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There and Back

Diaries 1999-2009: The fourth volume of diaries from the beloved author, TV icon and Monty Python star

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There and Back

By: Michael Palin
Narrated by: Michael Palin
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'A social history of Britain spanning four decades, told with unflagging empathy and wit ' Jonathan Coe, Observer

THE FOURTH VOLUME OF MICHAEL PALIN'S BESTSELLING DIARIES

There and Back is a new window into the world of Michael Palin, following him as he comes and goes through the filming of four blockbuster travel documentaries and begins to publish his personal diaries for the very first time.

From TV success to writer's block, Python reunions to lunches with Alan Bennett, the sadness of losing his good friend George Harrison to the joys of welcoming his first grandchild, these diaries document a decade of highs, lows and everything in between - all with the warmth, humour and heart for which Michael is renowned.©2024 Michael Palin Diaries & Journals Entertainment & Celebrities Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Adventure
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Critic reviews

True, this evolving series is the ultimate comfort read, but it's also much more than that: a social history of Britain spanning four decades, told with unflagging empathy and wit (Jonathan Coe)
Michael Palin knows what makes a good diary . . . it's his attention to the mundane, above all, that makes his diaries so enjoyable to read
The dynamic [between the Pythons] remains eternally fascinating: there's a permanent tension and endless bickering, but also a huge, unshakeable love . . . [Palin is] less of a national treasure and more of a sacred monument
A friend's foolishness, his own fears, the minutiae of preparing for an overseas expedition, Palin writes it all down, so we know what happened and so he does as well . . . Perhaps that's why diaries are such an engaging literary form. Like our own lives they veer between the everyday and the profound
In the fourth volume of diaries from the Monty Python alumnus, we get to hang out with this thoughtful, amusing, affectionate, intellectually curious man over a decade . . . This is full of friends (numerous, often famous), funerals and fun
All stars
Most relevant
the thoroughness of his recollections and his retrospective interpretations never failed to amuse, intrigue and enlighten.

sense of the ridiculous

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another great volume of diaries. Michael Palin is the best narrater. an enjoyable listen

Michael Palin the 👌 best

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I really liked Mr Palin’s character voices and his hilarious opinions on celebrities! Lovely that he got to meet Princess Diana.

MP’s take on 9.11

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Detailed , honest and warm . And if you’ve heard the other ones , it picks straight up ( eerr, of course ) . He’s such an interesting fellow and writes so well. And although having the paper version , it’s lovely to hear him tell it to you

It’s MIchael Palin , what’s not to like !

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Like so many I adore Michael particularly for his comedic ability and for his gentle humour when travelling so I snapped up this title without too much thought. I like long books as they usually seem better value but when I saw this was 27 hours I did worry if it could keep me entertained for that long. I’m glad to report that it certainly has and I had even purchased the Python Years before I finished it so enjoyable was it. Such a perfect mix of career, home and family, and news from the time it rolled along with such ease that I knew I would miss him when it ended. Good news is that he has earlier volumes to keep me going.

Such a lovely comforting listen.

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