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Not That I'm Bitter: A Truly, Madly, Funny Memoir
What was it like as one of a handful of women at the heart of the right-on alternative comedy scene in the 1980s? Piece of cake? Bit of a laugh? Well, yes, and no. It had its ups – but also its downs. Helen Lederer was a regular on the stand-up circuit and new-wave sketch shows in the decade that launched the careers of today’s comedy household names and national treasures.
She shared stages with comedy pioneers like Ben Elton and John Hegley, and TV screens with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Harry Enfield, and many others. From the iconic Absolutely Fabulous, to Bottom, Happy Families, Naked Video, French and Saunders and Girls on Top, it is difficult to think of a comedy show that Helen wasn’t a part of. From writing radio shows, to performing on the West End her wry, witty perspectives, and her face, are unforgettable. So, plain sailing then? Well, not really.
Not That I’m Bitter, her powerful, frank, moving and characteristically funny memoir, reveals exactly how choppy the waters could be. Even in those ground-breaking, anti-Thatcher days, there was only room at top for so many women. For the rest, it was as much a struggle to be seen and heard in the world of comedy as in any boardroom or workplace, and just as difficult to avoid the predators.
This is more than the story of one decade, however. The child of a Jewish-Czech wartime refugee, Helen Lederer was never part of the mainstream. How do you make humour from a lifelong battle against problems with weight and low-self-esteem? Where are the jokes in addictions to diet-pills and steroid injections? How can laughter defeat the darker moments, like a child’s anorexia or PTSD? How do you cope with constant self- sabotage and when, despite enormous success, you still feel like a failure? Helen raises an important and open discussion around mental health alongside the evolved attitudes to women today. There’s something in Helen Lederer’s life-story that everyone, can relate to.
A genuinely funny memoir with lots of heart (and just the right amount of bitterness!), she pulls no punches, but every blow is wrapped in a laugh of recognition. Brilliantly written, revealing, and moving, Not That I’m Bitter is sweet, sour, laugh out loud, and addictive.
She shared stages with comedy pioneers like Ben Elton and John Hegley, and TV screens with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Harry Enfield, and many others. From the iconic Absolutely Fabulous, to Bottom, Happy Families, Naked Video, French and Saunders and Girls on Top, it is difficult to think of a comedy show that Helen wasn’t a part of. From writing radio shows, to performing on the West End her wry, witty perspectives, and her face, are unforgettable. So, plain sailing then? Well, not really.
Not That I’m Bitter, her powerful, frank, moving and characteristically funny memoir, reveals exactly how choppy the waters could be. Even in those ground-breaking, anti-Thatcher days, there was only room at top for so many women. For the rest, it was as much a struggle to be seen and heard in the world of comedy as in any boardroom or workplace, and just as difficult to avoid the predators.
This is more than the story of one decade, however. The child of a Jewish-Czech wartime refugee, Helen Lederer was never part of the mainstream. How do you make humour from a lifelong battle against problems with weight and low-self-esteem? Where are the jokes in addictions to diet-pills and steroid injections? How can laughter defeat the darker moments, like a child’s anorexia or PTSD? How do you cope with constant self- sabotage and when, despite enormous success, you still feel like a failure? Helen raises an important and open discussion around mental health alongside the evolved attitudes to women today. There’s something in Helen Lederer’s life-story that everyone, can relate to.
A genuinely funny memoir with lots of heart (and just the right amount of bitterness!), she pulls no punches, but every blow is wrapped in a laugh of recognition. Brilliantly written, revealing, and moving, Not That I’m Bitter is sweet, sour, laugh out loud, and addictive.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2024
17 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 20, 2024
I really wanted to like this, but sadly this fell completely flat for me.
It’s probably my own fault for expecting some kind of ‘laugh riot’, but I’ll be honest and say I mildly chucked only once or twice throughout the entire thing.
My main issue is that i'm not sure this memoir has much to say - dedicating a chapter each on Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Coach Trip and Celebrity Big Brother just seems like padding to make this into memoir-length. Whilst interesting, I’m finding it hard to believe that these were the absolute highlights in Helen’s career.
I also found the structure really chaotic which constantly jumped around her years for no particular reason.
Unless you’re an absolute die-hard Helen Lederer fan, I don’t think there’s much in here to enjoy.
It’s probably my own fault for expecting some kind of ‘laugh riot’, but I’ll be honest and say I mildly chucked only once or twice throughout the entire thing.
