Nonfiction

Who Am I, Again?

Who Am I, Again?

  • Downloads：1342
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-06-11 14:16:13
  • Update Date：2025-09-23
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Lenny Henry
  • ISBN：0571342612
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

HOW DO YOU BEAT THE BULLIES AND THE BIGOTS？ HERE'S HOW。

The heart-breaking， inspirational （and very funny） story of the man who overcame so much， and won a very special place in a nation's heart。

In his long-awaited autobiography， Sir Lenny Henry tells the extraordinary story of his early years and sudden rise to fame。

Born soon after his Jamaican parents had arrived in the Midlands， Lenny was raised as one of seven siblings in a boisterous working household， and sent out into the world with his mum's mantra of 'H'integration！ H'integration！ H'integration！' echoing in his ears。

But 1970s Britain was a hard place， and a bewildering experience for a lone black teenager。 A natural ability to make people laugh came in handy。 At school it helped subdue the daily racist bullying。 In the park， it led to lifelong friendships and occasional snogs。 Soon， it would put him on stage at working men's clubs and Black Country discotheques -before an invitation to a TV audition changed his life for ever。

***BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week***

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Reviews

David Miller ，

Really well written， and a fascinating window into the world of 70s entertainment

Heidi Matsumoto ，

Thoroughly enjoyable Fun and authentic。 Lenny is such a legend。 A great insight into his life with a healthy balance between subjective and objective memories。

Kathryn Fitzpatrick ，

I was inspired to read this after hearing a brilliant interview with Lenny Henry。 However great storytellers are not always great writers。。。 the book was a once-over lightly without the depth of thought I’d hoped for。

Ali ，

I grew up （in the 80s and 90s） watching and listening to Lenny Henry and his voice is so familiar to me。 So listening to the audio version of this was both interesting and comforting， like being read to by an old friend。I felt it ended too soon and I wish he had continued into the 80s and beyond， but hopefully that will come in another book。 I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version， listening to it in just 4 days 📖

Mr Aardvark ，

I liked all except the last chapter。

Michelle ，

Reading this back to back with Trevor Noah's memoir was an experience and perhaps highlighted more issues than I would have seen in Lenny Henry's offering。This book felt very reserved and matter-of-fact for an autobiography by a comedian。 Comic moments were few and far between and the personal is very watered down。 Seemingly important issues - such as meeting his biological father， growing up amongst two cultures， his relationships with his father and siblings， being Black and performing with th Reading this back to back with Trevor Noah's memoir was an experience and perhaps highlighted more issues than I would have seen in Lenny Henry's offering。This book felt very reserved and matter-of-fact for an autobiography by a comedian。 Comic moments were few and far between and the personal is very watered down。 Seemingly important issues - such as meeting his biological father， growing up amongst two cultures， his relationships with his father and siblings， being Black and performing with the Black and White Minstrels， the adoption of his daughter - are referred to only briefly and without emotion， almost as if they happened to someone else。This reads more like a manual or guidance for upcoming comedians as Lenny shares his experiences from his early career and ends with advice for performers。 I am therefore， clearly not the key intended audience for this。 。。。more

Susan ，

This audible book was read by Lenny Henry which really brought it to life as his voices and characters kept it entertaining。His parents were the Windrush generation of migrants from Jamaica， hardworking and often racially abused but providing a home， love and plenty of food for their family。Lenny's impressions of his Moma and Pop really made them come to life。 West Indian parenting is a lot more physical than would be acceptable these days and he does tell of many beatings for misbehaviour but d This audible book was read by Lenny Henry which really brought it to life as his voices and characters kept it entertaining。His parents were the Windrush generation of migrants from Jamaica， hardworking and often racially abused but providing a home， love and plenty of food for their family。Lenny's impressions of his Moma and Pop really made them come to life。 West Indian parenting is a lot more physical than would be acceptable these days and he does tell of many beatings for misbehaviour but despite those you can hear his love for his mum coming through。I enjoyed the part about Lenny growing up， his family and starting out on his career。 I was less interested in the second part where he gives advice to aspiring comedians though。 。。。more

