chipmunck's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. Sweet and funny. Shared stories about friends lost and python history. Loved that it was read by Eric Idle himself which adds to the fun.
emmavonb's review against another edition
4.0
Continuing on my memoir/comedy/Monty Python journey, I present to you 'Always Look On The Bright Side of Life' by Eric Idle. A joke a minute, endearing, charming and honest look at the life of the man who gave us such hits as 'The Lumberjack Song' , 'The Galaxy Song' , and of course 'Always Look On The Bright Side of Life' , Eric Idle does not disappoint in what he calls his "sortabiography", and kept me laughing the whole way through.
dbzvin's review
4.0
Eric Idle is a performer, musician, and comedian--and apparently a hilarious writer. Every chapter gave me a moment where I had to let out a good chuckle. Written in conversational prose, and English wit, Idle recounts his life from childhood until present day. His chapter on Robin Williams was touching and many chapters with other well known celebrities give off the same sentimentality. I had no idea he was such a funny person off stage, even his speeches at funerals could crack a smile and maybe a silent snicker. What a great read! Highly recommend!
violetturtledove's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
This book was just an utter pleasure to read. As you'd expect from one of the pythons, and the title, it's light and funny, full of one-liners (some recycled) and anecdotes.
It jumps around a little time-wise: although the chapters are in a chronological order, within a chapter a mention of one person may lead to an aside of other anecdotes featuring them years later. Not that I'm complaining, it's like having a conversation with a friend where one thing reminds you of another and another..
There are some touching moments but it doesn't get too serious, as after all, life is quite absurd, and Mr Idle's is no exception.
kate01970's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.5
composed's review against another edition
4.0
The parts of it I liked, I really liked. There were definitely multiple points where I laughed aloud, including his imaginary response to being asked why he wasn't an American Citizen yet. It's not his fault that some of his best friends are some of the most famous entertainers that ever lived...and I thought it made sense to list some more people in the "weird stuff kept happening to me" section. However, other than George and Robin, he didn't go into too much depth about friendships, and I would have liked to see some deeper self-reflection and growth through those experiences. You could also tell how deeply sad he is to have had so many of these people die, and he did seem to want to share a bit about them in particular.
The main reason I wanted to give four stars is that I have a deep emotional attachment to Monty Python because it was one of the few great things in my childhood. I went to London to see the show at the O2, and I saw Eric and John C. in San Diego. I don't need them to be perfect or particularly modern because they already changed the world.
If you love them, read the book. If you're going to be put off by his cheating wantonly on his first wife, or if you're annoyed by namedropping, probably skip it. I don't imagine I'll read it again, but I'm glad I did.
p.s. Writing this just after Terry Jones died is incredibly sad.
The main reason I wanted to give four stars is that I have a deep emotional attachment to Monty Python because it was one of the few great things in my childhood. I went to London to see the show at the O2, and I saw Eric and John C. in San Diego. I don't need them to be perfect or particularly modern because they already changed the world.
If you love them, read the book. If you're going to be put off by his cheating wantonly on his first wife, or if you're annoyed by namedropping, probably skip it. I don't imagine I'll read it again, but I'm glad I did.
p.s. Writing this just after Terry Jones died is incredibly sad.
rick2's review against another edition
4.0
Delightfully entertaining. Just a fun romp through Pythondom
dmturner's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of the book is brisk and interesting, and and a contrast to John Cleese's memoir about the same period; the second half becomes an orgy of name-dropping, and while I loved many of the people he talks about being friends with (Robin Williams, George Harrison, David Bowie, etc.) it began to wear on me.
missamandamae's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyable! Eric Idle is a fun talent to begin with, and getting to hear all his backstage banter from the early years of Monty Python and beyond is wonderful enough, but he also offers some wonderful anecdotes about other beloved talents like Robin Williams, George Harrison, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, the Rolling Stones, and various SNL cast members. I loved learning about how Spamalot came about, how the Rutles were formed, and madcap adventures with Robin Williams in Italy. It's just a joy to read, and you'll be whistling the classic "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" the whole way through.