My main issue is that i'm not sure this memoir has much to say - dedicating a chapter each on Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Coach Trip and Celebrity Big Brother just seems like padding to make this into memoir-length. Whilst interesting, I’m finding it hard to believe that these were the absolute highlights in Helen’s career.
I also found the structure really chaotic which constantly jumped around her years for no particular reason.
Unless you’re an absolute die-hard Helen Lederer fan, I don’t think there’s much in here to enjoy.
August 9, 2025
Helen Lederer has been a familiar face for years, so I was eager to snap up this autobiography. Having read it, I thought it was fascinating; but I can't say that I actually *enjoyed* it, and I certainly didn't find it funny. Lederer *does* come across as bitter at times, but 9 times out of 10, it's with good reason.
Helen's low self-esteem is very relatable, but it has led her to do things that made her - and me - cringe. It's a very sobering read too, and I do wonder if she meant to lay herself *quite* so bare; she comes over as having been very naive in the past, blundering into awkward and occasionally dangerous situations and blurting out the wrong things, which wasn't helped by her alcohol issues at the time.
I learned things about Lederer that I didn't know before, such as her Jewish heritage and losing beloved family members in Auschwitz, and that her father was part of the team interpreting bugged conversations between captured German officers in a large country house in southern England.
It soon becomes clear, too, that in the past, Helen was easily taken advantage of by others, particularly men, due to her eager-to-please nature. As I said earlier, self-esteem was a major issue and it's no surprise that at one time she was obsessed with dieting, and she talks openly about the diets, pills, injections and stomach surgery she put herself through.
I wasn't aware either that Lederer established the Comedy Women in Print Prize, although it's not clear if this still exists.
All in all, I think this was an interesting read, especially when she's talking about her experiences during the alternative comedy boom of the 1980s. But hand on heart, I can't say that I enjoyed it. I identified too strongly with much of it for that, and I became over-anxious. I found myself feeling very protective towards Helen, but also very impatient and frustrated! She certainly deserves to have been better treated than she was during numerous periods in her life. There's a lot to admire about Helen Lederer, but her vulnerability shocked me
On a more technical level, was the book actually proofread?? For example, I could ignore and forgive the odd missed word or typo, but not getting names as wrong as happens in this text:
* Feminist icon Germaine Greer becomes 'Germain'.
* In the space of one page, Shaun "Barry from EastEnders" Williamson is 'Sean' twice and 'Shaun' three times.
* In the space of two pages, Shaw "Keep 'em peeled" Taylor of Police 5 fame is referred to as 'Shaw' three times and as 'Sean' twice: this is not acceptable.
Helen's low self-esteem is very relatable, but it has led her to do things that made her - and me - cringe. It's a very sobering read too, and I do wonder if she meant to lay herself *quite* so bare; she comes over as having been very naive in the past, blundering into awkward and occasionally dangerous situations and blurting out the wrong things, which wasn't helped by her alcohol issues at the time.
I learned things about Lederer that I didn't know before, such as her Jewish heritage and losing beloved family members in Auschwitz, and that her father was part of the team interpreting bugged conversations between captured German officers in a large country house in southern England.
It soon becomes clear, too, that in the past, Helen was easily taken advantage of by others, particularly men, due to her eager-to-please nature. As I said earlier, self-esteem was a major issue and it's no surprise that at one time she was obsessed with dieting, and she talks openly about the diets, pills, injections and stomach surgery she put herself through.
I wasn't aware either that Lederer established the Comedy Women in Print Prize, although it's not clear if this still exists.
All in all, I think this was an interesting read, especially when she's talking about her experiences during the alternative comedy boom of the 1980s. But hand on heart, I can't say that I enjoyed it. I identified too strongly with much of it for that, and I became over-anxious. I found myself feeling very protective towards Helen, but also very impatient and frustrated! She certainly deserves to have been better treated than she was during numerous periods in her life. There's a lot to admire about Helen Lederer, but her vulnerability shocked me
On a more technical level, was the book actually proofread?? For example, I could ignore and forgive the odd missed word or typo, but not getting names as wrong as happens in this text:
* Feminist icon Germaine Greer becomes 'Germain'.
* In the space of one page, Shaun "Barry from EastEnders" Williamson is 'Sean' twice and 'Shaun' three times.
* In the space of two pages, Shaw "Keep 'em peeled" Taylor of Police 5 fame is referred to as 'Shaw' three times and as 'Sean' twice: this is not acceptable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2025
Helen Lederer (2024) NOT THAT I'M BITTER (AUDIOBOOK)
Audible - W.F. Howes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "What was it like as one of a handful of women at the heart of the right-on alternative comedy scene in the 1980s? Piece of cake? Bit of a laugh? Well, yes, and no. It had its ups–but also its downs. Helen Lederer was a regular on the stand-up circuit and new-wave sketch shows in the decade that launched the careers of today’s comedy household names and national treasures.
