Billy Connolly to publish storytelling book
- Billy Connolly is to publish a new book called Tall Tales And Wee Stories on 17th October
- It'll bring together the very best of his storytelling routines, and feature illustrations from the comedian
- He says: "This feels like the right moment to put these stories down, once and for all"
Billy Connolly is to publish some of his best stand-up routines in a new book.
Tall Tales And Wee Stories "brings together for the first time the very best, outrageously funny story-telling from the nation's favourite comedian."
The blurb of the book explains: "With an introduction and original illustrations by Billy throughout, Tall Tales And Wee Stories will bring together the very best of Billy's storytelling for the first time, including his most famous routines including The Last Supper, Jojoba Shampoo, Incontinence Pants and Shouting at Wildebeest."
The book will be published on the 17th October 2019 in hardback and eBook formats.
Billy Connolly explains: "I was a storyteller long before I was a comedian. Coming from Glasgow, it's weird, I don't really tell jokes, like Irish jokes and all that, I tell wee stories. I've been asked many times to put them down in a book and I've always refused. It didn't seem right because as long as I was still performing live then I was still playing around with my stories - pulling them apart, twisting them around, improvising and improving. But in December of last year I decided to retire from live stand-up. So, this feels like the right moment to put these stories down, once and for all. It's always been a pleasure talking to you. I hope now it'll be a pleasure reading me."
Nick Davies, managing director at John Murray Press who acquired the rights for publishing house Two Roads, says: "As his many millions of fans will know, Billy's stories can be rude, warm-hearted, anarchic, joyful, angry, far-fetched, down-to-earth and everything in between. They are also beautifully constructed, brilliantly paced and deeply funny. I've written to Billy at various points over the last fifteen years to ask if he would bring these stories to the printed page and I'm thrilled that he has finally agreed. Tall Tales is an absolute treat of a book that will delight readers everywhere."
The book is available to pre-order now via the links below.
Billy Connolly - Tall Tales And Wee Stories
"Coming from Glasgow, it's weird, I don't really tell jokes, like Irish jokes and all that. I tell wee stories. And some of them don't even have punchlines. But you'll get used to it as the night goes on, and on, and on, and on and on..."
In December 2018, after 50-years of belly-laughs, energy, outrage and enjoyment, Billy Connolly announced his retirement from stand-up comedy. It had been an extraordinary career.
When he first started out in the late Sixties, Billy played the banjo in the folk clubs of Glasgow. Between songs, he would improvise a bit, telling anecdotes from the Clyde shipyard where he worked. In the process, he made all kinds of discoveries about what audiences found funny, from his own exaggerated body movements to the power of speaking explicitly about sex. He began to understand the craft of great storytelling too. Soon the songs became shorter and the monologues longer, and Billy quickly became recognised as one of the most exciting comedians of his generation.
Billy's routines always felt spontaneous. He improvised, embellished and digressed as he went: a two-minute anecdote could become a 20-minute routine by the next night of a tour. And he brought a beautiful sense of the absurd to his shows as he riffed on holidays, alcohol, the crucifixion, or naked bungee jumping.
But Billy's comedy could be laced with anger too. He hated pretentiousness and called out hypocrisy where ever he saw it. He loved to shock, and his startling appearance gave him license to say anything he damn well pleased about sex, politics or religion. It was only because he was so likeable that he got it away. Billy had the popular touch. His comedy spanned generations and different social tribes in a way that few others have ever managed.
Tall Tales And Wee Stories brings together the very best of Billy's storytelling for the first time and includes his most famous routines including, The Last Supper, Jojoba Shampoo, Incontinence Pants and Shouting at Wildebeest. With an introduction and original illustrations by Billy throughout, it is an inspirational, energetic and riotously funny read, and a fitting celebration of our greatest ever comedian.
First published: Thursday 17th October 2019
- Publisher: Two Roads
- Minutes: 336
- Catalogue: 9781529361339
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- Published: Thursday 17th September 2020
- Publisher: Two Roads
- Pages: 336
- Catalogue: 9781529361360
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Search for this product on eBay
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- Publisher: Two Roads
- Download: 2.62mb
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