Product Description

This is Julian Clary's story, in his own words - the tale of an awkward schoolboy who became a huge worldwide success on stage and screen. After a sheltered suburban upbringing, Julian was sent to St Benedict's, where beatings from 'holy' men gave him some brutal life lessons, and other 'unholy' boys his first awakenings of sexuality. He had just one true friend and ally, Nick - to his other school peers, Julian's aloof demeanour made him an enigma or simply a figure of ridicule. In school, he was just another pained adolescent, but inside, Julian was a new Jean Genet or Quentin Crisp bursting to get out. Leaving St Benedict's thankfully behind him, Julian went on to college, where he found his true vocation as an entertainer with a peculiar comic brand of smut and glamour. At the same time, he was finding as much sex as he could, sometimes with remarkably less-than-glamorous characters. Periods in community theatre and the singing telegram industry followed before Julian hit the big time with cabaret co-star Fanny, the Wonder Dog, as The Joan Collins Fan Club. Soon, the world was his oyster. But fame came at a price, as Julian struggled not only with the reality of being a high-profile gay man in the 1980s, but also the pain of losing his lover to terminal illness. Far more than just another celebrity autobiography or 'funny book', this is a touching, beautifully written, and wryly witty account of a unique progression from shy child to comedy icon.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6162 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Sainsbury's Magazine
"Hilarious and poignant by turns, it's an honest and detailed account"

The Pink Paper
'more than a little dirty, but neverthless entirely engrossing,
clary's passage is worth exploring to the every end'

Synopsis
This is Julian Clary's story, in his own words - the tale of an awkward schoolboy who became a huge worldwide success on stage and screen. After a sheltered suburban upbringing, Julian was sent to St Benedict's, where beatings from 'holy' men gave him some brutal life lessons, and other 'unholy' boys his first awakenings of sexuality. He had just one true friend and ally, Nick - to his other school peers, Julian's aloof demeanour made him an enigma or simply a figure of ridicule. In school, he was just another pained adolescent, but inside, Julian was a new Jean Genet or Quentin Crisp bursting to get out. Leaving St Benedict's thankfully behind him, Julian went on to college, where he found his true vocation as an entertainer with a peculiar comic brand of smut and glamour. At the same time, he was finding as much sex as he could, sometimes with remarkably less-than-glamorous characters. Periods in community theatre and the singing telegram industry followed before Julian hit the big time with cabaret co-star Fanny, the Wonder Dog, as The Joan Collins Fan Club. Soon, the world was his oyster.

But fame came at a price, as Julian struggled not only with the reality of being a high-profile gay man in the 1980s, but also the pain of losing his lover to terminal illness. Far more than just another celebrity autobiography or 'funny book', this is a touching, beautifully written, and wryly witty account of a unique progression from shy child to comedy icon.

Customer Reviews

Sticky Moments!
This book was a really good read from beginning to end. I always thought Julian an interesting character when i was growing up. So reading this book intrigued me.

Very funny, sad, educational in ways too. A recommended read!

A mouthful you will never forget !?
Julian has always been an idol of mine - as a young adolescent, I felt there were no gay role models in my life or in the media. His amazing 'entrance' onto our small screens on trashy game show 'Trick or Treat' marked a turning point in my existence. Naturally, I followed his career keenly and was always a fan - 'Sticky Moments', 'Terry & Julian', stage shows, interviews, pantos, etc.

This book actually shatters the glamorous illusion that Julian created with 'The Joan Collins Fan Club' - he is open, candid and reveals an emotional honesty never before revealed. At times, with raised eyebrows, one wondered if it might have been best to leave SOME aspects of his life out of his autobiography - especially some of the sordid details involving his sex life. (Not that I am a prude, far from it, I would have liked Julian to have kept a little 'mystique' going - there is something ill-dignified about revealing TOO much and I wanted to preserve his dignity in my mind).

It is a fascinating journey, jaunty and jolly in places - melancholy in others, but it is all held together with a wry, witty verve and - of course - huge dollops of innuendo and favourite quotes of old. The pictures/ photos are revealing in their own way - one gets a refreshing sense that Julian really wanted to 'tell it how it really was' (all too often celebrities write wishy washy, sentimental, white-washed versions of their life).

This was addictive reading. Entertaining. Shocking. Funny. Touching. One got to feel what the real JC is like minus make-up. He is - like most comedians/celebs - caught up in his own dramas, is his own worst critic and often cannot see the impact he has on others due to his own selfishness/ conceitedness. Julian seemed to have more affection for the canines in his life than the other two-legged characters around him - but this further adds to his vulnerability and highlights his detachment from the realities of day-to-day life.

If you don't want to burst the glamour bubble - dont read this. If you want a slice of comedic indulgence with lots of campness & sex thrown in for good measure - then dive in for more than a few 'Sticky Moments' with Julian Clary !?

Entertaining and insightful!
I've been interested in Clary's career since first seeing him at the Edinburgh Fringe, many years ago. Consequently, I found this book an absolute treat, devouring it in a couple of days.
Clary's glosses over or ignores some things eg what happened to Sticky Moments ( which I loved!) and how was the sitcom "Terry and Julian" received? He went into more detail than I cared for, regarding sexual activity, but I suspect that was a selling point for the book!
Overall, I gained insight into Clary's life, personality and motivation and also into the world "alternative" comedy in the '80s. This was a very enjoyable and frequently amusing read.