So, Anyway...
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So, Anyway...
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Narrated by:
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John Cleese
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Written by:
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John Cleese
About this listen
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 AudioYou may also enjoy...
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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...
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stix
- 2018-12-15
Cleese at his witty best.
Short on Python but lots on his early career. Some rare original recordings of early sketches are included.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Loraine
- 2021-05-10
love it!
I love monty python, and any monty python related things really makes me happy, and this book makes me that. very excellent book, I loved John's voice, really brought out the book itself.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Spencer
- 2018-04-17
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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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Bruce Novakowski
- 2019-08-09
Lovely performance from Cleese himself
Lovely hearing the story of John Cleese, read by the man himself. Thoroughly enjoyable and funny, I only wish there was more Monty Python content. Most the book is pre-Monty Python, with tidbits here and there and the last couple chapters left for Python/post-Python.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Zenith VCR
- 2019-11-13
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julie
- 2021-05-07
That was fascinating and funny
You have to listen to this book. Read by the author, you get the inflection and much more meaning. The bonus audio clips are much appreciated.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Luke M
- 2022-12-21
A fine swan song
Not as good as Eric Idle's audiobook, but quite good nonetheless.
One found oneself laughing out loud on several locations. Chuckles were had at a rate of at least three per chapter.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- L.
- 2018-02-10
Great read with a few exceptions
As an ardent and passionate MP fan going back to my teenage years in the 1970s I was very excited when I discovered this book on Audible. Of course John ’s delivery was perfect Cleese!
The only reservations I have are that there was too much time and detail spent on his early life and school days. I would have liked to hear more about the time during and after the Circus period. Such as his time and characters from Faulty Towers and some anecdotes of his MP movies and his later years since Flying Circus. After all it was meant to be an autobiography of his life up to now.
Oh well! Maybe he’s saving these for the sequel😜.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book for any Python and Cleese fans. It gives you a great look behind the scenes of their early years.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- LazK
- 2018-09-05
A fascinating look at a much admired man of comedy
A very interesting and funny look at showbusiness in the 60s, and a very clever man's upbringing. I just wish it was longer. what had he done between the Pythons and the reunion show? This has been the best audio book I've heard by far!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- LoveGadgets
- 2023-04-01
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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