Bigger than Hitler – Better than Christ Kindle Edition

DO NOT be dissuaded by the bad reviews -- those folks don't have the intellectual capacity to fathom and savor this highly unconventional autobiography, as witty, rule-breaking, and smart as (no, smarter than!) Rik's performances. This is exactly the autobiography you'd expect Rik Mayall to write: one loathe to give interviews, but pouring himself out honestly, while still shrouded in self-protective denials, self-deprecatory self-aggrandizing statements, and jokes. The trick is to read between the lines or against the lines or the opposite of the lines. A statement like: "People do not, and I repeat do not, shout 'fat unfunny has-been' at me in the streets. That has never happened--read my lips--ever. A lot." is to be interpreted as, yes, he is concerned that he's a fat unfunny has-been, why else would have he brought it up and categorically denied it? For example, the entire "Drop Dead Fred" chapter is to be read the opposite of what he states: he wasn't flown first class, the stewardess didn't unbutton her blouse and proposition him, he wasn't met with a fanfare of flashing bulbs at the airport, and the movie didn't revolutionize cinema. It's self-deprecatory self-aggrandizement. The entire purpose of the book, he states, is to relay the immediate millisecond aftermath of the quad bike accident: his experiencing the transition between life and death (the void of nothingness), which should be of comfort to, well, at least absurdists and atheists (which is, in fact, a massive achievement in and of itself). Also, the chapter "Maximum Entertainment Experience" is a riotous (literally) retelling of what happened when warring factions of fans of his various incarnations appear in the audience at one time. . . . I am so thankful that this brrrrrrilliant book exists. A must for people who miss Rik, mourn the loss of his existence, and want to know him more intimately.

After having read some of the other reviews I had an idea what to expect...I wish Mayall had written a serious biography but for what it is, this is pretty funny. Has several color photos, a few of which I hadn't seen before.

You can hear Rik’s voice as you read, I’m laughing so hard I’m crying as I read it.

All you need to know is it's Rik and awesome!

I loved this book! I'm a huge fan of this legendary comedian! I read it a few years ago and then again more recently after his devastating passing. As I read it I hear his voice in my head and that definitely makes it extra good and made me smile and laugh soo much as he told those ridiculous stories..and felt emotion when he spoke of serious things. I think those who are a fan of his work and haven't read it already will no doubt really enjoy it. Those who don't like it obviously have no idea of his work or are taking it all too seriously and should know that this is Rik f*cking Mayall!.. of course he's going to exaggerate.. haha. I will certainly be reading it again sometime, won't ever get boring!

I feel fortunate that I was able to find a hardcover edition of Rik's book. Thanks to Amazon for providing buyers access to sellers with such ease.

To the late Rik Mayall..... Yes.

Words, pics, laughter, tears. I loved this book so much and if you’re a Rick fan you will too. Buy it!!!

I first read this book a few years back, and decided it was time to buy it again. Basically, this book is Rik's autobiography, although it's unlike any autobiography ever written before. The book is written in the same vein as Rik's TV characters, it's obnoxious, self loving, and it's by far the most entertaining thing I have ever read. I suppose it should be classed as more of a comedy title than an autobiography.He writes about his early life (including fictional letters written by a young Rik, to his old teachers) , meeting Adrian Edmondson, performing at The Comic Strip, appearing in shows such as The Young Ones and Bottom, his part in Drop Dead Fred, his quadbike accident, and even a guest chapter by one of my favourite characters, Kevin Turvey. All of which he writes in the unique way only Rik Mayall could.If you're a fan of Rik's work (he's a fan of yours too, even if you just sit around farting and shouting at the telly) then you'll absolutely enjoy reading this. Just don't go into it expecting a 100% true account of his life. He often rambles about his agent Heimi Mad Dog Finkelstein (Mad Dog isn't a nickname), or the drugs that he definitely never ever took. Ever. Overall, fans won't be disappointed. Newcomers would however most likely not understand the humour.

Just avoid. I've followed Rik's career from A Kick up the Eighties to Man Down. I loved his work and take on comedy and regard some of his comedy creations as perfection. This book however - what a let-down. Rik adopts a sort of smarmy, dumb, protean joke character throughout. And in doing so, offers no insight into his life, his comedy or anything else. Gags are repeated with diminishings returns (his manager was apparently an avaricious Jewish man, Ade Edmondson wore the trousers in their relationship, he got lots of female attention, he succeeded in everything he tried). Yes yes, but any chance you could get past this stuff and either entertain or inform? Sadly not. Sometimes it pays not to read your heroes.

followed rik all my life from teens to now and this book is like spending time in the pub with him drinking and not doing drugs .....ever !!! . manic mental meanderings of the peoples poet great stuff . if your a fan but it read it enjoy it after all we're the young ones we are wild eyed loners at the gates of oblivion so hitch a ride with rick on the last freedom moped out of nowhere city. R.I.P the Rik Mayall

I was and am a big fan of the comic genius that was Rick Mayall. I grew up with The Young Ones and was fortunate to see one of the final productions of the New Statesman play where he was hugely entertaining.Sadly this book is nigh on unreadable. There are some comedy gems in there and it is worth browsing to find them. I tried really hard to (a) like it and (b) read it in a traditional way. Unfortunately neither were possible.The book will stay in my collection as another reminder of the great man.

I think this book is hilarious from start to finish. I’m sure all Rik Mayall fans would absolutely love it. I’ve loved him since I was 14 and I first saw The Young Ones. He has written a mixture of truth and fiction and you can spot when he’s being his true self. It didn’t matter to me that there’s not much ‘real’ stuff, the laughs are a saviour to anyone’s mental health and I highly recommend it to his fans. Non fans or newcomers may not quite get it. They need to familiarise themselves with Rik first before reading this. For fans, I think it’s a laugh a minute.