Harpo Speaks! by Harpo Marx, Rowland Barber
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Book Reviews of Harpo Speaks!
Book Review: A wonderful read
Summary: 5 Stars
I lost a lot of sleep the week I was reading this. I would decide to read a chapter before turning out the light. Three hours, and several chapters later I would force myself to put it down so I would at least get a little sleep before work. The writing is wonderful. It is a collaboration with Roland Barber, but the voice feels like Harpo throughout. The stories of his early days on the road with his brothers- their mother the dynamo keeping them at it- are fascinating to read. He had amazing, interesting friends, the Round Table folks, George Burns. His later family life is terrific to read about. It is a deep book, and a beautiful book. Funny, and touching without being smarmy. A great, great book.Book Review: Reader Speaks on "Harpo Speaks" Autobiography
Summary: 5 Stars
This gem of a book spotlights the childhood years and adult life of legendary harpist and comedian, Harpo Marx. Having read many of Groucho's books, which are often "tongue in cheek," I find it refreshing to read a sincere, thoughtful account by and about Harpo. A sweeter man, totally in love with life, you will not find in any book. The narrative is engaging and offers a glimpse not only of the great vaudeville comedian turned film entertainer, but also of the history of vaudeville, New York City in the late 1800s/early 1900s, the New York intellectual/art scene, and more. Read the book, and then pop into the DVD player a Marx Brothers movie to view a Harpo performance on harp. Harpo is unforgettable.Book Review: Hilarious, Touching, and Engrossing
Summary: 5 Stars
I never read biographies or autobiographies, and very little non-fiction on general. I just have a really hard time getting through it, as my interest is always quick to wane. But Harpo has been one of my favorite characters for a very long time, so I decided to give his book a whirl.
I finished this book in less than 24 hours, despite the fact that it is about 450 pages long. It is just that good. Harpo knew some of the most interesting people of the first half of the 20th century, and has an enormous number of hilarious anecdotes.
It's a cliche, but I laughed, I cried, and then I immediately bought a copy of the book for myself, so I wouldn't have to depend on the library.
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: Read it now!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are even just a casual fan of the Marx Brothers, get this book and read it now. If you can't stand the Marx Brothers, but like reading autobiographies, get this book and read it now. Shoot, even if you hate the Marx Brothers, don't like biographies of any kind and find reading the TV section of the newspaper to be a monumental pain because it involves reading, buy this book and read it now. You will not regret it. This is absolutely one of the best books, of any kind, I have ever read. Harpo starts at the beginning, goes all the way to the end and you will enjoy reading about the journey almost as much as Harpo himself enjoyed living it.