Michael Palin's diaries begin when he was newly married and struggling to make a name for himself in the world of television comedy. But Monty Pyth...
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Nov 23, 2007
Lena
rated it: 
I was a big Monty Python fan as a teen-ager, so I was very excited when I learned founding member Michael Palin was publishing the diary he began keeping during the early days of the Monty Python show. The diary, however, is a tricky form in that it is rarely written with the interests of a reader in mind. Because of this, the book gets off to a surprisingly slow start. Palin’s early entries do contain some tidbits about the early days of Python, but, as he mentions, he had no idea at that ti
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Jan 25, 2009
Christine
rated it: 
OK, I updated this. I exaggerated, there are only 600 pages or so, and I felt guilty so I skimmed the rest of the book. There is a little more meat about the making of "Life of Brian", but not much more. Mostly we hear about Palin's trips to the dentist and the tax assessor....
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There is a big difference between reading an unedited diary and reading a memoir. Palin comes across as a very nice guy (and John Cleese not) but if you want to know how Mont More...
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There is a big difference between reading an unedited diary and reading a memoir. Palin comes across as a very nice guy (and John Cleese not) but if you want to know how Mont More...
Apr 17, 2011
Frank
rated it:
What must it have been like to make "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"? There are numerous tails and myths -- but in his wonderful first volume of diary entries, we find out: "John (Lancelot) and I (Galahad) driving up through Glencoe in a Budget Rent-a-Van full of chainmail." Not a line you will find in most books or memoirs. But you will in Michael Palin's first set of published diaries. Or how about this one? "A good day's filming at last... John Horton's rabbit
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Nov 02, 2010
Kate
rated it: 
It's weird to be assigning a rating and reviewing works that were never originally intended to be published. There's also been entries removed, which I understand. There's stuff that you'd rather not the public see and most of it is with regard to family vacations, which don't fit so nicely into the narrative of Palin's career and the growing popularity of Monty Python. It's not as informative during the first bit of the book, quite honestly it drags quite a bit, but that's also not surprisin
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Mar 26, 2011
“Michael Palin is not just one of Britain’s foremost comedy character actors, he also talks a lot. Yap, yap, yap he goes, all day long and through the night . . . then, some nights, when everyone else has gone to bed, he goes home and writes up a diary.” So writes John Cleese about Monty Python co-member Michael Palin, also known for acclaimed travel programs such as Around the World in 80 Days and Full Circle. With a lucid and witty style, Palin chronicles the early days of Python (from fringe
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Sep 04, 2009
S.D.
rated it: 
Not since Pepys’ has a diary warranted such literary merit. And Palin’s is better, less a diary than a portrait of everyman’s artist. In crisp, witty prose Palin narrates and ruminates on the creative process, British politics, travel, television, sport, family, film, finances, fine dining, literature, public transportation, and, of course, the inner workings of Monty Python. But what’s unique in Palin’s process is his refined focus on a particular activity, event or thought in each entry. T
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Dec 21, 2008
Amy
rated it:
An endearing collection of Michael Palin's diaries from the earliest moments of Python through the premier of "Life of Brian." Fame hit just as his first child was born, and the diaries describe a man at his creative peak trying to be a good husband and father who can't quite believe his good fortune while money and acclaim come pouring in (spoiler alert: he succeeds).
The private Palin is as he seems: a decent guy, a disciplined writer (both of his diary and of his other w More...
The private Palin is as he seems: a decent guy, a disciplined writer (both of his diary and of his other w More...
Apr 08, 2010
William
rated it:
Great little book. Coming hard on the heels of the 6 part PBS documentary, these diary excerpts cover the Python Years (as the title suggests). The writing is remarkable, and if Palin writes this way in contemporary diary style, without the benefit of edits and rewrites (not suggesting anything, Michael), then the writing is even more remarkable. Fantastic behind the scenes look at the Pythons...especially surprised at how little Terry Jones is discussed, considering he and Palin wrote togethe
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May 09, 2008
Isabel
rated it:
It was extremely interesting to learn how Monty Python formed, planned and carried out their projects. Also, I got to know more about that decade in terms of politics, arts, etc. A must for all Michael Palin and Monty Python fans!
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Mar 17, 2010
Tobie
rated it:
Possibly the most enjoyable book I have ever read. Michael is so optimistic it can only rub off on the reader. I was very sad when I was finished. He shares books, movies and plays he's enoyed; I've started a list from his experiences. Also, if you're a huge Monty Python fan, as I am, the behind-the-scenes stories, personal impressions and emotions are priceless. Who knew John Cleese was so snooty, Idle such a hippy, Gilliam and Jones so emotional and Graham so depressed. It made me love and res
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Jun 22, 2009
Phil
rated it:
Warning. This is not a scintillating tell-all of the Monty Python world...it is something far more entertaining and at times enlightening. Michael Palin (known as the 'nice' python) wrote diaries throughout his life, and he thoughtfully published ten years worth that start with life right before the creation of Monty Python, and end with the release of their most controversial work Life of Brian. This is a look into a successful balance of the creative process and domestic life. Palin is a de
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Aug 09, 2011
Annalie
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I enjoyed this, partly because it covers a period just before I was born which I don't know much about, and partly because it sheds some light on the creation of Python and the relationships within it. I love Michael Palin, and this book does nothing to damage his "nice" reputation, but that is also unfortunately the main problem with it. He's too nice and pragmatic about EVERYTHING. And because it covers quite a long period of time, most things are dealt with in a paragraph when I wou
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Oct 09, 2010
Carin
rated it:
You may have guessed by now that I’m quite a fan of Michael Palin’s travel documentaries. Well, I’m also a fan of Monty Python and couldn’t resist the opportunity to delve into his diaries, starting with the beginning of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and finishing with the Life of Brian.
