Utterly Compelling!

I have owned Chaplin’s autobiography in hardback for decades and have never sat down to read the whole thing. Now, I’m glad I waited for this audiobook. The narrator is excellent, his delivery perfect! A great choice to read the words of this unique and incredible genius! Even though my interest in Chaplin is mostly around his film career, I found the early chapters of his boyhood utterly compelling. I know there is doubt surrounding how accurate Chaplin’s account is, or that he appears
to have been very selective about what he included and what he left out, but even so, this audiobook is wonderful!! Highly recommended.

3 people found this helpful

Fascinating insight

Fascinating insight into a man who fought extreme poverty as a boy to become the world's highest earning actor. Thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

1 person found this helpful

Living history

This is a fascinating account written by Chaplin and beautifully narrated.

Chaplin is incredibly discreet about his role as a husband to four wives and father to eleven children as well as friendships with the great and good of the time. He gives little insight into himself, little reflection on any mistakes he made and so therefire little remorse. which is a a shame as it would have made him a little more human. Chaplin writes this as a 'rags to riches' story with a fair bit of artistic license.

However, his story covers how Hollywood was formed, the change from silent to sound movies. How various alliances were formed that have led to where film making stands today.

Chaplin's views on machines dehumanising people ring as true today if not more so. His views on war and man's inhumanity to man make me wonder if, 100 years later we have learnt anything at all.

Listening to his speech from 'The Great Dictator' is especially poignant right now as Russia wages war on the Ukraine.

When will we ever learn?

1 person found this helpful

Engaging, candid and inspiring throughout.

I knew something about Charlie Chaplin’s life but this supplies fascinating details about his career and personal life, his thoughts on the crafts of acting and film-making, and his thinking on politics and philosophy.

I’d recommend it to anyone with an interest in Chaplin (obviously), and an interest in the history of cinema.

Brilliant

This was brilliantly written a fantastic story of hope and dedication to brilliance. It shows how the American government wants their own way even if you’re not even against them they can make it up. Things haven’t changed look at what’s happening in the world today everything is getting banned there should be a warning for people for the present time

really enjoyed a genius such an interesting read

Charlie's a clearly interesting deep thinker very broad thinker and describes poverty in London he endured as a child

Must read book

Amazing book full of great stories. Glad they have created an audible version as it's a different experience to reading the physical book. I love Charlie Chaplin, he is an inspiration.

really great story

Really great story. One feels one is listening to Charlie Chaplin himself in person.

Enjoyable informative- a hard listen as I want along but so rewarding-

I had to know more I wanted to here about the work he magically made for us all to enjoy … the story is full of names and personal events as I now understand why it is this way having got to the end …
There is little in-site to the films but a good all round listen. - I can not compare to any other but would say a more uplifting listen would be the amazing Norman Wisdom or the spectacular Sammy Davis junior- I say this only because I found the listen a long long one. But in the end rewarding

Please enjoy this listen I did in the end

Enjoyed a lot reading this book.

Loved it! So good to know more about this fantastic comedian.Used to watch his films