudius, Only much like Clark Kent is discarded to reveal Super Man, careful study of every word in this radio biography reveals that Steve is Super...man. What tales of international intrigue could he tell, if only the whole world had security clearance. Until such time as his Super work is declassified, we will have to be satisfied with the smoke and mirrors which is Alan Partridge. I for one am entertained by this work of 'Alan', more so grateful for the secret workings of Steve keeping the world safe. My biggest boy scout salute goes out to both men...which are one super man.

Everything you wanted to know about Alan.

Steve really did a great job covering the whole Alan story. Extremely funny, dry and consistent with the Alan character. Will listen to this again at some point.

Ruddy Coogan only goes and does it again

Avid Partridge fans won’t be disappointed with Alan’s hysterical ramblings of fortunes and woes.
I am Certainly looking forward to the next chapter in AP’s life.