Stewart Lee shared his “favourite book”, which will leave some surprised, as it is not an instantly recognisable title. The stand-up comic, best known for his deadpan delivery, opened up on his love of Arthur Machen’s 1924 non-novel, The London Adventure. Alternatively titled The Art of Wandering, the absurd work is 96 years old but has a special place in the 52-year-old’s heart. He shared on his website: “The haughty writer-narrator, newly bound by the responsibility of fatherhood, must now write for money rather than art, ‘a prostitution of the soul compared with which the prostitution of the body is a little thing’.”
Lee explained how he related to Machen’s work. He felt compelled to “write for money” during the coronavirus lockdown, when he regularly posted on his website as many venues were closed to prevent the spread of disease.
He also shared how he “refused to participate in the daily outdoor exercise hour” in protest against the Brexiters and their “incompetence”.
Lee’s views are famously liberal, and his onstage delivery frequently alternates between that of an outspoken left-wing hero and that of a depressed failure and champagne socialist.
He has often criticised audiences for not being intelligent enough to understand his jokes, saying they would prefer more simplistic material, or enjoy the work of more mainstream “arena” comedians such as Michael McIntyre or Lee Mack.
After accepting an honorary fellowship from St Edmund Hall, Oxford, Lee gave a lecture to aspiring writers in which he accused popular stand-up comedians for using writers who were not credited.
The comedian is currently appearing in Stewart Lee vs. The Man-Wulf at the Southbank Centre, where he shares the stage with a “tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of the subconscious who hates humanity”.
The show’s reviews have been mixed thus far, with BBC typing: “If this is supposed to be a ‘Comedy Vehicle,’ someone had better call the RAC to get it started.”
While Digiguide said, “This has to be the most unfunny stand-up I’ve ever seen. I’ve not laughed, smirked or grinned once at Lee’s quips. What an absolute waste of time. 0/10.”
The Telegraph remarked: “Lee makes Kim Jong Un look comparatively relaxed. Maybe it’s time to lighten up a little?”