Stephen Fry - The Chronicles

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 09 May 2012 11:25:19

Most recent reading has been Stephen Fry - the Chronicles. I have to say he comes into a distinct category which to my knowledge contains a total of 2 people - him and Delia Smith. Both are supporters of a certain "football" team who I have been known to say/ sing/ chant rather uncharitable things about (normally involving Budgies), but heroes of mine. As I say though Fry is like Delia somebody I am more than willing to lay aside my tribal rivalries for.

Anyway on with the review. The book makes reference to an exciting but problematic young life - which I intend to read more about - but starts properly with Fry's arrival at Cambridge. Within it this man who unfortunately didn't become the new Vice-Chancellor at Durham makes some interesting observations about the nature of rah's in major uni towns. He explains they are normal, often scared young people who don't deserve a lot of the criticism they get. Over the last two years I have been a mentor at one of the colleges in Durham and have sat and chatted over coffee with a range of young people from a range of backgrounds and I think that Fry explains the reality of these young people's lives better than anybody I know. It was a refreshing book to read.

Bridging between the uni section and the rest of life section is the drama and specifically his relationship with Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie. What shines through is a bunch of friends enjoying themselves whilst working v. hard.

Also in there with the obvious reflections on depression and so forth is a description of Fry's love of emerging technology. This is perhaps more interesting than it might appear. It explains how the visionary pioneers who just "got it" also invested in it through what might seem like outrageous consumption but really did just "get it".

There is alot more to this book as well and an awful lot of wisdom but most of all reading it shines through a very lovely human, who recognises they are also someone who is very fragile and insecure as well. It has been a pleasure to escape into.