This is a big book. A great many pages all reflecting the authors ability to 'talk until the cows come home' and probably, never repeat the same story, and always find the author in the middle of it.
As always with Gyles we see a man who is the centre of attention on every page. From childhood on he seeks the limelight, fantasising about theatrical talent, writing fame, and whatever else comes his way. He is off to be someone.
His schoolmates often indicate he is somehwat conceited, full of himself and talks too much, about himself! To be fair to Gyles he admits this, one of his redeeming aspects is his honesty regarding his outward appearance.
This book covers his life from birth, his parents, sisters who he hardly sees, his childhood spent mostly on his own, happily I must say. Some of us were a bit like that also in the days when we could get about safely and avoid social workers and the like fearing for us when we were perfectly happy.
Gyles does have talent, courage to push himself forward amongst the people who can help him upwards as a theatrical, a writer, or whatever idea is going through his head. There is no doubt he has talent.
His fancy schooldays amongst the upper middle classes tells us much about life in the 50's. I suppose that tells us much about the changes for good or ill since. Gyles makes it to Oxford, that seat of learning where the entire place is staffed by professors of various talent, almost all of whom are degenerates of one sort or another. I must admit that having read the Oxford pages I wanted to rush away to one of Glasgow's rougher parts just to meet people of higher moral standards and more honesty! I suspect it is no different today. Note: Cambridge has never produced a Prime Minister, Oxford has produced many, including the Billy Bunter who is there at the moment. That makes clear the standard of education required.
By the end of the book the reader is well aware of Gyles ability to talk about himself, show off his many talents and be a pain. His wife also is well aware of this and according to his comments frequently brings him down to earth. She looks good and sounds the right type of woman. However, it is clear that while Gyles claims almost everyone he meets is a friend, and usually a good friend, he does come across as a likeable pain in the neck, as anyone listening to 'Just a Minute' on Radio 4 will agree.
Loud, noisy, full of himself, knowledgeable, and even entertaining. I was bored at times by this book, however, I suspect I will seek out the next one when he gets around to scribbling it.
