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Britain’s No. 1 Art Forger Max Brandrett

By: Anthony Valentine, Max Brandrett
Narrated by: Charles Robert Fox
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Summary

Max the Forger is an artist and gentleman whose colorful lifestyle has spanned over 70 years. He has lived under the strict regime of Barnardo’s children’s homes, been an elephant handler in the circus, lived rough, busked his way from Brighton to Bombay, sold his fakes up and down the country, dined with dukes, socialized with celebrities, associated with gangsters, served time in prison, and donated tens of thousands to charity. And through it all, he never stopped smiling and loving life - and missing his mum.

“Mister Brandrett, I do not see you as a malicious criminal,” sighed the judge, “but why-oh-why do you continue to use your God-given talent in this way?”

“I just can’t help myself, Your Honor. It’s like an addiction.” I grinned.

©2022 Gadfly Press (P)2022 Gadfly Press
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Critic reviews

“A picturesque journey! Even the Kray twins commissioned Max for a portrait of their mother!” (Shaun Attwood, true crime YouTuber and author)

What listeners say about Britain’s No. 1 Art Forger Max Brandrett

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Fantastic Listen

Told in the first person this true story about the life of Max Brandrett is a fascinating and entertaining read, from being taken to a Barnados home as a six year old from which he managed "The Great Escape" it tells of his life as a circus elephant trainer, art forger and so much more. His love of his mother who sent him away along with his brother is obvious throughout the book. A well written truly memorable story. The narration is superb, Charles Robert Fox sounds so natural as he reads the book, his voices for each character really brings the whole thing to life. Highly Recommended listen.
I was kindly given a promo copy of the book by the author and leave this honest review totally voluntarily.

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Largely two dimensional life story.

This was an interesting and easy listen, with lots of amusing anecdotes, but the recurring theme of women he fancied and slept with over the decades got a bit tiresome. The other main theme, of course, was art forgery, which I found much more fascinating.

The complete lack of dates (not even years, let alone months) and the constant jumping from one scenario to another without warning was irritating too.

Overall, definitely worth a listen, but the story could have been written better.

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The life of a cheeky faker

This was an outstanding book! I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Max has had one heck of a ride,from being a child with no shoes,to orphanages,foster homes and military school to ritzy galas with popular folk.All is told in cheeky prose. Narration by Charles Robert Fox was nearly perfect.A break between chapters would have been helpful.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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