Welcome back to Books With Cause. Let’s dive into my latest review. I Love the Bones of You by Christopher Eccleston.
Being born in the year 1989 (hey, that would be a good title for an album or something), I was barely three months old when the final episode aired of the original run of Doctor Who. Naturally, I was too young to remember it. From that point on, I grew up with little knowledge that there was essentially a void in British culture. Doctor Who became this thing that I was vaguely aware of. The 1996 movie passed me by, but ever so often I would happen upon a Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker repeat on television. But still I didn’t know what it really was. I only knew that multiple actors had played the Doctor in the same way that numerous men had played James Bond, too.
That all changed in 2005 when the classic sci-fi show returned to television screens on a Saturday night in a revamped series. Of course, that also meant a new man stepping into the famous role of the mysterious man known only as the Doctor. Christopher Eccleston donned a battered black leather jacket and effortlessly made the role his own. With that cheeky smile and northern accent, Eccleston’s Doctor immediately captured my imagination. He and Billie Piper made for the perfect team, travelling space and time in the blue box that was bigger on the inside. Those thirteen weeks only began my obsession with the show.
Of course, it was all over much too soon. I think it was before the second episode was even broadcast that it was announced Eccleston would be leaving the role. I didn’t get it. Why would he go so soon? While it didn’t completely ruin my enjoyment of the show, I did watch the rest of that series with an undercurrent of sadness knowing that this version’s days as the Doctor were numbered. But, then again, change is a major part of Doctor Who. It wasn’t the first time the Doctor changed, and it wouldn’t be the last. The regenerations are part of the lore of the show.
While I also loved David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Peter Capaldi, there has always been a part of me who continues to imagine what it would’ve been like if Eccleston had made another couple of seasons in the role. Even if those don’t exist outside of my own imagination, there are plenty of other Eccleston roles, and there was a period of time when I collected the DVDs. Jude, The Invisible Circus, Shallow Grave, 28 Days Later, and Let Him Have It, to name a few. Eccleston quickly became one of my favourite actors to the point I’ve watched nearly everything he’s ever made. And his autobiography was something that I knew I had to read.
Much of this book covers Eccleston’s relationship with his father, Ronnie, who suffered from dementia for the last chunk of his life. Ronnie was also a man who was brought up in a time when it wasn’t the thing for men to show their emotions. Despite that, it’s clear that Ronnie loved his son and was always in his son’s corner when Christopher expressed his desire to be an actor. While some parents may have told their children not to be so silly and chase a pipedream, Ronnie was encouraging and even gave his son the money for his application fee. It’s clear the two shared a strong bond, even if Christopher didn’t always understand his father. And when the dementia really took hold, it led to Ronnie not even recognising his own son and casting him out on Christmas Day. All these things, which must have made it all the harder to deal with Ronnie’s eventual death in 2012
In this book, Eccleston also covers a period when he went to rehab to be treated for clinical depression. This was something I never knew, until I read the book, but I suppose it wasn’t covered in the news at the time. I don’t think there’s a clearer example of the difference between the generations of Ronnie and Christopher. When Christopher doesn’t shy away from tackling the darkest days of his life head-on, warts and all. The fact that this book was even written tells that he did get his life back on track. Both as an actor and as a loving father to his children, Albert and Esme.
He covers many of his roles in a great deal of detail. From his time working with Jimmy McGovern on Cracker, Hillsborough, and Hearts and Minds. He talks about his time making Our Friends in the North, which not only launched his career but also featured a pre-Bond Daniel Craig. His time as the Ninth Doctor does get mentioned, including why he wanted the role in the first place. This might be the only section in the book where I’d have liked more detail. But maybe that’s just me. I would love to know what really happened between Eccleston and Russell T Davies.
This wasn’t the easiest of reads sometimes. But I do feel it’s one of the most important books I’ve read this year. I started the book already admiring Eccleston, and that was a feeling that only increased on my journey through these pages. Maybe it’s because I’ve had my share of mental health issues and I’ve also had a difficult relationship with my father. There are periods in this book where Eccleston sounded like he needed a hug.
The magic that books have sometimes goes under the radar. But after reading this book, I feel closer to Eccleston than I ever have. I was always an admirer of the actor, but I felt like I got to know the man as well. I feel like I owe him for the joy his work has brought me over the years. I don’t know if he drinks, but if so, I’d love to buy him a pint and thank him in person.
My Goodreads Review: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
