The Bedside Milligan

The Milliside Bedman

The Sideigan Millibed

The Millside Bedagain

The Milligad Bedsign

Review from the DooYoo website

darn it - there goes my breakfast!

first published in 1969, this book is stuffed full of poems, letters and sketches. some are downright silly, some just amusing, and some would certainly make you drop your bacon buttie should you happen to be eating one at the time! however, there are also several poignant and thought-provoking pieces in this collection, which is well worth dipping into.

the style is pure milligan - it couldn't be anyone else except perhaps edward lear, at a push, or maybe john lennon. the poems are hugely assorted - some short, some long, some rhyming, some not! littered with sketches that are very funny, often off-the-wall, reproduced originals in Spike's own hand. Indeed some of the poems are published as originally written, in sprawling handwriting complete with crossings-out. Of the letters, some are purely farcical - often beginning - Austen-like - 'Dear Reader' before going on to tell of some crazy disease called Green Bonk, or of the invention of a Leaping Stone which will force people to (you guessed it) leap! Others appear to be real letters written in response to student rag-mag's requests for articles.

Every part of this book will provoke a reaction from the reader, be it a laugh, a little tear, or something in between. The blurb on the back says it all:

'Whichever way you put it this book can be dipped into at any suitable interval and you may come out with an uproarious lump, a lump in the throat, or a thoughtful lump. Whichever it is it will be beneficial or so say the publishers from experience.'

~ EXAMPLES OF POEMS ~

SAMSON AND DELILAH

As he pushed the pillars apart
Samson was appalled
For just before the palace fell in
Delilah said 'He's bald!'.


CHRISTMAS MORNING

A little girl called Silé Javotte
Said 'Look at the lovely presents I've got'.
A little girl in Biafra said
'Oh! What a lovely slice of bread'.

Spike Milligan

My Dad got me into the literary genius of the man Milligan, and I have been a huge fan ever since. I have had a copy of this book for many years. It is usually within reach of the bed, but has occasionally migrated to the 'smallest room' - blame Mr Moomin for that! I'm sure it would have tickled Spike to know that his collection of ramblings is often at hand in our loo!

Spike Milligan is very much an aquired taste - I'm sure some people just don't see the funny side to his writings. But personally, like all Milligan's books, I recommend this wholeheartedly. Expect further reviews just as soon as I get round to reading some of the others again . . .