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Windswept & Interesting
- My Autobiography
- Narrated by: Billy Connolly
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
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Windswept & Interesting
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Publisher's Summary
WINNER OF THE 2022 BRITISH BOOK AWARDS AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR: NON-FICTION
The funny, frank and full autobiography of the nation's favourite comedian.
It's the first time I've done this. Other people have written about me - or for me - but this time, it's just my own life in my own words.
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life.
Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of four and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.
Billy found his escape first as an apprentice welder in the shipyards of the River Clyde. Later he became a folk musician - a 'rambling man' - with a genuine talent for playing the banjo. But it was his ability to spin stories, tell jokes and hold an audience in the palm of his hand that truly set him apart.
As a young comedian, Billy broke all the rules. He was fearless and outspoken - willing to call out hypocrisy wherever he saw it. But his stand-up was full of warmth, humility and silliness, too. His startling hairy 'glam-rock' stage appearance - wearing leotards, scissor suits and banana boots - only added to his appeal.
It was an appearance on Michael Parkinson's chat show in 1975 - and one outrageous story in particular - that catapulted Billy from cult hero to national star. TV shows, documentaries, international fame and award-winning Hollywood movies followed. Billy's pitch-perfect stand-up comedy kept coming, too - for over 50 years, in fact - until a double diagnosis of cancer and Parkinson's disease brought his remarkable live performances to an end. Since then he has continued making TV shows, creating extraordinary drawings...and writing.
Windswept & Interesting is Billy's story in his own words. It is joyfully funny - stuffed full of hard-earned wisdom as well as countless digressions on fishing, farting and the joys of dancing naked. It is an unforgettable, life-affirming story of a true comedy legend.
I didn't know I was windswept and interesting until somebody told me. It was a friend who was startlingly exotic himself. He'd just come back from Kashmir and was all billowy shirt and Indian beads. I had long hair and a beard and was swishing around in electric blue flairs.
He said: 'Look at you - all windswept and interesting!'
I just said: 'Exactly!'
After that, I simply had to maintain my reputation....
What listeners say about Windswept & Interesting
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-10-2021
Perfection
This is such a perfect listen, I love Billy and hearing his life stories in his words and voice has been perfect happy and interesting time. Would recommend to anyone.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D. McAdams
- 25-12-2021
Great Yarn
Billy is an excellent story teller. Terrible childhood but look at how he came through it. He is sounding old and creaky though. Thoroughly recommended listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer Bennie
- 11-01-2022
Brilliant!
A windswept and interesting life well told. So much to love about this autobiography. Hugely funny but also very moving when sharing about his early life that was incredibly difficult.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Trish
- 12-11-2021
Such an eclectic maestro!
Thoroughly interesting and entertaining. For someone with no tertiary education, he exudes knowledge and discernment. He has a keen sense of life and the people in it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sam8071
- 01-12-2021
The dogs bollocks
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I related to it on a number of level, save for being funny, wind swept or interesting. I was born in Govan lived in West Graham Street just a stones throw from Cowcaddens as a boy, but grew up in Australia. My first football strip was Patrick Thistle FC. His neighbourhood. He’s right about Australia I wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else although I have, I choose here. What an interesting, fulfilling and tumultuous life you have had. People often go on about Glasgow hard men, but clearly some of the women are as hard. Mona was a right nasty cow. I suspect a deeply unsatisfied nutter who abused kids; the worst kind of person in my view. She might have made a good nun. I loved Billiie’s perspective on raising kids, just nurture and love them and make them feel safe. I shed a tear when he talked about the death and abuse from his father in ch 23. I also was heartened by the love he shared for his sister. You’re a champ. All the best to you in the future. You’re still on my fantasy dinner guest list. Sláinte.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Profit
- 13-12-2021
Honest & Funny
Billy’s story couldn’t have been read by anyone other than him and he does it brilliantly. I couldn’t stop listening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Shaun Bullard
- 18-12-2021
so thankful that this man exists
brilliant as always. had me laughing out loud it front of complete strangers and I listened. comedy at its best
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 22-12-2021
It is a book you can listen to over and listen over!
Such a great book, written by an extraordinary man. Laughter is so good for you.
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- Kellie
- 29-12-2021
Think I’ll be speaking in a Scottish Accent
What a privilege to hear of Billy’s life stories by the Big Yin himself. When I have read past books by Billy I always have his voice in my mind. So to actually have him read aloud is such a treat. I love that he breaks into laughter is a few spots. Extraordinary life and an extraordinary W&I gentleman.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 05-12-2021
Billy'sBest
loved it .loved the farting guy on the flight to Australia. loved the orange prick
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