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Something Like Fire: Peter Cook Remembered
A composite biography of Peter Cook, writer, innovator and comic genius, which describes his extraordinary wayward talent, and inventiveness and zest for life. It covers his life as an entertainer, from "Beyond the Fringe", to his partnership with Dudley Moore, and beyond.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
269 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 21, 2016
I had expected something more biography like. Now I imagine that first sentence said in Peter Cook voice.
But this was really a series of remembrances from friends and colleagues, some going back to school days. It might be a better read if you've already read a more traditional biography, as it could perhaps fill in some blanks. I found myself just wanting to know more about the timeline of his life and how he got to the point where he made that leap in comedy writing. As it is he's pretty much a full blown working writer as far as many of these memories go.
One very nice aspect of the book was how so many of his friends took pains to denounce the way some had said that he'd "wasted his life/potential". They pointed out instead that he had done just as he pleased and (apart from the drinking problem) had been very satisfied with how his life turned out. I loved the final chapter with his wife Linn talking about the garden they shared and their experiences with fish in their garden ponds
He was extremely well loved and sounded like he was an absolute joy to be around for the most part. So many stories of people falling about on the floor laughing.
Reading it made me think of my own dear friends that are a joy to be around, and because all the memories in the book are told from the point of view of Peter having already passed on, it reminded me it might be a good idea to reconnect with some of them while they are still here. Very poignant.
But this was really a series of remembrances from friends and colleagues, some going back to school days. It might be a better read if you've already read a more traditional biography, as it could perhaps fill in some blanks. I found myself just wanting to know more about the timeline of his life and how he got to the point where he made that leap in comedy writing. As it is he's pretty much a full blown working writer as far as many of these memories go.
One very nice aspect of the book was how so many of his friends took pains to denounce the way some had said that he'd "wasted his life/potential". They pointed out instead that he had done just as he pleased and (apart from the drinking problem) had been very satisfied with how his life turned out. I loved the final chapter with his wife Linn talking about the garden they shared and their experiences with fish in their garden ponds
He was extremely well loved and sounded like he was an absolute joy to be around for the most part. So many stories of people falling about on the floor laughing.
Reading it made me think of my own dear friends that are a joy to be around, and because all the memories in the book are told from the point of view of Peter having already passed on, it reminded me it might be a good idea to reconnect with some of them while they are still here. Very poignant.
January 28, 2014
Some great contributions. Combine this with How Very Interesting: Peter Cook's Universe and All That Surrounds It and you've got a pretty perfect piece of biography. Contradictions wisely left unedited unlike in some, a handy reminder of just how subjective the form is.
September 9, 2012
Terrific collection of tributes and memoir by some of the wittiest writers ever. A joyous lament for the loss of a genius.
April 3, 2013
A wonderful read. Stories about Peter Cook written by those who knew him well. Really captures the beauty and humour of Cook.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews