The Fry Chronicles
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4.2 • 355 Ratings
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- £3.99
Publisher Description
The Fry Chronicles eBook is an enhanced digital title containing exclusive video material viewable on colour devices, such as the iPad, and fully integrated photography. With seven videos, links to relevant websites and web content, this enhanced eBook will bring an enriched reading experience to fans of Stephen Fry and eBook lovers everywhere.
Please note that this is a large file which will take some time to download over slower connections.
Thirteen years ago, Moab is my Washpot, Stephen Fry's autobiography of his early years, was published to rave reviews and was a huge bestseller. In those thirteen years since, Stephen Fry has moved into a completely new stratosphere, both as a public figure, and a private man. Now he is not just a multi-award-winning comedian and actor, but also an author, director and presenter. In January 2010, he was awarded the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards.
Much loved by the public and his peers, Stephen Fry is one of the most influential cultural forces in the country. This dazzling memoir promises to be a courageously frank, honest and poignant read. It will detail some of the most turbulent and least well known years of his life with writing that will excite you, make you laugh uproariously, move you, inform you and, above all, surprise you.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With his trademark dry wit, Fry recounts his Cambridge years and those leading up to his 30th birthday in this genuinely touching and often hilarious second autobiographical installment after 1999's Moab Is My Washpot. Officially a "criminal" when he arrived at the prestigious university in 1979 he got caught stealing at age 17 and spent a month in a young offender's institution Fry worried he wouldn't fit in. But he adjusted quickly to Cambridge life, where he read English and excelled at written exams without having attended many lectures. Unlike at American universities, where drama is an official subject, the myriad Cambridge theater groups such as Footlights are completely student-run and separate from academic life. Soon Fry was appearing in numerous plays, often in kingly or other wise older roles. Though academia was his first choice, the more immersed Fry became in theater, both acting and writing, the more serious consideration he gave to it as a career. The descriptions of sketches and plays themselves, while important, pale in comparison to Fry's intimate descriptions of the lifelong friendships he formed at school, particularly with Emma Thompson and writing partner Hugh Laurie, whom he describes as the "best and wisest man I have ever known, as Watson writes of Holmes." Moving also are his ruminations on the nature of fame and his struggles with addiction and body issues. Honesty can be painful to read, but Fry is cheeky and thoughtful in equal measures, making this a must for his legion of fans.
Customer Reviews
It left me wondering...
Enhanced version a bit buggy... But nice to link to the web directly.
As a book, it was quite good and it enjoyably opened my eyes to Cambridge and the lives of people moving into show biz.
But... Too much self deprecation - why can't the British take pride in their hard work and success? Some unspoken rule??
I'm not a reader
Being someone that hates to read and instead prefers to dip in and out of audio books (even then my attention struggles). I had quite a problem when this book arrived. I wanted to experience it because I admire Stephen Fry, but then you've the book, enhanced book, audio book and the extremely interesting app myfry. I decided to go for the enhanced book, (the featured videos winning me over). As a result ive breezed through the first quarter of the book in one sitting. Which is unheard of for me. I've heard the term "page turner" but never experienced it until now. The greatest review that I can give this book is that it's extremely well written. It's extremely honest, informative and captivating. It has turned a non reader like myself into someone that can't wait to read what happens next. Excellent and I shall be getting the first now to.
Long and left wanting more
This book picks up from the point where Stephen is leaving school to go to Cambridge and ends at the age of 30.
As you would expect of Stephen Fry the language and words are verbose and expressive. At times it feels a little too verbose and it can seem to slow the pace. Some of the stories from these years seem overly detailed while others pass with a modest use of words.
Stephen Fry is very modest throughout, you feel this is very much his nature, but at times he could deservedly be more boastful. This in turn may give a greater idea of his talents and many successes.
I enjoyed the book but was disappointed it end at the age of 30.