Customer Reviews

Bonkers: My Life in Laughs (Unabridged)

as a big fan of Jennifer Saunders I was very excited to read this book, I can honestly say i was not disappointed. The unique 'go of on a ramble in the middle of a chapter' structure ensured that you were never bored by long stories of great grandparents and first boyfriends. The book was just as funny as Jen herself and I read the book in her voice. It was personal but no too personal that it began to feel uncomfortable. The details on how she got into comedy, how she and Adrian Edmondson got together, the beginning of Ab Fab and her fantastic friendships with Dawn French and Joanna Lumley were an insightful view into her fantastic life. Then obviously there was the cancer. She tackled this subject well. She wrote it in an emotional light but not in a way that would drag down the mood of the whole book. She made people aware of what she had been through but you could tell she was not searching for any sympathy, which in a way made it all the most touching. I would recommend this book 100%

Loved the book thought it was personal but without exposing any intimacy so we now know how ms Saunders mind works but not which side of the bed she sleeps on.
As a huge fan I giggled through the book in a day.
It is to be hoped perhaps a novel will follow however anyone who reads this and has read bonkers will know it may be a long wait. Hah!

I bought the Audible audio version of Bonkers; Jennifer was the narrator.

This is a laugh out loud book. Much of it is written in an off the cuff style of a comedy sketch. And thereby lays her genius. There's, rightly in my view, little in the way of startling revelation. Jennifer has gained some notoriety for being a very private individual. But in this book she's often self deprecating, warm and it gives a fascinating insight into the way in which she can capture the moment and turn the ordinary into both the amusing and absurd. She has an eye for detail and an ear for dialogue. A number of her reflections recounted here have clearly been the basis of or influenced her characters and sketches. Although she often makes light of her road to success, she is genuinely talented and I have the greatest admiration for her work and as a person.

She speaks with honesty about her illness and refuses to be defined by it. Her account is candid and moving. After finishing the book, I've laughed again (unfortunately out loud for no apparent reason) as I remembered a couple of incidents she talked through! She is a very funny lady. I really enjoyed this and I feel enriched by her sharing a little peek into her life.

This is a really entertaining read and is full of interesting facts and stories for people who grew up with F&S; then AbFab. It also confirmed the impression I had of Jennifer Saunders that she's a lovely person who simply likes making people laugh. She also comes across as very down-to-earth and humble about her talents. A must for any fan.

So funny when reading on a flight to Singapore couldn't help laughing out loud...... other the passengers where not amused....lol

Read this book precisely for it being marketed as a biog different to the norm and it was! Brilliantly funny, reflective and concise. Always loved Jennifer through Ab Fab and now love her even more. Great book.

Very funny but really empathised with her cancer battle and the mood swings! Made me feel normal as going through it myself.

Just finished this book- a requested Christmas present. I don't normally "do" autobiographies but this was terrific. I'm a big fan of Jennifer Saunders - being a child of the 80`s and this book is great. It's very funny and tell her story with humour that often had people asking what was so funny. If you like her comedy- you'll love this book. Definitely worth reading.

Thoroughly enjoyable book. Very funny in places, slightly sad in others. What a very interesting life Jennifer has led. I admire Jennifer and wish her and her family a lifetime full of laughter.

It was just such an easy read and I really enjoyed Jens writing style. Some books you get into from the first word and ,for me, this was one.