Don't You Know Who I Used to Be

by Julia Morris

Anyone watching the seventeen-year-old Julia Morris singing Bonnie Tyler's 'Holding Out For A Hero' on NEW FACES could tell two things ... she had guts and she had talent. Not too many years later, Julia got her big break (alongside Eric Bana) on the Logie award-winning comedy sketch show FULL FRONTAL. From that platform she went on to other television and radio and she soon became one of Australia's most-loved female comedians with roles on IN MELBOURNE TONIGHT, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, GREAT AUSSIE BLOOPERS, GLADIATORS, THE MIDDAY SHOW, WHO DARES WINS and GOOD MORNING AUSTRALIA.She was young, successful ... and single, so in 2000, like so many Aussies before her, Julia decided to try her luck overseas and jetted off to the UK. There was no instant success. She had to work hard to find her way in the much larger pond. Julia spent eight years in the UK and ended up claiming both commercial and critical success on stage, radio and television. Her refreshing honesty captured the imagination of British comedy's elite and she worked with the likes of Paul Whitehouse, Stephen Fry, Catherine Tate, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, Graham Norton and her own personal Dalai Llama -the great Dame Edna.But there comes a time when an Aussie girl needs to come home. And what was left? Maybe it was time to bag herself a husband, the title of 'Lady' (bought on the internet by the bagged husband Dan), a baby daughter, and bring her new family back to settle in her beloved homeland.

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jessica Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I read it in two days. You need to be a J-Mo fan in order to really appreciate the way she tells this story. As others had said, I could hear her reading it to be, which made the amusing bits very funny. You may not have got them otherwise!

Not SUPER funny, but a really beautiful memoir. It was very easy to read, sad in parts, happy in others. I feel like it's Part 1 of a many part book and I can't wait to read more!

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an occasionally amusing memoir of Australian comedian, writer and actor, Julia Morris, who left Australia after having made her mark there, to seek fame and fortune in the UK, with a description of the extreme difficulty of doing so.

[Veronica-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely splendid read. A gifted performer, and a great person. Julia Morris's first book is a treasure and a pleasure to absorb. Her stories of her life experiences up till now are humorous and sad and very real and down to earth. Her writing draws you in and even if someone has disrespected her, she runs with it, tells her side and NEVER embarrasses anyone by mentioning their name. In this tell-all society that is a rare act of dignified kindness that this lovely Lady chooses to embrace. The Lady part is also authenticated with yet another hilarious tale. A book I highly recommend.

[Kristelle Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Lady J-Mo's voice was a treat to hear as I read this book (how could you not read it in her iconic dulcet tones) I was a fan before I read it, and now a solid groupie....we need a name, suggestions anyone?

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Bookworm

I bought this book a while ago, around the time it was released I’d say, and I just knew it would be an entertaining read. For those of you who may not know of Julia Morris, or J-Mo, she’s an Aussie comedian, radio and TV personality, and actor. And she’s HILARIOUS. Seriously, I’ve seen her live and she does not disappoint!

Reading J-Mo’ tales of trying to make it big in the UK was eye-opening; just because you’re a big deal in your home country doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have immediate success wherever you go. And that’s what I love about autobiographies, or at least well written ones – because I’ve always known J-Mo to be a success, it was somewhat inspiring to know that what you see/think isn’t always what’s actually happening. But there’s something to be said for hard work and perseverance, and J-Mo got there eventually, conquering the UK like she did Australia years before.

Much like J-Mo herself, this book is charming, genuine and self-deprecating. J-Mo is certainly not scared to tell stories from her personal life and her work life, the positive stories and those that often don’t end well for her or don’t paint her in the best light. In doing so, she does it with such grace and humour that you can’t help but laugh along with her as you’re reading. And laugh aloud I did, which is a rarity for me. Don’t get me wrong, there were also some sad parts in this book, but the storytelling had me crying tears of laughter at times because I was laughing so much. I think it was because I could hear J-Mo’s distinctive voice while reading, I know others have said this and I totally agree. It was written the way J-Mo speaks, which definitely brought more humour to the tale.

This was a quick read and flowed very well, and it felt to me like the first in a series of books by J-Mo about her life. At least I hope it will be. What can I say, it’s a great book and you should definitely read it! J-Mo is very good at whatever she sets her mind to and House Husbands is another must 🙂 Also, if you ever have the opportunity to see J-Mo live, jump on it – she’s SO entertaining. My mum and I went and saw her No Judgment show at the Athenaeum Theatre in 2012 and she had us in stitches the whole way though.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, I could hear the author reading this book, and as she is quite a amusing sort, it was written in her style and manner,
Very sad the story of the first attempts of being pregnant, and to be honest, her story of beginning to miscarry on a flight home, would be a nightmare situation to be in.

[Sally Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book over a couple of sessions. It was funny and I could imagine / hear Julia in my head while I was reading.
It was overall a good book and although I got a few laughs it wasn't quite adding as I expected, I guess I was hoping for something trashier.
Worth the read, quick and easy and light hearted.

[Kate Bolton]

I alternately giggled and raced my way through this story as I found I wanted to know where the journey went next. I love the way Julia Morris puts things and some expressions kept me amused well after I put the book down for the night!

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading this book.
It was written as if she was talking, in her own personal way.

I also loved the fact that it was quite short. It didn't feel like it was dragged out.
Definitely a good read for anyone who is a J-Mo fan :)

[Liah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as funny as you would expect from a comedian, but it was still a really interesting read and insight into the life of a comedian.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not super laugh out loud funny but still an interesting memoir.

[Mark Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's a fabulous delicious girl. A hoot ! Love her !

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Julia is so open and honest. She writes exactly as she speaks. Must read for fans.