Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Eric Idle
Weidenfeld, £20, pp304
Eric Idle’s “sortabiography” is at its strongest on his early years in TV and radio comedy, capturing the infectious glee with which the Monty Python troupe went about subverting the British establishment. Inevitably, as the scene changes to wealthy California, and the name-dropping anecdotes proliferate (“I have met many people in my life, and, sadly, many of them were not famous”), something of the initial charm is lost, but Idle’s likable and breezy style makes this a thoroughly pleasurable read.
Heroes
Stephen Fry
Penguin, £20, pp480
Stephen Fry’s follow-up to his 2017 retelling of Greek myths, Mythos, is another assured and engaging book, combining well-written and fresh versions of the legends of Heracles, Perseus, Theseus among others with a lightly pedagogical version of his public persona. The book seems to be aimed mainly at teenagers rather than adults, though no one will care about that. The pace is lively, the jokes are genuinely funny (if occasionally more risque than expected), as Fry once again proves himself a master of offering his reader great learning worn lightly.
The Diary of a Bookseller
Shaun Bythell
Profile, £8.99, pp320
This hugely readable memoir, published last year and now out in paperback, has deservedly become a bestseller. The splendidly misanthropic Shaun Bythell sells his wares, in a variety of shapes, sizes and conditions, from a freezing shop in the “book town” of Wigtown in Scotland. His customers are also to be found in a variety of conditions, as are his employees, not least the eccentric Nicky. And then there are his pet hates, including but not limited to Amazon, Kindle and people who ask him irritating questions.
• To order Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle for £17.60, Heroes by Stephen Fry for £17.60, or The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell for £7.91, go to guardianbookshop.com or call 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Phone orders min p&p of £1.99
