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Making It
- How Love, Kindness and Community Helped Me Repair My Life
- Narrated by: Damian Lynch
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
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Summary
The Sunday Times bestseller, Making It is an inspirational memoir about beating the odds and turning things around even when it all seems hopeless, by Jay Blades, the beloved star of hit BBC One show The Repair Shop.
We had our hardships, and there were times that we didn’t have a lot of food and didn’t have a lot of money. But that didn’t stop me having the time of my life.
In his audiobook, Jay shares the details of his life, from his childhood growing up sheltered and innocent on a council estate in Hackney, to his adolescence when he was introduced to violent racism at secondary school, to being brutalized by police as a teen, to finally becoming the presenter of the hit primetime show The Repair Shop.
Jay reflects on strength, weakness and what it means to be a man. He questions the boundaries society places on male vulnerability and how letting himself be nurtured helped him flourish into the person he is today. An expert at giving a second life to cherished items, Jay’s positivity, pragmatism and kindness shine through these pages and show that with care and love, anything can be mended.
Critic reviews
"Lynch dramatically conveys the diverse cultures, personalities and accents of Blades's world, and recounts how he coped with dyslexia and learned to 'upcycle' - repair items from a dump for resale - then taught homeless kids this marketable skill. Most memorable is Lynch's delivery of Blades's honesty, self-deprecating humour and can-do motto: If something's broken (including life), you can always find a way to put it together." (AudioFile)
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- Platinum Luv
- 14-05-21
Fantastic life story, very well read
This is a really interesting autobiography; kept me gripped to the end. Great choice of narrator brought the story to life. Fantastic!
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9 people found this helpful
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- Janet whyte
- 16-05-21
JUST AMAZING 🙌🙌
If you only get to listen to one audiobook make it this one.
It was amazing and Jay as an inspiration.
Read so we'll had me gripped from start to finish.
Just shows you how you can do anything in life no matter where you come from or what circumstances.
Jay is simply a legend.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Georgie
- 15-05-21
Phenomenal
Ground breaking bio, a relatable story written by an outstanding human being with so much love to give. Jay blades deserves an award for his stoicism and his resilience towards life's challenges.. Every family should have a copy on their bookshelf..
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6 people found this helpful
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- lyndelou
- 16-05-21
a very good read, had me rivetted to the end.
i was rivetted listening to the narrator, i think it was brilliantly read and the different accents used were authentic. i felt so sad that as a child Jay faced such racism and hatred by bigots. He has been very honest in this book and i liked his unique way of communicating with the boy in the children's home and gaining respect from the troubled youths. although its not a conventional method. i was sad when it came to the end of the story. its a story of twists and turns and Jay has come through this as a shining star. i think he has much more to do with helping disaffected young people. being able to build trusting relationships with them is not something that just anyone can do.
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4 people found this helpful
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- bloved
- 18-05-21
Absolutely brilliant
I loved it from the first few utterance. I thought it was Jay talking. Damian Lynch narrated brilliantly. I cried and laughed so much. Jay gives hope to the underdog, the unheard, the lost and the marginalised. I want to give this book to everyone. Jay is such a realist. I believe so many will identify with his life experiences. I simply couldn't put it down. Jay has lived a thousand lives, and it has made him the great man that he is today. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 14-05-21
Great read
Thank you Jay
I really enjoyed reading this book and felt it was honest and brave. Would love to see you on SCD though . Lol x
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2 people found this helpful
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- Dawn
- 25-09-21
Well done Jay Blades for telling your story
We dine Jay Blades for telling your harrowing story of rasicism that could have destroyed you. despite this you have compassion and strength and became a likeable strong character who has managed dispite emotional wounds to stay on top. also to recognise the strength of love even when it's not from blood relatives.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Ring Commander Bear (HnD)
- 27-03-24
A great listen
Excellent, Jay comes across on TV as a top bloke and this book confirms that. From his tough days as a kid and his mental health issues later in life it's amazing what he has achieved both professionally and personally. This book has everything, it's an eye opener, especially if you're had it easy in life ( which in comparison to Jay I most definitely have) . Enough of this rambling, just give it a listen!
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- Alexis P.
- 15-02-24
he kept going.... what a guy, great listen.
great listen, from a tough start he has really turned it around. Maws centre is great.
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- Anonymous User
- 03-01-24
Jays life
It gives meaning to life itself, the struggles jay had as a child and how he has overcome them to become the man he is today, a strong man who is not scared to show emotion, constantly wanting to help others too. Brilliant true story I loved it
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