Never a Normal Man: An Autobiography

The highly praised and richly anecdotal autobiography of one of the great Soho characters of the 1950s and 1960s, whose varied life has included spells as a pioneering TV producer/reporter/personality, film-maker, photographer, writer, biographer, East End pub-owner, travel writer and art critic.

Christopher Silvester, Sunday Times: ‘However dizzying the effect of dipping into this cornucopia of experience, there is a satisfying spine to Farson’s book, namely his struggle to come to terms with his own character. The text is spiced with self-analytical aperçus… His capacity for observing celebrities and ribald gossip is matched by an exquisite lyricism when he turns to nature and ordinary folk… Sharp, funny, heart-warming, freighted with cheery self-optimism — it is everything an autobiography should be. It makes you want to give the author a hug.’

Harry Ritchie, Financial Times: ‘An extraordinary career, an intriguing and eventful life, and a well-written and enthralling book.’

Peter Lewis, Daily Mail: ‘He never fails to be intoxicatingly good company…insightful, funny, hugely enjoyable… How Chekhov would have loved him.’

George Melly, Daily Telegraph: ‘Brilliant evocations of the famous, the infamous and the obscure…a fine, courageous book.’