Through it All I've Always Laughed: Memoirs of Count Arthur Strong

by Arthur Strong

The hilarious autobiography of Count Arthur Strong, read by the author.
Count Arthur Strong tells the story of his extraordinary journey from his humble early years as the only son of contortionist in wartime Doncaster to the dizzy heights and excesses of fame as one of the shining lights of popular entertainment.
Count Arthur Strong is a show business legend, after-dinner speaker and a leading authority on Ancient Egypt, having been stationed there during his nation service. He has countless friends in the showbiz world. People like Barry Cryer, the white haired one with glasses off 'I'm Sorry I Haven't Got A Clue' and 'Jokers Wild'. This is his first volume, of what he believes may be a 6 volume collection, of his memoirs. He has a few select dates still available for anything (except window cleaning) and is represented, (if you can call it that) by Richard Daws at Komedia Entertainment. (Or if you want to go directly through me and pay cash, I can do that as well.) (In fact I prefer that.) Thank you.
ABOUT THIS Technical It was written on a typewriter, on paper and then posted to Faber and Faber and Faber. Then they turned it into a book. At a factory? The book is literally a compilation of selected letters from the alphabet formed into words, sentences, paragraphs and then chapters. And they still haven't paid me for the postage. I do hope you enjoy reading it. And I look forward to one day reading it back myself, time permitting. Thank you.

Genres: Humor, Comedy, Audiobook, Fiction

Audio CD

First published October 31, 2013

Reviews

[John McNee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Bruce Campbell's autobiography. I have read Chuck Norris' autobiography. I have even read David Hasselhoff's autobiography.

But until I read Count Arthur Strong's autobiography, I had never read the autobiography of Count Arthur Strong.

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are aware of Count Arthur Strong then you will know what to expect. I enjoyed reading a chapter here and there between other books to really appreciate it. Absolutely hilarious and genius in many parts had me laughing out loud constantly.

[Mark Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not much of a reviewer, as you'll see, but just felt the need to add my two cents as I don't remember the last time I read something that had me legitimately laughing out loud so many times. If you're familiar with the Count Arthur Strong character then you know exactly what to expect. There are some bits that are basically recycled material from the radio series, but that still leaves a good amount of fresh material. The book is Arthur at his best... confused, irritable, irrational, and, as a character, wonderful. The absurd introduction sets the tone perfectly. Steve Delaney's creation is one of the most endearing of modern times, and I would say this book should be required reading for any of the Count's fans.

[Michael Sellars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only hilarious but quite an experimental book, as we witness Count Arthur authoring his autobiography in real time, editing on-the-hoof, abandoning chapters that prove too much like hard work and experiencing difficulties with a sticky Caps Lock key.

Just brilliant.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody funny.

[Ryan (Empire of Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobooked this on journeys with my partner as we both love Count Arthur Strong in all forms. Very very funny. Think it works better as an audiobook as it's all part of the performance. I think if I had read it it wouldn't have been as funny.

[Lillyvine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply…THE BEST COMEDY EVER!!

[Amanda Youngs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first became aware of the showbiz legend, after-dinner speaker and raconteur that is Count Arthur Strong, when he had some series on BBC Radio 4. I suppose a transfer to TV was inevitable for a man at the peak of his powers, but I loved the radio series and felt the TV series slightly lost its way. There is nothing like the sound of Count Arthur Strong with nothing visual to diminish or distract you from his unique way of speaking!

For that reason, obviously I chose the audiobook of the Count's memoirs. The old scoundrel and his cheapskate ways come over most clearly that way. I think my favourite thing about him is how he muddles up words and creates humour with malapropisms.

He won't be everybody's cup of tea, but then, who is? I love the old rogue! He never misses a trick and is always looking out for his own advantage and his best interests (but which of us does not do the same to a greater or lesser degree - probably lesser?)! He has a hugely inflated sense of his own importance and his so-called "celebrity", but if you've ever known any actors, there is the seed of a Count Arthur in many of them! (I mean that affectionately.)

