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Spike: An Intimate Memoir
 
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Spike: An Intimate Memoir (Hardcover)

by Norma Farnes (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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7 new from £5.77 48 used from £0.01 1 collectible from £20.00
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Paperback (New Ed) £8.99 £6.99 113 used & new from £0.01

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 366 pages
  • Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd; First Edition edition (20 Oct 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1841157864
  • ISBN-13: 978-1841157863
  • Product Dimensions: 23.8 x 16 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 589,625 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Review
The premise for this biography is easily believable. Norma Farnes was Spike Milligan's long-time manager and the question she was most asked was 'What's he really like?' Her stock answer used to be 'interesting', or 'don't ask', but this is her attempt to tell the truth. Serialisation is inevitable so no manuscript is available. However, it has to be an enlightening read: any person who could deal with the comedian day after day for 35 years is not going to write the kind of book that would have had Spike reusing his description of Prince Charles - 'grovelling bastard'.

Humphrey Carpenter, Sunday Times
'Written with infectious verve... a cheery book.'

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Extra-ordinary, 4 Jul 2004
By Julian Williams (Stourport -on-Severn UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Spike: An Intimate Memoir (P.S.) (Paperback)
I'm writing this without reading any other review. Simply because this is a most extraordinary book about depression and, although I may repeat sentiments contributed by other review authors, I wanted this to be untainted by what I can only imagine is their (the reviews) just-worthy praise.
On one level the book is an extraordinary inisight into the machine of 50s-80s British comedy.
On another level the book is an extraordinary insight into the work and life of a genius.
On yet another level this is an extraordinary life story from a quite wonderful wonderful - the kind of woman that every good and creative man needs in his life. I a fortunate to have that woman in mine.
But on the most extraordinary level, this book paints the graphic, wild picture of uncontrollable depression that seems to be born to the best and most productive minds.
For all those who suffer from depression PLEASE READ THIS. There is no other book written on the subject - the disease or gift? - that comes close to explaining to others how one feels when life tumbles from the peaks and hits the troughs.
And unfortunately, still today we with depression must master the art of explanation first before trying to conquer the demon.
As Norma quotes Spike "if a man had a leg removed would you ask him to walk?"
Profound, deep, enlightening and - extra ordinary. Thank you Norma.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting insight, 30 Aug 2004
This review is from: Spike: An Intimate Memoir (P.S.) (Paperback)
Fans of Spike's earlier career (including the Goon Show years) may be disapointed by this book as it dwells primarily on the latter half of his life as told by his long-term manager Norma Farnes.

The initial chapters provide a brief overview of his earlier career plus some background to the author before continuing with some priceless insight into the man behind the legend. The book is easy to read and provides a highly personal account of what made Spike Milligan tick but if you want a more academic biography then you're probably better off getting hold of Humphrey Carpenter's offering.

However, 'An Intimate Memoir' should be on the bookshelf of any fan of british comedy. Spike was a pivotal character in the development of british humour from the post-war years unto the present day. It would be impossible to imagine where british comedy would be without him.

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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and funny, 20 Jun 2004
This book is written by Spike,s long term manager. It is an honest open account of Spike's career and personal life.Mrs Farnes does not shy away from mentioning and explaining the controversial aspects of Spike's character. One leaves this book remaining a huge fan of Spike's.He has brightened my life and so has this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A refreshingly honest account of life, laughs and depression
I loved this book. I didn't know anything about Spike Milligan beforehand having been too young for The Goon Show; but of course everybody knows his name. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Eclectic Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars Spike Milligan-By Norma Farnes
I found this book to be quite remarkable. How this lady managed to put up with the often bizarre mood swings of the genius that was Spike Milligan has to be read to be believed. Read more
Published on 14 May 2006 by Trevor J. Foster

4.0 out of 5 stars This Memoir is enthralling.
This Memoir is enthralling. I know I sound like the blurb, but it’s so true that this book presents a picture of Spike Milligan in such a way that it arouses one’s... Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2006

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