An interesting history of what is probably the most influential comedy group in British history. It is interesting to see how many people cite them as an influence.

An interesting read, but probably a book to dip into, rather than to read cover-to-cover, unless you're a hardcore Monty Python fan. For serious fans there's lots of background information.

As a lifelong fan of Monty Python, I found this to be a refreshing and entertaining new look at the comedy troupe and immediately had me wanting to head back and watch the films and series with a new appreciation.

As a fan of Monthy Python but that met them only years after because I was born and another country and a few years in this book was amazing to get to know them a bit more!

I mean my only knowledge of Monty Python and everything is basically just the Holy Grail (the movie they made), so 😂😂 and then a couple of clips from Fawlty Towers – which I think is just John Cleese and not really the rest of the Pythons. So this will be pretty fun to read – but I guess that’s what biographies are for?

It’s less of a biography and more of a transcription of a biography or a really long interview. Of course, if you’re not interested in Monty Python, this wouldn’t really be interesting to you – not that that’s bad or anything. But otherwise it’s really fun to read! They’re making jokes about the others and talking about things that went on behind the scenes of the movies/tv spots (which I’m always a fan of), or talking about how they met this person or that person (whose name I vaguely recognise).

And it’s John Cleese!! Just being John Cleese! If you haven’t watched any o the Monty Python movies, I highly recommend them if you’re looking for a good laugh. I see Netflix (SA, can’t comment on other regions) has quite a few Monty Pythons so I guess I’ll fill my watching time up with that! ALSO – PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go watch Fawlty Towers clips either on YouTube or well, I don’t know where else but they are all absolutely hilarious and will crack you up.

Really interesting insights into the making of monty python interspersed with the funny bits! Reinforces your perceptions of the individual Pythons 🐍 as to who is the nice one and who is the most unsavoury one... I love MP and it’s got me through some of the more difficult times in my life! An interesting read - although at times a bit all over the place (like the very MP itself!)

A quick read, mostly in the form of interviews conducted over 20 years ago. This edition includes a foreword by John Oliver and some additional interviews conducted around 2018 re the reunion shows.
Very entertaining and a good breakdown on what made the Pythons tick, from their pre Python days to the series to their solo ventures.

At Last a perfect Birthday or Christmas Present for someone who loves Monty Python. So when this book Monty Python Speaks! The Complete Oral History by David Morgan. came back in the shops to purchase I had to purchase for my dad. He is a great fan of Monty Python and then so am I. Who doesn't love them. Plus, its their special anniversary it's their 50th anniversary. This book is just brilliant it's a celebration of its BBC debut, a revised and updated edition of the complete oral history of Monty Python and a great an insightful, with and in-depth portrait of the brilliant and hysterically funny show that transformed modern comedy.

A book that deserves Big 5 Stars that made someone happy when he opened his present.

Purchased as well as a present.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Fourth Estate for an ARC.

As a huge monty python fan this is hardly an unbiased review and it was unlikely I wouldn’t enjoy this. I learnt the odd new bit but not that much, but I loved how at points you could hear the voices of the main cast and their humour. Lovely to read about their friendships. A great book it was hard to put down until I’d finished it.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I love the Phythons. Perhaps more than I love the Beatles. These men have popped up in all aspects of my life, so I was very happy to read this biography- for want of a better word. Each of the surviving Phythons is given a opportunity to voice their opinions on various aspects of the groups infancy, infamy and success.
You can hear the voice and tone of each man; some fans wouldn’t even need the subheadings to identify them.

First and foremost, i'm a Python fan so this review will be a little biased because of that. This presents the careers of the Pythons together and separately and being an updated version touched on what has happened since this was published in the late 90's.
It's an interesting read if you're a comedy fan or if you just want to learn more about the geniuses that are the Pythons.

I enjoyed Monty Python Speaks. It gives a chronological account of Python from its birth through interview extracts with all six male Pythons, Carol Cleveland and others involved in the production. It’s not especially funny, but it’s interesting and entertaining.

I should probably say that I was about 15 when Python began on TV and was soon a devotee, so I have more interest in this than some other people may. I enjoyed reading about the group dynamics, the details of the writing process and the films – especially Life Of Brian. I could perhaps have done without such detailed chronicling of the exact nature of the funding and release of different programmes and films in the USA, but I suppose it’s good to have these things on record – and one can always resort to skimming.

I’m not sure I learned much that was really new, but I’m glad to have a fuller picture of the characters involved and the key events – the frank discussion of Graham Chapman’s alcoholism and his contribution to the group was especially interesting to me, for instance.

This is a good book to dip into, and I often found myself reading more at a sitting than I expected to, which is a good sign. Recommended.

(My thanks to Fourth Estate for an ARC via NetGalley.)

"What binds Python together is a similar sense of humour, a general consensus about what is funny. If you'd written something that appealed to the group sense of humour, that would go right through the group. That's why we worked well as a group, certainly you didn't have to explain what was funny; there really was a unanimity deep down."

Informative and delightful, Morgan's novel consists of the Python's interviews in which they talk about all things Monty Python-y, the behind the scenes stories, the revolutionary road they lead, their friendship and hardships.

I requested this book as I'm a Monty Phyton fan.
I decided to have a look thinking "I will read it later" but I read it until 2 am as I couldn't put it down.
I was so enthusiastic that I had to talk about it to my FB friends: 3 of them decided to buy the book (they're Italian btw).
I want to summarize what I think of this book: it's fantastic, go and buy it.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for this ARC

Fantastic hilarious informative for lovers of Monty Python for those who grew up with them those who have watched them in reruns as a piece of comedy history this is the book for you,A book you can dip in and out of so many memories skits laughs.Highly recommend.
#netgalley #Harpercolinsuk4thestate.