Zoe Whitelock ，

I picked this up after listening to Lenny on the Louis Theroux podcast "Grounded"。 I honestly may never have sought the book out， had I not。 Enjoyable tales from his childhood & the beginning of his career。 I look forward to the next instalment。 I picked this up after listening to Lenny on the Louis Theroux podcast "Grounded"。 I honestly may never have sought the book out， had I not。 Enjoyable tales from his childhood & the beginning of his career。 I look forward to the next instalment。 。。。more

Niall Macdougall ，

Great hopefully first memoirI've loved Lenny Henry since I was a kid and here he tries to tell the story of his life up to the early eighties。 It's a nice insight into his childhood as well as some of the racism he encountered early in his career。 looking forward to volume two！ Great hopefully first memoirI've loved Lenny Henry since I was a kid and here he tries to tell the story of his life up to the early eighties。 It's a nice insight into his childhood as well as some of the racism he encountered early in his career。 looking forward to volume two！ 。。。more

Kathryn Terry ，

I couldn't sleep tonight so I finished the final pages of this book。 I'm glad I couldn't sleep。 I couldn't sleep tonight so I finished the final pages of this book。 I'm glad I couldn't sleep。 。。。more

Lizzie ，

Finally， an autobiography on his early years and rise to fame。 An enjoyable read that gives you an insight into the man behind the impersonator。 I wonder， if there’s a sequel in the offing。。。。。

Catherine Henderson ，

Loved the audiobook version read by Lenny himself。 Having grown up with him was interesting to hear about his upbringing and his very early introduction to showbiz tho I was too young for tizwaz！

Rania T ，

Substantial memoir of a British Comedian， and provides a lot of tips on how to hone the craft if you are interested in comedy career-wise。 But the "Black and White Minstrels Show？" My goodness！ Why that was allowed on TV for so long is something that needs to be seen to be believed。 Substantial memoir of a British Comedian， and provides a lot of tips on how to hone the craft if you are interested in comedy career-wise。 But the "Black and White Minstrels Show？" My goodness！ Why that was allowed on TV for so long is something that needs to be seen to be believed。 。。。more

Haseeb Ahmad ，

G this was an extremely interesting book of Lenny Henry‘s early life and career。 Listen to the audio version that he reads himself which really brings the story to life。 So interesting to hear Lenny talk about his days with the black and white minstrels， and， how his approach to comedy changed as he hit the alternative comedy scene。 Absolutely fantastic I can’t wait for the follow-up book。

Emma ，

I love autobiographies read by the author。 The voices that Lenny does just brought this to life。 Only gave it a 4* as did seem to repeat things at times。 This was about Lenny's starting out and his early years。 I love autobiographies read by the author。 The voices that Lenny does just brought this to life。 Only gave it a 4* as did seem to repeat things at times。 This was about Lenny's starting out and his early years。 。。。more

Lou ，

Couldn’t put this down， I had to keep reading。 I’ve been a fan of Lenny my whole life。 His presence is one of my earliest memories of comedians that I grew up watching。 I could hear his voice reading to me。 This is an incredibly touching and sensitive portrayal of his experiences as a young man。 The prejudices of an inherently racist culture set alongside the everyday challenges of growing up as， in some ways， a fairly naive child， thrust into an adult environment。 I didn’t want it to end， but I Couldn’t put this down， I had to keep reading。 I’ve been a fan of Lenny my whole life。 His presence is one of my earliest memories of comedians that I grew up watching。 I could hear his voice reading to me。 This is an incredibly touching and sensitive portrayal of his experiences as a young man。 The prejudices of an inherently racist culture set alongside the everyday challenges of growing up as， in some ways， a fairly naive child， thrust into an adult environment。 I didn’t want it to end， but I did feel there are still some bits he deliberately glossed over， perhaps intentionally。 Lenny shows us how he soaked up all these experiences of the comic greats， a giant sponge willing to work hard to hone his craft， yet in many ways lucky to be in the right place at the right time。 I want to read more！ 。。。more