His memoirs are a disorganised and chaotic ramble through his life, largely out of order and including also some pitches for other books the Count has a fancy to write. It's highly entertaining and a must-listen for fans. For those who haven't heard him before, perhaps there are samples of his old shows on the BBC iPlayer, but if you can't get to know him before buying, I would still say this is a good buy. I found it particularly entertaining to listen to this light-hearted book before bedtime to unwind with. A little laughter before bed is always a good thing!

[Karl Orbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Count Arthur is an especially marmitey comedian. People who have any idea who he is in the first place, tend to have a pretty strong opinion on him one way or another. I've heard people say he is the funniest man alive and I've also had usually rational people tell me they want to stab him to death in a dark alley way every time they hear him speak. Well, that sounds like a pretty great accolade to me. Can't evoke murderous intent with anything bog standard, no.

This book is an autobiography, a ramble through his life, told by himself, in his inimitable style. It's hilarious. Well, I think it is, your mileage may very, almost certainly will given they frigging cancelled his BBC series, bastards! Warning, he does tend to go off on tangents a bit and many events in his life are made up on the spot, though it's pretty obvious.

Arthur reminds me of Tommy Cooper, the knowingly bad style, that shouldn't be funny, but is because the crappiness is part of the joke. His confusion and losing the plotness helps with this dramatically.

My exposure to this was the audiobook, read by himself. I can't imagine it's a tenth as good in print as it is directly read by him, like the radio show. It's something to be listened to by him, with his performance -- enjoy it that way.

[Elizabeth Gauffreau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through it All I've Always Laughed: Memoirs of Count Arthur Strong is a very silly book, narrated by a very silly man, Steve Delany's character of Count Arthur Strong. There are sections that are fall-off-your-chair-laughing funny, which I enjoyed a great deal. I would caution, however, that the book is definitely intended for fans of the TV show Count Arthur Strong (of which I am one). Anyone coming to the book cold will probably be driven crazy by it (Count Arthur being that sort of character).

[Andrew Foxley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lot of fun - Count Arthur Strong fills a book with tales from his life, with all the digressions and embellishments one would expect. Inevitably, it's a bit of an opportunity to rework some existing material from the radio and live shows, but there's a surprising amount of new stuff in there too, and the character translates well to the page. Worth a read for fans.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Count Arthur. I got to know him through the TV series, but have also listened to some of the original episodes from BBC I player. This book had me chuckling quite frequently. Arthur's voice is very clear, if you like the character you'll love the book.

[Simon C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much a case where the audio book is greatly enhanced by the author himself reading it. A journey through the confused and often deluded mind of national treasure Count Arthur Strong, who takes the concept of 'unreliable narrator' to a whole new level.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes i is amusing but would probably be better as an audio book so the reader can hear the Count's (everso distinctive) voice.

[Thea · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute riot

[Raghav Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's probably the funniest memoir I have ever read. Even better as an audiobook. You can actually hear Arthur fumble through it all

[John Toffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

You either love or hate Count Arthur Strong, the altar ego of comedian Steve Delaney. I am firmly embedded in the former camp loving both the TV series and Radio Series. I have just finished reading my copy of the Count's memoirs, which are duly signed by the Count himself, and have been caught laughing out loud on many occasions during the process.
The humour is completely off the wall and is best read using Arthur's voice is your mind and then too the initiated it all makes perfect sense (or actually no it doesn't) and it makes you laugh. Throughout he complains about the state of the typewriter he has to use, stops and starts mid sentence, writes notes and shopping lists along the side of the page and lets his mind wander off on many a wild and totally illogical tangent.
A treat for all of the Count's TV and Radio fans.
Great.

[John Grinstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic literature or even a reveal all autobiography this ain’t but if you pick this book up and therefore, presumably, know what you are getting yourself into, it is a fair representation of the bumbling humour, assorted rabbit holes and malapropisms that is the character Count Arthur Strong.

There’s a mix of old material from the radio shows but with just enough original content to keep the narrative skipping along - or should that be meandering down blind alleys? - that is typical of our hero.

3.5 rising 4 but let’s hope the promised sequel(s) doesn’t materialise just yet, eh?