She shared stages with comedy pioneers like Ben Elton and John Hegley, and TV screens with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Harry Enfield, and many others. From the iconic Absolutely Fabulous, to Bottom, Happy Families, Naked Video, French and Saunders and Girls on Top, it is difficult to think of a comedy show that Helen wasn’t a part of. From writing radio shows, to performing on the West End, her wry, witty perspectives, and her face, are unforgettable. So, plain sailing then? Well, not really.
Not That I’m Bitter, her powerful, frank, moving and characteristically funny memoir, reveals exactly how choppy the waters could be. Even in those ground-breaking, anti-Thatcher days, there was only room at top for so many women. For the rest, it was as much a struggle to be seen and heard in the world of comedy as in any boardroom or workplace, and just as difficult to avoid the predators. This is more than the story of one decade, however. The child of a Jewish-Czech wartime refugee, Helen Lederer was never part of the mainstream. How do you make humour from a lifelong battle against problems with weight and low-self-esteem? Where are the jokes in addictions to diet-pills and steroid injections? How can laughter defeat the darker moments, like a child’s anorexia or PTSD? How do you cope with constant self-sabotage when, despite enormous success, you still feel like a failure? Helen raises an important and open discussion around mental health alongside the evolved attitudes to women today. There’s something in Helen Lederer’s life-story that everyone can relate to. A genuinely funny memoir with lots of heart (and just the right amount of bitterness!), she pulls no punches, but every blow is wrapped in a laugh of recognition. Revealing, and moving, Not That I’m Bitter is sweet, sour, laugh out loud, and addictive."
=====
Brilliant. And very funny.
=====
#HelenLederer #NotThatImBitter #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible
Audible - W.F. Howes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "What was it like as one of a handful of women at the heart of the right-on alternative comedy scene in the 1980s? Piece of cake? Bit of a laugh? Well, yes, and no. It had its ups–but also its downs. Helen Lederer was a regular on the stand-up circuit and new-wave sketch shows in the decade that launched the careers of today’s comedy household names and national treasures.
She shared stages with comedy pioneers like Ben Elton and John Hegley, and TV screens with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Harry Enfield, and many others. From the iconic Absolutely Fabulous, to Bottom, Happy Families, Naked Video, French and Saunders and Girls on Top, it is difficult to think of a comedy show that Helen wasn’t a part of. From writing radio shows, to performing on the West End, her wry, witty perspectives, and her face, are unforgettable. So, plain sailing then? Well, not really.
Not That I’m Bitter, her powerful, frank, moving and characteristically funny memoir, reveals exactly how choppy the waters could be. Even in those ground-breaking, anti-Thatcher days, there was only room at top for so many women. For the rest, it was as much a struggle to be seen and heard in the world of comedy as in any boardroom or workplace, and just as difficult to avoid the predators. This is more than the story of one decade, however. The child of a Jewish-Czech wartime refugee, Helen Lederer was never part of the mainstream. How do you make humour from a lifelong battle against problems with weight and low-self-esteem? Where are the jokes in addictions to diet-pills and steroid injections? How can laughter defeat the darker moments, like a child’s anorexia or PTSD? How do you cope with constant self-sabotage when, despite enormous success, you still feel like a failure? Helen raises an important and open discussion around mental health alongside the evolved attitudes to women today. There’s something in Helen Lederer’s life-story that everyone can relate to. A genuinely funny memoir with lots of heart (and just the right amount of bitterness!), she pulls no punches, but every blow is wrapped in a laugh of recognition. Revealing, and moving, Not That I’m Bitter is sweet, sour, laugh out loud, and addictive."
=====
Brilliant. And very funny.
=====
#HelenLederer #NotThatImBitter #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible
March 2, 2024
Helen Lederer's memoir, "Not That I'm Bitter," is an absolute gem that had me laughing out loud from start to finish. With her witty and sharp writing style, Lederer takes us on a rollercoaster ride through her life in the 1980s alternative comedy scene, where she navigates the ups and downs of being one of the few women in a male-dominated industry.
From her early days on the stand-up circuit to her appearances alongside comedy legends like Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Lederer's experiences are both hilarious and eye-opening. She shares the stage with comedy pioneers, faces the challenges of being seen and heard, and confronts the predators that lurk in the shadows. Her candid storytelling sheds light on the struggles faced by women in comedy, making this memoir not just entertaining but also an important reflection on gender dynamics in the industry.
