Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse

A good read. Very funny and David Mitchell has such dry humour.

This review is almost identical to the one for the other book mostly coz I copied and edited.I listened to the audiobook, got this as a present for my best mate coz it sounds just like out mumblings together about the world which just made me laugh more.Knew the book was slightly different to audiobook as it predates, but friend took this and the other DM book on a short getaway, got delayed on the return, read them both and much enjoyed.The book has a fair few years to it now and is compiled of Mitchell’s articles, still just as relevant and hilarious as modern life continues to go round in the same mundane circles.Although does require that British wit and sarcasm to understand and appreciateOtherwise you’ll possibly start reading and think WTF is this? Or listen to updated audiobook, even better in his very Mono-British tone with regular bursts of rage and apologetic acceptance. So British. If it were anymore British there would be a queue for tea and crumpets or a big fat greasy spoon depending on your post code.Not quite as enjoyable as the other book in my personal opinion, but it’s a personal opinion, was still a giggle, brightened up some dreary mechanical days and friend enjoyed also while stuck in a country that didn’t know what to do when queues got long at airports, making people miss flights.We need to send the British over for queue management training.If anyone out there would like to come train our people about road management that would be fab. Let’s have an exchange programme

I bought this Kindle book for a special reason and with some trepidation. You see, it began many years ago when I first spotted David Mitchell on TV (as part of Mitchell & Webb) and I identified with his projection of social ineptitude coupled with just enough learning and intelligence to be uncomfortable and perceived as a 'smart arse' that he immediately became one of my comedy heroes. But he was obscure back then. About the same time (or perhaps a little earlier), I fell deeply in lust with the presenter of a short set of programmes about dictionaries and words; Victoria Coren. Not only was/is Ms Coren gorgeous, she had/has an intellect to match the very best on TV and, finally, a voice and diction that can make a rendition of the periodic table sound like telephone sex.So I watched for several years as these two, separate, objects of my affections grew in their respective fields to become better known and, yes, stars. I was, therefore, blown over to learn that these two were to marry; I couldn't imagine a better match. The final twist was that they chose 17th November as their wedding day; the same day as my own wedding anniversary! Surely, David Mitchell and I are linked through the Cosmos......er...or maybe it's just random coincidence. Oh, all right, if you insist!I've read a few books by TV personalities and I always 'hear' their voice while I read and, indeed, see them in my mind's eye. This is particularly so with Jeremy Clarkson, who's collection of newspaper column pieces I tend to enjoy. It was the same with this book; every line on the page was, for me, delivered by Mr Mitchell. My trepidation? Well, what if this, my first foray into Mitchell writing, wasn't up to the extremely high standard that I've set for my hero? Sadly, I was right to be concerned.It's very clear that every word written here has been penned by David Mitchell; no ghost writing here and his brand of erudite and acerbic wit runs through like a seam of gold in a tin mine. But it throws a spotlight on precisely where the Mitchell humour is at its best on TV, and that's in 60 second bursts, responding to something someone else has said. David Mitchell doesn't, really, make up jokes (that's not the same as being a skilled comedy writer), he uses his speed of thought and wit to respond to the words of others. In a book, he can't do that. Each section generally begins well and I found almost everything very amusing. But it's as though DM ran out of ideas or things to say about a topic half way to the end of what his newspaper editors would consider a full length column, so he had to pad out the second half. All too often, this then became a long list of fantasy scenarios, some of which are entertaining but some are a bit boring. Having said that, the list of predictions for the year ahead is immensely funny.As a pedant in the use of English, I relish David Mitchell's comments in that regard (and I relish knowing that my starting sentences within this review with 'But' would offend him!) and, for me, that is often the most entertaining part of any piece, but that alone can't sustain a book like this.By the way, I would warn the reader of the Kindle version not to be deceived by the percentage counter as this book has such an extensive index at the rear that the book itself ends shortly after the 70% mark.So my fear was justified; David Mitchell's writing just isn't as entertaining as his TV appearances. But it's still an awful lot better than most others of this genre and I did read this with extremely high expectations. So, it's OK David, you are still my hero and, if you are going to get inspiration for these columns, then I can think of worse sources than the talented Mrs Coren Mitchell.

Great book, want more like this

David Mitchell’s Book ‘Thinking About it only Makes it Worse’ is a collection based on his column for the Observer newspaper. I was attracted to it as I loved the Mitchell and Webb show and related comedies. They are definitely my type of comedy.The book, I imagine, falls into the category of a ‘rant’ book. Like comedy, whether you enjoy them or not depends on your personal preferences. However there is a good variety here. There are particularly funny points, and I agreed with a good proportion of the book. I don’t think there is much here that will make anyone angry; I certainly wouldn’t call it particularly provocative.The writing is clear and the book flows well. Mitchell is an intelligent commentator as well as great comedian. I recommend reading it, a very un-ranty rant book.

Funny at first, and sometimes insightful, but becomes a series of repetitive rants and personal attacks so absolutely typical of modern stand-up comedy. These are just airbrushed re-prints of David's old press articles, so I imagine it did not take a lot of additional effort for him to cobble them together into a book. Pity such a witty guy falls into the ever-present trap of clutching for the bizarre when talent is exhausted (or hasn't quite been assembled before the newspaper deadline demands that he feeds the machine.....) I still think he's a very talented writer, and look forward to reading any new stuff from him. Perhaps he's spending rather too much time on TV panel games in which the quick, nasty dig gets big laughs from the baying-mob audience. Maybe they should go bear-baiting instead, and give him time to produce the masterpiece of which he's almost certainly capable?

Wouldn't do that again. It was filthy,dirty and sticky.

Ditto with my last review.David Mitchell.....the best.

These essays are excellent and full of humor and wit. I only wish I knew some of the British references so that I could understand more of the jokes.

Why does it have to be more than 20 words! It was good, I laughed often. The stars say that don’t they!

David Mitchell is the closest thing we have to a Douglas Adams nowadays. I'd listen to him prattle on ad infinitum. I'm a big fan of dry, British wit and I was not disappointed with Mitchell's latest compilation.

If your like british Comedy, then you are not dissapointed. David Mitchell just tell you how he feels about things, and often I agreed with a smile.

David Mitchell is hilarious AND the lucky dog is married to Victoria Corrin!Unless you know what Greggs is or are conversant with the turkey-voting-for-Christmas debacle that was Brexit,much of this book might pass you by.But if you are a Brit washed up on these strange shores or a rabid anglophile then enjoy the amusing skewering of all things British and pompous by one of the best satirists in Britain today.