[Max DT · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with Alan Partridge, in my experience Count Arthur Strong is quite a divisive character. You either love his affable, ADD-induced and malapropism-infested ramblings or just can't bloody stand the meanderings of his unending nonsense. I thankfully fall in with the former, so greatly enjoyed listening to volume one of his memoirs (as read by the great variety star himself!).

[Toons · Rating 4 out of 5]

You either get CAS or you don't. If you get him then you'll enjoy listening to this book. Appallingly written (brilliantly), regularly out of chronological and lexical order (amusingly), CAS at his inimitable rambling pompous best.

[Simon Barraclough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as sublime as I, Partridge – in fact, something of a clone – and yet I almost threw a rib out laughing the other day.

[Michelle Le Grand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Count Arthur Strong - a comedy genius. Catch his live tour at all costs! (And bring him back on TV, please, someone.)

[Jeanette Greaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfortably amusing.

[MickH · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with all Arthur's work it is hilarious in places and not so much in others.

[Sean Keefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Count Arthur Strong. A true legend. A national treasure. Loved it, especially as the audiobook has the man himself reading it aloud.
Time to book tickets….

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very silly book, which I found very silly, but great fun. In places not on the map, it was Harry Lucisious...er...Halor Red Rust... er... Hilly Lady Russ, No, I mean.. Hairy Louse... Oh, whatever... Tis a silly book!

[Ibrahim Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look this is simple, if you like Count Arthur Strong, you'll like this.

So many of what you may have seen in the TV show you will recognise here, where it tried for possibly the first time. There is so much more though.

This is the "story" of how Count Arthur came to be the modern mega star that he has gone on the become. Some made up on the spot, some he is still making up as he is writing the book.

You will be confused, amused, bewildered and entertained. It meanders back and forth through time and explores how many of his close friendships with international superstars, like Barry Crier, developed and grew. It is full of fascinating fact about Arthur that might even be true.

He will draw on the work of some of the biggest literary figures in the history of big literary figures to lead you through what he decides happened, if he can be bothered.

Not one if you are looking for a coherent, plot driven yarn with a concise final act to draw it all together, but funny nonetheless and typical Count Arthur and I love it.

[Sarah Burke-Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant 😊

[Ken Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

[28 Aug 2017] Count Arthur Strong writes a very insightful memoir and through it his wonderful personality emerges. For his devoted fans from Radio 4 or those that became aware of him on television, his warmth and convoluted muddled funniness shines through. Packed full of wit, insightful observations and funny stories it races along at a pace and never lulls. It frequently makes you laugh out loud. Written in his unique style with his muddled, befuddled and sometimes frankly confused thoughts - it is hilarious and a real treat. It is a very easy read and very rewarding. If you like Count Arthur on Radio or TV you'll love this book.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

As Meadowlark Lemon of the Harlem Globetrotters once famously said, "De gustibus ain't what dey used to be." This is never more true than in books considered "humor," as this hee-heelarious series of essays by an English writer channeling fictional showman Count Arthur Strong demonstrates.

I could only read half of it before becoming seriously depressed and wondering if life is worth it after all. I decided it was when I put this book down.

Maybe it's British humor, although I always liked Monty Python. This book is full of intentional typos, which are always hilarious, like The Sound of Mucus (which was actually Christopher Plummer's--or was it Plumber's? [ha ha ha]--sarcastic title for the musical The Sound of Music during its filming). The author speaks of the Heineke Manouverment, which made me laugh until my sides hurt. He also talks about feeling "a little bit ostriched by the people up there." I think he meant ostracized, but British usage is different from the American usage I was brought up on.

He also labels the musician and librettician--is that a word? Maybe I should have said libertarian guy [ha ha ha]--as Rogers and Hammerhead. He says a story about himself coming out of his mother's womb with a book in his hand may be apocraphal--get it? Like crap? Ha ha ha!

This book has rung up a 4-plus rating by previous readers. I hope none of them find out my number or address--they can't get my last name, because I don't use it. I don't want to have a book-club discussion with them or even a barby on a sunny day. Why did I buy this book? Because some author interviewed by the NY Times said it was the most recent book that had made her laugh. She must love pun-ishment (get it?). I had to lie down with a washcloth on my forehead after reading half this book, so I don't think I'll finish it.