The Are You Being Served? Stories: 'Camping In' and Other Fiascoes [Paperback]

Jeremy Lloyd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

These hilarious stories by the creator of public television's longest-running hit series capture the wacky sensibility and off-the-wall humor of the British sitcom. With characters such as the cheerfully lecherous Mr. Lucas and the overbearing, ever-proper Mrs. Slocombe, readers revisit the Men's and Ladies' Wear Departments of Grace Brothers Department Store--where hopelessly politically incorrect repartee sets the stage for decades of viewership. 16 color photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Kqed Books; First Edition edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912333022
• ISBN-13: 978-0912333021
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,753,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The scripts of several episodes in story form., January 13, 2000

By 

Connie E. Fairchild (Midwest USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Are You Being Served? Stories: 'Camping In' and Other Fiascoes (Paperback)

I was very disappointed in this book, as I had expected the author would relate funny stories about things that happened during the filming of the AYBS series. Instead, it is merely the script set into "Mr. Lucas said...." form. If that is what you are looking for, then this is the book for you. The few pictures are the ones we've seen before in other books.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "Weak as Water", June 26, 2003

By 

mwreview "mwreview" (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Are You Being Served? Stories: 'Camping In' and Other Fiascoes (Paperback)

Besides an eleven-page introduction ("AYBS? Then and Now") and two pages on "The Birth of AYBS?," this book only contains scripts in story form from seven early episodes of the long-running Brit comedy. The stories include: "Camping In," "Up Captain Peacock," "Wedding Bells," "His and Hers," "Coffee Break," "The Hand of Fate," and "The Clock." There is also two sets of full color photos from the episodes. Some of the screen shots are not even from the episodes in this book as a couple of the photos have Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Harman whereas the stories have Mr. Grainger and Mr. Mash. There is nothing new or exciting for the fan who already has a few books about the show. If you want to curl up and read these episodes as stories, this is the book for you. I, however, would rather pop in the video.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Fans Only, May 3, 2005

By 

Shawn P. Cooke (East Northport, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Are You Being Served? Stories: 'Camping In' and Other Fiascoes (Paperback)

This book is not a good introduction to Grace Brothers for the uninitiated. I enjoyed the stories very much, but I had long ago memorized every episode of the BBC series on which they were based. The stories differed in dialogue and small plot points with the episodes on which they were based, and it was those differences that kept me reading.

Are You Being Served was genius because of its writing and the talents of the actors and actresses. In the written medium, only the former comes through, and without the timing of actors' execution, it seems a little wooden. Still, if you can supply their voices in your head, you'll probably enjoy it.