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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Disclaimer first - I received my copy of this book free as a first reads giveaway.
I grew up on Monty Python's Flying Circus. I loved the movies. I got some of my friends into the movies. I introduced my own kids to the universe that is Monty Python. I wanted to LOVE this book, but I just can't give it more than 3 stars.
There were so many things I learned (who knew George Harrison is basically the reason Life of Brian exists??? I did not know this.) and I didn't mind most of the name dropping because a lot of the time, I was an admirer of the person he was hobnobbing with. I didn't even mind the jet-setting vacations and experiences because if fame can't give you those opportunities, what's the point?
Some of the name dropping was lost on me though. It was hard to try to work up enthusiasm when I didn't know who he was talking about. I skimmed those parts because I wasn't getting anything out of it.
All of that said, I felt like I was reading something he put some serious thought into and I did learn a lot. His philosophy on what he's learned over time, how he feels about people, how he feels about his place in the world, was pretty cool. I would recommend this to the people in my tribe. The parts I was lost in, might not lose them. If you're appreciate the humor of the Pythons, you'll enjoy this one I think.
I grew up on Monty Python's Flying Circus. I loved the movies. I got some of my friends into the movies. I introduced my own kids to the universe that is Monty Python. I wanted to LOVE this book, but I just can't give it more than 3 stars.
There were so many things I learned (who knew George Harrison is basically the reason Life of Brian exists??? I did not know this.) and I didn't mind most of the name dropping because a lot of the time, I was an admirer of the person he was hobnobbing with. I didn't even mind the jet-setting vacations and experiences because if fame can't give you those opportunities, what's the point?
Some of the name dropping was lost on me though. It was hard to try to work up enthusiasm when I didn't know who he was talking about. I skimmed those parts because I wasn't getting anything out of it.
All of that said, I felt like I was reading something he put some serious thought into and I did learn a lot. His philosophy on what he's learned over time, how he feels about people, how he feels about his place in the world, was pretty cool. I would recommend this to the people in my tribe. The parts I was lost in, might not lose them. If you're appreciate the humor of the Pythons, you'll enjoy this one I think.
Since childhood, I’ve adored Monty Python. I own DVDs of most of the films and television series and sharing them with my children and in one case, a whole boy scout troop, has been one of the great joys of my life.
So I was excited to read Eric Idle’s sortabiography, snatching it up a few weeks after its release to read over Christmas.
I wanted to love this book and sometimes I did; however, while there are some wonderful moments and details, overall, it’s something of a let-down. Idle is sometimes brilliant and sometimes silly, but there's a lot of objectification of women in an Austin Powers "It's the 70s and 80s and I'm here to shag, Baby!" way (in the photos section Idle includes a large close up of his 2nd wife’s "stunning" butt from the cover of Playboy in 1974).
There's also A LOT of name dropping for no apparent reason. In one instance, seven celebrities are mentioned in the space of four sentences. Initially, I thought Idle was having “a bit of a go” with the reader, but I think the truth is somewhere in between. Idle clearly enjoys hobnobbing with celebrity pals and jet setting to the Caribbean and exclusive European destinations. Following a rough start in life with the death of his father very early and a brutal boarding school, he wants you to know that he has led a charmed life surrounded by the coolest of the cool and the hottest of the hot. Only A-listers. Fine but that's not really why someone like me would seek out this book.
Conversely, Idle seems uncomfortable with interacting with fans who demand selfies and push grubby pieces of paper at him to sign. He repeats an adage that the “best part of celebrity is when it's over.” Except for the hobnobbing with peers. I couldn't help but think that a serial name dropper who settles into a mansion in Hollywood seems the sort of thing Monty Python used to skewer. Idle mentions his frustrations getting the remaining Pythons together for the invitations he has extended. Perhaps it was because these seemingly reserved types didn't feel comfortable competing with the likes of Mick Jagger.
Still, some glittering details do pop up, especially in the final 1/3 of the book, that add up to a worthwhile read. I enjoyed the chapters on how Spamalot was born and nurtured on Broadway and then Las Vegas.
