My Life as ME: A Memoir

by Barry Humphries

"Barry, you used to be so nice", Louisa Humphries frequently said to her son. Now, in his maturity, the Australian comedian reflects on his long journey away from niceness. Described by Barry as a "cubist self-portrait", "My Life As Me" revisits his childhood, his love-hate relationship with Australia and his adventures of the heart and stage. He tells us of his privileged youth in suburban Melbourne and describes his hectic artistic and romantic career in Australia, England and America. He also shares behind-the-scenes details of his life as creator and personal manager of Les Patterson, Sandy Stone and Dame Edna Everage.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Australia, Humor, Biography Memoir, Autobiography, Memoir

Paperback

First published October 28, 2002

About the author

John Barry Humphries was an Australian comedian, satirist, dadaist, artist, author and character actor, best known for his on-stage and television alter egos Dame Edna Everage, a Melbourne housewife and "gigastar", and Sir Les Patterson, Australia's foul-mouthed cultural attaché to the Court of St. James's. He was a film producer and script writer, a star of London's West End musical theatre, an award-winning writer and an accomplished landscape painter.

Reviews

[Melinda Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most entertaining part of this book is the cadence through which Humphries has written his prose - it has such a lovely rhythm to it.

A glimpse into the young like of Humphries in the 30's and 40's, and a dip into the 50's and 60's as a young actor. The remainder of the chapters gloss over the creation of Dame Edna (and perhaps they are covered in some of his other books) and a lot of time is taken to discuss art, friends, addiction and family.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humphries is arguably Australia's greatest comic thanks in the most part to his well-nigh seven decades inhabiting the persona of Dame Edna Everage and a few less years as Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone. Through these three comedic personae he has well and truly burrowed into the popular culture consciousness of his homeland, Britain and to some extent the US. However as anyone with more than a nodding acquaintance with his life away from the world of comedy should know, he is more than just a performer looking for a laugh. He is an artist, an aesthete, a bon vivant, a bibliophile, a cultural icon, a critic, a man who loves the past and an outsider. His autobiography reveals all these aspects of his life and makes for a most enjoyable read.

'My Life as Me' is well named as Humphries does his best to assert his own life alongside or perhaps underneath those of his characters. Through the early chapters of this book he plots his way through his childhood and youth, allowing the reader to join the dots on how he has integrated his family and his past into his art. There is no doubt that Edna is inextricably linked to how Barry saw his mother, whereas his father seems less combative, less imposing. The young Barry Humphries endeavouring to break way from the stifling bourgeoisie life of middle class Melbourne in the late 1940s and 1950s is also laid out for the reader. However there is an echo of Sandy Stone's dull affection for suburban life in Humphries' narrative, and it is possible that the reader will see the paradox within the performer. He is both separate from this past world and yet utterly enmeshed within it.

Once his life story moves to England and the growing success of his career there 'My Life as Me' becomes a little less interesting as a reflective study of the author by himself, and more of a celebrity's life told most enjoyably. Humphries is willing to engage with his weaknesses and failures, including his alcoholism and divorces, though he never goes into full confession mode as would a more 'Americanised' autobiography might. Thankfully he doesn't embrace the 'sad clown' motif.

The author spends plenty of space in the book discussing his passions, including music, art and books, and his intellectual credibility is never in doubt. Humphries relates plenty of entertaining and interesting anecdotes connected with the like Betjeman, Auden, Dali, Amis and other notables of the creative world alongside the slightly less mundane denizens of the performing arts like Peter Cook, Spike Milligan, Joan Rivers etc. As one reads these stories it's made clear that Humphries feels both part of yet outside this world of great writers, painters, comedians. The conflict between a secure and insecure ego is always there to see.

The most obvious audience for this book is anyone who enjoys Barry Humphries' work over the last 60+ years. Funny, intelligent, interesting and revealing, 'My Life as Me' will satisfy anyone who wants to get behind the facade of Edna, Les and Sandy. At under 370 pages and written in a prose that is smart without being too obscure or intellectual one can knock this autobiography quite readily. I have no qualms recommending it to potential readers.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 2 out of 5]

An obvious talented and highly intelligent man, nevertheless Humphries' writing needed tweaking. There was something missing, perhaps the "heart", in that though his life experiences were compelling to a degree, yet some essentials were left out. For example, leaving out the names of his first two wives seemed an indicator of a lack of observance of others. I barely knew when the author was married, to whom, and for how long. Other non-mentioned or hardly mentioned people who should have figured largely in Humphries' growing up years gave me pause. The sister and two younger brothers must have had some sort of impact but they were mentioned almost as an afterthought. The parents, in spite of their innate kindnesses, sacrifices and dependable care by, as applies to the father, having a good steady job with no vices...these speak for a lot but,... he didn't. Speak for them in a more positive light that is.
I was left disappointed because the subject matter was mainly about the author, which of course is as it should be, excepting that, self-centeredness appeared to rule the day. The book.