Thomas Hale ，

Autobiography of the early life and fame of one of Britain's biggest comedians。 The audiobook I listend to is narrated by Henry himself， and his voice is infectious - or voiceS， given his impressionist skills。 The title of the book is the central theme: Henry's identity crises and culture clash between his upbringing in a large black household and his life outside it。 Not being familiar with his early career， I learned a lot， not just about his sitcom work or his touring with the Minstrels， but Autobiography of the early life and fame of one of Britain's biggest comedians。 The audiobook I listend to is narrated by Henry himself， and his voice is infectious - or voiceS， given his impressionist skills。 The title of the book is the central theme: Henry's identity crises and culture clash between his upbringing in a large black household and his life outside it。 Not being familiar with his early career， I learned a lot， not just about his sitcom work or his touring with the Minstrels， but about the showbiz landscape of mid-20th-century England， from working men's clubs to light entertainment。 The most engrossing passages， though， are when Henry talks about his family: he highlights each one individually， and I could hear the emotion in his voice as he talks about his sister's record collection or his mum's cooking。 Which makes it all the more powerful when he cuts to decades later， talking with his loved one in hospital， or after a long period of separation。 The sadness and regrets are balanced with the excitement and uncertainty of young fame， and despite knowing a lot of the latter half of his career， I really look forward to when he writes a followup。 。。。more

Frances ，

Most of this book was fairly interesting but It was not as funny as I expected。

Lisa Shardlow ，

I knew of Lenny Henry but had limited knowledge of him before listening to this audiobook。 I knew he was a funny guy， and that his family moved here to the UK from Jamaica， so thought it would be an interesting listen。 It did not disappoint！ It was very interesting， and the impressions that Lenny does of members of his family and friends while he's narrating it are just hilarious！ I was quite sad when it ended but I can't wait for the next one！ I knew of Lenny Henry but had limited knowledge of him before listening to this audiobook。 I knew he was a funny guy， and that his family moved here to the UK from Jamaica， so thought it would be an interesting listen。 It did not disappoint！ It was very interesting， and the impressions that Lenny does of members of his family and friends while he's narrating it are just hilarious！ I was quite sad when it ended but I can't wait for the next one！ 。。。more

J。W。 Nelson ，

two-thirds through the book and it reminds me of my upbringing not that far away in central Birmingham。 Lenny has captured his 'integration' into the UK amid his large family and his disciplinarian mother， who ruled the household with an iron clad steely defiance and authority。 A very worthy read for any Lenny fans and those who want to know about this stalwart of British TV comedy over the last three decades two-thirds through the book and it reminds me of my upbringing not that far away in central Birmingham。 Lenny has captured his 'integration' into the UK amid his large family and his disciplinarian mother， who ruled the household with an iron clad steely defiance and authority。 A very worthy read for any Lenny fans and those who want to know about this stalwart of British TV comedy over the last three decades 。。。more

Jane ，

Awww lovely Lenny Henry told me about his life as I drove （I consumed this as an audiobook）。 Growing up I knew of Lenny from the three of a kind days onwards which is mostly after this memoir finishes。 So this was a really interesting delve into what came before。 I only knew of a few bits of it through listening to him speak on Louis Theroux’s podcast。 I love how he took every opportunity to learn he could。 The ending was a bit abrupt。 It kind of just finished and then there was an afterword。 An Awww lovely Lenny Henry told me about his life as I drove （I consumed this as an audiobook）。 Growing up I knew of Lenny from the three of a kind days onwards which is mostly after this memoir finishes。 So this was a really interesting delve into what came before。 I only knew of a few bits of it through listening to him speak on Louis Theroux’s podcast。 I love how he took every opportunity to learn he could。 The ending was a bit abrupt。 It kind of just finished and then there was an afterword。 And a set of tips for the aspiring comedian。 He was good company。 。。。more

