Would That Be Funny?: Growing Up with John Clarke

by Lorin Clarke

When satirist John Clarke died in April 2017, many people mourned his passing as if they had lost a friend or a member of the family. Many of us felt we grew up with him. After all, for the best part of half a century, since he burst into our lives as Fred Dagg in 1974, he was a performer, an actor, a writer, a satirist and a commentator in both Australia and New Zealand.

In this fascinating memoir, Lorin Clarke tells the story of growing up with her famous father, her art historian mother Helen and her little sister Lucia. Much has been written about John Clarke, but this is the insider’s view – of his childhood, his relationship with his parents, his decision to leave New Zealand and live in Australia, and the choices he and Helen made to create a family life that is right out of the box.

Lorin Clarke, author of the celebrated podcast The Fitzroy Diaries brings to life her idyllic, hilarious and deeply nerdy childhood, and in doing so reveals not only the private man behind satirist John Clarke but the sense of love and security that comes from being able to laugh at yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir

Audible Audio

First published August 29, 2023

Reviews

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how much joy this book brought me. Lorin Clarke welcomes us into the Clarke family and gives us access and insight into their glorious shenanigans, wordplay and mischief. So many people have a John Clarke story and mine is this, he occasionally came into Hill of Content with his cap pulled low and clearly just wanting to browse in peace so I never did more than sell him books. But he came in shortly after doing a morning program on @abcclassic and I just had to tell him how much we loved it and how he completely derailed our Saturday as we had to stay in and listen. It was glorious. I’m so glad I got to tell him that. I’m so glad Lorin wrote this very generous book.

[Jennifer Severn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was always a fan of the Fitzroy Diaries podcast. But who knew that Lorin Clarke, the author and reader, was John Clarke's elder daughter? Okay, probably everyone except me. But here she writes a family memoir that meanders back and forth, painting a childhood, and more, spent in the quirky, loving, all-supportive, often unintentionally hilarious company of, IMO, Australia's best satirist ever*.
It's no spoiler to reveal that John Clarke died - suddenly, unexpectedly - in 2017, an event which perhaps spurred his daughter to write this excellent account. You'll cry but maybe not when you expect. You'll most certainly laugh.

*Yes, I know, he was born in NZ.

[Text Publishing]

The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Would that Be Funny?

‘This beautiful memoir honours love, grief, and riotous fun. An utter joy to read.’
Kaz Cooke

‘A generous, intimate and very funny account of her dad [John Clarke] and a deeply sad story of family love and loss.’
Qantas Magazine

‘Marvellous stuff…a memoir to be grateful for.’
Conversation

‘Luminous… dances on the tightrope of tone that memoir demands, and succeeds with vim and lucidity. The Clarkes’ humour is polished to a fine edge, but it welcomes anyone who wants to laugh with those who dream of a juster and kinder world.’
Inside Story

‘Amusing, witty and honest.’
ArtsHub

‘Builds a kaleidoscopic picture of her childhood and her father...Full of tender and wacky anecdotes.’
Age

‘Would that be Funny? is both adoring and authentic, the kind of clear-eyed, open-hearted writing that’s a privilege to read. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of John Clarke or couldn’t pick him out of a line up, this book is a delight.’
Australian Tumbleweeds

‘A talented writer herself, she weaves this memoir of a loving and hilarious family with the story of her father’s life in New Zealand, England and Australia.’
Good Reading

‘A delight: funny, tender, warm and familiar in a singular way.’
Andrew Denton, Monthly

[Tim Goldsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lorin Clarke, a writer of some notoriety herself, pens a loving ode to the writer, performer, director, and father, John. Whether covering the dictionary of family-specific phrases, John's difficult relationship with his dad, delightful relationship with his in-laws, his rise to fame in NZ, then Australia, or just stories about John as a Dad, husband, or mate, Lorin paints a picture of a man who was as dry, warm and welcoming in person as he was on camera.
John's voice was iconic, and his "Clarke & Dawe" skits always amusing, so it's great to be able to look under the hood at the man behind the icon. I listened to this on audiobook (read by the author) on a long drive, and the time just flew by!

[Kaija Strautins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended through family and I'm really glad I read it. Some incredibly sweet moments, beautifully funny in a universal but also incredibly personal way that jokes within your own family are special, and I appreciated learning more about John Clarke, who's TV spots I loved growing up.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilariously funny and a great insight to a comic genius at work.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

For lovers of John Clark this is a perceptive and humorous dip into what life was like living with such a famous father and an equally very interestingly quirky family. I enjoyed the visit very much.

[Cath Carkeet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a memoir, reflecting on the life of John Clarke, written by his daughter, Lorin Clarke. She tells the story of growing up with her famous father. It focuses on his childhood, his relationship with his parents, his decision to leave New Zealand, his relationship with his wife Helen, the girls’ mother.
It is a compelling insight into their family life and of course the great sense of loss at his sudden death in 2017.

Lorin Clarke has inherited her father’s sense of fun and it’s told with wry humour, not maudlin or sentimentalised.

