Product Description

'Stephen Fry is one of the great originals. This autobiography of his first twenty years is a pleasure to read, mixing outrageous acts with sensible opinions in bewildering confusion. That so much outward charm, self-awareness and intellect should exist alongside behaviour that threatened to ruin the lives of innocent victims, noble parents and Fry himself, gives the book a tragic grandeur and lifts it to classic status." - "Financial Times". "A remarkable, perhaps even unique, exercise in autobiography - that aroma of authenticity that is the point of all great autobiographies; of which this, I rather think, is one" - "Evening Standard". "He writes superbly about his family, about his homosexuality, about the agonies of childhood - some of his bursts of smile take the breath away- his most satisfying and appealing book so far" - "Observer".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #854 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
"'Stephen Fry is one of the great originals... This autobiography of his first twenty years is a pleasure to read, mixing outrageous acts with sensible opinions in bewildering confusion... That so much outward charm, self-awareness and intellect should exist alongside behaviour that threatened to ruin the lives of innocent victims, noble parents and Fry himself, gives the book a tragic grandeur and lifts it to classic status.' Financial Times; 'A remarkable, perhaps even unique, exercise in autobiography... that aroma of authenticity that is the point of all great autobiographies; of which this, I rather think, is one' Evening Standard; 'He writes superbly about his family, about his homosexuality, about the agonies of childhood... some of his bursts of simile take the breath away... his most satisfying and appealing book so far' Observer"

Synopsis
'Stephen Fry is one of the great originals. This autobiography of his first twenty years is a pleasure to read, mixing outrageous acts with sensible opinions in bewildering confusion. That so much outward charm, self-awareness and intellect should exist alongside behaviour that threatened to ruin the lives of innocent victims, noble parents and Fry himself, gives the book a tragic grandeur and lifts it to classic status." - "Financial Times". "A remarkable, perhaps even unique, exercise in autobiography - that aroma of authenticity that is the point of all great autobiographies; of which this, I rather think, is one" - "Evening Standard". "He writes superbly about his family, about his homosexuality, about the agonies of childhood - some of his bursts of smile take the breath away- his most satisfying and appealing book so far" - "Observer".

About the Author
As well as being the bestselling author of four novels, The Stars' Tennis Balls, Making History, The Hippopotamus, and The Liar, and the first volume of his autobiography, Moab is My Washpot, Fry has played Peter in Peter's Friends, Wilde in the film Wilde, Jeeves in the television series Jeeves & Wooster and (a closely guarded show-business secret, this) Laurie in the television series Fry & Laurie.

Customer Reviews

WOW! deary deary dear!
I have read many books from The Odyssey by Homer to Animal Farm by George Orwell and this, this is my favourite book of all time!

Genius, Genius, Genius!

At times intensly funny and at times almost unbearably sad.
All I can say is you need to beg, borrow or steal and get this book. It's just brilliant.

An Enjoyable Mess ....When the soapbox is put away.
Stephen Fry is universally and unconditionally loved by the British public and this book is great ..... but I'm not sure I'm reading the same book that the other reviewers have read and praised to the utmost.

Yes, Fry's prose is great and his warmth towards friends and family is touching.Yes, he has a great story to tell but its only part of the story.

If you're looking for a story of redemption or how Fry went from jail to Cambridge you'll be disappointed. We only get a brief recounting of him swotting like mad to get into Peterhouse.I don't believe in reverse-snobbery but I find it a little odd that Fry underplays how his social-class saved him as much as his intellect; don't believe me? A working-class lad would have been steered towards the army if he had an identical criminal record, not Cambridge.

Unfortunately we also have to wade through long, boring opinion pieces weaved throughout the book: he hates St Paul, homophobes and republicans.
While I often agree with him his vehemence is unsettling and a little adolescent. Fry cannot apreciate the other person's view and ultimately only wants to justify his views. The prospect he could be wrong never appears to cross his mind. The immense ego that made him a troubled young man turns him into the pub bore.

In summary, a good read read but with some sharp edges.

fantastic read
like all stephen fry's book this one was brilliant. a fantastic author. once i started reading i could hardly put it down. it's got me started on reading all of his others.