When We Were Young - Rated 
`Grow Up' is the title of Keith Allen's accomplished and well written autobiography. It takes us from Keith's childhood as a navy child in Portsmouth and his first experience as a performer, as a dare on the bridge over a steam train.
Keith then takes us to Malta, through borstal and into squatting. He tells us how he created alternative comedy at the Comedy Store and how he revitalised British Theatre and Film. Strangely enough Rik Mayall made the self same claims in `Bigger than Hitler, Better than Christ' but for laughs, here Keith makes the claims in earnest and yet still comes across as very likable.
In the introduction Keith's challenges' us to decide if he ever has grown up and considering his name dropping is limited to his shameless bragging about the actresses he's slept with and the actors he's taken drugs with then I would have to concede that it is possibly a line he cannot cross as when confronted with a line his reaction is to snort it. It's not big, it's not clever, it is however very, very entertaining.
Grown Up????? - Rated
To answer Keith Allens initial question as to whether or not he has grown up. I would say definitely not, but why should he?? He has lived his life has he wants to but has made many, many mistakes along the way. Some of them cringe worthy!
His 'live for the moment attitude' can be inspiring, but the flip side of that is his lack of responsibilty and regard for other people, that brings you back down to earth.
Overall though it was a fantastic read and very funny. His saving grace is his honesty and frankness that makes him a likeable character despite his unlikeable qualities.
LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM? - Rated
THE FIRST 100 PAGES ARE A BIT BORING WHEN THE BOOK GETS GOING IT IS VERY GOOD
A classic in progress.... - Rated 
It is entirely possible that Keith Allen is not always 100% honest in this tome, but if that's the case, I'm happy to let him off the hook. One thing's for sure: he's always 100% direct, which leads to a "tell it like it is/was" and you get the basics of his life, and much more, here. This is life in reality and with too many questions to ask...
In "Grow Up", Allen achieves an honest and open expression to his public readership and fan base; something they will love.
His delicious memoirs in "Grow Up" stop at a point in time, intentionally - and he makes his case within the tome, suggesting more later.
All I can say is "bring it on"!
Grown Up? - Rated
A wonderfully witty read as one would expect from the funny and often dangerous Keith Allen.
Honest and warts and all, Keith describes his life with panache, refusing to ignore his bad boy antics (of which there are many...many many many) and offering no real excuse only the basic self knowledge that deep down he believes himself to be good.
I can understand however, that by not explaining or apologising too much, Keith's candid tale may alienate some, but as the man himself kind of says, you either like him or you dont, so the opinion isnt likely to be changed. With Keith Allen, you get the feeling the important thing is to let people be. All in all not a bad philosophy.
The great thing about this book is you get a real feeling that it is his words, its as if he is having a one to one with you the reader and that is a special trick with good writing. To me, he certainly has a possible secondary career as a writer from this, well apart from actor, enfant terrible and Lily's dad.
The one complaint is that some things just arent touched upon. For example, Keith has carved a very good reputation for straight acting in recent years, yet there is no mention of serials such as 'Jack Of Hearts', 'Bodies' or 'Robin Hood' Nor is there mention of his newfound love and his new child; or his daughter's success. You get the feeling this book was written a while back and has finally been snapped up to cash in.
Still, a great laugh out loud read....Grown Up? You decide
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