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  • Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

  • A Sortabiography
  • Written by: Eric Idle
  • Narrated by: Eric Idle
  • Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (271 ratings)

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Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Written by: Eric Idle
Narrated by: Eric Idle
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Publisher's Summary

From the ingenious comic performer, founding member of Monty Python, and creator of Spamalot comes an absurdly funny memoir of unparalleled wit and heartfelt candor

We know him best for his unforgettable roles on Monty Python - from the Flying Circus to The Meaning of Life. Now, Eric Idle reflects on the meaning of his own life in this entertaining memoir that takes us on an unforgettable journey from his childhood in an austere boarding school through his successful career in comedy, television, theater, and film.

Coming of age as a writer and comedian during the '60s and '70s, Eric stumbled into the crossroads of the cultural revolution and found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of George Harrison, David Bowie, and Robin Williams, all of whom became dear lifelong friends. With anecdotes sprinkled throughout involving other close friends and luminaries such as Mike Nichols, Mick Jagger, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, Lorne Michaels, and many more, as well as the Pythons themselves, Eric captures a time of tremendous creative output with equal parts hilarity and heart. In Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, named for the song he wrote for Life of Brian (the film he originally gave the irreverent title Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory) and that has since become the number-one song played at funerals in the UK, he shares the highlights of his life and career with the kind of offbeat humor that has delighted audiences for five decades.

The year 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Pythons, and Eric is marking the occasion with this hilarious memoir chock-full of behind-the-scenes stories from a high-flying life featuring everyone from Princess Leia to Queen Elizabeth.

©2018 Eric Idle (P)2018 Random House Audio
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What the critics say

"A hilarious, charming, book by this incredible, i̶n̶s̶u̶f̶f̶e̶r̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ genius.” (Steve Martin)

"A gentle, sane man has lived a turbulent, crazy life and he's written a gorgeous book about it. Eric Idle joyously recounts his existence in these pages. Did I say 'joyfully'? I meant 'ruefully.'" (Patton Oswalt)

"On the last day, when the last human beings look out at the blackened cinders of their world, I can only hope that one of them will sing, 'Some things in life are bad, they can really make you mad,' and 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' will ring out as humanity's final words. I loved this biography of a song and the man who made it, and the picture he paints of his life, his friends, his passions, five Pythons, and a Beatle." (Neil Gaiman)

What listeners say about Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

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A well done, almost complete history of Python

this autobiography feels way more complete than John's. though I do like 'So anyway' I felt it mostly focused on the pre-python days an ends as the pyhtons take off, but I wanted to know what happened afterwards, and this sortabiography did the trick.

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Great moments

Brilliant man, amazing lifestyle, the middle is too full of parties. Great ending though. Would love to know how he could write so many comedic gems!! Thanks Eric - so glad you and John wrote Eric the Half a Bee.

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An awesome book!!

I really enjoyed this book. well written. I highly recommemd it! Eric Idle is very funny!

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Thank you

Eric tells a fantastic story of his life in the public eye. Full of tales of the Pythons and other amazing people he has met along the way. His story told in his voice

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What a circle of friends!

I listened to Eric Idle's sortabiography and John Cleese's memoir "So, Anyway" back to back. I did this having read the reviews that said John Cleese does not mention the Monty Python years except briefly near the end of the book. This is true but it is still a great memoir that I thoroughly enjoyed. Eric Idle's book covers the Monty Python years in more detail so if that is what you are looking for, then this book will not disappoint. What I found fascinating about Eric Idle's book was the vast number of famous friends that he has had the pleasure of knowing. From George Harrison to Robin Williams, the stories he tells are wonderful, often funny and always heartfelt. I don't often listen to autobiographies but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. "Say no more."

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A great listen.

This is one of the few books I enjoyed more than I would if I had read it rather than listen to it be told to me by the author himself. i met Mr. Idle when he was on tour in Toronto. He kindly signed my Monty Python Sings CD as he noticed Michael Palin had signed it also and was very happy to tell me a nice story about how he and M.P..grew up together etc. Super nice person and made his story even more fun to listen to.

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Its alright.

I was sadly disappointed to find that it had no actual facts about the universe.

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I balled like a baby

I laughed during the somber bits, and cried when it was funny. I don't want any more of my heroes to die. I'll take questions now....

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Excellent reading by a python!

The songs, the skits, alot of drugs sex and a Beatle! They dont do it like that anymore.

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he didn't explain the moose

Really entertaining and far more emotion invoking than you'd expect from someone who uses Stephen Hawking to pull a prank.

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