Reviews

Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens by Eddie Izzard

theangrystackrat's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

catseye6773's review

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4.0

Get the audio book, there are so many extras

claretumber's review

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funny inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.75

mcddcm's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.25

aliciadenton's review against another edition

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funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.75

liketheday's review

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4.0

As weird and subtly hilarious as his standup. It's a great look at Izzard's life, onstage and off, from childhood on to the present day. Humor? Check. Sadness? Check. Social and political commentary? Check.

If you can, get the audiobook, which is probably at least 25% longer than the actual book with the addition of Izzard's mannerisms and many "extra footnotes". That's right, EXTRA footnotes. How can you say no?

misskamibee's review

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4.0

I was introduced to Eddie Izzard (figuratively speaking, that is) around 2000. I fell instantly in love. Through the years I have followed his career, watching as much of him as I could. I was lucky enough to see him live not too long ago- and reading this lovely book has only made me adore him more. Funny, yes...he is very funny, but his humanity and love for all the world around him counts for so much more. This should be a mandatory read for anyone trying their hardest to break into the entertainment business, or any other business for that matter. Et voila.

theskyisnew's review

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4.0

I was actually disappointed with this book. I gave it a high rating because I don't think it's due to the book being bad rather what I expected to read. I thought it would be funny but it isn't. It's just a direct explanation of his life which is fine but I felt nothing of Eddie's personality in it from his stage presence. But maybe that's because it's all a show! Either way I can't say I'm a fan but it's good for what it is.

momji's review

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4.0

I am a huge Eddie Izzard fan. I did this as an audio book which was fun because he read it and added a ton of extra material. He is such a funny, intelligent guy and has a wonderful speaking voice. He also is a good writer, proving that his boarding school education was not wasted. I enjoyed how open he was about the difficulties he faced in his career. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because at times it was a little bogged down in minutiae and self-indulgences. I guess that's to be expected with an autobiography. Still, a really good book.

hank's review against another edition

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4.0

This definitely needs to be listened to via audiobook rather than read. Izzard as a narrator is fantastic and due to his continual off the cuff footnotes I think the audiobook is about 20% longer than the actual book. As entertaining narrating, as he is doing standup (ok not really, it is only an auto-biography) Izzard's life is revealing, not so much as to how extraordinary it is but how normal it is. He achieved through a great deal of hard work and willingness to attempt new/hard things. He comes of as an incredibly smart, likeable, hard working professional who also happens to be funny. His capacity for a running monologue is astounding and entertaining. 4.5 stars rounded down because, memoirs aren't for everyone.