Status
Available
Series
Description
Michael Palin's diaries begin when he was newly married and struggling to make a name for himself in the world of television comedy. But Monty Python was just around the corner . . . Enjoying an unlikely cult status early on, the Pythons then proceeded to tour the USA and Canada. As their popularity grew, so Palin relates how the group went their separate ways, later to re-form for stage shows and the celebrated films THE HOLY GRAIL and LIFE OF BRIAN. Living through the three-day week and the miners strike, and all the trials of a peripatetic life are also essential ingredients of these perceptive and funny diaries.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Meggo
The thing about reading a person's diary is this: it's incredibly voyeuristic, and only you know how it's going to turn out. The writer, writing at the time, lacks the knowledge of future events that you, the reader, possesses. As a result, however, all incidents, however trivial or important, tend
Show More
to be treated the same in a diary, since it's only with hindsight that a particular item is seen to be more profound than another. And it's because of this, the equality of the interesting bits and the minutiae, that this book in particular is heavy sledding. Not the least because it seems that Britain in the '70s was a very bleak place to live, with strikes, brownouts, political strife, IRA bombings and rain EVERY BLEEDING DAY. Also because there's a lot of strum und drang associated with Python and its demise. I would recommend this book only for the true fanatic or stalker - at 600 plus pages, only the truly dedicated can carry it for any length of time. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lenaphoenix
I was a big Monty Python fan as a teen-ager, so I was very excited when I learned founding member Michael Palin was publishing the diary he began keeping during the early days of the Monty Python show. The diary, however, is a tricky form in that it is rarely written with the interests of a reader
I kept reading, however, because Palin is a truly good-natured human being, and his commentary on the early days of his family, the decline of his father due to Parkinson’s, and various political events in Britain held my interest more than I expected. As the diaries progress, Python becomes bigger, his entries become lengthier, and I was rewarded with the kind of insider insight I was hoping to get when I started the book.
Palin records many truly fascinating moments as he recounts the troupe’s growing popularity in Britain and abroad. His shock at being fawned over by mega-star George Harrison at a chance meeting at the Apple Studios is one priceless example. Another is when he discusses the daily work of making comedy during an active IRA London bombing campaign.
Because Palin is writing about events as they happen from the perspective of someone for whom a life of writing outrageous comedy quite normal, there isn’t much meta-insight into the Python phenomenon. But I was more than content with his discussions of how the group dealt with various issues including creative contribution dynamics and political negotiations with BBC censors, as well as his entries on the evolution of his post-Python career and what it’s like to host Saturday Night Live with two live cats down your pants.
Though Palin’s diaries are ultimately about the mundane daily issues of his life, the circumstances around that life ensure his entries are rarely dull. As the following quote demonstrates, even his discussions of the weather take on a whole new twist: “A clear and sunny day. In the distance the sun picks out the snow on the mountains of the Austrian Alps. It’s a perfect day for throwing a dummy of John Cleese from the 100ft tower of the castle to the courtyard below.”
Show More
in mind. Because of this, the book gets off to a surprisingly slow start. Palin’s early entries do contain some tidbits about the early days of Python, but, as he mentions, he had no idea at that time it would be anything more than a job he had on a BBC TV show, so many early seminal moments remain undocumented.I kept reading, however, because Palin is a truly good-natured human being, and his commentary on the early days of his family, the decline of his father due to Parkinson’s, and various political events in Britain held my interest more than I expected. As the diaries progress, Python becomes bigger, his entries become lengthier, and I was rewarded with the kind of insider insight I was hoping to get when I started the book.
Palin records many truly fascinating moments as he recounts the troupe’s growing popularity in Britain and abroad. His shock at being fawned over by mega-star George Harrison at a chance meeting at the Apple Studios is one priceless example. Another is when he discusses the daily work of making comedy during an active IRA London bombing campaign.
Because Palin is writing about events as they happen from the perspective of someone for whom a life of writing outrageous comedy quite normal, there isn’t much meta-insight into the Python phenomenon. But I was more than content with his discussions of how the group dealt with various issues including creative contribution dynamics and political negotiations with BBC censors, as well as his entries on the evolution of his post-Python career and what it’s like to host Saturday Night Live with two live cats down your pants.
Though Palin’s diaries are ultimately about the mundane daily issues of his life, the circumstances around that life ensure his entries are rarely dull. As the following quote demonstrates, even his discussions of the weather take on a whole new twist: “A clear and sunny day. In the distance the sun picks out the snow on the mountains of the Austrian Alps. It’s a perfect day for throwing a dummy of John Cleese from the 100ft tower of the castle to the courtyard below.”
