The Fry Chronicles

[Owl Books]

I bought this book as one to 'dipped into', savoured a chapter or two at a time, like an expensive box of chocolates. I devoured it in two sittings (and only that many as I had to feed the family!). Given that my life couldn't really be more different to Mr Fry's, it's an odd analogy to make, but it was like slipping on a favourite cardigan, warm, embracing, comforting and familiar. A lot of people are familiar with his recent television work, this book covers his early adulthood, university and the beginning of his career in entertainment. For someone who wears his learning so blatantly on his sleeve, he never patronises and is fairly self effacing about his knowledge and intelligence. My only complaint is that I'll have to wait for the next instalment!

[Cassie]

I found myself glancing over some parts, particularly those which read more like diary entries, who where and when, but that could have also been because the gist of a lot of that was already in the public domain. We know who Fry's cohort were and mainly what they wrote and preformed in, what is always more interesting in the story behind the story. This also felt a little like the second book that needs to be written to get to the third and more interesting one, I hope! I loved the mental picture of Fry and Ben Elton's August outings in the London Clubs. Picturing them on a 'crusty' in above all place the Carlton Club had me grinning from ear to ear. I find Stephen Fry a fascination character, if we get another installment I would love more of him and less documentation. Neverthe, less I did enjoy it.