Michael is himself apologetic at the beginning of the diaries, stating that he didn’t feel there was enough about Python in there, because he didn’t realise how big the whole thing would become. He con More...
Michael is himself apologetic at the beginning of the diaries, stating that he didn’t feel there was enough about Python in there, because he didn’t realise how big the whole thing would become. He con More...
Nov 14, 2010
Jim
rated it:
An easy, relaxing read, with Palin recounting his Monty Python years running up to the Life of Brian, with Ripping Yarns inbetween. He was quite young at the time too, 36 when he was flying Concorde to New York to host Saturday Night Live for example. Lucky bastard. His journal reminds me of my own though, not making too many personal comments or observations, more notations on what he has been doing in a day. I bought his next diary for the Kindle too, which is ideal for that gadget, I think, a
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Apr 04, 2010
Sammy
rated it:
So this is going to be a tougher book to review because it's not really a book. It's someone's diary edited down and put into book form. How do you review someone's personal thoughts and daily life? Honestly, you don't.
This is something you read based on personal taste. If you are a Monty Python fan or a Michael Palin fan (in terms of his writings, career and travel books and documentaries) you should read this. He does write a lot about Monty Python because in the ten years his More...
This is something you read based on personal taste. If you are a Monty Python fan or a Michael Palin fan (in terms of his writings, career and travel books and documentaries) you should read this. He does write a lot about Monty Python because in the ten years his More...
Mar 23, 2010
Samdenney
rated it:
At times I really had to slog through this book. Palin's diary style can be almost unbearably bone-dry. Lots of descriptions of restaurant meals, meetings, and car journeys to and fro. For me, not enough about his actual feelings and emotions. Palin is obviously not a particularly introspective character, which disappointed me as I had hoped for more of an insight into the man himself rather than just his work. At times I felt that the book could easily have been pared down from 600 pages to at
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Aug 07, 2010
Ken
rated it:
A publicity biography of Michael Palin, written by John Cleese, is included in the introduction for (Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years):
You can almost hea More...
“Michael Palin is not just one of Britain’s foremost comedy character actors...he also talks a lot.
Michael chats, quips, fantasises, reminisces, commiserates, encourages, plans, discusses, and elaborates. Then, some nights, when everyone else has gone to bed, he goes home and writes up a diary.”
You can almost hea More...
Aug 03, 2009
A fascinating read for anyone interested in Michael or Monty Python - it collects Michael's diaries from a few months before Flying Circus began shooting to the year after the completion of Life of Brian.
I think diaries are more interesting than memoirs because you read about what the person thought was important at the time rather than what was more important in retrospect. Michael is instantly likable - probably the most fun parts are his frank discussions of the personalities i More...
I think diaries are more interesting than memoirs because you read about what the person thought was important at the time rather than what was more important in retrospect. Michael is instantly likable - probably the most fun parts are his frank discussions of the personalities i More...
May 30, 2011
Kent
rated it:
from Claire for Christmas 2008 -
25 Jan 2009 - started and read 1969-70
This is a slow moving because it goes thru the minutiae of dinners and travel, but throughout Palin's overnight stardom with Python, we see how he copes three young children, a father becoming physically and mentally weak, the strong personalities of the other Python's, newfound wealth - all by the age of 32.
08 Aug 2009 - finished 1974, interesting because that is the year Python filmed Holy Grai More...
25 Jan 2009 - started and read 1969-70
This is a slow moving because it goes thru the minutiae of dinners and travel, but throughout Palin's overnight stardom with Python, we see how he copes three young children, a father becoming physically and mentally weak, the strong personalities of the other Python's, newfound wealth - all by the age of 32.
08 Aug 2009 - finished 1974, interesting because that is the year Python filmed Holy Grai More...
May 04, 2008
Chris
rated it:
I heartily enjoyed this book, but I think it has limited appeal to the general public.
First, I'm a raving Monty Python fan. I have a rough knowledge of the order of events in the Python history, and the members of the troupe.
Second, I'm a big fan of Michael Palin in general. I've seen many of his travelogues and I'm generally not disappointed by his output.
Third, I generally enjoy reading diaries.
Here are some items I found to be engaging reading i More...
First, I'm a raving Monty Python fan. I have a rough knowledge of the order of events in the Python history, and the members of the troupe.
Second, I'm a big fan of Michael Palin in general. I've seen many of his travelogues and I'm generally not disappointed by his output.
Third, I generally enjoy reading diaries.
Here are some items I found to be engaging reading i More...
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Apr 05, 2008
Jenn
rated it:
I didn't buy the book when I saw him speak at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Sitting in the second row back from the stage and watching the Fan Circus was enough to write a short story. There is nothing like a room filled with old dorks. But even better, the new enthusiasm of a 20 something year old Chinese girl who had been recently introduced to the whole Python thing through her American boyfriend. Her gushing went from cute to hilarious as she exclaimed that more Python films and shows sh
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Apr 07, 2008
Genevieve
rated it:
I'm giving this book 5 stars because of the pure enjoyment I got from reading it. It's upwards of 600 pages, but I devoured it.
Deciding to publish his diary was a clever idea. Unlike an autobiography, which is inevitably tainted by current thoughts/feelings on what happened, a diary really charts the ups and downs as they unfolded. He's surprisingly candid and insightful about the good and the not-so-good within Monty Python, and he does it so in a witty and yet nice way. His diar More...
Deciding to publish his diary was a clever idea. Unlike an autobiography, which is inevitably tainted by current thoughts/feelings on what happened, a diary really charts the ups and downs as they unfolded. He's surprisingly candid and insightful about the good and the not-so-good within Monty Python, and he does it so in a witty and yet nice way. His diar More...
Feb 24, 2008
Christopher
rated it:
I must begin by saying that this uplifting diary of Michael Palin, who commenced it in 1969 at age 25 (at the beginning of his time with Monty Python's Flying Circus), reveals him as mature beyond his years, shrewdly observant, and a very engaging writer. It's arguably the best book I've read in years. Along the way, MP writes frankly and openly about his relationships with the other Python members and their personalities as well as others he meets along the way over the course of ten years. My
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Sep 02, 2007
Frederick
rated it:
I just bought this today. (It is, indeed, now available in the United States, but I can't find the American edition listed here. The Canadian will do.) I, of course, haven't finished it, but I've looked in the index for references to each Beatle (I being a Beatles fan) and read as much as I could in the space of a few hours about Michael Palin's friendship with George Harrison, and Palin's second, third and fourth-hand stories about the other Beatles. By the way, there are a lot more entires abo
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Aug 04, 2011
A great read, full of insight of the years when Monty Python's Flying Circus was the ground-breaking, iconoclastic comedy troupe. Michael Palin’s funny and witty diary documents the brain-storming meetings, personality clashes, the negotiations with film and television studios, cross-Atlantic publicity trips, family troubles, and tax havens. Hard to believe that all those seemingly effortless skits and films were agonizingly thought out and argued over. A must for any Python fan. Say no more
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Oct 28, 2011
ஐ Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"ஐ
rated it:
This is a rather long book at 721 pages, but I found it very interesting all the same. It's really just a daily peek into the life of a writer/actor/performer who is also a husband/father/son. You get a glimpse of the end of his father's life, who had Parkinson's Disease. If you're a Monty Python fan, you get a very interesting inside look at the group as they made most of their tv series, and the first several movies. After reading this book, I have much more personal respect for Michael Palin,
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Dec 09, 2008
Sockmonkey
rated it:
This book surprised me a lot. I knew that Python weren't the best of friends all the time but I couldn't believe how little they sometimes thought of each other. For a collection of diaries the writing is really entertaining at times. "Dawn only marginally lighter than the pitch darkness of an hour ago has rather resentfully broken as we move out of the station, as if God didn't really want today to happen." But due to what an undertaking it is I'd recommend it for serious fans only.
Nov 13, 2009
Erin
rated it:
In honor of Python's 40th anniversary (and because Cablevision is terrible and I no longer have IFC to watch the documentary) I'm cracking open this giant tome. Palin for President.
It's very interesting. Palin is an excellent writer, even when writing to and about himself. It is a little difficult to keep the 'characters' straight as they are not always introduced in the footnotes- but then I only discovered the extensive index about 2/3 of the way through. Most surprising was the br More...
It's very interesting. Palin is an excellent writer, even when writing to and about himself. It is a little difficult to keep the 'characters' straight as they are not always introduced in the footnotes- but then I only discovered the extensive index about 2/3 of the way through. Most surprising was the br More...
Apr 25, 2009
Lena
rated it:
I gave this to Dad for Christmas and borrowed it back. It's interesting how such a famous guy who produced such crazy and creative stuff is really normal. At a time when Saturday Night Live was being produced and pretty much everyone was on drugs, Michael Palin was a family guy who worked very hard on his work. I have a crazing to see more Monty Python and see all the other movies and tv shows he worked on. Interesting read, but at times a bit boring.
Sep 29, 2007
Mike
rated it:
This is one of the most pleasurable reads I've ever enjoyed. Palin is a talented diarist. The diary is bookended by the first day of shooting for Flying Circus and the close of 1979 as Python was riding high on the success of Life of Brian and Palin was beginning his collaboration on Time Bandits with Gilliam. It's a real pleasure to read how Python evolved creatively and personally, without the perspective of history to color the recollections. The gossip and bits about Harrison, Jagger, th
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