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Only When I Laugh: My Autobiography
by
Paul Merton
Known for his intelligent and often surreal humour, Paul Merton’s weekly appearances on BBC1’s
Have I Got News For You
– as well as Radio 4’s
Just A Minute
and his travel documentaries – have seen him become an artfully rebellious fixture in our lives for over 25 years.
He also has a real story to tell. In ONLY WHEN I LAUGH, his rich and beautifully-observed autobiography, ...more
He also has a real story to tell. In ONLY WHEN I LAUGH, his rich and beautifully-observed autobiography, ...more
Kindle Edition
,
352 pages
Published
September 25th 2014
by Ebury Digital
(first published September 26th 2013)
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Community Reviews
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248)
Always a favourite of mine, I probably saw everything he did from 1989-95 on telly from Whose line through his series and HIGNFY. But you don't really read these sort of books without liking the author do you? He's had an interesting time - even if his schooldays stories are not much more interesting than anyone else's really. There's a warmth in his writing which is good, and he's very open about his own failings or his difficult relationship with his father. His account of his breakdown is tol
...more
Paul Merton's autobiography is well written, and he mostly comes across the same way that he does on TV, telling of his childhood and his lucky break followed by his rise to stardom.
I found it to be a gripping read, and I loved how he developed his surreal sense of humour very early on, writing very tall stories about what he did in his school holidays and then getting into trouble when it rubbed off on other kids. The depiction of the strict Catholic school I attended was very striking.
However, ...more
I found it to be a gripping read, and I loved how he developed his surreal sense of humour very early on, writing very tall stories about what he did in his school holidays and then getting into trouble when it rubbed off on other kids. The depiction of the strict Catholic school I attended was very striking.
However, ...more
As a history of comedy from a participant this is quite good, unfortunately this has been billed as an autobiography at which it is absolutely terrible as a glance through the index shows as it reveals for example that combined his little sister and his first wife are on less pages than Just a minute, a radio show he has been on. Occasionally the Blurb wanders into the 'well technically it's true' category with it's description of the frankness with which he talks about his time in a mental hosp
...more
I absolutely laugh (love) Paul Merton's humor on Have I Got News For You, the absurd way he constructs entire stories from simple cues. Being a comic also gives him a certain talent for storytelling (which comes in handy when writing a book). I am biased in my opinion, because I was really interested in his life and in someone discussing the art and craft of comedy. I can understand why someone else would find this boring, but I now have a list of great people to go search out I had never heard
...more
The main message from Merton in this book is that humour is hard work, and standup has to be honed. He is serious and dedicated to his craft, and it comes across strongly. If you're looking for a kiss-and-tell book, this is not for you - he gives a passing mention to his marriage to Caroline Quentin, and talks briefly of his second wife's illness and death, but everything is in the context of his work. I enjoyed hearing about his background, his experiences in show business, and his relationship
...more
For such an amusing guy, this was quite dull and a bit of a disappointment.
Went to see Paul Merton at the Edinburgh Book Festival where he spoke about the book but in that hour, he really covered all of the best parts.
Did enjoy this anecdote from "Have I Got News for You" though:
"At one point in the same show, Glenda Jackson was asked what her school motto was. She wasn't sure if the question was being addressed to her, so she said "Are you looking at me ?" To which I replied "That must have bee ...more
Went to see Paul Merton at the Edinburgh Book Festival where he spoke about the book but in that hour, he really covered all of the best parts.
Did enjoy this anecdote from "Have I Got News for You" though:
"At one point in the same show, Glenda Jackson was asked what her school motto was. She wasn't sure if the question was being addressed to her, so she said "Are you looking at me ?" To which I replied "That must have bee ...more
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If you find Paul Merton funny on TV you’ll enjoy this. He uses some very silly metaphors and he gets nostalgic about Fablon. He’s dealt with a lot of adversity but not been defeated by it. There are some great anecdotes about famous people and some lovely photos. Unusually for this type of book there are photos of people he admires (Alexi Sayle, Julian Clary) and not just of him. I usually find comedians write great autobiographies and this is one of the best I’ve read.
Not scintillating prose, but what a story. An absorbing and at times very moving account of working class discrimination, a life of hard work and devotion to the art of comedy, a love story about silent film, and a fascinating insider account of the 80s alternative comedy scene by one of its most important protagonists. Part social history, part memoir. Morden will always be a little more interesting now.
servicable. Merton has had a very interesting life , he is very funny and one of the best ways of spending time on radio 4.
my issue is that it never hits any nerve , merton has and interesting chip that occasionally he lets out onto his shoulder but it never seems to make you feel fully engaged.
An enjoyable autobiography somewhat spoiled by a lack of detail. All the way through this book you felt like Paul was holding back and you only got to see just below the surface. There was very little details about his time of Have I Got News For You, or Just A Minute, and nothing of any note about the TV series he did about different Countries. Would have been so much better if he had gone a little deeper into things. Still glad I read it though.
Paul Merton recounts his life story with familiar wit and humility, from being a shy schoolboy with comedic ambitions, through his early introduction and five-year plan (which worked out beautifully), through illness and tragedy, triumph and success, this is a great read.
have always been a fan of Paul Merton since the Who's line is it anyway days. the stories around that and have I got news for you were the most interesting to me.
The book was a very easy read and held my attention all the way through. If you find Merton in anyway funny you will enjoy this book.
The book was a very easy read and held my attention all the way through. If you find Merton in anyway funny you will enjoy this book.
An excellent, modest, and interesting account of someone who worked very hard for his success. Had more heart and emotion than I expected to see. Highly recommended. And uses his own voice -- no evidence whatever that it has been ghost-written.
Beautifully written - I started reading it standing up in the library and when I found myself still there ten minutes later, having not moved, I realised I had better commit and borrow it and read the whole thing. A lovely and very human account.
An enjoyable read that flows very well. The narrative encapsulates other comedy characters & friends of Paul Merton in the same time frame. My only criticism is that it's a bit short and brief. It would have been better if some of the sections were expanded upon.
Having seen Paul on HIGNFY, Room 101 and Whose Line Is It anyway? I was intrigued to know more about the man. I respected him before and more so now. His wit and intelligence make him one of the UK's top comedians. His autobiography is both funny and sad in places and well worth a read.
If you are a fan of Paul, this is well worth the read.
Warts and all, very interesting, both dark and funny in equal measure.
Warts and all, very interesting, both dark and funny in equal measure.
Very amusing. Finished it in two days. A nice balance between early memories and his later successes
I have always enjoyed Paul Merton's work and his autobiography gave me a great insight into the breadth and depth if this comedy genius. At times hilarious, at times heart breaking, I thoroughly enjoyed my ride with one of Britain's greatest entertainers
I think the bloke is ace...however the book...TEDIOUS
Great read from a very funny man.
Most enjoyable.
Most enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this book. You get closer to Paul Merton and learn about his entry into Show business. There are a lot of good stories within the book and some sadness. Highly recommended
This was a thoroughly entertaining and honest autobiography. In fact don't think I have ever read an autobiography which has surprised and moved me so much. Recommended.
Generally a good read but I skimmed over some of the details at times.
A really pleasant read. If you didn't like Paul Merton before you started reading, you will love him at the end.
You will also laugh a lot.
You will also laugh a lot.
This was a great read; honest, funny and insightful. This book comes highly recommended. Well worth a read you will not be disappointed.
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