But "Not That I'm Bitter" goes beyond comedy and delves into Lederer's personal journey. As the child of a Jewish-Czech wartime refugee, she grapples with issues of weight, self-esteem, addiction, and mental health. Through it all, she finds solace and strength in humor, proving that laughter can be a powerful tool even in the darkest of times.
Lederer's fearless writing is brilliant, revealing, and deeply moving. She effortlessly balances the bitter moments with a touch of sweetness, leaving readers both entertained and touched. Her ability to tackle serious topics with humor and grace is commendable, and her story is one that resonates with readers from all walks of life.
The endorsements from comedy icons Dawn French and Joanna Lumley speak volumes about the quality of this memoir. Lederer's talent shines through every page, and her infectious personality leaps off the paper. Her story is relatable, inspiring, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
"Not That I'm Bitter" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good laugh, but it also serves as a reminder of the progress we've made and the challenges that still lie ahead. Helen Lederer's memoir is a true masterpiece that will leave you wanting more. Pick it up, buckle in, and prepare for a hilarious and heartfelt journey you won't soon forget.
From her early days on the stand-up circuit to her appearances alongside comedy legends like Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Lederer's experiences are both hilarious and eye-opening. She shares the stage with comedy pioneers, faces the challenges of being seen and heard, and confronts the predators that lurk in the shadows. Her candid storytelling sheds light on the struggles faced by women in comedy, making this memoir not just entertaining but also an important reflection on gender dynamics in the industry.
But "Not That I'm Bitter" goes beyond comedy and delves into Lederer's personal journey. As the child of a Jewish-Czech wartime refugee, she grapples with issues of weight, self-esteem, addiction, and mental health. Through it all, she finds solace and strength in humor, proving that laughter can be a powerful tool even in the darkest of times.
Lederer's fearless writing is brilliant, revealing, and deeply moving. She effortlessly balances the bitter moments with a touch of sweetness, leaving readers both entertained and touched. Her ability to tackle serious topics with humor and grace is commendable, and her story is one that resonates with readers from all walks of life.
The endorsements from comedy icons Dawn French and Joanna Lumley speak volumes about the quality of this memoir. Lederer's talent shines through every page, and her infectious personality leaps off the paper. Her story is relatable, inspiring, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
"Not That I'm Bitter" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good laugh, but it also serves as a reminder of the progress we've made and the challenges that still lie ahead. Helen Lederer's memoir is a true masterpiece that will leave you wanting more. Pick it up, buckle in, and prepare for a hilarious and heartfelt journey you won't soon forget.
May 13, 2024
I rarely read anything away from my beloved crime genre but…I was fortunate enough to see this lovely lady at an event in my local library & I had to read her memoir.
What a fantastic laugh out loud read it was, following the ups & downs of trying to be a stand up comic in the 1980’s. A time when the circuit was dominated by male comics, & audiences that considered women as incapable of doing a stand up routine, or even being funny. This is my era; my coming of age - I remember the misogyny well.
Helen wanted to perform from childhood which was confirmed to her, when aged 10 as a huge ‘That Was The Week That Was’ fan, she did a Frost style interview at her school. Unfortunately, it was another 45 years before she felt that same frisson of excitement. The description of some of the work she tried, the massage parlour in particular, makes it clear that success was not easy.
It is a sad reflection that many of the comments & asides are as relevant today as they were then. Opportunities may have increased but the view of women has barely altered.
I would highly recommend that you read this book as it casts a light on the difficulties female performers endured. But, it is also a heartfelt love story to many of the people who helped & believed in Helen’s comic ability.
What a fantastic laugh out loud read it was, following the ups & downs of trying to be a stand up comic in the 1980’s. A time when the circuit was dominated by male comics, & audiences that considered women as incapable of doing a stand up routine, or even being funny. This is my era; my coming of age - I remember the misogyny well.
Helen wanted to perform from childhood which was confirmed to her, when aged 10 as a huge ‘That Was The Week That Was’ fan, she did a Frost style interview at her school. Unfortunately, it was another 45 years before she felt that same frisson of excitement. The description of some of the work she tried, the massage parlour in particular, makes it clear that success was not easy.
It is a sad reflection that many of the comments & asides are as relevant today as they were then. Opportunities may have increased but the view of women has barely altered.
