This Time Next Year, A Life of Positive Thinking by David Jason

BOOK REVIEW

Anyone would be delighted to find this biography in their Christmas stocking and although it is a Brit classic, the comedy of David Jason transcends all cultures and countries.

Discover this new, inspirational autobiography from the Only Fools and Horses star and English national treasure.

I love Jason’s books and this is his fifth, with a perfect title.

It is an absolute hoot; his journey has been just as chaotic as a drive in Del Boy’s three-wheeler car and still lovely jubbly.

This time next year we’ll be millionaires is so iconic to the Only Fools and Horses character, Derek Trotter.

Such a dream was almost unimaginable for Jason, growing up in a working-class family in North Finchley surrounded by the rubble of the Blitz.

Throughout his remarkable career, Jason’s north star for navigating life’s challenges has been his positive outlook and his absolute resilience.

Progressing from being a trainee electrician to a reputable and respected actor, Jason’s bumpy journey to success has overcome obstacle after obstacle.

Candidly revealing the ups, the downs, and the roundabout turns of his life and struggles, Jason’s latest volume of memoirs is an uplifting, entertaining and inspirational book offering an essential and unvarnished primer to leading a good life.

With his characteristic warmth and humour, Jason reveals the hard-won wisdom of a life doggedly led getting through one day, looking to the next and always chasing what’s new on the horizon.

During the early days of his career, Jason faced an inconceivable number of setbacks – being ditched by the Monty Python boys, axed by Dad’s Army and having his dream of cracking Hollywood scuppered by Jim Broadbent and Michael Caine.

However, Sir David Jason is without doubt one of England’s best loved actors.

The book begins by following up on Jason’s hip replacement … and the reality of ageing hits him rapidly … but the theme throughout is that he feels immensely lucky in life.

Julie Chessman