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  • Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

  • A Sortabiography
  • Written by: Eric Idle
  • Narrated by: Eric Idle
  • Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (268 ratings)

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Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Written by: Eric Idle
Narrated by: Eric Idle
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Publisher's Summary

From the ingenious comic performer, founding member of Monty Python, and creator of Spamalot comes an absurdly funny memoir of unparalleled wit and heartfelt candor

We know him best for his unforgettable roles on Monty Python - from the Flying Circus to The Meaning of Life. Now, Eric Idle reflects on the meaning of his own life in this entertaining memoir that takes us on an unforgettable journey from his childhood in an austere boarding school through his successful career in comedy, television, theater, and film. 

Coming of age as a writer and comedian during the '60s and '70s, Eric stumbled into the crossroads of the cultural revolution and found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of George Harrison, David Bowie, and Robin Williams, all of whom became dear lifelong friends. With anecdotes sprinkled throughout involving other close friends and luminaries such as Mike Nichols, Mick Jagger, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, Lorne Michaels, and many more, as well as the Pythons themselves, Eric captures a time of tremendous creative output with equal parts hilarity and heart. In Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, named for the song he wrote for Life of Brian (the film he originally gave the irreverent title Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory) and that has since become the number-one song played at funerals in the UK, he shares the highlights of his life and career with the kind of offbeat humor that has delighted audiences for five decades. 

The year 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Pythons, and Eric is marking the occasion with this hilarious memoir chock-full of behind-the-scenes stories from a high-flying life featuring everyone from Princess Leia to Queen Elizabeth.

©2018 Eric Idle (P)2018 Random House Audio

What the critics say

"A hilarious, charming, book by this incredible, i̶n̶s̶u̶f̶f̶e̶r̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ genius.” (Steve Martin) 

"A gentle, sane man has lived a turbulent, crazy life and he's written a gorgeous book about it. Eric Idle joyously recounts his existence in these pages. Did I say 'joyfully'? I meant 'ruefully.'" (Patton Oswalt) 

"On the last day, when the last human beings look out at the blackened cinders of their world, I can only hope that one of them will sing, 'Some things in life are bad, they can really make you mad,' and 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' will ring out as humanity's final words. I loved this biography of a song and the man who made it, and the picture he paints of his life, his friends, his passions, five Pythons, and a Beatle." (Neil Gaiman) 

What listeners say about Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

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It's Eric Idle. Enjoy.

my review requires at least fifteen words. There went seven, and here are five more.

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13 people found this helpful

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Idle IS Python

A must read for anyone who loves the Pythons. The most engaging and fun bio I’ve ever read / heard.

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For Anyone to Listen To

I am not really that much of a Python fan. The first time I ever saw Eric Idle was in the movie Caspar! It was my favourite movie as a kid. But I still really enjoyed listening to his life story and his ever optimistic views on terrible things. I think there is something for everyone here to get from this book. Very glad I bought it.

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2 people found this helpful

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I laughed, I cried, I vomited!

Narrated by the incomparable (except maybe to John Cleese) Eric Idle. ;) Say No More...

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A well done, almost complete history of Python

this autobiography feels way more complete than John's. though I do like 'So anyway' I felt it mostly focused on the pre-python days an ends as the pyhtons take off, but I wanted to know what happened afterwards, and this sortabiography did the trick.

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An awesome book!!

I really enjoyed this book. well written. I highly recommemd it! Eric Idle is very funny!

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Great fun

Well written, well read and funny. What more can you ask for? I recommend it.

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    5 out of 5 stars

A great listen.

This is one of the few books I enjoyed more than I would if I had read it rather than listen to it be told to me by the author himself. i met Mr. Idle when he was on tour in Toronto. He kindly signed my Monty Python Sings CD as he noticed Michael Palin had signed it also and was very happy to tell me a nice story about how he and M.P..grew up together etc. Super nice person and made his story even more fun to listen to.

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Excellent reading by a python!

The songs, the skits, alot of drugs sex and a Beatle! They dont do it like that anymore.

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Loved it.,

Very funny and also poignant. Great stories and loved that it was read by the author.

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