The Black Dog: The life-affirming debut novel from one of Britain's most-loved comedians

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The Black Dog: The life-affirming debut novel from one of Britain's most-loved comedians

The Black Dog: The life-affirming debut novel from one of Britain's most-loved comedians

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Bridges' television career started on Comedy Central UK, in April 2008, with a set on The World Stands Up. Shortly thereafter, he appeared on Comedy Store (also on Comedy Central). His performances on these shows and on the comedy circuit and at festivals led to his being given his first mainstream TV break on 5 June 2009 on BBC One's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow. Bridges was critically commended for his performance. Over 5 million viewers saw his debut and his entire 25-night run at the Edinburgh festival sold out in hours, with extra shows being subsequently added and also selling out. Bridges went on to be nominated for the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Awards (formerly Perrier) in the best newcomer category. Declan was just a wee lamb! Trying to hold it all together but struggling with anxiety and doubt. I loved his character growth. His mum and sister were amazing too. Doof Doof was the friend that everybody needs! He was just such an amazing character and supportive friend. I know he was more of a side character but he was my favourite character and I want only amazing things for him. Even the ‘baddies’ felt realistic. It would have been so easy to make them caricature gangsters. He has his pet Labrador for companionship and his best friend-turned-mentor, a pseudo-intellectual who works as a greenskeeper at the local municipal golf course, both of which help keep the worst of his anxieties at bay. But following a drunken row with local gangsters, Declan's worries threaten to spiral out of control. This is not a comedy novel by a comedian - Kevin has been candid in the past around his own struggles with mental health and his debut novel reflects this. It is a sensitive portrayal with both main characters struggling in their own ways to survive and working to find their way through the challenges they are faced with. In 2010, Bridges took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala, a benefit show held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, filmed live at the O2 Arena in London. [6] Bridges won the breakthrough award at the 2010 Chortle Awards. [7]

Some the observations made are bang on and further show that Kevin has far from forgotten where he is from I particularly like the c##t comment and irony about the westend. The more deeper observations about the male mental health struggle, the social mobility in our society, the moral issues of crime and general state of Scotland are subtle but make the point clear, this for me a real skill and is hard to achieve for even well established authors. I have read quite a few books recently from celebrities, particularly comedians. It seems to be an assumption that someone who is funny in a stand-up routine can seamlessly transfer those skills to paper. I don't know where I stand on this phenomenon - part of me thinks its unfair on writers who must have an eternal struggle to get anything published. People who have worked and grafted tirelessly for years must be so frustrated to see someone famous come along and get their novel published on name recognition alone. Publishers must know that the name alone will sell books and it is much lower risk for them than taking a punt on someone unknown. This book is funny, heartwarming, touching, moving, smart and just brilliant in both terms of the plot and characters. I am still laughing at the ending, a true laugh out loud read.James Cavani - Declan's idol and his hometown's claim to fame - he's a renowned writer, director and actor. But despite his success, his past hasn't relinquished its hold of him, and through his younger sister's battle with drug addiction, he finds himself returning to a world he thought he had escaped. Kevin Bridges has made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian and grew up in Clydebank - so not technically Glasgow , but close enough to have a good understanding of the kindof lives described in this story. The are elements of humour but very much from the darker end of the spectrum, and some of the language and behaviour reflects the toxic masculinity and misogyny that can be rife in small town communities in the west of Scotland. At face value, their lives couldn't be more different, but perhaps fate has a way of bringing kindred spirits together - and perhaps each holds the other's redemption in their hands.

With a talent described by The Scotsman as ‘frightening,’ Kevin Bridges has a natural warmth, timing and easy manner which belies his youth and has seen him become one of the country’s top stand-ups. Bridges appeared on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow on the BBC, where he performed at the Edinburgh Playhouse. [3] [4] Bridges returned to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2009 with his show 'An Hour to Sing For Your Soul'. He was nominated for best newcomer in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. [5] Declan has his pet Labrador for companionship and his best friend-turned-mentor, a pseudo-intellectual who works as a greenskeeper at the local municipal golf course, both of which help keep the worst of his anxieties at bay. But following a drunken row with local gangsters, his worries threaten to spiral out of control. This book is a character lead novel,for sure, although the story/plot itself would still be good even without such well written characters the fact the characters are so well developed is a added bonus. Both Declan's and James's lives are in trouble but maybe a chance meeting will give them both an opportunity to inspire each other to greatness.....The story itself is well told and is full of Bridges' trademark wit and humour. I enjoyed the fact that, despite some of the language, it was a subtle story of one young man's search for himself in a place where he does not fit in with the crowd. There is no sensationalism or glorification of drugs, crime or violence in the way that some portray in Glasgow in film, TV and novels and there are some excellent characters in the book who act as true friends to Declan. New Kevin Bridges DVD sells 40,000 copies in one week since its launch". Daily Record. 2 December 2015 . Retrieved 7 December 2018.



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