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.
© BBC 08/09/2026 … Alexei Sayle has already written two autobiographies: Stalin Ate My Homework, which covered his early life, and Thatcher Stole My Trousers, which took him from art…
Review of a book linking eccentric saints to modern comedians
05/06/2026 … When making a list of saints and sinners few would put the likes of Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle and Lenny Bruce in the first category.
© BBC/Passion Docs/Trevor Leighton 27/05/2026 … Nearly a decade after her death at just 52, Caroline Aherne’s outsize talent receives glowing tribute in this unapologetic hagiography from BBC radio presenter…
07/05/2026 … With John Robins currently on hiatus from stand-up, this heartbreaking memoir of his relationship with drinking goes a long way towards bringing readers up to date…
© Netflix Review of a book about comedy in a conflicted age
30/04/2026 … You might be forgiven for not wanting to read another word about the intractable culture war debate raging over comedy.
© Mirrorpix/Alamy 23/01/2026 … Probably the most illustrious and best known nursery for comedy in the UK, the Cambridge Footlights has a cultural legacy that’s unrivalled.
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