After a long and painful Christmas shopping expedition, Robert Llewellyn had a revelation. He had enough stuff; he'd had enough of rampant consumerism; he would simply stop shopping for a whole year. "Sold Out" follows the highs and lows of a former hippie drop-out who morphed into a wealthy Western male as he attempts to disengage once more from a consumer-driven society. Challenging, thought-provoking and funny, this book proves that it doesn't have to be embarrassing to darn socks in the 21st century.
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About the Author
Robert Llewellyn, host of the Channel 4 series Scrapheap Challenge and star of the cult TV series Red Dwarf, has also worked as a screen-writer, stand-up comic, on-line video guru and was once a maker of bespoke tassel loafers. He has written biographies, screenplays and four novels.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Xrissy
Amazon Verified Purchase
The clue is on the back: in the section where they advise booksellers on categorisation it reads "Current Affairs", and arguably that is the most honest part of the cover.
If you're expecting an amusing diary of literally "how Robert survived a year of not shopping" you may be disappointed. This book is more a collection of short essays covering many modern maladies from guilt to global warming, with much in-between. There is little specifically about the year in question - the challenges, downfalls and effects on his family - it just provides the common thread for the many chapters.
However, the saving grace is Robert himself, who is painfully honest (his method for giving up smoking is not something I would likely write about) and warm throughout - despite the bleakness of the material he is covering.
This is not one of those "perfect present" books that come out en masse this time of year; it is something a little more thought provoking and a little more sincere - and for that I think Robert should be applauded.
If you're expecting an amusing diary of literally "how Robert survived a year of not shopping" you may be disappointed. This book is more a collection of short essays covering many modern maladies from guilt to global warming, with much in-between. There is little specifically about the year in question - the challenges, downfalls and effects on his family - it just provides the common thread for the many chapters.
However, the saving grace is Robert himself, who is painfully honest (his method for giving up smoking is not something I would likely write about) and warm throughout - despite the bleakness of the material he is covering.
This is not one of those "perfect present" books that come out en masse this time of year; it is something a little more thought provoking and a little more sincere - and for that I think Robert should be applauded.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Bad Bear
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is NOT an account of how Robert Llewellyn survived a year of not shopping. Did he select this title to associate his book with the current rash of "How I Lived a Year for Fifty Pence" type books, I wonder? It's actually a series of rants on various hot topics, some chapters being far more interesting than others. There is the occasional comment on how hard it is to go for a year without buying socks or the latest must-have electronic gadget, but that is as far as the tie-in to the title goes. I have to say that Mr Llewellyn has produced some enjoyable fiction books in the past, and by all means buy this one if you'd like to read his opinions on various issues, but don't expect shopping (or not shopping) to feature prominently.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
I picked this book up cheap on the second hand bookstall in the market and read it in a couple of days.
Echoing what others have said, this is NOT a book about the trials and tribulations of not shopping for a year,but a series of essays, personal opinions, naval gazing whines and moans (and moans and moans) about the state of the nation, the world, Jeremy Clarkson, Apple Macs, why women like to shop more than men etc etc.Some of the chapters (specifically the one on class and the one about grace) were very interesting but my goodness, Robert Llewellyn really knows how to moan. He whines about everything and anything and seems to have analysed himself and the world in which he lives into state of complete misery.He does rather come across as someone who has not managed to leave the sixth form common room behind. His saving grace is that he is only too aware that he is full of middle class guilt and shame. One does feel like telling him to have a few drinks, smoke a few fags and have a few laughs (and even buy a new pair of socks without worrying about the impact on both himself and the world), as he does seem like a nice bloke underneath all of the existential angst.
Having said that I have enjoyed reading the book and would recommend you buy it, especially if you see it going cheap on a second hall stall in the market.
Echoing what others have said, this is NOT a book about the trials and tribulations of not shopping for a year,but a series of essays, personal opinions, naval gazing whines and moans (and moans and moans) about the state of the nation, the world, Jeremy Clarkson, Apple Macs, why women like to shop more than men etc etc.Some of the chapters (specifically the one on class and the one about grace) were very interesting but my goodness, Robert Llewellyn really knows how to moan. He whines about everything and anything and seems to have analysed himself and the world in which he lives into state of complete misery.He does rather come across as someone who has not managed to leave the sixth form common room behind. His saving grace is that he is only too aware that he is full of middle class guilt and shame. One does feel like telling him to have a few drinks, smoke a few fags and have a few laughs (and even buy a new pair of socks without worrying about the impact on both himself and the world), as he does seem like a nice bloke underneath all of the existential angst.
Having said that I have enjoyed reading the book and would recommend you buy it, especially if you see it going cheap on a second hall stall in the market.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Misleading
I borrowed this book from my local library. I expected a vaguely amusing account of what it is like not to shop for a year. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ms. S. H. Nicholson
3.0 out of 5 stars
a good read but not what i expected
I bought this thinking i would get tips on how to make do and mend, problem solving and a bit of insight into life without buying anything new. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2010 by A. Charles
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helped me out
I have been living in my own home for just over a year now and as you might expect I have had to reduce my spending! Read more
Published on 10 July 2009 by Victoria Holloway
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, and thought provoking
This is a return to the literary arena for comedian/actor/presenter Robert Llewellyn, best known for his work on Red Dwarf and Scrapheap Challenge. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2008 by A. Marczak
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