Show Less
LibraryThing member birdsam0610
You may have guessed by now that I’m quite a fan of Michael Palin’s travel documentaries. Well, I’m also a fan of Monty Python and couldn’t resist the opportunity to delve into his diaries, starting with the beginning of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and finishing with the Life of
Michael is himself apologetic at the beginning of the diaries, stating that he didn’t feel there was enough about Python in there, because he didn’t realise how big the whole thing would become. He continues this humble theme all the way through, demonstrating just what a nice, normal person he is. From discussing holidays with the children, to visits to the dentist and occasional commercials to pay the bills, you might think this is boring. But it’s not- it’s a view of an ordinary life that just happens to be shared with Mr Gumby, songs about lumberjacks and George Harrison.
The book is divided into each of the years- it’s not a daily account, and Michael explains why there’s gaps or gives a brief overview of what happens and it’s meticulously detailed with footnotes in case you don’t recognise some of the figures (eg. various people at the BBC, politicians, managers). I read this over a long period on the daily commute and it was relaxing to be taken through the day to day, followed by filming in exotic locale such as Tunisia or flying Concorde (I don’t think I would, even if they still existed, after one of MP’s trips)!
I think you’d need to be somewhat of a MP fan to enjoy this- it’s not just about Python and Ripping Yarns but daily life in Britain of the seventies but if you are a fan, get a hold of this book! I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, Halfway to Hollywood, 1980-88.
Show More
Brian.Michael is himself apologetic at the beginning of the diaries, stating that he didn’t feel there was enough about Python in there, because he didn’t realise how big the whole thing would become. He continues this humble theme all the way through, demonstrating just what a nice, normal person he is. From discussing holidays with the children, to visits to the dentist and occasional commercials to pay the bills, you might think this is boring. But it’s not- it’s a view of an ordinary life that just happens to be shared with Mr Gumby, songs about lumberjacks and George Harrison.
The book is divided into each of the years- it’s not a daily account, and Michael explains why there’s gaps or gives a brief overview of what happens and it’s meticulously detailed with footnotes in case you don’t recognise some of the figures (eg. various people at the BBC, politicians, managers). I read this over a long period on the daily commute and it was relaxing to be taken through the day to day, followed by filming in exotic locale such as Tunisia or flying Concorde (I don’t think I would, even if they still existed, after one of MP’s trips)!
I think you’d need to be somewhat of a MP fan to enjoy this- it’s not just about Python and Ripping Yarns but daily life in Britain of the seventies but if you are a fan, get a hold of this book! I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, Halfway to Hollywood, 1980-88.
Show Less
LibraryThing member draigwen
Rather than an autobiography with half-remembered stories, these diaries provide a decade's worth of stories written while they are still fresh. Insights into not only the relationships between the Pythons, but their connections with others such as George Harrison and Keith Moon, about the politics
Show More
of the day, and about [author: Palin]'s own home life - particularly moving are the illness and eventual death of his father, and the story of Al and Eve Levinson. As well as being intrinsically interesting because of the subject matter it is also a joy to read, particularly in later years as Palin seems to become happier with the medium of writing a diary, with longer and more indepth entries. Show Less
LibraryThing member Neale
A great book if you're a Python fan. It also captures a lot of the history / feelings of the 70's from an Englishman's standpoint. Its 650 odd pages long but worth the read especially the making of Life Of Brian.
LibraryThing member Fluffyblue
I enjoyed reading these diaries immensely. I found Michael Palin's writing to be really warm and humourous. The diaries seemed to be a fairly honest account of his life during the Python Years, and it was intriguing to read what he thought of his co-stars. Palin, for me, was always my favourite,
A very interesting and illuminating read.
Show More
and his diaries did not change my mind here.A very interesting and illuminating read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member craso
This is a diary of a man’s life during the 1970’s. Palin is a son, husband, father, writer, and performer. He is concerned about social, cultural and political issues in England and the world. I enjoyed reading about his work with the Python’s, but work is not all that goes on in a person’s
The entries regarding his career in Python and in other television shows and movies were interesting. I had never heard of “Ripping Yarns” before or that he made a movie for the BBC called “Three Men in a Boat.” There are no new revelations about the Python group. They were six individuals that sometimes got along and sometimes did not. When they did get along they were extremely silly and that is what we love about them.
