My comedy career began in 1971, which proves I have no comic timing. In 1971 there were no comedy clubs, no comedy agents and not much comedy future.
Inspired by Spike Milligan, John Dowie embarked on his comedy career in a time when such a thing was virtually unheard of, and then, just as alternative comedy began to be recognised by popular culture, he quit. And so began his next obsession – riding his bike.
Having been blessed (or cursed) with an addictive personality, Dowie quickly realises that what was once a simple hobby – cycling – will soon become something very different…
This book follows a similar route to his cycling habits: it meanders from place to place, occasionally gets lost but is unfailingly entertaining. Wending his way through France and Holland, round the lanes of Norfolk and over the hills of Devon, Dowie expertly leads his readers on a delightful journey through the trials, tribulations and triumphs of his life so far.
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Imprint: Unbound Digital
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Published: 05/04/2018
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ISBN: 9781783524815
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Length: 240 Pages
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RRP: £14.99
Reviews
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"In the '70s, John Dowie invented Alternative Comedy. At the end of the '80s, he abandoned it. In the '90s, he sold all his possessions and set off to cycle around Europe indefinitely, moaning. Dowie's love of landscapes and life is matched only by his hilarious hatred of himself and others"
Stewart Lee
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"I genuinely cannot recommend this cornucopia of middle-England majesty too highly"
Alan Moore
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"The best book I’ve read this year. A delightful trip inside the mind of a funny, clever and alarmingly wise man"
Julian Clary
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"Dowie has great stories to tell and a sure-footed knack for telling them ... This is very funny indeed. Dowie may have left stand-up behind but his bone-dry sense of humour certainly hasn’t abandoned him ... It’s written with skill, flair, intelligence and plenty of humour. For someone who seems happy to present himself as anti-social, Dowie is actually very fine company to spend 240 pages with"
We Are Cult
