The Python Years: Volume One: Diaries 1969-1979

Like so many others, I was, am, and forever will be thrilled, inspired, and utterly in love with the wonderfully weird magic that is "Monty Pythons Flying Circus". The quirky and altogether strange world of the Pythons have provided me with many laugh induced bellyaches and watery eyes. It was, in a word, brilliant. And, although I'm not happy about 'taking sides', as it were, I guess Michael Palin has always been my favourite. So it was a great pleasure to find this book on the shelf at my local bookpusher. In it, Palin gives a very interesting, very candid, and (critically) not silly view of the lives and times of the Python group. We get a fine description of the other members of the group as well as Palins family, a subject not often explored. One of the marvelous aspects of this volume is, that while it describes the 'Python Years", it dosen't hang on the 'normal' points of interest that every other book and interview about the pythons, to this day, seems to find so absolutely necessary to repeat to death. It gives the reader so many apt and recherché descriptions of the small things behind the scene, that it truly ads a new and original dimension to Python legacy. Indeed not a small feat. Any python fan would appreciate this wonderful book. I'm absolutely sure of it. Highest possible recommendation.

What a fruitful and stimulating period for Michael Palin from 1969 through 1979! The trajectory runs from the young man and his colleagues trying to find their way as barely-known humorists and performers in England to huge worldwide stars with a portfolio that remains strong to this day. The diary shows a wonderful family man of wit, personality, sensitivity, talent and various other positive attributes. A book with only that would of course be rather dull eventually, and Palin freely admits his errors, worries, and somewhat edgy remarks about others. One can't help but wonder what was trimmed in the massive editing job, whether it was mostly day-to-day stuff or whether we lost some naughty bits and rougher comments. My guess is that we saw enough personality of the author that there was only modest need to excise nasty or regrettable words. One of the better aspects is, in fact, that Palin paints quite human portraits of the other Pythons, some warts and all. There's John Cleese, often stand-offish and wanting to move on. There's Eric Idle, moody and worried about money. There's Graham Chapman, struggling with booze, and Terry Jones, who is closest to Palin, trying to find his way. Naturally, there are many positive remarks about the boys, too, and I particularly liked the behind-the-scenes stories during the making of the films and their writing sessions. How little money they made! To the Pythons' good fortune, the BBC gave up the non-UK rights to video. Other highlights were Palin on Saturday Night Live, his first publicity tour to America and the subsequent rise of the Python shows on public TV, the decline and death of his father, and the general realization that he was becoming quite famous and the burden of celebrity was not always welcome. Quite a few famous people appear, with a fine example being George Harrison (a big "Lumberjack Song" fan). Palin is at first intimidated by Harrison, and eventually they became friends. It's a testament to Palin's charm, friendliness and interest in so many subjects (he reads constantly in the diary) that he has countless friends and contacts, and must be an excellent companion. If you want to dip into the book for a sample, try February, 1975. Palin says, "Good news from New York - Python is top of the PBS Channel 13 ratings" on Feb 4. He complains, "I am so sick of being Python odd-job man, and yet the alternative is to not know what's going on in your name - which is infinitely more dangerous." There are family news, socializing with others, and thoughts of a future project, and on Feb 22, "I suppose this could be said to be the day on which Python finally died." The author is clearly a pretty smart guy, and some predictions about the future and lamentations about the loss of scale in human development were spot on. I had to smile at one exception, when he thought Keith Richards wouldn't last long. But, hey, that's ok, you were far from alone! Don't read the book looking to laugh throughout.

I have vivid memories of watching MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS every Saturday evening with group of fellow college students. We packed into the Grand Wazoo's apartment to watch the program on PBS followed by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. What a hoot! I was delighted when I opened MICHAEL PALIN DIARIES as a Christmas present. I read it while receiving therapy for my back. The book was a fantastic diversion. As for me, I looked forward to reading Palin's description of the clerical attacks on THE LIFE OF BRIAN.* Well, that part was at the end. Nevertheless, the entire diary was a pleasure and captured my interest. One unexpected dimension of Palin's life that captured my attention was the unfolding relationship he had with his family including his parents, wife and children. In particular, the progressive decline and death of his father produced a profound portrait of Palin. It was touching. Less touching but still an attention grabber was Palin's portrait of the other Pythons. The personality of each Python was a candid and multidimensional. However, I wasn't surprised by these descriptions and reaffirmed Palin's reputation as being "the nice one." As for THE LIFE OF BRIAN, my primary interest in reading this diary, the description of the evolution of the leper and crucifixion scenes was a real hoot. The evolution of the leper scene was more complex than imaginable. * An Episcopalian Bishop asked a close friend (a priest) to discourage his flock to not view THE LIFE OF BRIAN. He and his Bishop never saw the film, but after I explained the storyline, my friend became less concerned. The protest of the film could have easily been included in the film itself. If the Python boys realized a protest would ensue, I am sure they would have done so.

Michael Palin is a very nice man. This may seem a simple, even banal conclusion, but it sums up this reader's overall reaction upon completing this charming, revelatory (at least so far as the Pythons are concerned), and oftentimes poignant diary of the heyday of Monty Python. This book begins in 1969, when the Pythons first came together to create their groundbreaking show, and continues until 1979, when 'The Life of Brian' has been released amidst acclaim and controversy. Along the way the Python fan will be fascinated to explore the stressful, even tortured, relationships between the principals themselves, as well as the industry professionals and artistic colleagues they come in contact with. The Pythons, like any small, select society had their differences (often major)and cliques (never truly sinking to the level of petty), and it is primarily this reason that no one among the group could have captured as successfully the viscitudes of this prolific period as well as Palin. In the group dynamic, Palin functioned as both a conscience and a moral compass; whatever difficulties were taking place between the members, it was always him that everyone else was ringing up. Never captivated by the trappings of success and wealth himself, it is highly amusing to read his gentle, never mean-spirited musings upon such subjects as John Cleese's Rolls Royce or Eric Idle's almost obsessive drive to make more and more money. Because Palin has such a sincere liking for all of his colleagues, whatever their personal failings, his diary never comes close the sort of viscious, dishy, dirty-laundry airing we have come to expect in show business memoirs. And though the most fascinating parts of the book for most readers will undoubtedly be the workman-like descriptions of the writing and filming processes that produced some of the twentieth century's most memorable comedy, the personal side of Palin's diary manages somehow to be utterly ordinary and yet completely moving. Children grow up, parents fall ill and slowly deteriorate, old friends pass on, and through all the cheerful, life-affirming force of Palin's gentle personality guides the reader along like a friendly, somewhat protective curator. What a blessing for us that this engaging man had the energy to write it all down at the end of the day!

This is a great book by Michael Palin. I felt as if he was talking to me as we were taking a walk on a nice day. There's all the history here of the Monty Python's and their film's. His times with George Harrison and much more.He's a great writer as those of you know who have enjoyed all of his travel books and shows. This book takes you up to 1979 the Python years and I hope there's not a long wait for the next book.