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The Fry Chronicles: Penguin Picks Paperback – March 8, 2018

by Stephen Fry (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,395 ratings
Goodreads Choice Award nominee
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Spanning 1979-1987, The Fry Chronicles charts Stephen's arrival at Cambridge up to his thirtieth birthday.

'Heartbreaking, a delight, a lovely, comfy book' The Times

'Perfect prose and excruciating honesty. A grand reminiscence of college and theatre and comedyland in the 1980s, with tone-perfect anecdotes and genuine readerly excitement. What Fry does, essentially, is tell us who he really is. Above all else, a thoughtful book. And namedroppy too, and funny, and marbled with melancholy' Observer

'Arguably the greatest living Englishman' Independent on Sunday

'Extremely enjoyable' Sunday Times

'Fry's linguistic facility remains one of the Wildean wonders of the new media age. The patron saint of British intelligence' Daily Telegraph

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    464 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin
  4. Publication date
    March 8, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    4.37 x 1.14 x 7.13 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1405933720
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1405933728
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin (March 8, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1405933720
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1405933728
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.37 x 1.14 x 7.13 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,395 ratings

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Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,395 global ratings
Was sent first edition signed copy :)
5 Stars
Was sent first edition signed copy :)
Bought this beautiful biography of my favorite author because wanted to re-read it and got a first edition signed copy :) Amazing! Thank you a lot!
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Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Stephen Fry intellect
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
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This man is so interesting. I really enjoyed his book
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friedsparrow
4.0 out of 5 stars Infuriating & Endearing
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2012
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I read this paperback copy with a happy, conspiratory feeling -- I had mine shipped from England for $0.77 and was gloating over the fact that no one else in the U.S. would have it yet. I am continually surprised by how little Stephen Fry is known here in general... I think he's a treasure of a human being, if certainly infuriating at times.

One blurb on the back cover says that "most readers will close this book and want to give it a hug." I can't think of an apter way to sum up the experience than that. Stephen exposes all of his quivering insecurity, stifling self-consciousness and second-guessing, embarrassments, longings, disappointments, and confusions about life. It takes enormous bravery to be this emotionally honest (especially, as he would be the first to point out, for an Englishman). This leaves him wide-open for ridicule and derision, but I felt nothing but tenderness toward Stephen Fry after reading his book. I've been a fan of him on the basis of his elocution, acting ability, and pure personality for a while; but this made me feel positively kindred toward the man. Even though I know nothing of his world, and grew up completely divorced from the culture he was steeped in, the things that he writes about resound with the most private, core aspects of human experience -- shame, uncertainty, and devouring desire.

So yes, he goes on a bit. The book is absurdly long-winded and apologetic, self-aggrandizing and sad. But Stephen always seems absolutely sure of what he wants to say, how he wants to say it, and why. That is enough of a thesis for me, and his style carries it away beautifully.
16 people found this helpful
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Susan
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious!!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
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I had no idea before now that Stephen Frye was so funny! This book is no exception, although at a certain point he started talking about a lot of people that I as an American had never heard of, which isn't his fault, really.

I think the thing that may have affected the ratings of this book generally is his style. He is hilarious live or televised, and his writing is the SAME way. I find it extremely funny, personally. His loquaciousness and wordiness are likely off-putting to some people. If you like him on you tube, etc, you will love him here, too!!!!
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RLSinSF
3.0 out of 5 stars Bit of a slog, but entertaining in parts
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2023
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If Stephen Fry were actually the kind of person he wants you to think he is, he wouldn’t be so keen to overplay his (extensive, he’ll have you know!) vocabulary. But always in an affected self-depreciating tone, so it’s okay! He‘s the type that uses the phrase “esoteric coteries” so that he can go on to impress with an unnecessary explanation that it is an anagram. (Get it?! It’s clever, right? Right!?!) And wordy? Why use 20 words when 100 will do? Often throughout this book, you just have to roll your eyes and skip a couple of paragraphs. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was a parody British character in period Hollywood. It’s frustrating, because Fry is a genuinely funny and engaging person who’s had an interesting life, and you read this wishing he’d just stop working so hard beating you over the head with his wit. It’s tiresome by quarter-way through. (Also tiresome is the repeated misspelling of Iain Softley’s name. Unforgivable.)
7 people found this helpful
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Timothy Haugh
5.0 out of 5 stars The Pleasure of Mr. Fry's Beginnings in the Business
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2012
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I first became aware of Stephen Fry (along with Hugh Laurie) many years ago watching Blackadder and Jeeves & Wooster on PBS. I starting reading Mr. Fry when his novel Making History was published, a book I enjoyed a lot. Then, after not giving him much thought recently, I was hit with a barrage of Fry--Mycroft in the new Sherlock Holmes movie, a Jeeves DVD, his appearance in a rerun of Top Gear. So, when I saw this autobiography, I was in the mood to give it a try.

His second autobiography, this volume covers Mr. Fry's life from his college years through the beginnings of his career as a writer and actor. Knowing his wit, I had high expectations for this book and they were well met. His Oxbridge cleverness (keep an eye on all those "C" chapter headings) and his pleasantly ponderous and posh turn of phrase are on brilliant display here. If nothing else, his prose is a pleasure to read.