[Peter Langston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have long been an admirer of Mr Humphries and the characters he has created. In fact, in a far off time, I cowrote a monologue with a fellow student which he presented in the guise and spirit of Sir Les. Nearly fifty years later, I can still bring some of the pungent satirical stabbings of our academic staff into conversation.
It was therefore a let down to be so disappointed to read the author’s recall of his life. Born to privilege and taking risks to maintain it through his arts, his creations have taken on a darker, far less sympathetic hue.
Name dropping and tales salacious are the trappings of the poor story teller and wrapping them in inaccessible language which breaks the rhythm of the narrative and constantly reminds the reader how articulate and cultured the writer is, does little but erect a barrier between the author and his potential audience. You would think he would have learned this as a much traveled and variously reviewed performer.
Much of the time I wondered whether Humphries was honouring a sponsorship from Roget, so heavily laden were his sentences with syrup, describing through words unknown.
A disillusioning experience.

[Bertie007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly interesting journey through Barry Humphries' life, told and written by Barry Humphries himself. Witty and with an eye for detail, the story starts during his youth in Melbourne. Along the early beginnings of Melbourne neighborhoods, forgotten Playwrights, long lost celebrities and famous actors, Barry is honest and straightforward. The beautifully written prose paints a precise scenery of the events of his life, while the rhythm and the story
But Barry can be impatient, perhaps even erratic at times. And this shows in his writing. This makes of course the book truly unique, but is also its flaw. As in his acts and characters, in the written word, Barry is and remains a rebel, sometimes a dadaist.
For I myself have studied dramatic arts at one point in my life, this book is truly enriching. Even more, I am a fan of Barry Humphries' work. The value of combining creativity, knowledge and critical thinking to make something truly special is evident.

[Ann Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book both frustrated and fascinated me. The story of Barry Humphries’ life was a great read, but some of the comments in it put me off.

For example, in discussing an incident at Puckapunyal, BH describes an French performer being booed as a “frog poofdah“, and opines several times that that was indeed what he was. (p.74).
I lost any sympathy I had for the man at that point, and it never returned.

There were many snide self-congratulatory comments and remarks that annoyed me. I also noted that he married without detail (including the name of to whom he was wed) and it wasn’t easy to determine which of his four children came from which wife, nor anything about their relationships. It also seemed that he wanted to wow the reader with his vocabulary.

Nonetheless, I persevered to the end, and it was an entertaining account of his life and people he encountered and knew.

[John Archibald · Rating 4 out of 5]

you get a very personal feeling from the book. last year read text books on the functions and purpose of humour on a mechanical engineering sense "humour reverse engineering the mind" I really wanted to understand in fluency what motivates this genius Barry who is astounding in the art of entertainment comedy, besides his uniqueness.
he is very, very well educated as well as greatly intelligent and reaches out in the book on a very personal connection you do not get from Barry as a performer and also to note his very natural disposition is very warming. a few nuggets of insight. but in the end I feel he is also my friend now, in addition to his characters Dame Edna or les Patterson. is Barry humphries. or baz.

[Sandy Loyall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's as though I've been travelling through space and time as Barry's shadow. A wonderful journey. There's a slightly excessive amount of "name-dropping", but then wouldn't I do the same if I'd been born into his nappies and lived his fascinating life?!

It's the kind of life I might have lived myself, had my parents not convinced me to be an "art teacher" rather than my dream, an artist. As Barry says, "I always thought of parents as people who turned down the volume on one's life." Innocently though, they were doing their best given "the human condition".

Highly recommend, particularly if your hometown is either Melbourne or London.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was privileged to be at Gleebooks when Barry launched this book way back when. Sadly I didn't buy it at the time, but one of the stories he told that night has lived with me ever since. It's funny, but his live telling with all the embellishments was much funnier than the book (not surprising, really). He is such a natural story teller with great comic timing. His writing leans towards using big words unnecessarily, but you can forgive him a bit of that, I think. he's had one hell of a life. Very entertaining, and a great light read. On ya Bazza!

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading upon the Barry's passing. A wonderful book full of wit and nostalgia. The observations of Melbourne and its inhabitants in the first half of the 20th century, via BH's recollections are captivating and revealing of some of the places and characters that have formed my world in this city. He describes the culture and peculiarities of a country which at the time was oft accused of lacking a culture of its own altogether.

