Michael McIntyre is such a stalwart of UK stand up that it is hard to remember that there was a time when your Newsfeed wasn’t flooded with his clips. But this memoir takes us back to his beginning, to a privileged but disjointed childhood, to his attempts at higher education and decision to pursue comedy (like his father) and his early failures at open mics and small gigs.
In his signature chatty, genial, humorously ironical style, McIntyre reveals a lot about his life — though, as with all autobiography, and all comedians, there can be no doubt that there is some exaggeration and careful excision, because that is what autobiographers (and comedians) do — and it is a very enjoyable read throughout. The story of the long wooing of his wife Kitty is adorable, his account of Edinburgh Festivals, successful and not, is fascinating, and for anyone who only associates him with arena shows and comedy road shows, it is a timely reminder that everyone starts somewhere.
SCORECARD
TBR DAY 141: Life & Laughing: My Story by Michael McIntyre
GENRE: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Humour
PUBLISHED: 2010
TIME ON THE TBR: 3 years.
PURCHASED FROM: Amazon.
KEEP: Sure, why not?
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