Craig Brown is a British critic and satirist, widely recognized for his contributions to the British magazine Private Eye. His work is characterized by sharp observation and a satirical take on contemporary society. Brown expertly employs humor to expose the absurdities in human behavior and social conventions. His writing offers a unique and often unexpected perspective on the world around us.
This biography offers a unique and humorous perspective on Queen Elizabeth II, crafted by an award-winning and bestselling author known for his wit. It promises to provide an unforgettable exploration of the Queen's life, blending insightful anecdotes with engaging storytelling. Readers can expect a captivating blend of humor and historical detail, reflecting the author's distinctive style.
'The most screamingly funny living writer' Barry Humphries, Mail on Sunday From the bestselling and award-winning author of Ma'am Darling and One Two Three Four, a selection of Craig Brown's finest writing collected together for the first time.
WINNER OF THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2020 A Spectator Book of the Year * A Times Book of the Year * A Telegraph Book of the Year * A Sunday Times Book of the Year From the award-winning author of Ma'am Darling: 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret comes a fascinating, hilarious, kaleidoscopic biography of the Fab Four. John Updike compared them to 'the sun coming out on an Easter morning'. Bob Dylan introduced them to drugs. The Duchess of Windsor adored them. Noel Coward despised them. JRR Tolkien snubbed them. The Rolling Stones copied them. Loenard Bernstein admired them. Muhammad Ali called them 'little sissies'. Successive Prime Ministers sucked up to them. No one has remained unaffected by the music of The Beatles. As Queen Elizabeth II observed on her golden wedding anniversary, 'Think what we would have missed if we had never heard The Beatles.' One Two Three Four traces the chance fusion of the four key elements that made up The Beatles: fire (John), water (Paul), air (George) and earth (Ringo). It also tells the bizarre and often unfortunate tales of the disparate and colourful people within their orbit, among them Fred Lennon, Yoko Ono, the Maharishi, Aunt Mimi, Helen Shapiro, the con artist Magic Alex, Phil Spector, their psychedelic dentist John Riley and their failed nemesis, Det Sgt Norman Pilcher. From the bestselling author of Ma'am Darling comes a kaleidoscopic mixture of history, etymology, diaries, autobiography, fan letters, essays, parallel lives, party lists, charts, interviews, announcements and stories. One Two Three Four joyfully echoes the frenetic hurly-burly of an era.
The story unfolds as George Jensen grapples with the betrayal of his wife, Paula, who is involved with the wealthy Martin Brack. Fueled by a desire for revenge, George embarks on a calculated scheme of blackmail, highlighting themes of pride and greed. As the tension escalates, the consequences of their actions weave a complex narrative of betrayal and moral ambiguity.
A witty and profound portrait of the most talked-about English royal She made John Lennon blush and Marlon Brando tongue-tied. She iced out Princess Diana and humiliated Elizabeth Taylor. Andy Warhol photographed her. Jack Nicholson offered her cocaine. Gore Vidal revered her. Francis Bacon heckled her. Peter Sellers was madly in love with her. For Pablo Picasso, she was the object of sexual fantasy. Princess Margaret aroused passion and indignation in equal measures. To her friends, she was witty and regal. To her enemies, she was rude and demanding. In her 1950s heyday, she was seen as one of the most glamorous and desirable women in the world. By the time of her death in 2002, she had come to personify disappointment. One friend said he had never known an unhappier woman. The tale of Princess Margaret is Cinderella in reverse: hope dashed, happiness mislaid, life mishandled. Such an enigmatic and divisive figure demands a reckoning that is far from the usual fare. Combining interviews, parodies, dreams, parallel lives, diaries, announcements, lists, catalogues, and essays, Craig Brown’s Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret is a kaleidoscopic experiment in biography and a witty meditation on fame and art, snobbery and deference, bohemia and high society.
She made John Lennon blush and Marlon Brando tongue-tied. She iced out Princess Diana and humiliated Elizabeth Taylor. Andy Warhol photographed her. Jack Nicholson offered her cocaine. Gore Vidal revered her. Francis Bacon heckled her. Peter Sellers was madly in love with her. For Pablo Picasso, she was the object of sexual fantasy. Princess Margaret aroused passion and indignation in equal measures. To her friends, she was witty and regal. To her enemies, she was rude and demanding. In her 1950s heyday, she was seen as one of the most glamorous and desirable women in the world. By the time of her death in 2002, she had come to personify disappointment. One friend said he had never known an unhappier woman. The tale of Princess Margaret is Cinderella in reverse: hope dashed, happiness mislaid, life mishandled. Such an enigmatic and divisive figure demands a reckoning that is far from the usual fare. Combining interviews, parodies, dreams, parallel lives, diaries, announcements, lists, catalogues, and essays, Craig Brown's Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret is a kaleidoscopic experiment in biography and a witty meditation on fame and art, snobbery and deference, bohemia and high society
Curiosity leads to a revealing exploration of the lives of ordinary residents in a southern England street, showcasing their often dysfunctional emotional landscapes. Through seven windows, readers witness a spectrum of feelings, including introversion, remorse, and suppressed bitterness, juxtaposed with moments of joy. As the narrative unfolds, it hints at impending change in Paradise Park, suggesting that the comfort of routine is about to be disrupted.
The funny and tragic, bestselling biography of The Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, perfect for fans of Netflix's The Crown. A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR * A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR * A DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE YEAR 'I honked so loudly the man sitting next to me dropped his sandwich' Observer
A boy grows up in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He is gay, and he has to come to terms with his sexuality. He has a very religious family, but they are able to accept him for who he is. He falls in love with this boy named Sean in high school. They enjoy their high school years together in pure bliss until they reach college. That's when everything changes and all hell breaks loose. I wrote this book to help inspire young people, gay or straight, to stand up for family and friends and to never give up on who you are just because it's easier to do that than to stand and fight for who you are and what you believe in.
Exploring the complexities of aging, this collection of 14 stories captures the bittersweet nature of life in later years. Characters navigate a spectrum of emotions, from joy to sorrow, as they face love, loss, and the inevitability of death. Humorous escapades, like a mobility scooter race, contrast with poignant moments, such as a widow's reflective walk and the awkwardness of a school reunion. Each tale offers a unique glimpse into the beauty and challenges of growing older, reminding readers of the delicate balance between happiness and heartache.