Scan barcode
lwoodwould's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
samstillreading's review against another edition
4.0
You may have guessed by now that I’m quite a fan of Michael Palin’s travel documentaries. Well, I’m also a fan of Monty Python and couldn’t resist the opportunity to delve into his diaries, starting with the beginning of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and finishing with the Life of Brian.
Michael is himself apologetic at the beginning of the diaries, stating that he didn’t feel there was enough about Python in there, because he didn’t realise how big the whole thing would become. He continues this humble theme all the way through, demonstrating just what a nice, normal person he is. From discussing holidays with the children, to visits to the dentist and occasional commercials to pay the bills, you might think this is boring. But it’s not- it’s a view of an ordinary life that just happens to be shared with Mr Gumby, songs about lumberjacks and George Harrison.
The book is divided into each of the years- it’s not a daily account, and Michael explains why there’s gaps or gives a brief overview of what happens and it’s meticulously detailed with footnotes in case you don’t recognise some of the figures (eg. various people at the BBC, politicians, managers). I read this over a long period on the daily commute and it was relaxing to be taken through the day to day, followed by filming in exotic locale such as Tunisia or flying Concorde (I don’t think I would, even if they still existed, after one of MP’s trips)!
I think you’d need to be somewhat of a MP fan to enjoy this- it’s not just about Python and Ripping Yarns but daily life in Britain of the seventies but if you are a fan, get a hold of this book! I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, Halfway to Hollywood, 1980-88.
Michael is himself apologetic at the beginning of the diaries, stating that he didn’t feel there was enough about Python in there, because he didn’t realise how big the whole thing would become. He continues this humble theme all the way through, demonstrating just what a nice, normal person he is. From discussing holidays with the children, to visits to the dentist and occasional commercials to pay the bills, you might think this is boring. But it’s not- it’s a view of an ordinary life that just happens to be shared with Mr Gumby, songs about lumberjacks and George Harrison.
The book is divided into each of the years- it’s not a daily account, and Michael explains why there’s gaps or gives a brief overview of what happens and it’s meticulously detailed with footnotes in case you don’t recognise some of the figures (eg. various people at the BBC, politicians, managers). I read this over a long period on the daily commute and it was relaxing to be taken through the day to day, followed by filming in exotic locale such as Tunisia or flying Concorde (I don’t think I would, even if they still existed, after one of MP’s trips)!
I think you’d need to be somewhat of a MP fan to enjoy this- it’s not just about Python and Ripping Yarns but daily life in Britain of the seventies but if you are a fan, get a hold of this book! I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, Halfway to Hollywood, 1980-88.
lyndsiamanda's review against another edition
5.0
You know normally I'm a pretty quick reader when I have to finish something in a set amount of time. with me having to get this to the library tomorrow I kinda started this and literally continued reading on a nonstop level from when I opened it to well when I stopped, and hell did you learn a lot, I actually bought the second one so that I could read it before jumping to the third one! I have to admit it was a damn good read. Five Stars. I'm going back to fiction for awhile though. Also read through this a second time and thinking about it I did miss some things after the first time of reading that I got the second time. Going through the diaries again is good fun.
lspargo's review against another edition
3.0
I gave this to Dad for Christmas and borrowed it back. It's interesting how such a famous guy who produced such crazy and creative stuff is really normal. At a time when Saturday Night Live was being produced and pretty much everyone was on drugs, Michael Palin was a family guy who worked very hard on his work. I have a crazing to see more Monty Python and see all the other movies and tv shows he worked on. Interesting read, but at times a bit boring.
crazy_mr_earl's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading the insights of Palin and getting the behind-the-scenes look at the making of Life of Brian and to a lesser extent Holy Grail...The mix of the personal with the professional was enjoyable to take in. A tiny peak at the creative process of Monty Python. Not the best memoir-ish book out there, but definitely worth the read for a Python fan.
romrosp's review against another edition
Sunday, March 16th 1975
We eventually found ourselves at the scene of the shooting. What struck me most was the eerie ordinariness of the spot. Possibly I’d expected the area to be razed to the ground, but here we were, on a cool March Sunday, standing on the most famous – the only famous – grassy knoll in the world, looking up at the Book Depository windows from which Oswald had fired, and across to the road, narrow by American standards, where Kennedy had been shot. The strongest impression is that Oswald must have been a genius to fire three times accurately from that angle, at a car travelling away from him down a sloping road. Second impression is that the grassy knoll, besides offering a much closer and easier view of the target, was an ideal place for an assassin to escape from. An expanse of open railway land, away from streets, cars, sightseers.
We eventually found ourselves at the scene of the shooting. What struck me most was the eerie ordinariness of the spot. Possibly I’d expected the area to be razed to the ground, but here we were, on a cool March Sunday, standing on the most famous – the only famous – grassy knoll in the world, looking up at the Book Depository windows from which Oswald had fired, and across to the road, narrow by American standards, where Kennedy had been shot. The strongest impression is that Oswald must have been a genius to fire three times accurately from that angle, at a car travelling away from him down a sloping road. Second impression is that the grassy knoll, besides offering a much closer and easier view of the target, was an ideal place for an assassin to escape from. An expanse of open railway land, away from streets, cars, sightseers.
murphysmate's review against another edition
4.0
Quite long and some parts dragged, but overall very good.
eallain's review against another edition
4.0
A wholly fascinating diary by a wholly fascinating person. I already miss having Michael's life to live vicariously through but the good news is there are two more giant volumes on my shelf to read and hopefully more to come! At times it was a bit frustrating – lots of business talk and some unfair generalisations about North America whenever he visited (Canada isn't boring!) – but overall each entry was approached so honestly and with such child-like fascination that I couldn't help forgiving any of the bothersome bits.
readrillslow's review against another edition
3.0
Very good, but I think I'll stay away from diaries for awhile. I don't move quickly through them like I do some fiction, and much non-fiction.