I still love Monty Python but am not sure meeting Eric Idle would be a positive experience. In any case, I doubt I would make it onto his radar. Funny that such a thing would even occur to me after reading this book. While Monty Python remains daffy and irreverent, Mr. Idle seems less so.
So I was excited to read Eric Idle’s sortabiography, snatching it up a few weeks after its release to read over Christmas.
I wanted to love this book and sometimes I did; however, while there are some wonderful moments and details, overall, it’s something of a let-down. Idle is sometimes brilliant and sometimes silly, but there's a lot of objectification of women in an Austin Powers "It's the 70s and 80s and I'm here to shag, Baby!" way (in the photos section Idle includes a large close up of his 2nd wife’s "stunning" butt from the cover of Playboy in 1974).
There's also A LOT of name dropping for no apparent reason. In one instance, seven celebrities are mentioned in the space of four sentences. Initially, I thought Idle was having “a bit of a go” with the reader, but I think the truth is somewhere in between. Idle clearly enjoys hobnobbing with celebrity pals and jet setting to the Caribbean and exclusive European destinations. Following a rough start in life with the death of his father very early and a brutal boarding school, he wants you to know that he has led a charmed life surrounded by the coolest of the cool and the hottest of the hot. Only A-listers. Fine but that's not really why someone like me would seek out this book.
Conversely, Idle seems uncomfortable with interacting with fans who demand selfies and push grubby pieces of paper at him to sign. He repeats an adage that the “best part of celebrity is when it's over.” Except for the hobnobbing with peers. I couldn't help but think that a serial name dropper who settles into a mansion in Hollywood seems the sort of thing Monty Python used to skewer. Idle mentions his frustrations getting the remaining Pythons together for the invitations he has extended. Perhaps it was because these seemingly reserved types didn't feel comfortable competing with the likes of Mick Jagger.
Still, some glittering details do pop up, especially in the final 1/3 of the book, that add up to a worthwhile read. I enjoyed the chapters on how Spamalot was born and nurtured on Broadway and then Las Vegas.
I still love Monty Python but am not sure meeting Eric Idle would be a positive experience. In any case, I doubt I would make it onto his radar. Funny that such a thing would even occur to me after reading this book. While Monty Python remains daffy and irreverent, Mr. Idle seems less so.
Say no more! Know what I mean?
This was a true pleasure to read. Eric Idle somehow found himself at the center of it all for decades. Lucky bastard. If you’re a python fan, or even just a fan of famous people in the 70s and 80s, this book is for you. Idle knew all of them, and somehow found time to make us all laugh. I wish my life was a tiny bit as interesting as his has been. Man.
This was a true pleasure to read. Eric Idle somehow found himself at the center of it all for decades. Lucky bastard. If you’re a python fan, or even just a fan of famous people in the 70s and 80s, this book is for you. Idle knew all of them, and somehow found time to make us all laugh. I wish my life was a tiny bit as interesting as his has been. Man.
This was delightful. Everything about this memoir will make you smile or laugh, even the not so cheerful bits. You also will find yourself whistling this song and not notice it. If you’re a Monty Python fan do check it out, check out even if you aren’t. It’s such a cheerful and fun read that you’ll enjoy it anyway.
As ever, its strengths are fearless playfulness, polymath wit (which he would deny with a humility that might shame Mr. Cleese), and that British honesty which abjures shame and fame at once by oversharing achievement and trivialities in a bundle. A good, quick read, which you’ll enjoy if you enjoy Python.
I picked this up because I was looking for something lighthearted to read during quarantine. It was that, but most of the jokes were repeated from Monty Python skits, there wasn’t anything new. Balanced against the death of George Harrison at the end I don’t know that I feel any more cheerful than when I started reading this!
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See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
Brilliant! Loved listening to Eric read his autobiography. He and the Monty Python group brought me so much laughter when I was growing up!
It turns out that Eric Idle has met many famous people.