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  • So, Anyway...

  • Written by: John Cleese
  • Narrated by: John Cleese
  • Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (193 ratings)

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So, Anyway... cover art

So, Anyway...

Written by: John Cleese
Narrated by: John Cleese
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Publisher's Summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 

“John Cleese’s memoir is just about everything one would expect of its author—smart, thoughtful, provocative and above all funny. . . . A picture, if you will, of the artist as a young man.”—The Washington Post

The legendary writer and performer of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fame takes listeners on a grand tour of his ascent in the entertainment world John Cleese’s huge comedic influence has stretched across generations; his sharp irreverent eye and the unique brand of physical comedy he perfected now seem written into comedy’s DNA. In this rollicking memoir, Cleese recalls his humble beginnings in a sleepy English town, his early comedic days at Cambridge University (with future Python partner Graham Chapman), and the founding of the landmark comedy troupe that would propel him to worldwide renown.

Cleese was just days away from graduating Cambridge and setting off on a law career when he was visited by two BBC executives, who offered him a job writing comedy for radio. That fateful moment—and a near-simultaneous offer to take his university humor revue to London’s famed West End—propelled him down a different path, cutting his teeth writing for stars like David Frost and Peter Sellers, and eventually joining the five other Pythons to pioneer a new kind of comedy that prized invention, silliness, and absurdity. Along the way, he found his first true love with the actress Connie Booth and transformed himself from a reluctant performer to a world class actor and back again. 

Twisting and turning through surprising stories and hilarious digressions—with some brief pauses along the way that comprise a fascinating primer on what’s funny and why—this story of a young man’s journey to the pinnacle of comedy is a masterly performance by a master performer.

©2016 John Cleese (P)2016 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“So, Anyway... ambles along in loose fashion, taking its time, stopping to admire the view here and there, dispensing a little social commentary...and otherwise taking the scenic route through a mostly sunny landscape. The effect is a bit like having a long lunch with an amiable, slightly loony uncle. Who also happens to be John Cleese.” —Michael Ian Black, The New York Times Book Review

“John Cleese’s memoir is just about everything one would expect of its author — smart, thoughtful, provocative and above all funny… a picture, if you will, of the artist as a young man.” —Washington Post

“Give John Cleese points for candor...Give him additional points for graceful writing and sly humor..” —Philadelphia Inquirer

What listeners say about So, Anyway...

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excellent, as expected.

I'm Canadian, and I'm not a critic so I won't shit on it. loved it.

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4 people found this helpful

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John is a great narrator!

I loved that they did not edit out when John broke with laughter when reading his own book. Make the book more human and like you are listening to a friend tell you a story about what happened to them once.

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2 people found this helpful

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A book you need to listen to

You could read this book but Cleese brings his own skill to this wonderful recording.

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2 people found this helpful

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And Now for Something Completely Different

I really enjoyed the book and rekindling my interest and love for everything Monty Python and their amazing comedy. It was also interesting to learn about John's early days and everything that led up to MP. Waiting for volume II so I can hear about what came next.

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1 person found this helpful

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John Cleese is awesome, but the book is a snooze

There's no underlining message or focus to the book. The first few chapters about his early life are very interesting, but the book quickly becomes a drag. This biography is more of a "and then this happened, and this happened, and this...etc."

It's a shame, especially as a big Cleese fan myself.

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Fun and interesting

For fans of John Cleese this is an interesting autobiography and of course Monty Python fans will enjoy hearing about its origins. To hear it in Cleese’s voice is imperative

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Made me Laugh Out Loud

I listened to Eric Idle's sortabiography, "Always Look on the Bright Side", and John Cleese's memoir back to back. Eric Idle provides more information on the Monty Python years than John Cleese, but both books are very good in their own way. With John Cleese, I particularly enjoyed listening to him read the book and found myself laughing out loud right along with him. Yes, as he read his own book he laughed uncontrollably at various parts. I can only hope that I end up looking back at my own life with such joy when I reach his age. If what you want is a detailed description of the goings on during the Monty Python years, then John Cleese's book would not be your best choice. If, on the other hand, you enjoy learning about a colourful life well lived with some LOL moments, then "So, Anyway" is just the ticket.

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Half hilarious memoir, half love letter to Graham Chapman

I could listen to John Cleese speak all day long which makes this audiobook amazing. He’s insightful, hilarious, and modest. But most of all, you understand his love for his late grate friend, Graham Chapman. This book is clear in the influence he had on Cleese, which adds to the overall book. Highly recommend.

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  • Rob
  • 2023-05-12

Cleese makes me laugh

As he states I wanted to know how he learned his craft while having some laughs. Enough personal information to help me understand a little about his life and more importantly his terms of reference. He learned it well…left me wanting more!

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Second Listen

Just finishing listening to this after a six month gap … it’s still fresh funny and enjoyable. Offers great insight into John’s life. I remember seeing those sales training films in the mid 90’s! They were good fun and breath of fresh air at the time.

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