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  • Rising to the Surface

  • By: Lenny Henry
  • Narrated by: Lenny Henry
  • Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (154 ratings)

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Rising to the Surface

By: Lenny Henry
Narrated by: Lenny Henry
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Summary

Rising to the Surface traces Lenny Henry's career through the '80s and '90s. The 16-year-old who won a talent competition now has to navigate his way through the seas of professional comedy, learning his craft through sheer graft and hard work.

We follow Lenny through a period of great creativity—prize-winning TV programmes, summer seasons across Britain, the starring role in a Hollywood film, stand-up gigs in New York and a gala wedding to Dawn French. But with each rise, there is a fall, the most traumatic being the death of his mother. But by the end of the book, he has been able to rise through a sea of troubles and breaks out to the surface to accept the Golden Rose of Montreaux for his work in television.

©2022 Lenny Henry (P)2022 Faber Audio
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What listeners say about Rising to the Surface

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A great listen!

Loved listening to Lenny. There is something familiar about hearing his voice which is reminiscent of my childhood. Very interesting to hear about his life.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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BRILLIANT, HONEST, FUNNY AND SAD

LOVED IT, ANOTHER LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF A FUNNY MAN. HIS HONEST AND OPEN TELLING OF HIS UPS, DOWNS, JOYS AND SADNESS. REALLY ENJOYED WHO AM I, ENJOYED THIS. LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT INSTALLMENT.

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So honest and moving

This is a very clear and detailed account of many Henry's work in 80s, 90s and the naughties. It is so well performed as you expect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Totally absorbing

Having grown up with Mr Henry and having parents from Wolverhampton always feel there is a little connection . Having listened to the first book I could not wait for this one and it didn’t disappoint.
Absolute respect to Lenny Henry on many many levels .

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Brilliantly written book

As someone who grew up local to Lenny I can relate to many of the areas he illustrates. Bostin book Lenny !

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Lenny

Lenny and his voices are superb even better than the first book but carries on Lenny’s story. It’s so well written and read I feel like Lenny is my best mate and he’s around in my home sitting on my sofa telling me his story.
Thanks Lenny

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loved it

a great insight into one of my favourite comedians. I remember much of the early stuff, not sure it be so interesting to younger people. brilliantly read, with all the great accents too xx

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Can’t wait for the 3rd book

Really beautiful book, frank and written from the heart. Lenny has been in my life since I was little, reading Rising to the Surface reminded me of watching Three of a kind and Tiswas in front of the fire in my parent’s home and belly laughing, and learning about how tough and toxic it was behind the scenes.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A brilliant insight of another celebrity

I've always loved Lenny's humour and it was so nice to hear the real Lenny's life with it's ups and downs. Sometimes we forget celebrities are just people, with the same feeling we have. I will certainly listen to his other book and thank you Lenny for making us laugh throughout the years.

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1 person found this helpful

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lenny is his own story.

Good book, great read , good story, waiting for the next one........^rt rt rt the first

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