by Eric Idle
First published 2018
Eric Idle opens his memoir by looking back at the austere boarding school that shaped his early years. The Monty Python veteran traces his path from those formative experiences through the cultural revolution of the Sixties and Seventies, when he stumbled into comedy writing and performance. Idle recounts how he formed lasting friendships with George Harrison, David Bowie, and Robin Williams during his rise in entertainment. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from his work on Flying Circus, The Meaning of Life, and Life of Brian, including how he originally titled the latter film Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory. The comedian describes encounters with luminaries like Mike Nichols, Mick Jagger, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, and Lorne Michaels, as well as his fellow Pythons. Idle explains how his song from Life of Brian became the most popular funeral song in Britain. His memoir captures the creative energy of his era while revealing the personal connections that sustained him through a high-flying career in comedy, television, theater, and film.
Genres: humor, autobiography, memoir, biography-memoir, comedy
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: behind-the-scenes, celebrity, found-family
Setting: Britain, United Kingdom
Period: 1960s, 1970s
290 pages · Hardcover · Crown Archetype