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David Jason: My Life
- Narrated by: Michael Fenton Stevens
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
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David Jason: My Life
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Summary
The long-awaited autobiography of one of Britain’s best-loved actors.Born the son of a Billingsgate market porter at the height of the Second World War, David Jason spent his early life dodging bombs and bullies, both with impish good timing.
Giving up on an unloved career as an electrician, he turned his attention to acting and soon, through a natural talent for making people laugh, found himself working with the leading lights of British comedy in the 1960s and '70s: Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Bob Monkhouse and Ronnie Barker.
Barker would become a mentor to David, leading to hugely successful stints in Porridge and Open All Hours. It wasn’t until 1981, kitted out with a sheepskin jacket, a flat cap, and a clapped-out Reliant Regal, that David found the part that would capture the nation’s hearts: the beloved Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter in Only Fools and Horses.
Never a one-trick pony, he had an award-winning spell as TV’s favourite detective Jack Frost, took a country jaunt as Pop Larkin in the Darling Buds of May, and even voiced a crime-fighting cartoon rodent in the much-loved children’s show Danger Mouse.
But life hasn't all been so easy: from missing out on a key role in Dad’s Army to nearly drowning in a freak diving accident, David has had his fair share of ups and downs, and has lost some of his nearest and dearest along the way.
David’s is a touching, funny and warm-hearted story, which charts the course of his incredible five decades at the top of the entertainment business. He's been a shopkeeper and a detective inspector, a crime-fighter and a market trader, and he ain't finished yet. As Del Boy would say, it's all cushty. With an introduction narrated by David himself.
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What listeners say about David Jason: My Life
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Helen
- 09-03-14
Wonderful Biography
If you could sum up David Jason: My Life in three words, what would they be?
Funny, Grounded, Real
What was one of the most memorable moments of David Jason: My Life?
I loved the whole book, but I thought the opening situation 'diving' and his thoughts around life etc. (no spoilers here hopefully), was really good and set the tone for the whole autobiography.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
All were good, but particularly the first one.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Both, I laughed more than I cried, but there were tears.
Any additional comments?
A wonderful life story of one of Englands most loved actors - especially for those of us who grew up loving 'Open all Hours' & 'Only Fools and Horses'. David Jason writes & narrates as you imagine him to be - down to earth, no pretentions, and with a love for life and those who share it with him.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- cs07
- 21-05-16
Relaxing enthralling biography
Lovely autobiography of a hard working and humble man. well read and a pleasure to listen to.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Fred
- 16-12-13
Funny, sad and full of facts
Not sure what I was expecting when I brought this audio book, as a big fan of David Jason and his acting; guess I was hoping for a new twist to the actor we know. I was sad when the book ended and not sure if it would of been better Narrated by the man himself as I thought Michael Stevens did a very good job, and think the sad parts narrated by David Jason might of been a little harder on the emotions.
A very enjoyable insight the man that has been a major part of my life in the forms of entertaining me, and giving me more laughs then any other.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Chief Friar
- 13-01-14
Good, but disappointing
As with many celebrity biographies, this is full of anecdotes and stories, giving a glimpse behind the scenes on some well known shows: if that is what you are after, you'll enjoy this book.
It's also interesting to discover that someone who is now a household name spent so long 'breaking in' to the business.
However, for two reasons, I found this a little disappointing. Firstly, it ends slightly abruptly. As I listen to audiobooks whilst driving, I'm never quite sure how long is left to the end. With this one, I was wondering how many more commutes I had until I needed to download something else when - with little warning - it had finished. It seems like Jason has glossed over the latter part of his life, almost as his he doesn't want to share current events.
Secondly, as others have said, it is a great shame he didn't narrate the whole book himself. Michael Fenton Stevens does a reasonable job, but it's just not the same. Jason does the introduction, and it is brilliant. The rest is... just okay.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- sandy
- 23-04-18
interesting read
enjoyed all the stories and anecdotes very much. my only problem was the narrator. he spoke so fast it sounded rushed and dissinterested. no pauses....particularly evident at important events in davids life where the narration seemed to hurry on. took 3/4 of the book to get used to it.
but...overall a great story and insight into the early life of a guy i only ever knew as pop larkin and frost.
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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
- Kev d
- 10-10-16
amazing
absolutely loved this book is was totally engrossed from start to finish it strongly recommend to everyone
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- pr taylor02
- 05-04-17
Got it all just like only fools and horses
Got it all just like only fools and horses
Happiness sadness enjoyable just like David
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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
- Pete
- 22-11-13
great listen
Where does David Jason: My Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
about 3/4 up the chart
What other book might you compare David Jason: My Life to, and why?
notsure
What about Michael Fenton Stevens’s performance did you like?
I liked how it was done, I was first surprised and upset DJ didn't read it himself but MF is great
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
life
Any additional comments?
I loved this book
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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
- Victoria
- 15-06-21
Absolutely loved this story
I grew up with Delboy and all my family loved only fools, of course then David Jason was a part of our lives.
to hear his story has been simply lovely.
The way he speaks of his family is a delight
An easy book to listen to
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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
- FEZ
- 06-11-20
what an amazing life. god bless David Jason
when this autobiography started I was a little disappointed that David himself would not be reading this to me but I was very pleased with Michael's telling of the life story and found he fit the bill perfectly
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