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.
Groucho states at the beginning of the book that he's only writing it at the coercion of the editor. This statement and pretty much every other statement on the 300-some-odd pages in this book should be taken with a salt lick. Julius Henry Marx is reticent to invade his own personal life and I would venture to say that of the 80000+ words in this book only a handful could be considered the bold truth. Which isn't to say that it's not interesting, it's just that the anecdotes may or may not have any autobiographical value. However, they are certainly entertaining and a slight thread of chronology underlying the various stories lends some credence to the entire affair. That said, Groucho was not much of a writer and this book could've done with an editor, though certainly Groucho would've been even more secretive and obfuscating if that had been the case. If you're looking for significant biographical details, look elsewhere. If you're looking for humorous anecdotes from Groucho's life, this may be it. If you wish Groucho was still alive and kickin', this book is certainly for oyu.
Do You like book Groucho And Me (1995)?
"Esta obra empezó como una autobiografía, pero antes de enterarme comprendí ya que no sería nada de eso. Resulta casi imposible escribir una autobiografía sincera(...) En casi todos los casos, lo que el público acaba comprando es un discreto volumen con los hechos hábilmente encubiertos, lleno de bazofia y de ambigüedad"Me encanta el sarcasmo cómico de Groucho Marx, he disfrutado mucho sus anecdotas y ocurrencias, aunque no devela demasiado de su vida personal, nos cuenta con su estilo único las peripecias por las que tuvo que pasar durante su camino a la fama. Una lectura diferente y entretenida ^^
—Marivl
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.
—Casey
I was really excited to read this autobiography of Groucho Marx and the majority of the book didn't disappoint. Groucho tells some terrific stories about growing up Marx with his brothers. I also loved his tales about Kansas City (it's neat to read what an important tour stop it was back in its hey-day) and what he had to say about living in Chicago for a little while as a teen.But then...! Then it just turns into a GROUCHy old man (the book was published in 1959) griping about the way things are these/those days. It gets so random and drags on and on. It broke my heart, but I couldn't even finish the last 20 pages.Check it out at the library like I did and read the first 3/4ths if you want some greats Marx Brothers history.
—Danielle
