The Lick of Love, Julian Clary
The Lick of Love, Julian Clary
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The Lick of Love
How dogs changed my life

Author: Julian Clary

Narrator: Julian Clary

Unabridged: 7 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Quercus

Published: 10/14/2021


Synopsis

From one of Britain's best-loved comedians comes this wonderfully funny, sharp and touching memoir and a celebration of the bond between man and dog - an autobidography, if you will.

'I loved The Lick of Love. It's often insightful, sometimes hilarious, frequently filthy - I'm a cat person, but if anything were ever to convince me to get a dog, it would be this.' Joanne Harris

'. . . wise and perceptive, and funny and moving. Each dog you meet marks a different chapter of your life and Julian writes about it so BEAUTIFULLY' Joanna Cannon

The Lick of Love takes us on a tour of Julian's colourful life - and wherever life has taken him, Julian has had a dog by his side. Fanny the Wonder Dog, who came into Julian's life when he was somewhat adrift, propelled him up the ranks of the alternative comedy circuit and onto television. Valerie, the whippet cross-breed escorted Julian through his forties, the Germaine Greer to his Bernard Manning. Albert, a jaunty geezer type who was sent to acclimatise Julian to middle age and helped him seduce his now husband, before being joined by naughty but nice Gigi, an unpredictable fur bullet of a dog. These canine characters have been there, bearing witness, on and off stage.

Whether writing about encounters in seedy London nightclubs, finding success on television with Sticky Moments, the death of his partner, that Normant Lamont joke, a narrow squeak with a thwarted eastern European plot to kidnap him, his move to the country, or finally settling down, falling in love and getting married, Julian's unique voice bounces off the page. Ultimately, The Lick of Love is the story of a fascinating life and a love letter to the dogs that have played a loving and near constant part of it. Told with humour and great honesty, this promises to be one of the best memoirs of the year.

'Whatever else is going on, it is the water bowl in the kitchen, the dog hair on my jumper, the knowing gaze from the dog in the basket beside me that comforts me and tells me that all is well.' JC

(P)2021 Quercus Editions Limited

About Julian Clary

Julian Clary is a comedian, entertainer and writer, who has toured the world with his one-man shows.He began working on the cabaret circuit in the early 1980s as 'The Joan Collins Fan Club' and then went on to appear in numerous TV shows as well as starring in a number of West End productions and the London Palladium Pantos. As an author, Julian has published several books, including his Sunday Times bestselling memoir A Young Man's Passage, three novels and his children's series The Bolds.Julian has recently been presented with the LGBT Out and Proud award and the 2018 Attitude award for comedy. He lives in London with his husband and their two dogs, Albert and Gigi.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Stephen

easy going read about how dogs helped/changed him during this career from an unemployed student to being the joan collins fan club to covid days......more

Goodreads review by Sophy

Well I bloody love this! What's not to like? Julian Clary who makes me cackle like a demented goose, talking about his love for his dogs, win win!! I've always been a fan of the camp queen and Clary is no exception. I love his writing with his acerbic humour, wit and smut. It is right up my street.......more

Goodreads review by Simon

Just as brilliant as A Young Man's Passage which I think is one of the best autobiographies I've ever read. I agree with Clary when he says that dogs are mindfulness on four legs. I've just learnt that there is an audiobook version of this tome read by Clary himself. I need this in my life.......more

Goodreads review by Louise

This charming book by comedian, author, dog-lover, actor, entertainer, and self-styled renowned homosexual Julian Clary, is not only a gentle piece of autobiography, but also a love-letter to all the dogs that have ever shared Julian's life and glared witheringly at the less than worthy men in it. Cl......more


Quotes

I loved The Lick of Love. It's often insightful, sometimes hilarious, frequently filthy - I'm a cat person, but if anything were ever to convince me to get a dog, it would be this Joanne Harris

I felt the Licks of Love on every page... It's quite simply an uplifting read, with bits of drama and tears thrown in Dana Gillespie

. . . wise and perceptive, and funny and moving. Each dog you meet marks a different chapter of your life and Julian writes about it so BEAUTIFULLY Joanna Cannon

Clary does write so beautifully about his dogs. He describes Albert as "compact and muscular, with short legs that turn outwards like the balletic supports of a Queen Anne footstool" The Times

Those of us of a certain age remember Fanny the Wonder Dog, but the caustic comic brings his other canine companions vividly to life too Telegraph