Wonderfully funny, tragic, hopeful and inspiring

I love Eddie Izzard, and if you too are a fan of his work and particularly his shows, you will not be disappointed by this audiobook. Being narrated by himself, Eddie owns what he reads and frequently engages you with extra commentary you wont find in the written book. This is partly because he is brave enough to tell you from the start that he is dyslexic. Yes, he stumbles over some bits, but this only draws you in further until you are almost vocally cheering him on and giving your smartphone (or favoured device) a big hug. Some parts are brutally sad, so be warned if you are listening to this book in public. But you will equally benefit from a tissue or three in your pocket for the absolutely hillarious jokes and anecdotes. In summary, get this audiobook.

62 people found this helpful

a funny and touching tonic to hard times.

The audio book is the only way, in my opinion, to experience Eddie Izzard's autobiography. The scattergun approach to telling of his life story, pulling in footnotes and anecdotes from across all of time just makes sense when read by the man himself. there are also several extra asides that obviously come to Eddie in the moment and are not present in the written text. there are many instances of repetition in the book, which may be irritating for some but for fans of the surreal stories in Mr Izzard's stand up are par for the course. I thoroughly recommend this book it is a funny and touching account of one of the most persistent and resilient men in show business that has operated as a tonic to me, who needed a timely reminder of what perseverance and self belief can do.

39 people found this helpful

Eddie on a Page

If you like Eddie, you should love this. One of the funniest Audiobooks I have listened to honestly read by the Author. Plus it's better value than the book because of the extra additional footnotes( end of footnote! Lol)
The only negative was that I listened to it in a ridiculously quick time!!

17 people found this helpful

I think this is one of the best audio books ever!

What did you like most about Believe Me?

You get lots of extra footnotes from Eddie that he added when narrating it.

What did you like best about this story?

He's a fascinating and very intelligent man and his life story is very interesting and thought provoking. I think this is the best audiobook I've listened to (but I'm biased as I really like him!)

12 people found this helpful

Amazing ramblings

Most audiobooks are the narrator reading the book... forget it here, the audiobook is true Eddie he goes off on so many tangents not in the paperback.

Lots of proper laugh out loud moments, might not be to everyone's taste but it made a real change. I am not a fan of his stand up but thought I would give it a go and so pleased I did.

As Eddie said he dictated his thoughts to the lady who wrote the book and this was the first time he had read it (whist narrating) thus there are so many foot notes (really far more than the actual text) mental and so entertaining. Very British but also lots of explaining for our American Cousins.

Thanks Eddie wish there was more books like this.

12 people found this helpful

Not finished, but loving it

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I always prefer hearing the original author read their own work, particularly when it's an autobiography. It just sounds right, somehow.
Never has that been more so than with Eddie Izzard's autobiography. If this was read by anyone else, it would not work, but any fan of Eddie's standup will love it.

Any additional comments?

If I had one criticism. it would be hat there are no downloadable copies of the pictures that would be found in the printed book, as Eddie sometimes refers to them. That said, there are so many extra bits that are not in the print version - off the cuff asides that he thinks of as he is reading his work, that make this a real gem.
Occasionally poignant, very often funny (I regularly catch myself suppressing a laugh on the commute to and from work as I listen), I can't recommend this highly enough.

7 people found this helpful

Inspiring but hard work

Great insight into a remarkable guy, but his constant tangents made it tough listening at times, particularly in the first half of the book. Probably fine for fans of his meandering standup but infuriating for the casual listener.

6 people found this helpful

Footnote

A most interesting book reading, as Eddie adds rambling footnotes of things that occur to him as he reads his own biography, which really adds substance and depth to the text.

12 people found this helpful

Yawn

How can a funny man write such a dull book. The footnotes became painful. I bought it for a 16 hour car journey. If only the journey had been shorter. yawn yawn and yawn.....

5 people found this helpful

Absolutely loved it

Thanks Eddie for sharing, it really did feel like a long one sided chat with a friend. I would recommend this audio book.

15 people found this helpful