A Young Man's Passage [Import] [Paperback]

Julian Clary (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2006

One of Britain’s most loved comic entertainers; this is Julian Clary’s story, in his own words — a touching, beautifully written and wryly-witty account of a unique progression from shy child to comedy icon.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Conceived in broad daylight in Clacton-on-Sea in the summer of 1958, Julian was born the following May to Peter Clary, a policeman, and Brenda. He lived in Surbiton with his parents and two older sisters, looking after guinea pigs and never even going to a single disco, until he left for Goldsmith's College at 18 to study Drama. From this epoch, the real Julian Clary catapulted himself to stardom. A veteran of the Edinburgh Festival and Royal Variety Show with countless other stage and screen credits, Julian recently reached the latter stages of the BBC's celebrity ballroom dancing contest, Strictly Come Dancing, and is now the face of BBC One's primetime National Lottery show, Come and Have A Go. He lives in Camden Town with a cat called Gloria and a little mongrel called Valerie.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Ebury Press (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0091908728
• ISBN-13: 978-0091908720
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,368,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Incarnate, February 15, 2008

By 

Mary Winkler "Acrylicana" (Detroit) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Young Man's Passage (Paperback)

For the previous reviewer to dub this "filth for filth's sake", s/he clearly doesn't "get" Mr. Clary.
It's him completely.
Fabulous, camp, and endearing. Going from childhood to the present all from his unique perspective. An interesting account of where such a brilliant comedian came from and perhaps what makes him tick.
He's rather frank about his life, but in such a cynical way.
As fabulous as any of the costumes he's ever donned for panto, this surely is a "must read".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, January 17, 2010

By 

tamiii "tamiii" (San Juan Capistrano, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Young Man's Passage (Hardcover)

When I picked this book up I had no idea who Julian Clary was. I hadn't seen his television shows, his theatrical performances, not even seen a photo of him. In short, I never heard of him.

Nevertheless, this book may very well endure beyond him. I cannot say that I've recently read anything which speaks so eloquently. If you have known sorrow, and mirth, the kind of thing for which we remember Christopher Isherwood, then you may both understand and appreciate this surprising book. Clearly, Clary erroneously believes that only those familiar with his career would be interested in this spritely trip down Clary's passage from adolescent fantasies of future fame to his relatively early grasp of profound, and conflicted, human feeling. I am thankful to have shared a part of this frank journey with him. As memoirs go this is certainly among the more honest and deep.

Besides, you will laugh alot--as Twain noted, the most uniquely human of experiences.

1 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Filth for filth's sake, December 29, 2005

By 

Mrs. C. Chapman "Chapstaff www.dfordog.co.uk" (Northamptonshire, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Young Man's Passage (Hardcover)

Julian Clary's biog I found disgusting!! I am as broad minded as the next person, & more so than many, but this book was filth for filth's sake. His descriptions of what he gets up to were graphic to say the least & went far beyond just trying to shock. I can't believe that anyone could admit to being that irresponsible!

If/when he dies of AIDS he will have infected 100's of men ( & a few women) YUK!