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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
I've always loved Stephen Fry's writing and acting and thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of his early life. It gives a real glimpse into the whole British school boy boarding school experience.
Fry uses words so well and knows how to tell a story. This autobiography is linear in that it goes through the events of his school life, but then he also goes off on tangents that reveal more about who Stephen Fry is and the kind of world that he grew up in. I love this kind of meandery story telling.
This is a well written memoir that I raced through because I could hardly put it down. I can hardly wait to read the next one.
Fry uses words so well and knows how to tell a story. This autobiography is linear in that it goes through the events of his school life, but then he also goes off on tangents that reveal more about who Stephen Fry is and the kind of world that he grew up in. I love this kind of meandery story telling.
This is a well written memoir that I raced through because I could hardly put it down. I can hardly wait to read the next one.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This is almost certainly the most British book I have ever read, involving boarding schools and boyhood pranks. I knew very little about Stephen Fry before, so I enjoyed his stories about growing up which exposed both his flaws and strengths.
Intresting book in parts, when reading it, you could almost hear Stephen talking to you.
Sadly, he would occasionally drift off on a tangent, which at times made me get a bit annoyed.
A ok book, not as great as I had hoped it would be.
Sadly, he would occasionally drift off on a tangent, which at times made me get a bit annoyed.
A ok book, not as great as I had hoped it would be.
2.4 stars
I've enjoyed Fry's work, so I thought I'd try his memoir. Child, teen, and young adult Fry isn't so enjoyable, though. The writing didn't appeal, and much of it involved him failing to apologize properly for mistakes he made, or complaining about unrequited love.
As others loved this book, I'll put it down as 'not for me.'
I've enjoyed Fry's work, so I thought I'd try his memoir. Child, teen, and young adult Fry isn't so enjoyable, though. The writing didn't appeal, and much of it involved him failing to apologize properly for mistakes he made, or complaining about unrequited love.
As others loved this book, I'll put it down as 'not for me.'
Fascinating man. Very verbose and sometimes difficult to follow but the book reads as sincere. His pain is tangible. I almost felt like I was peeping into his life.
While this book is probably not for everyone, I loved it. Stephen Fry's command of the English language is just a treat for this former English major.
Most startlingly, and perhaps what made it so hard for me to put this book down, is Fry's absolute personal honesty. With our Oprah-esque culture and it's "but it wasn't my fault" mantra, it was astounding to read about a man who had a very "troubled youth" as we would say, and is brutally honest about his choices, his feelings, and his responsibility for all his actions. No excuses, no justifications, just honesty. Probably the only truly honest autobiography I have ever read.
Most startlingly, and perhaps what made it so hard for me to put this book down, is Fry's absolute personal honesty. With our Oprah-esque culture and it's "but it wasn't my fault" mantra, it was astounding to read about a man who had a very "troubled youth" as we would say, and is brutally honest about his choices, his feelings, and his responsibility for all his actions. No excuses, no justifications, just honesty. Probably the only truly honest autobiography I have ever read.