Don't Make Me Laugh by Julia Raeside
Jay Richardson reviews the new novel about predators on the comedy circuit
13/02/2025 … Not a week goes by without revelations of showbusiness toxic male behaviour.
Latest Books
Reviews of books about comedy, including biographies of comedians old and new, and (occasionally) books by comedians. To have a book considered for review, send a copy to Chortle, 112 Norman Road, London, E11 4RL.
Thu 13 February 2025
Fri 25 October 2024
© Takahiro Kyono via Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Dip My Brain In Joy: A Life With Neil Innes
Jay Richardson reviews Yvonne Innes's official biography of her husband
25/10/2024 … He is forever associated with The Beatles and often referred to as 'the seventh Python’.
Wed 16 October 2024
Jokes, Jokes, Jokes: My Very Funny Memoir by Jenny Eclair
16/10/2024 … Miranda Hart garnered plenty of headlines last week for her revelatory new memoir, disclosing her chronic illness and the news that she’s finally found love…
Mon 02 September 2024
Pierre Novellie: Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things? book review
A comedian's guide to autism, reviewed by Fiona Barry
02/09/2024 … I stay away from books about medicine and neuroscience.
Mon 29 April 2024
Not That I'm Bitter by Helen Lederer
29/04/2024 … Helen Lederer has occupied a unique space in comedy for more than 40 years, working closely with some of its biggest stars but never quite making it to that big…
Tue 02 April 2024
Be Funny Or Die
Review of Joel Morris' book about 'how comedy works and why it matters'
02/04/2024 … It’s an unwritten rule that any book about comedy starts with the EB White quote, refined by Barry Cryer, that analysing a joke is like dissecting a frog,…
Wed 10 January 2024
Comedy Book by Jesse David Fox
Review of the new account of 'how comedy conquered culture'
10/01/2024 … Like it or not, comedy finds itself on the front line of the culture wars.
Thu 09 November 2023
Berserker! by Adrian Edmondson
Review of the Young Ones and Bottom star's frank and entertaining memoir
09/11/2023 … It’s been more than 40 years since Adrian Edmondson first tore through the world of light entertainment with the rest of the alternative comedy cohort.