Ben

Moab Is My Washpot. - Stephen Fry. Thoughts: So here it is, my second finished book of the year, Stephen Fry's quite frankly fantastic autobiographical book, and in all fairness anything I write in a review will be completely and inexplicably pointless; for I can only do such a brilliant tale an injustice. Nevertheless, I will try, as I feel this book is one which should be recommended to anyone who enjoys a good yarn; take the time to join Stephen on his journey filled with despair, remorse, sadness, deceit and love. The book itself is both intriguing and humorous, often at the same time, as we are catapulted through Stephen's accounts of the tales of his childhood in boarding school, his first homosexual experiences, his pranks and jokes, his adolescent angst and early experiences with depression. It is extremely well written, as one would expect from Mr Fry, and is delightful, charming, brutally candid, and a pleasure to read. We're presented with his feelings of regret, despair, and self-loathing, and although I can far from condone his actions as a delinquent youth, neither can he; he acknowledges this most genuinely, and from it you can see how and why he has become what he is today. Throughout the book Fry quite honestly rambles away, often going off into side-anecdotes, and although this can be irritating for some readers, I found it nothing short of endearing, bringing a certain charm to his style of writing; the way in which he meanders through tales of his childhood, often coming back to his original point several pages on, gives us a sense of how his life has been an emotional roller-coaster from which he has clung on to the very end, to make himself the person which he wants to be. 5/5.

Today I finished Stephen Fry's autobiographical book Moab Is My Washpot and I am quite blown-away by it. It was truly terrific and explained a lot about the man that I didn't know. It is written wonderfully, in the same chatty but intellectual style that we're so used to seeing from him.

A decent first innings from England with some excellent batting of course by Alistair Cook; it's a shame he didn't reach his double-century, but a good innings nevertheless.

Seemed not huh. Tail-enders dragged it out to 280, good effort. England 167-3 though, not a bad start.

I'm with lophenea on that one, let us choose for you. Or.. just a suggestion but you could read the improved and stripped-back version of my creative writing piece that I emailed you.

I'd agree, not a bad start by England with those two wickets in between showers. Let's see how it goes eh.

In all honesty I'm the same - I'm having a constant inner-battle to persuade myself to read the books I've already got before buying more. A battle which I was always destined to lose, I'm sure. I'm glad to hear my recommendation has persuaded you to try Killing Floor. Do let me know how you get on and I hope I can recommend some more good titles in the near future.

No problem, I just hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Haha, maybe so, seems unlikely though.

Indeed I'm enjoying it so far, it's a light but interesting read. I imagine The Fry Chronicles flows the same. I'm glad to hear that you've ordered a Kindle, I'm sure you'll love it. I wonder if my comments helped make the decision in any way?

Thank you Charm, it's the first time I've properly made a list and I'm quite proud of it. I'll let you know what I think, and best of reading to you in 2011 too!

I love the imagery. I agree entirely my friend.

Ah sounds like it's written perfectly; Stephen Fry always comes across as an honest and genuine person, so it's nice to see that it's reflected in his writing. I can't wait to get through this and then make a start on The Fry Chronicles as well. Interestingly I've got that one on audiobook as well. As Fry is always a pleasure to listen to, I have some options there. Happy reading to you too. (:

Decided to get stuck into Moab Is My Washpot alongside The Crimson Knights because I have Stephen Fry's book in paper-copy, whilst the review book I've transferred so I can read it on my Kindle. Anyway, has anyone read any Stephen Fry? I admire the guy but have never read any of his books; I have this, The Fry Chronicles and The Ode Less Travelled on my to-be-read pile, and I expect to read all three this year. Synopsis: Moab is My Washpot is in turns funny, shocking, tender, delicious, sad, lyrical, bruisingly frank and addictively readable. Stephen Fry's bestselling memoir tells how, sent to a boarding school 200 miles from home at the age of seven, he survived beatings, misery, love, ecstasy, carnal violation, expulsion, imprisonment, criminal conviction, probation and catastrophe to emerge, at eighteen, ready to try and face the world in which he had always felt a stranger. When he was fifteen, he wrote this in a letter to himself, not to be read until he was twenty-five: 'Well I tell you now that everything I feel now, everything I am now is truer and better than anything I shall ever be. Ever. This is me now, the real me. Every day that I grow away from the me that is writing this now is a betrayal and a defeat'. Whether the real Stephen Fry is the man now living, or the extraordinary adolescent now dead, only you will be able to decide. This looks like a fantastic read and I've heard great things from it; looking forward to this one.

Ah maybe that was because you had to read it for class; that can always make a book seem less enjoyable. I know it was the case when I read The Great Gatsby for English Literature last year. Let me know if you do try 1984 again. I've been thinking about trying some of his other stuff soon.

You hated 1984? Wow, I really liked it. What didn't you like Claire?

Thanks, I might have to push A Room With A View up my to-be-read list on your glowing recommendation. I've heard it recommended by quite a few people so it looks like I'll be making sure I get around to reading it at some point. Ah, yes, I thought The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society sounded interesting indeed - looks like I'll be battling against myself this early on in the year to make sure I don't make too many purchases until I've dented my to-be-read pile.

Thank you, I certainly hope this year improves on the last. I'm also hoping to read most if not all of the Jack Reacher series as well, so let me know how you get on. (:

Thanks Kat, that makes me feel much better. Looks like that's another book for the wishlist, thanks to you. (:

I insist you get right onto reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. One of my favourite books over the best couple of years and I feel that anyone who hasn't read it is missing out. Anyway, best of luck for your reading in 2011 and I look forward to reading your reviews.

I've heard good things from a friend of mine about Homage to Catalonia so good luck with that one. Also best of luck in general over 2011 with your reading, I look forward to reading your thoughts and reviews on what you've read.

Or you could look at it the other way and start off with something short and not too taxing to ease yourself in to the year; especially after a bad one last year like I had. I look forward to reading your thoughts and reviews on what you read, and best of luck with your 2011 reading.