Book Review: Lee Mack: Mack The Life

I have a confession to make. This is the first autobiography I've read. I've tried comic giants like Norman Wisdom and James Corden, but just haven't been able to manage it. So it's testament to how enjoyable Lee Mack's Mack The Life is that I've not only read from cover to cover- but also that I'd happily do so again and again.

Mack is my favourite comedian, and thankfully, his wit and charm lace through his autobiography perfectly. On television, Lee comes across as a very 'traditional' comic in many ways: shunning the notion of his own 'celebrity' status, and carving a strict line between work (which is accessible to all) and his personal life (which should stay personal - not thrown about in the newspapers). Mack The Life keeps these morals, largely focussing on his on-screen and on-stage work, with sufficient background information for those interested in expanding his Would I Lie To You? tales.

Paradoxically, it's affirmation to his love for his family that they're kept out of the spotlight on the whole - but it's also pleasing to see the book dedicated to them, and to get a brief glimpse of his other world in the photograph sections.

Considering that we never delve too deep into his home life, it's somewhat surprising that the narrative comes across as the real Lee McKillop, with ample amounts of his slightly-removed Lee Mack persona.

The book keeps a brilliant pace, running through his early days as Red Rum's stable boy, getting bitten by a dog and his hilarious dismissal from Pontins, as well as covering his stand-up routines, the mistakes of the past and a plethora of programmes, including ITV series The Sketch Show.

It's helped along by interludes between each chapter as Lee visits a psychiatrist, presented as scripts. They're certainly good for a laugh - as is the entire book - with a few echoes of some Not Going Out gags.

It's the penultimate and rather extensive chapter that highlights his joke-heavy, loveable hit sitcom, and it'll definitely be of interest to anyone looking to get into comedy, comedy writing, or who just wants to get the behind-the-scenes thought processes of Mack.

It's really nice to see that he doesn't slag anyone off either; in fact, he's glowing about those he works with, especially Sally Bretton, who plays love interest Lucy in the ratings-winning sitcom. He writes: "Sally's involvement in the show has been a godsend, and without her positivity on set, to say nothing of her natural comic talent, I honestly think I'd have packed the show in years ago... Having someone around who also has an attitude of 'Wow, we're making a telly show, isn't that great!' is brilliant and a reminder of just how lucky we are."

Unlike many comedians, Lee stays on the right side of self-deprecation, and comes across as a very admirable, honest and down-to-earth bloke who you'd happily call a mate.

Mack The Life is a truly fascinating read, genuinely funny throughout, and one of the best books I've read.

(Oh, and the promotional Mack The Life phone app is also worth it for a bit of a giggle.)

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