My Booky Wook

“It was a winter day, crisp and clear and bright, and sharp naked trees scarred the sky. The eager moon prematurely looked down. John said, “I only want what’s best for you, Russell.” He was standing by the window, all big and solid, and me all empty. I stood there and silently cried. Only my eyes though, the rest of me was frozen. John formed a protective barrier around me, with his arms, and the edifice of his character, and told me everything was going to be alright.” Page 293 of My Booky Wook.

My Booky Wook by Russell Brand has the appearance and name of childish book written by another famed, rich icon. At first glance you read about an attention-craving, spoiled and raving lunatic kid but once you look into the real text you see a troubled, self-harming, yet brilliant boy who went from tedious problems dealing with his parents’ divorce, his mom’s reoccurring cancer, and his step-father to an angry, sex-crazed, drug addict who just wants to make it big in films, stand-up and other entertainments while finding true happiness.

Russell struggled with many addictions such as sex addiction, heroin addiction, and alcohol addiction. He spoke about all of these in his autobiography, My Booky Wook, in a way that hits you due to the horrible ways of addiction but also brings in comedy as he tells about how he does what he can to bemuse and entertain others in the rehab centers he is placed in. Ironically, a story like this would make a person feel a bit sad for the writer yet Russell’s comedic side clearly shines through and you can’t help but smile or even laugh at how he writes his antics he did while he was under the influence (and some without the influence) that got him sacked from many jobs and from drama schools that he worked hard to get into with his families lack of money.

The book wasn’t something I planned to read. I never even thought I heard of Russell Brand until I kept seeing his book calling me from the shelf each time I went to the book store. So I looked him up and watched many hours of his comedy and I knew I had to read this book. Upon purchasing it I knew it had to have some comedy but I was disgusted by the fact that I thought I could laugh while reading a book about addictions and sadness. However; Russell knows how to deliver his story in a way that you have some understanding to his life and situations without you feeling such sadness for him as he pokes fun at life itself.

Many people in America aren’t as familiar with Russell Brand like people from England are; however, there is still a good chance you’ve seen or heard of him. His book is a bestseller in the States and in England. He hosted the VMA awards in 2008 and he played the hilarious dunce, Mickey in Bedtime Stories along side with Adam Sandler, and had a key role in the movie, Forgetting Sarah Marshall. His most amazing and most known talent however, is his stand up.

This book is definitely a wonderful, inspirational read and I highly recommend it, especially if you have interest in reading about addictions or just comedy history as he briefs on several different comedians he looked up to and met and disgusted during his time of addictions and attention craving ways to become the best comedian he could be. It will open your eyes to the struggle of addiction as well as your mouth with laughter at Russell’s attention craving antics.