I would highly recommend that you read this book as it casts a light on the difficulties female performers endured. But, it is also a heartfelt love story to many of the people who helped & believed in Helen’s comic ability.
May 6, 2025
Not That I’m Bitter is the powerful, frank and funny memoir of UK comedy legend Helen Lederer. It is a shade bitter, but in the best possible way. A woman who began her comedy career at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1982, then fought her way to the top via the stand-up comedy circuit, is entitled to bear a few grudges. Helen, whose best-known role is probably Catriona in Absolutely Fabulous, was present when many of today's comedic national treasures launched their careers. Although she has never been mainstream, her own career continues to be stellar.
Helen recounts the challenges faced by brave women who dare to set their sights on comedy glory, especially those from a less privileged background. There are laugh-out-loud moments, fascinating photos and snatches of vintage scripts. Darker passages describe Helen's struggle to keep her career afloat while coping with single motherhood, and episodes when the world seemed to be against her. Her humour and courage illuminate even the worst times.
I pre-ordered Not That I’m Bitter because I admire Helen Lederer and enjoy her performances. I am very satisfied with my purchase.
Helen recounts the challenges faced by brave women who dare to set their sights on comedy glory, especially those from a less privileged background. There are laugh-out-loud moments, fascinating photos and snatches of vintage scripts. Darker passages describe Helen's struggle to keep her career afloat while coping with single motherhood, and episodes when the world seemed to be against her. Her humour and courage illuminate even the worst times.
I pre-ordered Not That I’m Bitter because I admire Helen Lederer and enjoy her performances. I am very satisfied with my purchase.
April 14, 2024
Helen Lederer is one of these actors and comedians that is so familiar to everyone but you can’t think where from. It makes total sense when you read all of the work she has done and the beloved shows she appeared in. When I saw this autobiography was coming I knew it was a must read as I saw her perform in Edinburgh a few years ago and laughed non-stop. I’ve read it in a day - it’s shockingly honest and the way Helen writes, every moment of every story makes you smile, laugh or gasp (then laugh). So interesting to read about her career journey and all the famous names and legendary comedy figures she has worked with and everything she has done. There are dark moments that must have been traumatic in reality, and important to share. It’s not a light and forgettable celeb memoir - it’s got a lot of depth and substance and just a very funny read. Highly recommended - if you want to laugh and/or get a very eye opening look behind the scenes of the comedy and acting world for someone not in the A List.
May 10, 2025
Having recently read Jenny Eclairs memoir, It seems that their experience has been much the same. A sense of a long slog against the inherent misogyny of society in the kast couple of generations, in particular re comedy and specifically Stand Up. Im certain their assessments of wider society and the comedy scene are accurate, but Helen, rather like Jenny, seems also to have been at the mercy of her own self sabotage career wise. A degree of self awareness doesn’t seem to have led either to better decisions. Helen is likable and funny, indeed she throws in a few brilliant one liners / come backs that o was really impressed with. Like Jenny she has achieved real success as a novelist, and as with Jenny I wonder that she hasn’t twigged that success has come when they weren’t required to collaborate!
A little reflection on that might be worth its weight. Bottom line she writes well and amusingly, ahe cracks some good jokes and i enjoyed her take on the last forty years we shared.
A little reflection on that might be worth its weight. Bottom line she writes well and amusingly, ahe cracks some good jokes and i enjoyed her take on the last forty years we shared.
April 8, 2024
This book was very funny, you look into Helen’s world and her hard life to success in the actress/comedian world. It was great to read about her journey to fame, a lot of bumps in the road to get there. It shares her life with the reader, giving insights to her diet, her relationships and her child.
I listened to the audiobook read by Helen which I loved, it’s her own story she reading and she does it really well.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
I listened to the audiobook read by Helen which I loved, it’s her own story she reading and she does it really well.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
April 29, 2024
This was a brilliant read; heartwarming, heartbreaking and simply wonderful. A good one for bookclubs.
June 9, 2024
Not enough Computers for the Terrified anecdotes but a really interesting look at someone who sort of was a name (unless youre a comedy spod like me.)
September 10, 2024
What happened ? I didn’t laugh once , not even a titter, to be honest I was bored. I should have known better, why would s celebrity’s life be interesting?
December 31, 2024
This book didn’t amuse me, it just made me feel more sad than anything else because I feel sorry for Helen
January 8, 2025
Excellent.
September 26, 2025
Not as laugh out loud funny as you might expect, more of a ‘titter’ here and there. However I did learn lots of things I wasn’t aware of about Helen and also her amazing sounding parents.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews