Past-it Notes

by Maureen Lipman

Packed with beguiling showbiz anecdotes, wonderful stories, eccentric characters, bizarre situations, and memorable encounters, actress Maureen Lipman recounts her past with gusto and relish in this hilarious autobiography. From entertaining the neighbors at the age of four to struggling with her laptop, from film roles to award-winning stage triumphs, Maureen combines stories of her whirlwind professional life and confessions of the chaos that often threatens to engulf her personal life with a style and wit that is utterly and uniquely her own.

Genres: Autobiography

480 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Marguerite Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Maureen Lipman. I have very fond memories of her in Agony, and I have never not liked her when I've seen her interviewed. But I have to say, the more I went on with Post-It notes, the more I went slightly off her. Don't get me wrong, she's very funny, and sometimes genuinely LOL funny. I like her take on topical stuff. But I really, really don't like the whole mega name dropping stuff. Way too many luvvies, wayyyyy too much detail about her acting life. This is the kind of book that would work much better shorter, and much more severely edited, and taken in much smaller doses.

[Sho · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up reading her column in the Guardian becuase it was all so annoyingly self congratulatory (and so pro Israel it made me Very Cross) but I tried this because Lipman really really can write.

I got 11% into it and then had to stop because - well see above.

[Nathaniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read several of Maureen Lipman's autobiographical books in the past although not for some time and I've always found them to be amusing and written in a very informal manner. Past-It Notes is a mix of old and new; it contains some material from her previous books and some new material as well. Some is taken from columns she has written for publications such as The Jewish Chronicle and various magazines. It is a big hefty book. Even in hardback, it weighs in at almost 500 pages.

Each chapter in the book is a stand-alone story which recounts a particular incident in Maureen's life, most of which are amusing. The majority centre around her family, in particular her husband and mother, the love and bane of her life. They're written in a very informal style, as if she is speaking to you, and it's very easy to imagine that that is exactly how she would come across if she was to be sat there in person telling you the anecdote. It's a very easy to read style and it makes her seem very down-to-earth for such a noted celebrity. Some of the anecdotes contain extremely personal information which I think makes her come across as very approachable. Although it said that some of the material had been published before in her previous books, I didn't remember reading any of it before.

I'd like to say that it's a quick and easy read because most chapters are certainly only a few pages long. However, the book itself is just too big and so I found after reading about half, it just got to be too samey. I really had to force myself to pick it up and finish it off which is why it took me almost two months to complete. The only reason I finished it off was because I don't like leaving books partway unless I absolutely can't stand it, and also because it was due back at the library. It is an enjoyable read, up to a point.

[Sive · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this indigestible as a collection. I am sure many of the articles would be very enjoyable when read singly in a magazine ( or wherever they were originally published )but the style and humour palls after the first few articles. I'm afraid it is going back to the library unfinished.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously the author is a very funny lady with a whole repertoire of experiences, 560 pages worth. Some of the humor is a bit forced but she is still an enjoyable read. Just kind of a long long book.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the articles were very funny and/or moving, but I kept being jarred by the sometimes careless copy-editing, alas.

[Alex Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been reading Lipman's essays since the mid 1980s and this great big book essentially collects some from all the books with some new bits added. Great for dipping into enjoyed it very much

[Bev · Rating 1 out of 5]

Used to live Maureen Lipman. This though is self congratulary and just a tad elitist. I don't know whether some stars find themselves in the situation of being famous and have to write this sort of stuff because they are taken back by it all and want to share with their fans how bizarre it all is or whether it is genuine bragging and name dropping but it's dull and elitist. They say you should never meet your heroes and this is a good example of why. Kind of out me in mind of one of the characters I always thought she was mocking, now I wonder.

[Teresa D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have found myself ever so slightly bored .