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Believe Me
- A Memoir of Love, Death and Jazz Chickens
- Narrated by: Eddie Izzard
- Length: 14 hrs and 39 mins
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Believe Me
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Publisher's Summary
Critically acclaimed, award-winning British comedian and actor Eddie Izzard details his childhood, his first performances on the streets of London, his ascent to worldwide success on stage and screen, and his comedy shows, which have won over audiences around the world.
Over the course of a 30-year career, Eddie Izzard has proven himself to be a creative chameleon, inhabiting the stage and film and television screens with an unbelievable fervor. Born in Yemen and raised in Ireland, Wales, and postwar England, he lost his mother at the age of six. In his teens he dropped out of university and took to the streets of London as part of a two-man escape act; when his partner went on vacation, Izzard kept busy by inventing a one-man act, and thus a career was ignited. As a stand-up comedian, Izzard has captivated audiences with his surreal, stream-of-consciousness comedy - lines such as "cake or death?" "Death Star canteen", and "do you have a flag?" have the status of great rock lyrics. As a self-proclaimed "executive transvestite", Izzard broke the mold performing in full makeup and heels and has become as famous for his advocacy for LGBT rights as he has for his art. In Believe Me, he recounts the dizzying rise he made from street busking to London's West End to Wembley Stadium and New York's Madison Square Garden.
Still performing more than 100 shows a year - thus far in a record-breaking 28 countries worldwide - Izzard is arguably one of today's top kings of comedy. With his brand of keenly intelligent humor that ranges from world history to pop culture, politics, and philosophy, he has built an extraordinary fan base that transcends age, gender, and race. Writing with the same candor and razor-sharp insight evident in his comedy, he reflects on a childhood marked by unutterable loss, sexuality and coming out, as well as a life in show business, politics, and philanthropy. Honest and generous, Izzard's Believe Me is an inspired account of a very singular life thus far.
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What the critics say
“Beloved comedian, actor, and writer Izzard...shares intimate details about his life and is emotionally transparent throughout this splendid memoir.... The book is both funny and painful, and ultimately uplifting.” (Publishers Weekly)
“If you are a fan of Eddie Izzard, then you will love this book. If you are not a fan of Eddie Izzard, then there is a good chance that this book will make you one. The experience is akin to him sitting down and having a chat with you, which, we can all agree, sounds delightful.” (Thomas Burns Scully, Popdust.com)
“Beloved British comedian Eddie Izzard [writes] with the same wit and candor that characterizes his stand-up [and] tackles his sexuality, his troubled childhood, and the tumultuous early days of his career, even as he recounts his many excellent roles, albums, and tours.” (Maris Kreizman, Vulture)
“This book is a raw, honest exploration of what it means to live your truth, to be unapologetically ambitious, and to walk through fear over and over again. It’s about being brave. And hilarious. It reminded me that walking through fear almost always leads to happiness.” (Chelsea Handler)
What listeners say about Believe Me
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Clem
- 2017-12-07
the only way to read this book is to listen
I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I read it. Eddie goes off on so nanny tangents. Top notch.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Zzz...
- 2019-11-05
The best audiobook performance ever!!!!
The best audiobook performance ever!!!! story was good and interesting, I guess with a lot of ups and downs for western audiences.
but wwoooowww! the performance was brilliant, with a lot of long windy footnotes :D
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr Dad!
- 2024-02-21
more footnotes
it was well read, was funny and honesty a real human and a incredible athlete.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 2022-06-17
gratitude in the graceful storytelling
It was healing to listen to Eddie talk about her life. I felt honored to have spent time with her voice. Thank you for writing and sharing your creativity with all of us kids.
To the kids( all people) curious if they want to read it/ listen to it. Please do. The thoughts shared in this story are uplifting. Eddie is an awesome person. I hope others feel full of love listening to this as I did.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Annonymous
- 2023-08-05
Great book
Eddie is a very smart person and I have a new respect for him... Excellent narration...
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Jmlochhead
- 2018-02-11
A little full of himself
Really did not care for either the story, or the telling of it. Narrator Eddie Izzard spends inordinate amounts of time in footnotes which are largely irrelevant or self serving. Wasted credit...even though I listened to it all...so wasted time too; although since I was usually walking the dog as I listened at least I got some exercise at the same time.
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