Easily Distracted

The autobiography of one of Britain's favourite actors. Born and raised in Manchester in the sixties, Steve Coogan was the fourth of seven children. It was soon noticed that he had a talent for impersonations, and, after numerous failed applications to London based drama schools, he gained a place at the Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre. His career as a comedian and impressionist began in the 1980s, working as a voice artist on the satirical puppet show Spitting Image and in 1992 he won the Perrier Award for his show at which he launched his character Paul Calf. But it was working with Chris Morris, Patrick Marber and Armando Iannucci for On the Hour and The Day Today, where Steve created his most popular and most developed character, the one and only, Alan Partridge. Two television series, a mockumentary, two one-off specials, and seven BAFTA nominations later, Alan hit the big screen, opening at number one at the British box office with Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. In addition to his acting career, Steve set up Baby Cow Productions in 2002 with Henry Normal producing several award winning programmes including Marion and Geoff, The Mighty Boosh, Gavin and Stacey, Sensitive Skin and Cruise of the Gods. And last year he was recognised by the Oscars for his outstanding work on Philomena. In his touching and funny memoir, Steve shares the highs and lows of his journey through three decades in the entertainment industry. From Manchester to Norwich and beyond, with a few bumps along the way: this is Steve Coogan, in his own words.

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Nonfiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.