But, of course, it is the stories that really generate the interest. I really knew very little about Mr. Fry apart from what he's put on screen and it was fun getting to know him--his love of cars and computers, for instance. I didn't realize he was such a close friend of Emma Thompson, and it was interesting to learn about his first meeting with Laurie. His analysis of their complementary differences is quite wonderful. Along the way, we meet, of course, a whole bevy of name British actors and comedians. He is also very self-perceptive about his compulsive behaviors, if his self- deprecation does occasionally get wearisome.

To be honest, I find tales of the rise of British actors incredibly interesting because I find their dedication to their craft to be generally better than their American counterparts. If Mr. Fry downplays his skills, he cannot hide the mass of work he did from early on to make himself a success. Additionally, he has credits as a writer and a love of commercial and voice-over work that is refreshing.

Somehow, I missed his first autobiography, Moab Is My Washpot. I get the feeling that might be a lucky thing. In this book, he hints at his troubled youth that he covered in that book. He also hints at a decent into drugs in the years after those described here that will likely be covered in a future volume. I find neither of these topics inherently interesting and tend to stay away from them. I prefer the pleasure of a working actor/writer's story. However, this book was so good that I may have to try the others anyway.
16 people found this helpful
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Corricopat
4.0 out of 5 stars I like him immensely
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2018
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I could hear Fry's voice throughout, with all his various quirks and congenial use of language so particular to him. I like him immensely, and was astonished to learn how naughty he was as a youngster. Nice to get an inside view of his rapid rise, reviews of old shows on British TV and on stage. Made me go look on on the internet to find out more...Looking forward to reading what comes after his cliff-hanging tease...
2 people found this helpful
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Nadya Volkova
5.0 out of 5 stars Was sent first edition signed copy :)
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
Bought this beautiful biography of my favorite author because wanted to re-read it and got a first edition signed copy :) Amazing! Thank you a lot!
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Nadya Volkova
5.0 out of 5 stars Was sent first edition signed copy :)
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024
Bought this beautiful biography of my favorite author because wanted to re-read it and got a first edition signed copy :) Amazing! Thank you a lot!
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Bernadette Yerby
5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived promptly
Reviewed in Canada on September 11, 2022
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Its hard to say as its a Christmas Present, and I did'nt want Alexa requesting a review when the recipient was at home thus spoiling the suprise
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marvyn david johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Como el descripción.
Reviewed in Spain on August 13, 2020
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Como el descripción.
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Gurnoor Grewal
4.0 out of 5 stars A MEMOIR WORTH TRYING
Reviewed in India on August 6, 2017
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Stephen Fry in his characteristic funny way depicts the curve his life takes.He dwells upon his friendship with Hugh Laurie(Dr House ,as we know his from the popular drama series) and his overcoming of substance abuse.
One person found this helpful
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🍕 pixelwiz
5.0 out of 5 stars Stephen Fry is a beautiful man with a beautiful mind!
Reviewed in France on November 5, 2014
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I expected his biographical writing to be candid, insightful, exciting, and flabbergasting! I was happily proven right! I absolutely recommend this book. I've devoured it in a week and am now looking to buy his latest bio, More Fool Me, which I understand continues where this book leaves off and perhaps even goes deeper into some of the stories and etc., just as Moab Is My Washpot, the previous bio book, leaves off just before this one begins. When I started reading this book I found out that Moab was actually the first bio, roughly covering the years, as Stephen himself writes, between birth and prison. Not being able to drop the current book however, I haven't waited to read Moab before Chronicles. But I will, no doubt! So perhaps I would recommend you either buy the three together, Moab, Chronicles and the last bio, More Fool Me, or buy them and read them one by one, or do whatever you want in any order you wish but if you like Stephen Fry, don't miss out on this jewel of his!
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Chris White
5.0 out of 5 stars Come Fry with him
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2011
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Continuing from  Moab Is My Washpot , The Fry Chronicles presents the next eight years of the author's life. It encompasses his time at Cambridge and subsequent burgeoning career in comedy, up to Black Adder II.

Stephen Fry cheerfully admits that his scholastic attainments were the result of 'cheating'. His remarkable facility for memorising facts meant that his examination essays were virtually pre-written in his head. All he needed to do was mould their content to the questions asked. With that all put to bed, he was able to indulge his love of writing and performing: first as a straight dramatic actor, then as a member of the renowned Cambridge Footlights.

His introduction to the latter came as a result of meeting his future close friend and comedy collaborator, Hugh Laurie, for whom Fry's affection is obvious and to whom the book is dedicated. Whether he'd planned to or not, Fry emerged from academia with a theatrical agent and a host of like-minded friends. The story of how his and Laurie's particular brand of humour managed to find a place within the up and coming 'alternative' scene makes for a fascinating read. Although work was steady, it was Fry's lucrative engagement to write the musical book of Me and My Girl that gave him financial security while still in his twenties.

So much for his professional life. How did all this affect Fry personally? Such is his love of the English language that he warns you upfront not to expect two paragraphs when he can say it in six. His beguiling style of writing, by turns erudite, conversational, funny and disarming, invites the reader into his confessional booth. By the end, you can't help but feel you've provided a sympathetic ear and some tea and biscuits.

Fry writes of a hidden insecurity, that somehow he is undeserving of the good fortune that has come his way. However, he acknowledges that it all happened as a result of knowing what he could do. And if this book imparts any wisdom, it's that everybody can do something.
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