Hours of delighted listening

To say that an extra dimension is given by Stephen Fry's voice would be an understatement. He confides, entertains, shocks, confesses, delights, enlightens - rather than merely narrates. It makes the price of this book seem far too low.

In the course of telling the part of his story that stretches from Cambridge to the fame and fortune of his later twenties, he shares with us some of the thoughts and inner fears that he says still haunt him. None of this is solemn or toe-curling though. He always brings himself (and us) back from the brink with a throw-away line of such ludicrous self-mockery that, if most react as I did, the loudness of your own laughter comes as quite a shock.

It's also an insider's look at the way comedy changed and grew in the eighties. Nearly all the radio and television heroes of that era are there. You can hear their voices and each is treated with affectionate glee.

It's rare to find a book where every sentence is satisfying, funny or moving. In an audio book this is a special delight.

He says that it cannot be wondered at that his own rather shy hero, Alan Bennett, is so greatly loved. The self-deprecation that emerges in this book reveals the astonishing fact that Stephen Fry too lacks inner self-assurance - in spite of his cultured, funny, 'Renaissance Man' persona. It's as if he can't quite believe the enormous affection with which the nation regards him but it seems likely that this book will increase that affectionate admiration even more.

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197 people found this helpful

Entertaining and Clever

Great easy listening, read by a master.

Stephen Fry's impressions of various characters are spot on and very funny.Teaching, Cambridge, Show business,writing and his own particular demons.

Will now order the earlier volume and look forward to the next.

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36 people found this helpful

The Fry Chronicles

This is an excellent self recorded account of his life. His many and varied and honest reflections and anecdotes makes this an easy book to get into. Added to the fact that one can stop and start as required makes this, for me, a must. Perhaps a guarded warning for some, due to his use of language, should be noted, but in this 'unabridged' version it seems to naturally fit into his life style and personality. His easily 'listenable' voice adds to the charm of the listening, making you feel you have a personal appointment with him. Thoroughly enjoyable!

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31 people found this helpful

A Great Listen

I love Stephen Fry and found his autobiography fascinating and funny and such a bonus that it is narrated by him. Being Dyslexic reading can be a struggle so being able to listen to books that I would have otherwise struggled to read has really open up my world.

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25 people found this helpful

If you didn't love Stephen before . . .

What a lovely man. And here we have him chatting about his early career and he even does some affectionate impressions (his Alan Bennett is very good).

Chatting? well yes because Stephen's tone is one of a chum telling of mutual friends. He just includes you in his life, somehow.

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21 people found this helpful

A Fantastic Listen

I must admit, I was unsure if I should try this book.. I'm so glad I did, its a fantastic read.. It kept my glued to my ipod until the book was finished.

Warning, there are a couple of bits in this book that will make you spit your coffee out.. and most likely laugh out loud.

Would recommend to anybody.

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21 people found this helpful

Delightful insight into a national treasure

This was my first foray into audible and what a way to start, this audio book was unswitoffable (not a real word I know). It is read in an a style which is so easy and comfortable that it makes it seem ad libbed and as stephen is almost talking just to you. This book covers Stephens life from the end of his teens up to the nineties and is as interesting to hear his thoughts on himself as it is the times he lived in and the people he lived and worked with. Listen to it all in less than a week, Moab is my washpot (Stephens biography of his younger years) is on my wishlist after listening to this.

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16 people found this helpful

THEATRICALLY BRILLIANT LITERARY GENIUS

This book is an masterpiece of literary genius. Listening to it makes you feel as if you were in a theatre, having a coffee with your friend, attending a lecture, tweeting, playing a game with words and being emotionally hyper yet feeling unhappy knowing the fact that not everyone in the world has access to this work of art.

Stephen fry's every possible emotion by connecting with the young petty thief, the greatest of scholars, the most adored television big whips and everyone in between.

He makes a salad of language, time, accents, sighs and whips you with the most beautiful feeling of act, scene and spot light business. He informs the listener about the ins and outs of OxBridge competition, snobbery and the in-between shenanigans... as well as provide details about various affairs of the theatrical world while insuring that people like me and you, with no reference to what he is talking about, end this book feeling I have been on the best course.

This is not an autobiography of Stephen Fry,but a biography of an era, and of a country's perception of the world in an epoch.

A must listen.

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15 people found this helpful

Fantastic!

This is an incredible audio book! Not only is Stephen Fry warm, funny and engaging as a narrator but the book itself is funny, touching and a wonderful listen. Though I have to say, don't listen to this on the bus, you'll get the strangest looks when you're howling with laughter!

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14 people found this helpful

Master of audible.

What did you like most about The Fry Chronicles?

The whole book has a general constant momentum of fact humour and intrigue.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fry Chronicles?

For some reason, when a young Stephen operating as a temporary teacher has to inflict physical punishment on a boy. The build up creates many worrying emotions but typically it ends with a humorous if reflective tone.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many!

Any additional comments?

Typically well written and there is no better narrator, i was truly surprised at his story. Stephens story causes many internal opinions to rise, at times i find i disagree with him as he discusses class, opportunity and the will to learn. There is a part where he says no one need be un educated as we can all chose to read and injest books etc (as he did). Whilst i agree with that sentiment, a child from a rat infested tenament with a lack of nutrition or access to essentials i think can never rise as easily as a fortunate well fed, well schooled child.

My point is that this book will make you consider his thoughts and whether you agree or otherwise you will continue to read and be amazed as his incredible life unfolds.

Dont miss this one, a masterclass in auto biography.

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11 people found this helpful