Reviews

Fab Fools: The Beatles, The Rutles and Rock'n'Roll Comedy! by Jem Roberts

slim_oysterhiatus's review

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5.0

Edit April 2022:
Revisiting this again with the audiobook, which brings the quotations to life (the George Martin impressions are a joy). Roberts connects all the dots to paint a complete picture of all the comedy connections of the Beatles. I also really appreciate his tactful handling of the now-disgraced characters that can't be ignored.
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New content is the proverbial breath of fresh air for a Beatles fan, and the entirely new and unique approach of 'Fab Fools' offered so much more than I could have hoped for. The premium details from and about dear Neil Innes and co. were just a massive bonus. Often serious writing about comedy sucks the fun out of the original content, but Roberts' bright, witty prose keeps a friendly atmosphere throughout, and it almost feels as if you are in on an inside joke. 'Fab Fools' does rely on a healthy background knowledge (Roberts writes for the obsessive, never the casual fan), but for fanatics as myself, it was like filling in a puzzle with its missing pieces. I learnt so much, and was fascinated to see the many and unexpected ways all my favourite things are connected.
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