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Groucho y yo
Fundidos en uno solo, Groucho y su yo escribieron este libro… indescriptible. Y es que aunque uno y otro sean de naturaleza muy similar, también son, paradójicamente, muy distintos. En tanto que Groucho, insumiso, entrometido, criticón e insolente mujeriego, dinamita la sociedad y siembra el desconcierto, el yo-de-Groucho sólo piensa en enriquecerse y medrar en esa misma sociedad. Pero lo cierto es que los dos gozan por igual del don privilegiado de hacernos morir de risa.
Las hilarantes memorias de uno de los cómicos más famosos de todos los tiempos.
Las hilarantes memorias de uno de los cómicos más famosos de todos los tiempos.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
300 people are currently reading
2778 people want to read
About the author
Groucho Marx
92 books839 followersJulius Henry "Groucho" Marx, was an American comedian and film star. He is famed as a master of wit. He made 15 feature films with his siblings, the Marx Brothers, and also had a successful solo career, most notably as the host of the radio and television game show, You Bet Your Life. He had a distinctive image, which included a heavy greasepaint moustache and eyebrows, and glasses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
November 21, 2014
Una genialidad del humor. Consiste en anécdotas de su vida, en orden mas o menos cronológico, salpicadas de observaciones agudas e irreverentes, totalmente un must read para cualquier aficionado al teatro o al cine clásico o simplemente para quien busque reírse. A través del libro se dibuja la época dorada del teatro de bodevil y la vida de sus artistas, los inicios de Hollywood, la radio y la televisión.
June 22, 2007
The best autobiography ever. I agree completely with what Mrs. Calabash says on the blurbs. I wish more people would write their autobiographies this way and enough of the oh-so-serious tones. Let's have no more of the endless boasts about illustrious ancestors and goody-goody anecdotes.
January 12, 2018
Autore: statunitense (1890-1977). Autobiografia più o meno.
Non è la classica autobiografia piena di “introspezioni” o di successi, ma piuttosto il racconto di una vita dedicata a racimolare soldi, possedere un’auto, conoscere ragazze, lavorare nel varietà.
Cinquant’anni tra un quartiere di New York con una famiglia veleggiante tra lo squinternato e lo squattrinato, le mille piccole città che sono state la gavetta dei fratelli e poi il trasferimento in massa a Los Angeles..
Piacevole, rilassante, con qualche risata e un sorriso costante.
Bella la chiusa con la coppia che, incontratolo casualmente a Chicago, gli gira un po’ intorno fino a che la signora si fa coraggio e chiede
È lei, vero? È Groucho?
Annuii.
Allora mi toccò timidamente un braccio e disse
Per favore non muoia. Continui a vivere.
Si può desiderare di più?
12.01.2018
Non è la classica autobiografia piena di “introspezioni” o di successi, ma piuttosto il racconto di una vita dedicata a racimolare soldi, possedere un’auto, conoscere ragazze, lavorare nel varietà.
Cinquant’anni tra un quartiere di New York con una famiglia veleggiante tra lo squinternato e lo squattrinato, le mille piccole città che sono state la gavetta dei fratelli e poi il trasferimento in massa a Los Angeles..
Piacevole, rilassante, con qualche risata e un sorriso costante.
Bella la chiusa con la coppia che, incontratolo casualmente a Chicago, gli gira un po’ intorno fino a che la signora si fa coraggio e chiede
È lei, vero? È Groucho?
Annuii.
Allora mi toccò timidamente un braccio e disse
Per favore non muoia. Continui a vivere.
Si può desiderare di più?
12.01.2018
September 16, 2018
This book doesn't have the cutest title (that would be Memoirs Of A Mangy Lover), nor does it have the cutest illustrations (that would also be Memoirs Of A Mangy Lover due to Al Hershfeld's cunning caricatures), but it does have the best account of Groucho's life and career and that's saying something. Show-biz fans, particularly Marx Bros. fans who are curious should not be disappointed.
December 8, 2016
La Autobiografía - y biografía - más divertida que he leído en mi vida. Fue una recomendación de mi esposo, y admito que al no conocer a los hermanos Marx ni haber visto ninguna de sus películas creí que me aburriría mortalmente... pero nada más lejos de la realidad: el autor domina magistralmente el idioma, inserta humor en cada página y no teme romper todas las reglas de la estructura narrativa. Lo disfruté de principio a fin.
May 28, 2015
Just what you would expect from Groucho. No revelations, very little about his life. Really just a series of anecdotes of show biz life, vaudeville, movies, tv, etc etc. All written in a highly humorous fashion. Those of us old enough to remember Groucho will hear his voice narrating it.
September 20, 2019
An excellent biography. A funny text, without forced to be funny. A pleasure to read.
Bonus, I had no idea Groucho was not a Socialist like most Hollywood at the time.
Bonus, I had no idea Groucho was not a Socialist like most Hollywood at the time.
March 8, 2011
I was a bit disappointed by the book only in that I had hoped to more of the history of the brothers and the act. On the other hand the humour that poured out on every page more than made up it. I laughed at nearly every turn of the page. This was a wonderful read and I whole heartedly recommend it for any fan of the brothers.
February 18, 2020
A pox on Karl for ever darkening the holy surname of Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zeppo.
"I...am Grock."
"I...am Grock."
March 7, 2023
This guy is too funny
November 4, 2024
Una autobiografía muy diferente a las demás.
July 17, 2017
Growing up, I adored the Marx Brothers. As a small child, I would watch the films over and over again, learning and aping the songs, comedic bits, and mannerisms.
As an adult, I developed a deeper appreciation for all the skills that go into making great comedy, and a deeper interest in learning about the men behind the movies. I absorbed trivia like a fiend. I dug up black and white game show appearances from 'What's My Line' and the like.
And then, at my local library, browsing through biographies and memoirs to fill a space on an adult summer reading program bingo card, a bright yellow cover caught my eye. I had sought 'Groucho and Me' out years prior, at my old local library in my old town-- in a faraway library system-- to no avail. I had browsed bookstores and charity shops with a hopeful eye! But here-- here!-- was that book I'd long wished to hold in my hot little hands.
Also, to read. I feel like that's probably a very important part of the book enjoyment process, especially as I wasn't inside of a dog at the time.
'Groucho and Me' was funny. I laughed out loud frequently and annoyed all my loved ones by stopping to read aloud at those bits. I expected it to be funny, and was not disappointed. I expected to learn things which I did not already know about Groucho and the brothers in general and the path their showbiz career took, and again, was not disappointed.
I did not expect the final paragraph or so to tug so poignantly at my heartstrings as to render me incapable of picking up the next book on the stack for the rest of the night. But... when it happened, I was not disappointed.
As an adult, I developed a deeper appreciation for all the skills that go into making great comedy, and a deeper interest in learning about the men behind the movies. I absorbed trivia like a fiend. I dug up black and white game show appearances from 'What's My Line' and the like.
And then, at my local library, browsing through biographies and memoirs to fill a space on an adult summer reading program bingo card, a bright yellow cover caught my eye. I had sought 'Groucho and Me' out years prior, at my old local library in my old town-- in a faraway library system-- to no avail. I had browsed bookstores and charity shops with a hopeful eye! But here-- here!-- was that book I'd long wished to hold in my hot little hands.
Also, to read. I feel like that's probably a very important part of the book enjoyment process, especially as I wasn't inside of a dog at the time.
'Groucho and Me' was funny. I laughed out loud frequently and annoyed all my loved ones by stopping to read aloud at those bits. I expected it to be funny, and was not disappointed. I expected to learn things which I did not already know about Groucho and the brothers in general and the path their showbiz career took, and again, was not disappointed.
I did not expect the final paragraph or so to tug so poignantly at my heartstrings as to render me incapable of picking up the next book on the stack for the rest of the night. But... when it happened, I was not disappointed.
August 31, 2008
A fun quick read. I read this book right after I read A tree Grows in Brooklyn, so I had a whole theme thing going with turn of the century.
The stories that Groucho tells about his family and himself are the types of stories that you would tell about the dinner table to tease each other. Groucho tells his stories without making himlook like a saint, too. In fact, it seems like he goes out of his way to show his faults.
There's no bragging in this book, or sugar coating. It's just a fun way to read how Vaudeville evolved into Movies. I spent some time afterwards looking up the people he mentioned on Youtube!
The stories that Groucho tells about his family and himself are the types of stories that you would tell about the dinner table to tease each other. Groucho tells his stories without making himlook like a saint, too. In fact, it seems like he goes out of his way to show his faults.
There's no bragging in this book, or sugar coating. It's just a fun way to read how Vaudeville evolved into Movies. I spent some time afterwards looking up the people he mentioned on Youtube!
April 9, 2023
The anti-autobiography that only Grouch could write!
More humorous anecdotes and stories from Groucho’s many decades in show business, from early vaudeville to Broadway to movies to radio to TV. Although not strictly an autobiography, it gives a ring-side seat view of his life and glimpses of who Grouch really was as a person. Delightful book.
More humorous anecdotes and stories from Groucho’s many decades in show business, from early vaudeville to Broadway to movies to radio to TV. Although not strictly an autobiography, it gives a ring-side seat view of his life and glimpses of who Grouch really was as a person. Delightful book.
March 7, 2009
I am a fan of the Marx Brothers, and this is a great mix of history, inside stories, and Groucho's humorous take on life.
November 7, 2009
Not just humorous, but alos a down-to-earth account of Groucho's travel from rags to riches and a very revealing portrait of the real face of showbusiness.
January 22, 2016
The best way to read an autobiography was invented by this man. This man was a genius in the art of laughter.
January 31, 2018
One of my favourite books of all time. Groucho is funny and clever and totally nuts! Whenever I'm down, I simply read a couple of pages and it cheers me up immediately!
October 23, 2018
An autobriographical masterpiece of the genius of the comedy. Absolutely recommended.
Una verdadera maravilla autobiográfica, absolutamente recomendable.
Una verdadera maravilla autobiográfica, absolutamente recomendable.
Read
August 15, 2022You can’t lie to yourself... but you might get comfortable lying on yourself!
April 26, 2023
This book is funny and engaging. Groucho is intelligent and also a huge fan of reading books. What more could anyone ask for in an autobiography?
August 30, 2018
I was honestly (and naively) hoping for Harpo Speaks mk2, but Groucho SURPRISINGLY is no where near the story teller.
As a Marx Brothers fan I loved some of the stories and anecdotes, but there was less of the person than I felt in Harpo speaks.
I also found the fairly constant referencing of Money fairly crass. I dont in any way mind the man being rich, I love that he earned so well. But to me you talk loud by saying nothing, in particular in relation to wealth.
Worth reading for Marx fans. I cant see what anyone else will get from it.
As a Marx Brothers fan I loved some of the stories and anecdotes, but there was less of the person than I felt in Harpo speaks.
I also found the fairly constant referencing of Money fairly crass. I dont in any way mind the man being rich, I love that he earned so well. But to me you talk loud by saying nothing, in particular in relation to wealth.
Worth reading for Marx fans. I cant see what anyone else will get from it.
Read
August 24, 2021Da metà in poi l'ho solo leggiucchiato perché stava cominciando ad annoiarmi. Infatti più che di un'autobiografia si tratta di una serie di aneddoti (più o meno divertenti) sulla vita di Groucho Marx, che però non approfondiscono mai davvero la sua persona o quelli che sono i rapporti con la famiglia, le mogli, i figli, ecc.
È interessante per capire le dinamiche del mondo dello spettacolo di allora, che spesso richiedeva anni di gavetta nel varietà o nel music hall prima di avere successo a Broadway o a Hollywood. Tra l'altro i capitoli dedicati ai film dei fratelli Marx (che era la parte che mi suscitava più curiosità) sono davvero pochi e smilzi.
Insomma, non voglio dargli un voto perché è la prima biografia che leggo, però ecco, sinceramente non la consiglierei, perché non se ne esce sapendo molto di più su Groucho rispetto a quanto di veda nei film.
È interessante per capire le dinamiche del mondo dello spettacolo di allora, che spesso richiedeva anni di gavetta nel varietà o nel music hall prima di avere successo a Broadway o a Hollywood. Tra l'altro i capitoli dedicati ai film dei fratelli Marx (che era la parte che mi suscitava più curiosità) sono davvero pochi e smilzi.
Insomma, non voglio dargli un voto perché è la prima biografia che leggo, però ecco, sinceramente non la consiglierei, perché non se ne esce sapendo molto di più su Groucho rispetto a quanto di veda nei film.
August 31, 2022
"The following morning I sent the club a wire stating, PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON’T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER."
January 17, 2022
This might be my favorite autobiography. Groucho Marx is a legend.
I laughed so hard at the story about how his mother used to give him five cents to buy a loaf of bread, he would buy day-old bread for four cents, and pocket the extra penny.
"For years my family ate stale bread, and I was getting away with as much as a nickel a week."
I am fully convinced that Groucho Marx actually wrote his autobiography. I cannot say that about other autobiographies and their respective authors. Some pages literally mention how difficult it is to write a book, and how much easier it would have been to hire a ghostwriter. That's the kind of commentary that I can only see coming out of Groucho Marx, and not out of a ghostwriter.
I laughed so hard at the story about how his mother used to give him five cents to buy a loaf of bread, he would buy day-old bread for four cents, and pocket the extra penny.
"For years my family ate stale bread, and I was getting away with as much as a nickel a week."
I am fully convinced that Groucho Marx actually wrote his autobiography. I cannot say that about other autobiographies and their respective authors. Some pages literally mention how difficult it is to write a book, and how much easier it would have been to hire a ghostwriter. That's the kind of commentary that I can only see coming out of Groucho Marx, and not out of a ghostwriter.
January 26, 2013
No soy de carcajada fácil cuando veo la televisión (ni cuando voy al cine). Sonrío, sí, pero no muchos consiguen que me doble de la risa. Shin-chan siempre me ha hecho reír (el manga más que el anime). Su humor chabacano y fácil hace que me desternille. Algún capítulo de la primera temporada de Friends también. La escena de Two Much en la que Antonio Banderas tiene que entretener a Melanie Griffith y a Daryl Hannah a la vez es otra más. Y en esa de Ocean´s Twelve en la que Julia Roberts se hace pasar por ella misma ante Bruce Willis también solté unas cuantas carcajadas en la sala.
Vi Una noche en la ópera hace algunos años y aguanté la cara de crítico… hasta la famosa escena del camarote. Perdón por la ordinariez, pero me descojonaba. No literalmente porque eso no es posible, pero fue ese tipo de risa que no olvidas nunca. Espontánea, sana, liberadora, enriquecedora y agradecida. Desde entonces a los Hermanos Marx también los miro con los ojillos achinados llenos de ternura. Y la curiosidad hizo que comprara Groucho y yo.
Yo esperaba una autobiografía al uso pero debería haber sabido que un cómico tiene la capacidad de salirse por la tangente aunque le haya nacido un editor en el cogote. Por tanto, sí, Groucho habla de su infancia, de sus inicios en las variedades, del cine, de la radio y de la televisión, pero no cuenta nada que no quiera contar. Los vacíos los llena con cientos de anécdotas protagonizadas por él junto a personajes bajo seudónimo (todos se llaman Delaney), a sus hermanos y a actores de Hollywood.
Groucho y yo no ha hecho que suelte la carcajada, pero me ha reconfortado. Cuando lo que está fuera de los libros es hipócrita y falso, siempre reconforta leer a un cómico con sentido, del humor y común, y con conciencia: de sí mismo, me encanta como se fustiga, y de los demás.
Vi Una noche en la ópera hace algunos años y aguanté la cara de crítico… hasta la famosa escena del camarote. Perdón por la ordinariez, pero me descojonaba. No literalmente porque eso no es posible, pero fue ese tipo de risa que no olvidas nunca. Espontánea, sana, liberadora, enriquecedora y agradecida. Desde entonces a los Hermanos Marx también los miro con los ojillos achinados llenos de ternura. Y la curiosidad hizo que comprara Groucho y yo.
Yo esperaba una autobiografía al uso pero debería haber sabido que un cómico tiene la capacidad de salirse por la tangente aunque le haya nacido un editor en el cogote. Por tanto, sí, Groucho habla de su infancia, de sus inicios en las variedades, del cine, de la radio y de la televisión, pero no cuenta nada que no quiera contar. Los vacíos los llena con cientos de anécdotas protagonizadas por él junto a personajes bajo seudónimo (todos se llaman Delaney), a sus hermanos y a actores de Hollywood.
Groucho y yo no ha hecho que suelte la carcajada, pero me ha reconfortado. Cuando lo que está fuera de los libros es hipócrita y falso, siempre reconforta leer a un cómico con sentido, del humor y común, y con conciencia: de sí mismo, me encanta como se fustiga, y de los demás.
[…] Cuando una pareja de mediana edad se acercó y empezó a dar vueltas a mi alrededor. Pasaron ante mí dos o tres veces, examinándome como si yo fuese un extraterrestre. Finalmente, la señora, vacilante, se acercó y me preguntó:
-Es usted, ¿verdad? ¿Es usted Groucho?
Asentí con la cabeza.
Entonces ella me tocó tímidamente en el brazo y dijo:
-Por favor, no se muera. Siga viviendo siempre.
¿Quién podría pedir más?
September 20, 2014
The wittiest, funniest and the cleverest autobiography I ever read.
You can read on Wikipedia page as to who Groucho Marx is but you must read this book to understand what a sense of humour he has. This is one of those books that seems more like a comedy movie than an autobiography. So little of his personal life is mentioned and so much of his personal experiences are fed which are mostly hilarious.
This book is path breaking in terms of autobiographical-writing. This does not follow chronology as a pattern and flows freely with time.It does not boast of accomplishment and does not have any serious tone either.
This is the only autobiography where the author does not seem to be serious and more-so pulling the leg of editor and even the readers at times.
There are many Delaney moments (Delaney is the name Groucho uses to refer someone about whom he does not want to reveal). So a friend, a co-film producer they all are named Delaney. The name itself evoked laughter for me.
Groucho Marx is one of the cleverest comedians of his time and he rates his fellow comedians like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and others greatly. There is a sense of gratitude that this book brings. Also, there are umpteen hints of the state of economy of the country USA. Also, the hints of history like prohibition in america are fun.
It's funny, witty, charming and there is a profound smile all through and also there are enough laugh out loud moments. A masterpiece in itself from the master of humour. It's a 5/5. I wish this is taken as a sample to write autobiographies.
Here I am just giving a glimpse of Groucho in his own words in the book.
“I once asked, "Mom, why do you wear that tight corset and that silly wig? They're uncomfortable and, besides, everybody knows they're phony."
"Julie," she would answer, "you don't understand. When a lady goes out for the evening she likes to look nice."
"I know, Mom, but as soon as you get to someone's house you remove the wig and corset."
"Naturally," -she replied. "I take them off because they're uncomfortable. But look how nice I look when I arrive!"
I couldn't follow this logic, but to her it made sense.
You can read on Wikipedia page as to who Groucho Marx is but you must read this book to understand what a sense of humour he has. This is one of those books that seems more like a comedy movie than an autobiography. So little of his personal life is mentioned and so much of his personal experiences are fed which are mostly hilarious.
This book is path breaking in terms of autobiographical-writing. This does not follow chronology as a pattern and flows freely with time.It does not boast of accomplishment and does not have any serious tone either.
This is the only autobiography where the author does not seem to be serious and more-so pulling the leg of editor and even the readers at times.
There are many Delaney moments (Delaney is the name Groucho uses to refer someone about whom he does not want to reveal). So a friend, a co-film producer they all are named Delaney. The name itself evoked laughter for me.
Groucho Marx is one of the cleverest comedians of his time and he rates his fellow comedians like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and others greatly. There is a sense of gratitude that this book brings. Also, there are umpteen hints of the state of economy of the country USA. Also, the hints of history like prohibition in america are fun.
It's funny, witty, charming and there is a profound smile all through and also there are enough laugh out loud moments. A masterpiece in itself from the master of humour. It's a 5/5. I wish this is taken as a sample to write autobiographies.
Here I am just giving a glimpse of Groucho in his own words in the book.
“I once asked, "Mom, why do you wear that tight corset and that silly wig? They're uncomfortable and, besides, everybody knows they're phony."
"Julie," she would answer, "you don't understand. When a lady goes out for the evening she likes to look nice."
"I know, Mom, but as soon as you get to someone's house you remove the wig and corset."
"Naturally," -she replied. "I take them off because they're uncomfortable. But look how nice I look when I arrive!"
I couldn't follow this logic, but to her it made sense.
March 28, 2021
If you are a fan of Groucho Marx's humor, then you'll LOVE this autobiography written by the man himself (not a ghost writer).
This amusing book takes readers through Groucho's hard childhood years growing up poor with his brothers (the famous Marx Brothers) and their parents in NYC. The balance of this book explains in great detail how his showbiz career developed, including his humble beginnings in Vaudeville acts, then onto Broadway, and ultimately as a star in Hollywood movies. In addition, it discusses his solo work later in life doing radio and TV shows, including the long-time hit called You Bet Your Life.
For me, the best part of this entertaining book was being able to read a story about one of Groucho's famous movies or TV shows, then jump to YouTube to watch a clip of the same performance. It's amazing how modern technology can bring Groucho's old performances to life again.
But this book is much more than just Groucho's rise to fame and fortune (which took many years of hard work and dedication). It is also an eye-opening historical account of what it was like 100 years ago for Vaudeville performers to live and work on the road, as well as the impact of the 1929 stock market crash on Groucho, where he personally lost a quarter-million dollars.
As expected, this book is chock-full of Groucho's wit and humor. That alone is worth the read. However, it also provides a colorful picture of what his remarkable life was like on both sides of the curtain.
This amusing book takes readers through Groucho's hard childhood years growing up poor with his brothers (the famous Marx Brothers) and their parents in NYC. The balance of this book explains in great detail how his showbiz career developed, including his humble beginnings in Vaudeville acts, then onto Broadway, and ultimately as a star in Hollywood movies. In addition, it discusses his solo work later in life doing radio and TV shows, including the long-time hit called You Bet Your Life.
For me, the best part of this entertaining book was being able to read a story about one of Groucho's famous movies or TV shows, then jump to YouTube to watch a clip of the same performance. It's amazing how modern technology can bring Groucho's old performances to life again.
But this book is much more than just Groucho's rise to fame and fortune (which took many years of hard work and dedication). It is also an eye-opening historical account of what it was like 100 years ago for Vaudeville performers to live and work on the road, as well as the impact of the 1929 stock market crash on Groucho, where he personally lost a quarter-million dollars.
As expected, this book is chock-full of Groucho's wit and humor. That alone is worth the read. However, it also provides a colorful picture of what his remarkable life was like on both sides of the curtain.
December 2, 2021
A True Original And Peculiar Man
I've loved Groucho Marx from the first time I saw him in one of the Marx Bros movies as a kid. He is very easy to admire as a boy since he is the rare grownup that seemed to disavow adulthood. He is silly and quick witted and strange. Everything you are looking for at that age.
I barely remember seeing him on The Tonight Show because I couldn't stay awake that late until I was probably 11 years old. But I did see reruns later on. I knew that the early movies had the great comedians of all time in them so I already revered them before even seeing them.
But I hadn't ever read a biography on one. Which is interesting because probably half of the books that I've read have been biographies. Well, I think I picked the best one to start off with. Groucho's life was harder and more interesting than I had known. He and his brothers are really almost as unique as they were in the movies. How they ended up in show business was surprising too.
Groucho covers his complete life story up til the printing of this book. He is a great story teller too. His personality is unique as many people know from his talk show and films. He really is that person. Quick witted with a slightly sharp tongue and always inappropriate. Hehehe.
Well worth the time to read this autobiography and enjoyable too.
I've loved Groucho Marx from the first time I saw him in one of the Marx Bros movies as a kid. He is very easy to admire as a boy since he is the rare grownup that seemed to disavow adulthood. He is silly and quick witted and strange. Everything you are looking for at that age.
I barely remember seeing him on The Tonight Show because I couldn't stay awake that late until I was probably 11 years old. But I did see reruns later on. I knew that the early movies had the great comedians of all time in them so I already revered them before even seeing them.
But I hadn't ever read a biography on one. Which is interesting because probably half of the books that I've read have been biographies. Well, I think I picked the best one to start off with. Groucho's life was harder and more interesting than I had known. He and his brothers are really almost as unique as they were in the movies. How they ended up in show business was surprising too.
Groucho covers his complete life story up til the printing of this book. He is a great story teller too. His personality is unique as many people know from his talk show and films. He really is that person. Quick witted with a slightly sharp tongue and always inappropriate. Hehehe.
Well worth the time to read this autobiography and enjoyable too.
July 31, 2009
I treasure this book. The witticisms actually pour out of this book faster than the reader can savor them. Groucho Marx pens this memoir as only Groucho can, with the same insults and wisecracks that marked his uniquely superior brand of comedy for decades. For example, near the beginning of the book is this nugget of wisdom: "Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough."
You can actually hear his voice ringing through the text. It's delicious. The reader is torn between wanting to take the reading slowly so as to thoroughly enjoy it, and not being able to pull yourself away.
An unforgettable highlight is his slew of letters to the Warner Brothers in response to their problems with the Marx Brothers movie A Night in Casablanca. It's so perfect, you have to read it to believe it.
Many of his reminiscences are just so, utterly Groucho that you aren't sure if he's being entirely truthful. But that's the beauty of Groucho Marx, really. Do you go to Groucho if you want a truthful account of reality, or if you want a laugh? ...That's right. A laugh.
Fans of Groucho's style and work will not be disappointed, and those who are new to his particular brand of genius are in for a great ride.
You can actually hear his voice ringing through the text. It's delicious. The reader is torn between wanting to take the reading slowly so as to thoroughly enjoy it, and not being able to pull yourself away.
An unforgettable highlight is his slew of letters to the Warner Brothers in response to their problems with the Marx Brothers movie A Night in Casablanca. It's so perfect, you have to read it to believe it.
Many of his reminiscences are just so, utterly Groucho that you aren't sure if he's being entirely truthful. But that's the beauty of Groucho Marx, really. Do you go to Groucho if you want a truthful account of reality, or if you want a laugh? ...That's right. A laugh.
Fans of Groucho's style and work will not be disappointed, and those who are new to his particular brand of genius are in for a great ride.
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