A charming, intimate and frank volume.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. Barry humphries has lived a big life with lots of big personalities as friends.
I enjoyed the book but felt I wanted more about his personality and his feelings. Lots of information on celebrities but as I didn't knowost of them it was challenging to always be interested.
This would be a great read for an older reader 60/70years

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this memoir by Barry Humphries! I read it in a few hours, enjoyed the photographs and could definitely see parts of Dame Edna in his mother! If you enjoy Barry Humphries, you will enjoy his memoir.

[Greg Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

a tiny bit self-indulgent but stands as a solid contribution to Australian biography/autobiography; a very substantial Australian

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book but at points I found it hard going, maybe I'm a bit too stupid for Mr Humphries.

[Margaret-Ann McClean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great trip down memory lane with similar upbringings despite decades apart. Great references to Melbourne and other familiar references across the world. So interesting. Vale Barry .

[Nicholas Cornish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit to a certain bias in this review, because Barry Humphries is one of my favourite people - without peer as Australia's best comic - in my view... A view shared by many, and underpinned by the broadly unanimous respect of fellow actors and comics, the world over...

In addition to his value as an entertainer, he is also, truly, one of the country's great unofficial intellectuals, cultural purveyors and observers of people, and this shines through in this quite excellently written autobiography.

The quality of Barry's writing attests to his superb clarity of observational mind. The book begins fairly soberly with an extended reflection on the vivid impressions of his childhood, before the pace lifts, progressing into the glorious absurdity of his adulthood... The book is consistently laugh out loud funny throughout, often achieved through the raucously configured retelling (in often staggering detail) of events, people, places and conversations. One is convinced of Barry's often stated claim that he seeks to entertain himself, first and foremost. It becomes apparent that his life and most of his interactions have been an extended performance - for the amusement of - Barry Humphries...

Of course, we are all the richer for this philosophy - and his commensurate ability to reduce the subtle genius intrinsic to his hilarity, to an articulate storytelling that is its equal.

The life and career of Barry Humphries straddles several rather seismically shifted socio-cultural eras, through to the present. His retention of a youthful rigeur and energy for aesthetics and the 'new'; anchored by the influence of his past - provides consistent, thoughtful comment and interaction with the more distinctive aspects of each of these time periods... This in turn adds an interesting historical context to the book.

His struggles are navigated with candour, humility, self derision and a slightly melancholic weight and value. His endurance, courage and daring is not explicitly mentioned, but is clear. As is his unceasing lifelong affection for and appreciation of art. A love of language is also evidenced through a ceaseless procession of hilarious quotes and a vast vocabulary. Rather than include any here, I will save them for your reading pleasure.

This is chronologically the 2nd of Barry's memoirs, and I now very much look forward to hastily acquiring and diving into his first.

NJC

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written awkwardly, but then again, Humphries' life seems to have been rather awkward itself. Plenty of insights into 1950's Australia (I'm glad I wasn't born in that era, it seems cringe inducing) and also details Humphries' career (which actually isn't that interesting either). It has the occasional humorous anecdote but the entire book isn't worth reading to get at these. Dame Edna is hilarious and entertaining, this book however is not.

[Greg James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant- a whirlwind tour de force through Melbourne in the thirties. Sydney and London in the swinging 60s , and then on to the world stage. Full of malicious anecdotes, shameful alcoholic episodes and fabulous theatrical tales, by a wordsmith of the highest order. Read it and improve your vocabulary!

[Benito · Rating 3 out of 5]

found it on Tug's bookshelf and was strangely drawn to the life of this fellow traveler. He does have a fine turn of phrase, very witty and underplayed. Particularly interesting and enjoyable if you're a fellow Australian artist and occasional dipsomaniac.

[Pip Tlaskal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. He is so funny and knows how to paint a scene literally- his teenage IMpressionist phase is described so beautifully- painting outdoors with an 'impasto of zinc' on his nose. What a treasure he and his words are.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look I did quite enjoy this, and was interested in his early love of literature and art. However did find it irritating that he jumped about in time so much so I was never quite sure of where he was in his career and which wife he was on.

[Twofeet123 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Enjoyed the first half and should have stopped there. The second half descends into a series of anecdotes whose purpose ostensibly is to drop a name or five. I became bored quickly. The vocabulary is initially exhilarating but later becomes repetitious.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book especially the early part about growing up in Melbourne in the 50's,

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gossipy, prolix and baroque. Lots of name-dropping and insights into a spoiled, self-absorbed but self aware and self deprecating genius. Delicious.

[Mary Playford · Rating 3 out of 5]

4.5

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite enjoying this until Barry reached the age when he realised he was an intellectual. At that point I lost interest rapidly and, very a very rare event for me, I abandoned the book.

[Eilagh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book to try to understand Barry Humphries - still do not understand his appeal to the world at large or how Australians like him.