If you are unfamiliar with the enormous talent of Tommy Steele, you should take a moment and listen to this beauty of a song, A Handful of Songs, here. Isn't that just candy for your ears?! I myself discovered him through Walt Disney's The Happiest Millionaire, a fine movie if I do say so myself! 'Let's Have a Drink On It', anyone?
Tommy's autobiography tells all about his life, starting from his humble beginnings as little Thomas Hicks, son of Darbo and Betty Hicks of Bermondsey, London, up to the day when he decided that he would no longer... Well, I won't spoil it for you! When the book ended, I wanted more! I bet Tommy could add the rest of his life to what he's already got here and sell it as a new edition. It very well may be the size of the Bible, but I'd be thoroughly overjoyed to read it!
Tommy's command of the English language is captivating, amusing, and very charming. I felt like I was reading a fictional adventure novel at times, particularly when he recounted his tales from his time as a cabin boy. And I simply loved how he managed to slip in some of his song lyrics and movie quotes in a very "blink and you'll miss it" way. (I found "doom and gloom" from Finian's Rainbow, "happy happenstances" from The Happiest Millionaire, "water, water everywhere" from his song 'Water, Water', but there may be more!) I also relate very strongly to his ambitions, dreams, and the difficulties that he faced. Tommy knew he wanted to be a performer ever since childhood, just like me! But of course, his parents wanted a nice stable job for their son, just as my own parents want for me. It is indeed a very head-scratchy situation when a young adult whose heart is set on the stage is confronted with the question: what do you want to be? I'm currently going through that very predicament myself! Hopefully something will fall into my lap as it did for Tommy. It's nice knowing that he went through the same thing.
I cannot recommend this book enough! I ordered my copy, a hardcover copy, mind you, on Amazon for less than $5, and that's with shipping included! But I wouldn't have minded spending $30 on this brilliant piece of literature. It's that good. Even if you, at the present, have little to no idea who Tommy Steele is, it's fine. I would still highly recommend this book to you. I'll bet he'll "Steele" your heart too!
After reading about Tommy's life in such detail, it's almost shocking that he is such a jovial soul; he truly is a beautiful person. And what's more, I cannot think of a better person to sing 'Fortuosity'. Tommy seemed to fall into a plethora of "fortuitious little happy happenstances"!
I give "Tommy Steele: Bermondsey Boy" 10 out of 10 stars! Go on and grab yourself a copy, mate!
And remember: do your best and leave the rest to fortuosity!
xxx
Amanda
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