So we were supposed to discuss 'Becoming Johnny Vegas' which we did a fair amount considering only two of us had finished it, but a few had started it. Hopefully we managed to convert those that didn't read it because of their dislike for Johnny Vegas (No names - you know who you are people) or at least make them consider reading it. It really was a 'don't judge a book by its cover' story. Whoever you think you are watching on TV when Johnny Vegas is on there's a whole other man standing behind him called Michael Pennington.
I'm not a great fan of Johnny Vegas in terms of comedy, but I really enjoyed reading this book, you would not even know it was about him for at least half the book. A young boy of 10 goes to learn to become a priest, discovers he has made a terrible mistake and then does a degree in pottery. Sound like Johnny? Just not what you would expect.
Its quite a sad story, after his pretty awful experiences at the priesthood at such a young age it really roots some serious issues, he starts drinking heavily and becoming overweight. Its the alcohol that brings out this Johnny personality. And it is a personality, the way Michael talks about him is as if he is a part of himself that he cannot control, he doesn't even like Johnny or who he makes him become but finds that it is Johnny who starts to bring him success. He has to be someone else to become successful. Also a serious hypochondriac, who hears voices telling him he will die from some outrageous scenario, its incredible that someone can go from having such a happy normal childhood up until a life changing event at 10 years old. A child of 10 does not know what they want to be, he only went to become a priest, because he was an alter boy and one day said he'd like to be a priest - after that all the adults in his life swooned and told him it was amazing. He thought he was doing something wonderful - little did he know what was in store for him. Its even sadder that the experience pretty much ruined his faith.
The fact that Michael has written this book and realises what he has been through shows that he must be starting to get some control over his life, over Johnny. He now has a wife and a child and when you see him on TV if you think back to how he used to be in those first TV appearances he has definitely calmed down. It's made me want to watch something he is in now so I can see what he is like.
So even if you HATE Johnny Vegas, give it a go, I promise you will be surprised and almost feel a little guilty for judging that TV character.
Right next month, Danielle suggested a book which I though sounded awesome so we ran with it...'Sleepers' by Lorenzo Carcaterra'
They were four boys who shared everything - the laughter and bruises of an impoverished upbringing in New York's West Side. Then one of their pranks misfired - a man nearly died and they were sent away to a reformatory school. There they suffered the worst abuse the guards could inflict on them. They were forever scarred by their experiences. Eleven years later two of them became killers for the mob. They met the ringleader of the guards who abused them - and shot him dead in front of several witnesses. No one thought they would see the outside of a prison again - but the four friends banded together once more and in one last, audacious stand brought their own vengeance to the courtroom.
Next Book Club
Date: 22nd July 2015
Location: Jen B has suggested a new venue to try while the weather is good and nights are light! So we will give 'The Oval Tavern' in Oval Road (off Cherry Orchard Road)
Time: 7.30pm
