Harpo Speaks! by Harpo Marx, Rowland Barber Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Harpo Speaks!
Book Review: A Honk Honk Auto-Bio!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Marx (and Mr. Barber) have created a beautiful, timeless auto-biography in which the reader literally 'feels' he or she is experiencing the evolution of the Marx brothers every painful, beautiful step of the way.
This is a book that has stood and will stand the test of time, because it so powerfully portrays not only the beginnings of the 'Marx Brothers' but also because, to me, it is an amazing historical documentation of a time most of us could never begin to imagine without such imagery.
Buy it. You will never regret such a small investment for such wondrous returns.
One of the best auto-biographies I have read in my 63 years!
Book Review: A Must Read - even for the casual marx brothers fan
Summary: 5 Stars
Read the first five pages and you'll be hooked! I guarantee it. Harpo's autobiography is the funniest, most enjoyable book I've ever read and re-read (5th time now). It's not only an in-depth and personal account of the Marx brothers' careers and personal lives, but a fascinating record of turn-of-the-century vaudville, and the artistic and literary world of the 1920's and 30's. His stories about the Algonquin Round Table are priceless! Harpo Marx inspired laughter through his film and TV work, but it is through this excellent book that you truly get a sense of how extraordinary this man was.Book Review: A Window to the Past
Summary: 5 Stars
"Harpo Speaks" is, quite simply, the finest book by or about a member of the Marx Brothers.
While it is true that it is not the best source of information about the Brothers' films, it is a terrific window into turn of the 20th century New York, the Vaudeville era, the roaring 20's, to the Golden Days of Hollywood, and even to Stalinist Russia.
Harpo and his co-author present the book as a series of anecodets, and very amusing anecdotes at that. I found the sections on Harpo's legendary friendship with Alexander Wollcott to be moving and inspiring. He paints vivid portraits of many of his close friends with tenderness and humor. He loved his friends dearly and it shows in print.
Of particular interest is the inclusion of Harpo's Rules, a set of house rules for his large adopted family. Harpo really seemed to know about parenting and, as far as I can tell from what research I've done, created a family that absolutely adored him and that went on to be happy, succesful adults. In other words, there is some excellent insight into parenting in the latter chapters as well.
All in all, a fast, fun read and one I will be enjoying again and again.
Book Review: A clown reviews 'Harpo Speaks'
Summary: 5 Stars
Frankly, this is one of my favorite books of all time. It's hilarious, serious, witty, poignant and thought-provoking, sometimes all at the same time. It details what it was like to grow up in the Marx household, how all of the brothers were pushed into show business by their mother, Minnie, how hard they worked for so many years at (barely) subsistance wages, how they entertained each other, grew up on the road, and in one night changed from a singing group to the first great 'screwball' comedy team. If you love clowns, or are interested in clowning, you want to read this book; it's a wonderful insight into clowning, what's funny and why, as well as some of the Marx Brothers' classic routines. It's also a wonderful insight into a man I would have loved to have known; Harpo Marx.Book Review: A glittering autobiography
Summary: 4 Stars
I was at Borders looking over the section of movie-related books and saw this one on the shelf. I remember hearing about it a long time ago and idly wondered what it was like. Recently I've watched several Marx Brothers videos, one a documentary, and found it pretty interesting even if they were a pretty nonsensical bunch. Harpo is definitely the favourite. Anyway, the sparkling, straightforward humour of Harpo's writing style hooked me right away and I got the book from the library a few days later. Harpo doesn't talk only about show business. In fact, he doesn't talk about it much at all, in comparison with all the other stuff he has to say. He spends a third of the book talking just about growing up in New York City before he moves on about his friends and what they did together, about his trips to Russia and France, so forth, so on, with bits about show business scattered throughout.
This is a wonderful book and I recommend it even if you don't care a bit about the Marx Brothers - it's still fascinating!