Each chapter concludes with short humorous anecdotes from her childhood, including a glossary of words and phrases used in the family – to amusing affect. I particularly enjoyed the letter to the 2 girls from Santa one Christmas Day!

This book will be enjoyed by anyone who remembers John Clarke with fondness. It’s a great insight into his life, career and his family.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I always was a fan of John Clarke (Fred Dagg) and I admire Lorin for being in that family all the time, It would have been normal for her.
One thing I found interesting: They like answering the phone in funny accents. It can backfire if the caller really does speak English in a different way.
John Clarke's parents didn't get on. In his formative years, the young Clarke learned how to look at each issue from oposing perspectives. This was later to feed his comedy. He was very intelligent and very funny.

I found this book very entertaining and would recommend it to New Zealanders who remember Fred Dagg, and Australians who liked hearing him looking at the brighter side of the issues of the day on their TV News.

[Tim Chmielewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and listened to this as I wanted to hear Lorin narrating after enjoying the podcast she did with Stew back in the day and the Fitzroy Diaries. I was a pain taking this around to the bookshops and saying I knew the author, if I can't do this with someone I know when can I do it. I still do not know who it was who said "LORIN!" at Readings State Library. Specifically to annoy Stewart Farell I reviewed it on my own blog even after I quit the site I reviewed it for (I bought my own copy for this).

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by one of the daughters of John Clarke who died in 1917. Lorin is a writer in her own right and despite her grief this is a very funny tale. It sounds hilarious to be part of the Clarke family, with their closeness and own language.
It is episodic but it works. I enjoyed the insights into the life and family of this wonderful man who gave so much to all of us in Australia, and elsewhere.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best book I've read this year. I laughed, cried, and dived off the internet to look things up. John Clarke was part of my childhood. A favourite part. There are lots of family stories about how much I adored him. There is a photo of me with the album I pilfered from my uncle when I was 13. I adored hearing about Lorin Clarke and her sister growing up with him. Might even reread it, when the holds line at the library subsides a little bit.

[Andrew Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book humorously written by John Clarke,S daughter Lorin reflects upon a life well lived.

Originally a resident of New Zealand, John Clark immigrated to Australia, leaving behind his well known character Fred Daggs.

The book reveals John’s genius as a writer and sorest, as well as a man who thrived on every day humour at Home.

For those who love John Clarke’s work, this is a great biography to reminisce on his Past glories.

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about John Clarke by his elder daughter, this was disappointing to me because it didn't tell me a great deal about John himself. It was also quite disjointed, whereas I was expecting a chronological story about John's life. It was mainly a series of anecdotes, and a lot of it was Clarke family-speak which I didn't find particularly funny. Still, if you loved Fred Dagg, or any of the other characters John Clarke inhabited, you will enjoy this book.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is spectacular in the quietest way. I had no idea what to expect - but the comedy is excellent and the portrait of a family and relationships is extraordinary. It will make you feel nostalgic for a thing you never had and long to be able to write the songlines of your own family in the way that only Lorin Clarke has.

[Wendy Ma · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've loved John Clarke's humour for decades but this book has been a huge disappointment. So boring in fact that I stopped after page 58, thinking I'd get far more out of reading a child's comic. I feel cross at myself for wasting $35 but hopefully my local library will be kind enough to take out off my hands.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute joy of a book. If you're a John Clarke fan you've probably already read it (if you haven't then best you hop to it). Reminded me of my dear late Dad who was of the same generation and a huge fan. Lovingly written, this is a peek behind the curtains of the life of an extraordinary, much-missed, bloody funny man.

[Bill Porter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed John Clarke's book, Tinkering. But, "Would that be funny"? was maybe not intended to be funny, and it succeeded in that regard. It should have been interesting at least, but somehow failed to engage. Pity.

[Prue Mansfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book I picked up on our Portugal/Morocco trip, when my Portuguese choices proved to be not very good. It was amusing, some good one liners, but not much insight into John Clark the man, the father or the comedian. Very light weight.

[Christine Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Clarke's daughter writes a lovely memoir of her family and growing up and celebrating her funny clever dad .. but I think I will leave it where I am and not finish. (25%?). Perhaps if you knew him personally you would devour this book but not for me ..

[D'face · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful insight into the background, family life and pleasure of being around John Clarke. Such a warm, funny, loving family is portrayed despite some enormous challenges in John’s own upbringing. He must have been a wonderful mate and friend.

[Ebony Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it started slow and I had no clue who John Clarke was before I started it, I adored listening to the audiobook and understanding how Lorin's voice and narration worked well to tell her story.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming memoir about a wonderful, quirky family.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me

[Tim Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some amusing insights into one of the drollest humourists ever but just missing that bazinga element.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I absolutely loved this book.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming. Vale John and bloody well done Lorin.

[Liane Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and insightful book.

[Wendy Marchment · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read and insight into a family.
Plenty of smiles along the way.
Thankyou Lorin.

[Merryll · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful insight into the life of a wonderful man loved by his many followers. Very funny. I’d love to have been in this family.