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Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
- A Sortabiography
- Narrated by: Eric Idle
- Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
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Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
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Publisher's Summary
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 a remarkable journey from his childhood in an austere boarding school through his successful career in comedy, television, theatre 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 and which 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 humour that has delighted his 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.
What listeners say about Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
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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
- Anonymous User
- 29-11-2018
A very good listen
Very good to hear Eric in all his glory, only one flaw of the book toward the end when he gets a little political and that really lets it down. I Don’t want to hear political views what ever side they’re from
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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
- Bernardo R.
- 19-02-2021
Fantastic book & life story
I’ve always been a Pythons fan but had no idea of how much stuff Eric and his mates have done outside of the main gig. His biography is obviously funny, but also full of interesting passages of Eric’s life, work and friendships. And having himself narrate is just brilliant
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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
- Anonymous User
- 29-08-2022
Tremendous talent, extremely witty
fun and frolicking the whole way through. A joy to listen along to and what a life
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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
- Anonymous User
- 01-11-2018
Not just an Idle fan
I found the story funny, reflective, sad, unbelievable & most of all enjoyable. This is a person who has lived & is living a great life. Hearing Eric’s voice, telling his story a slam dunk, back of the net, top shelf yarn. To borrow a couple of quotes “Say no more, now f-off & get it.”
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 11-03-2019
Brilliant !
Great from start to finish. With some surprises along the way. Author narrative was perfect
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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
- Anonymous User
- 15-04-2022
It’s Pretty Good ‘eh! Nudge Nudge Wink Wink!
I really loved this biography, and have listened to it twice already…it helps that Eric is the Narrator, as that means a pretty warm reception from any old python fan like me.
It was so good to hear the beginnings of that wonderful generation of British comedy groups / acts, and how the Pythons formed.
Eric freely admits he was a bit of a pants man until he met his wife - “…I was 33 when it dawned on me that I couldn’t sleep with every woman on earth - some of them would have to miss out!” 😀 Eventually he fell head over heals and sounds totally devoted to his wife of 40+ years!
It was intriguing to hear the back story of his song “Bright Side”, and the whole “Spamalot” the musical is an incredible story - so wish I could see that now!
Sometimes Biographies that include anecdotes about being on Bowie’s yacht, or going to the Grand Prix with Mick Jagger can be tiresome pretty quickly, but he gets away with it without sounding like a total tool….and his tender description of his friendship with George Harrison is very touching.
So, it’s 5 stars from me - enjoy!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Jennifer Hansen
- 28-06-2023
As Expected Hilariously Entertaining
This was a fantastic read. I lived so much of this through the 70’s, still use quotes from the Python’s…. Eric is honest, funny and authentic so recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 02-06-2023
Excellent audio book.
Well done here Eric.
What an outstanding life you have had and still got more to come.
Yes you are a legend.
Say no more!!
Mark from Australia.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Philip
- 24-09-2019
Loved this book
Monty Python was an essential par of my University Education although I confess I was perhaps more amused by their anarchic humour than their creative genius. Now the latter is more obvious. I had underestimated the contribution of Eric Idle to their overall success and this book establishes how important EI was in their success. In addition, he describes his elitist life with enough humility for you to really like him. He still sees his failings and yet became a friend to many great celebrities some of us who have left us. I imagine he is much loved back. I was so pleased to know that they were also loveable people in private through his eyes. A man with significant wealth, privilege and high level contacts but I’d be happy to invite him found to dinner just because he still sees how funny we all are. To my surprise this turned out to be a nostalgic autobiography that anyone with a send of humour, love of 60-70’s popular music and the cult of personality will simply adore. please write more Eric!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martin from Oxley, Brisbane
- 22-02-2023
Gets better so keep listening
Initially it took a little time to come to terms with all the name dropping and references to achievements. But then I realised that is just the life he lived. It brings it home that they really were the Beatles of comedy and lived a rockstar life. Ended up being very enjoyable.
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1 person found this helpful