The diaries are written in a way that engages the reader. They aren’t dry or stuffy. I was surprised at how easy the book was to read, even though it is so long it would make a good door stop. Michael Palin comes across as a kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and talented person. Like we would ever think he wasn’t the “nice” Python.
Show More
life. There are other important obligations; going to your child’s school play, helping your aging parents, vacationing with friends and family.The entries regarding his career in Python and in other television shows and movies were interesting. I had never heard of “Ripping Yarns” before or that he made a movie for the BBC called “Three Men in a Boat.” There are no new revelations about the Python group. They were six individuals that sometimes got along and sometimes did not. When they did get along they were extremely silly and that is what we love about them.
The diaries are written in a way that engages the reader. They aren’t dry or stuffy. I was surprised at how easy the book was to read, even though it is so long it would make a good door stop. Michael Palin comes across as a kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and talented person. Like we would ever think he wasn’t the “nice” Python.
Show Less
LibraryThing member the.ken.petersen
A good book comes in like a stranger into your home; someone to be treated with polite suspicion, becomes a good friend and then, one is sorry to see leave. Promises are made to see each other again but, there are so many books out there, it may be some time.
Palin writes well, the insights into the
Palin writes well, the insights into the
Show More
machinations of the Pythons are fascinating but, not the entire story. One relives the great events of recent history - the moon landings being a prime example - with the immediacy of a contemporary entry. Palin draws his characters well and does not feel the need for every line to drip wit. After 600 pages, I felt that I had gained a friend rather than been dazzled by an unquestionable talent: all power to you Michael: perhaps we might get the next twenty years at some stage? Show Less
LibraryThing member AileenPowell
A must for any Monty Python fan, and a great read even if you're not. Reading between the lines, I suspect Mr Palin (maintaining his reputation at the polite Python) could have said much more but it's an nevertheless an extremely enjoyable review of the Python years. I read this over the holidays
Show More
and it was one of those books I was quite sad to finish. I'm looking forward to the next installment (and I hope there is one)! Show Less
LibraryThing member mahallett
it seems like palin is a nice but very funny guy. he like the others are kind of in awe of john Cleese who gets away with a lot because he writes so well. graham chapman seems to be a crazy guy who can be quite sweet when sober.terry j is kind of gung ho-- a palin favourite. idle is on his own
Show More
program and not that likeable. terry g is hardly mentioned--too earnest? Show Less
LibraryThing member comfypants
Meh. There's some interesting stuff here and there, but I never quite found it entertaining. Now that I think about it, I don't know why I expected anything else from a diary.
(I "read" the abridged audiobook, read by the author. I can imagine reading the full version would be excruciatingly dull.)
(I "read" the abridged audiobook, read by the author. I can imagine reading the full version would be excruciatingly dull.)
LibraryThing member timjones
These diaries cover Michael Palin's Monty Python years, though their coverage of "The Holy Grail" and "Life of Brian" is better than that of making the TV series, and Ripping Yarns, and towards the end begin to look ahead to the second half of his career - the travel programmes and non-Python
For a Python fan such as myself, these are well worth reading. Non-Python fans might find the minutiae of the Python years less interesting, but these diaries also give a good picture of what Britain was like in the 1970s - very different, in many respects, from today.
Show More
films.For a Python fan such as myself, these are well worth reading. Non-Python fans might find the minutiae of the Python years less interesting, but these diaries also give a good picture of what Britain was like in the 1970s - very different, in many respects, from today.
Show Less
LibraryThing member dirac
My review is highly biased. I love Python so this insiders view was simply amazing...to me.
LibraryThing member infjsarah
Listened to the audiobook in the car. Was OK for this but I don't think I'll borrow with the later diaries.
LibraryThing member dasam
I love Monty Python, and looked forward to hearing some of the behind scenes of how their creative processes worked together. In that, this book did not disappoint. It is a diary, however. And as with any of us, much of Palin's life described therein is filed with the daily mundane that is less
Show More
interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member fraxi
Everything you wanted to know about the National Treasures meals, drinks and occasionally drugs,and Python business meetings. Fortunately there is a lot more than this, especially memorable is Palin's poignant account of his father's illness. However Michael Palin can do no wrong in my view despite
Show More
the above criticisms, and I eagerly await tne next volume(s). Show Less
LibraryThing member ibazel
Michael Palin is such an adorable little man