David Highton ，

An autobiography of Lenny Henry covering his life up to the age of 22， including his full time comedy career from the age of 17 after he won the TV talent show， New Faces。 A fascinating story of a childhood in Dudley and a tough time in clubs and theatres as he built his career。

Francesca Pashby ，

Well， that was not what I was expecting。It wasn't funny。 Which was disappointing， but it was interesting and thoughtful and I like Lenny， so I'm glad I read it even so。 Well， that was not what I was expecting。It wasn't funny。 Which was disappointing， but it was interesting and thoughtful and I like Lenny， so I'm glad I read it even so。 。。。more

Mr Dax Mehta ，

Nice biog from one of my favourite comedians。 Good insight into his family life and early success。 I grew up watching tiswas so very nostalgic for me。

Martyn ，

Great opening instalement of Lenny Henry's biography， taking us up to the verge of his break into the alternative comedy scene。 Great opening instalement of Lenny Henry's biography， taking us up to the verge of his break into the alternative comedy scene。 。。。more

Jason Cotton ，

I have seen Lenny Henry in many things over the years and I don't know why but i always assumed he walked straight into television， boy was i wrong。 Here is an in-depth look at life growing up in 70's England and the prejudices and racism that was so prevalent in our society （and still is unfortunately）。 From 3 minute stints at impressions to being Trevor Mcdonut on TISWAS。 Its a wonderful read and a real eye opener on what society and the entertainment industry was like。 Lenny paints a picture I have seen Lenny Henry in many things over the years and I don't know why but i always assumed he walked straight into television， boy was i wrong。 Here is an in-depth look at life growing up in 70's England and the prejudices and racism that was so prevalent in our society （and still is unfortunately）。 From 3 minute stints at impressions to being Trevor Mcdonut on TISWAS。 Its a wonderful read and a real eye opener on what society and the entertainment industry was like。 Lenny paints a picture of a time when being 'black' was a joke in itself and his frank account of incidents is a revelation （sometimes a disturbing one）。 Definitely a great read :） 。。。more

Lis McDermott ，

I loved this book！ I couldn’t put it down， and got through it very quickly。 Because Lenny is so well known by us all， when you read， you can hear his voice; particularly when he is quoting his mum！It is fascinating reading about his life as a young lad， going through puberty， on the road as a stand-up comic， away from home， and in a completely ‘white’ environment。 Separated from his own community at a time when he needed support and guidance， you can understand why his book asks the question ‘wh I loved this book！ I couldn’t put it down， and got through it very quickly。 Because Lenny is so well known by us all， when you read， you can hear his voice; particularly when he is quoting his mum！It is fascinating reading about his life as a young lad， going through puberty， on the road as a stand-up comic， away from home， and in a completely ‘white’ environment。 Separated from his own community at a time when he needed support and guidance， you can understand why his book asks the question ‘who am I， again？’The last part of the book offers tips for young comics going into the business。There is much in the book that resonated with me， being married to someone from the West Indian community - I can see his family in the book too， there are many similarities， due to their shared background。This is a funny， thoughtful， and questioning book of how we see ourselves， and others。 I can’t wait to read the next chapter of his life。 。。。more

Ste7e ，

Brilliant！ Looking forward to the next 'part'！ Brilliant！ Looking forward to the next 'part'！ 。。。more

Penny ，

I liked the sections about Lenny's early life and family not so much that sections about his career。 I liked the sections about Lenny's early life and family not so much that sections about his career。 。。。more

Hannah | thebookwormsfeast ，

I'd really recommend the audiobook， if this biography interests you。 Lenny narrates it， and he brings so much life to the narration。 I'd really recommend the audiobook， if this biography interests you。 Lenny narrates it， and he brings so much life to the narration。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Who Am I, Again?

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Who Am I, Again?&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Who Am I, Again?&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0