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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
This was a delightful way to spend a month of commutes, I smiled nearly the whole time, and love Mr. Idle even more now. This is his version of life, of which he indeed looks on the bright side.
Things I didn't know: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Pink Floyd helped fund Holy Grail. His best friend was George Harrison, who refinanced his house so they could make Life Of Brian after a studio pulled out. He is a freaking rock star, his songs just happen to be mostly on the silly side. He knows every single cool kid in the entertainment business, at least those from the 60s - 90s.
He seems like a truly good guy, and I thank him for telling me his story.
Things I didn't know: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Pink Floyd helped fund Holy Grail. His best friend was George Harrison, who refinanced his house so they could make Life Of Brian after a studio pulled out. He is a freaking rock star, his songs just happen to be mostly on the silly side. He knows every single cool kid in the entertainment business, at least those from the 60s - 90s.
He seems like a truly good guy, and I thank him for telling me his story.
The only word to describe it is “mirthful.” You can sense that he is a true optimist, not seeing the world through rose-colored glasses but seeing the rose-colored parts of the world. Thoughtful and retrospective without be self-indulgent or pretentious. Great rec for any fans of British comedy, counter-culture, or general positivity. Uplifting from 1-end.
I wanted to love this book because I'm a big Python fan, but it fell a little short. I liked it, but too often it felt like Eric was bragging. A little more humility and this memoir would have struck a better chord for me. I didn't mind the constant name dropping that seems to have bothered so many other readers. Eric is a celebrity, and we should expect that he has been surrounded by other celebrities throughout his career. This memoir covers his entire life, so if you are looking for more in-depth coverage of the Python years, you will be disappointed. There are still some fine moments in the book, the writing is good, and it's often amusing.
A reluctant DNF.
I like Monty Python but not enough to stay interested in the book. Jusr a personal thing. Just was not my type of book.
I like Monty Python but not enough to stay interested in the book. Jusr a personal thing. Just was not my type of book.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
I guess it fits the bill as a beach read . (and a sortabiography). Interesting anecdotes, kept my interest, read quick...but really just a series of celebrity pairings and happy name dropping, not a lot of significant biographical info. About an inch of emotional depth. Still fun to get taken on a retrospective ride through some of my favorite movies/etc.
Originally written: 05/03.19.
Going in, I wasn't sure what to expect.
Perhaps a retelling of his early life, through to his work with The Boys™, Monty Python. In the beginning at least, I got that.
He talked about the death of his father during the war and his mother subsequently sending him off to a frankly abusive military school. He talked about how he evolved to cope with life there (take a guess), and suddenly a lot of things made sense. Also, his relationship with George Harrison was great. The funni boys™ meet the music boys™ and my skin is made clear by it.
All good stuff.
There's... something, about the rest of the book though, that I don't like. I think the issue is that I was there to read about his days with the Python Boys™ and there really wasn't all that much of that. Every time he began to talk about them, or the Flying Circus show, or any of their films, he seemed to quickly switch subjects, onto one of his Many Famous Friends™. I was in there looking for Behind the Scenes info on the Life of Brian and Eric was busy spiraling into a page spanning description of Celebrity Party No. 523.
Eric, my man, you're famous. You don't need to name drop, bro, it's all good for you!
Never before have I read an autobiography where the name-dropping stands out so much that at some point midway through, I began keeping a tally (since lost, sadly). More than once I thought, "Christ, he's reeling another list off!" This made several chapters a real slog to get through, because the only parts of these parties worth mentioning were the people there; the actual goings-on aren't much worth remembrance. I can't even recall any of them now.
I think Requiem For A Bomb-Ass Party #3004 featured a cocaine boat.
Going in, I wasn't sure what to expect.
Perhaps a retelling of his early life, through to his work with The Boys™, Monty Python. In the beginning at least, I got that.
He talked about the death of his father during the war and his mother subsequently sending him off to a frankly abusive military school. He talked about how he evolved to cope with life there (take a guess), and suddenly a lot of things made sense. Also, his relationship with George Harrison was great. The funni boys™ meet the music boys™ and my skin is made clear by it.
All good stuff.
There's... something, about the rest of the book though, that I don't like. I think the issue is that I was there to read about his days with the Python Boys™ and there really wasn't all that much of that. Every time he began to talk about them, or the Flying Circus show, or any of their films, he seemed to quickly switch subjects, onto one of his Many Famous Friends™. I was in there looking for Behind the Scenes info on the Life of Brian and Eric was busy spiraling into a page spanning description of Celebrity Party No. 523.
Eric, my man, you're famous. You don't need to name drop, bro, it's all good for you!
Never before have I read an autobiography where the name-dropping stands out so much that at some point midway through, I began keeping a tally (since lost, sadly). More than once I thought, "Christ, he's reeling another list off!" This made several chapters a real slog to get through, because the only parts of these parties worth mentioning were the people there; the actual goings-on aren't much worth remembrance. I can't even recall any of them now.
I think Requiem For A Bomb-Ass Party #3004 featured a cocaine boat.
I would recommend listening to this on audio form. It was more of a 4.5 . Must read for any fan of his :)