You'll Like It When You Get There by Rhys James
03/09/2025 … There’s no point putting any jokes in this review.
Latest Books
Reviews of books about comedy, including biographies of comedians old and new, and (occasionally) books by comedians. To have a book considered for review, send a copy to Chortle, 112 Norman Road, London, E11 4RL.
Wed 03 September 2025
Thu 12 June 2025
Running The Light by Sam Tallent
Review of a compelling portrait of a trainwreck of a stand-up
12/06/2025 … A macho mythology surrounds the hard-bitten, hard-living road comic, especially in the US, drawing on the romanticised nobility of the travelling troubadour/sage…
Wed 02 April 2025
My Previous Life In Comedy by Johnny Ball
First volume of the TV icon's memoirs covers his time as a club comic
02/04/2025 … Here’s a peculiar bit of showbusiness trivia for you: Who compered the Rolling Stones’ first nationwide UK tour? The answer – as you’ll have…
Thu 13 February 2025
Don't Make Me Laugh by Julia Raeside
Jay Richardson reviews the new novel about predators on the comedy circuit
13/02/2025 … Not a week goes by without revelations of showbusiness toxic male behaviour.
Fri 25 October 2024
© Takahiro Kyono via Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Dip My Brain In Joy: A Life With Neil Innes
Jay Richardson reviews Yvonne Innes's official biography of her husband
25/10/2024 … He is forever associated with The Beatles and often referred to as 'the seventh Python’.
Wed 16 October 2024
Jokes, Jokes, Jokes: My Very Funny Memoir by Jenny Eclair
16/10/2024 … Miranda Hart garnered plenty of headlines last week for her revelatory new memoir, disclosing her chronic illness and the news that she’s finally found love…
Mon 02 September 2024
Pierre Novellie: Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things? book review
A comedian's guide to autism, reviewed by Fiona Barry
02/09/2024 … I stay away from books about medicine and neuroscience.
Mon 29 April 2024
Not That I'm Bitter by Helen Lederer
29/04/2024 … Helen Lederer has occupied a unique space in comedy for more than 40 years, working closely with some of its biggest stars but never quite making it to that big…