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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed this book. Listened to audiobook which Lenny narrated himself. Much to relate to growing up in nearby area. Knowing he was friends with my Mom made it somewhat closer to home.
Lenny Henry is such a part of my childhood that it feels weird to think of him as an actual person who continues to put out work even now. I mostly imagine him on Tiswas throwing buckets of water at cages full of parents, or doing his stand-up routine, although I'm aware that he's working in a much more highbrow mode these days.
The view of showbiz life is interesting, since he was one of the last of the old school stand-ups, and wasn't really suited to the alternative comedy scene that grew up in the eighties. Too uncynical, I think. Not sneery enough. The light he sheds on race in the 70s and 80s is fascinating too, since he was probably the most beloved black entertainer at the time, and one of the biggest TV stars, but owing to the sort of racist heckles he would expect, he developed a way of heading them off by saying the things first, and would incorporate a lot of pre-emptive self-mockery. He even took it to the lengths of being in the Black and White Minstrel Show, which... Well, if you don't know what that is, Google it because you wouldn't believe me if I told you.
So in a sense, it's an ordinary showbiz biography, but he's reflecting from a distance, not writing in the first flush of fame, and as such, its more reflective. The social history gives it a bit of zip too, and I really enjoyed it!
The view of showbiz life is interesting, since he was one of the last of the old school stand-ups, and wasn't really suited to the alternative comedy scene that grew up in the eighties. Too uncynical, I think. Not sneery enough. The light he sheds on race in the 70s and 80s is fascinating too, since he was probably the most beloved black entertainer at the time, and one of the biggest TV stars, but owing to the sort of racist heckles he would expect, he developed a way of heading them off by saying the things first, and would incorporate a lot of pre-emptive self-mockery. He even took it to the lengths of being in the Black and White Minstrel Show, which... Well, if you don't know what that is, Google it because you wouldn't believe me if I told you.
So in a sense, it's an ordinary showbiz biography, but he's reflecting from a distance, not writing in the first flush of fame, and as such, its more reflective. The social history gives it a bit of zip too, and I really enjoyed it!
I picked this up after listening to Lenny on the Louis Theroux podcast "Grounded". I honestly may never have sought the book out, had I not. Enjoyable tales from his childhood & the beginning of his career. I look forward to the next instalment.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Before picking this book up, I didn't really know a whole lot about Lenny Henry. Obviously, he's a prominent figure in British culture, but I mostly just knew him as the guy from comic relief, a shrunken head from Harry Potter, and from the Premier Inn adverts. Despite this, Lenny Henry has always been a familiar face, and it was interesting learning more about him. I also find his voice very comforting, so I really liked the audiobook.
This book covers Lenny's life from his childhood to the early eighties. He talks about what it was like to grow up as the first British-born son to Jamaican immigrants, how he grew to love comedy, and how his career started. I liked that Lenny only focused on a specific period of time, it felt like he was really digging in to each milestone in his life and his career, rather than trying to cram a bunch of experiences into one memoir. It was very reflective, and I just felt like I was having a conversation with him about his early years.
He touched on some serious topics, like racism and how he has responded to it over the years, as well as grief; he doesn't linger too long on these topics but still shows how they clearly affected his life, and in many instances discusses them with his usual humour. The main theme that runs through this book is identity (which might be obvious from the title). Lenny talks about how he found his identity as a comedian as his career progressed. He talks about the people who shaped him, both professionally and personally. He discusses how his race influenced his work, as well as his success and how he felt about that.
I learned a lot about Lenny Henry from this book; I didn't realise he was so young when he started out, I had never heard of The Black and White Minstrel show, and it was nice to learn more about such a familiar face that I really didn't know much about.
I think this book would be quite useful for aspiring comedians, there's a whole section at the end full of advice and tips and tricks, it was really interesting learning about the craft and how much work people like Lenny put into their comedy.
This book covers Lenny's life from his childhood to the early eighties. He talks about what it was like to grow up as the first British-born son to Jamaican immigrants, how he grew to love comedy, and how his career started. I liked that Lenny only focused on a specific period of time, it felt like he was really digging in to each milestone in his life and his career, rather than trying to cram a bunch of experiences into one memoir. It was very reflective, and I just felt like I was having a conversation with him about his early years.
He touched on some serious topics, like racism and how he has responded to it over the years, as well as grief; he doesn't linger too long on these topics but still shows how they clearly affected his life, and in many instances discusses them with his usual humour. The main theme that runs through this book is identity (which might be obvious from the title). Lenny talks about how he found his identity as a comedian as his career progressed. He talks about the people who shaped him, both professionally and personally. He discusses how his race influenced his work, as well as his success and how he felt about that.
I learned a lot about Lenny Henry from this book; I didn't realise he was so young when he started out, I had never heard of The Black and White Minstrel show, and it was nice to learn more about such a familiar face that I really didn't know much about.
I think this book would be quite useful for aspiring comedians, there's a whole section at the end full of advice and tips and tricks, it was really interesting learning about the craft and how much work people like Lenny put into their comedy.
If you love Lenny Henry (as I do) then this is a great book for you. If you don't but want to learn about a specific time in England (the 60's and 70's) then it's pretty interesting. As an immigrant and a POC Henry has a very interesting perspective on the time. His discussions of casual racism, violence, ignorance, Jamaican culture, the comedy circuit, performance in general, etc. are all fascinating and told with great comic aplomb.
I listened to the Audiobook, which is read by LH himself, which makes it much more fun. But I am sure that the book on its own would be great as a read, letting you take a bit more time with it and be less caught in the funny voices.
I listened to the Audiobook, which is read by LH himself, which makes it much more fun. But I am sure that the book on its own would be great as a read, letting you take a bit more time with it and be less caught in the funny voices.
Great read, my only regret is we seem to end just when everything is going to kick off into the higher gear and go bigger.
Can't wait for the book about the next stage of his life.
Can't wait for the book about the next stage of his life.
This is a fascinating memoir, that seems to say as much implicitly in the way things are told, or through what‘s not said, as it does explicitly. Henry tells of growing up in 1960s Dudley, his early comedy experiences, New Faces, the Black & White Minstrels, Tiswas etc, interspersed with sections about people who influenced him and his career, photos and a few stories told in graphic form. I found it interesting that what must have been one of the most earth-shattering moments in his life is dealt with through the medium of the graphic, making it seem almost flippant, and yet it must surely have been a major influence in the constant feeling going through this book, from its very title - “Who am I?”. Or “who should I be for the people around me?”
A great read and listen, although I'd have liked it to focus on his mega-successful years among the alternative comics, the Dekbert Wilkins years and soforth. It's a great book, funny and sad (surely no white person of my age can listen to Henry's experiences on the Black and White Minstrels Show without wincing at the fact that this was mainstream and we didn't question it as kids) and brilliantly told. If you're looking to get into comedy then the list of tips at the end makes this book worth buying in its own right.
So, a terrific read - and the next one can't come fast enough.
So, a terrific read - and the next one can't come fast enough.
I'd really recommend the audiobook, if this biography interests you. Lenny narrates it, and he brings so much life to the narration.