Clive James, a true polymath, became a generation-defining voice as a broadcaster, a critic, a poet and an author. Among his greatest achievements, his five hilarious, heartwarming books of autobiography are collected now in two volumes: his Complete Unreliable Memoirs.

'It is one of the most tender, frank and, above all, funny accounts of growing up I have ever read' - Michael Parkinson

With his trademark humour and self-deprecating style, Clive James proves a hugely entertaining and erudite guide to his own remarkable life.

In this first volume, James explores his childhood adventures in the suburbs of post-war Sydney, his excited arrival in Sixties' London as a young man and aspiring poet, and his time at Cambridge University where he neglected his studies in favour of poetry, the stage, the music business and the film industry.

From a true national treasure, this is a collection of one of the most well-loved and acclaimed memoirs of our times.

I was born in 1939. The other big event of that year was the outbreak of the Second World War, but for the moment, that did not affect me . . .

'A comic triumph' - London Review of Books

The Complete Unreliable Memoirs: Volume One collects the first three books of autobiography from Clive James: Unreliable Memoirs, Falling Towards England, and May Week Was In June.

The final two books, North Face of Soho and The Blaze of Obscurity, are available in Volume Two.

Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.

The first three volumes of the critically-acclaimed, miillion copy best-selling memoir series from the inimitable Clive James - a hilarious and poignant account of a truly extraordinary life.

About the Author
Clive James was the author of more than forty books. As well as essays, he published collections of literary and television criticism, travel writing, verse and novels, plus five volumes of autobiography, Unreliable Memoirs, Falling Towards England, May Week Was In June, North Face of Soho and The Blaze of Obscurity. As a television performer he appeared regularly for both the BBC and ITV, most notably as writer and presenter of the Postcard series of travel documentaries. He published several poetry collections, including the Sunday Times bestseller Sentenced to Life, and a translation of Dante's The Divine Comedy, which was also a Sunday Times bestseller. In 1992 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia and in 2003 he was awarded the Philip Hodgins memorial medal for literature. He held honorary doctorates from Sydney University and the University of East Anglia. In 2012 he was appointed CBE and in 2013, an Officer of the Order of Australia. He died in 2019.

Reviews
It is one of the most tender, frank and, above all, funny accounts of growing up I have ever read -- Sir Michael Parkinson, on Unreliable Memoirs
You can't put it down once started. Its addictive powers stun all normal, decent resistance within seconds. Not to be missed (Unreliable Memoirs) * Sunday Times *
Clive James is an intellectual as well as a joker, a wise man as well as a wit * Observer *
All that really needs to be said to recommend Unreliable Memoirs is that James writes exactly as he talks, which is all his millions of fans could wish (Unreliable Memoirs) * Evening Standard *
Nobody writes like Clive James; he has invented a style * Spectator *
A comic triumph, full of terrific jokes and brilliantly sustained setpieces (Falling Towards England) -- Ian Hamilton * London Review of Books *
James' wickedly funny jokes and jibes make you laugh out loud and feel warm to the man. No wonder women wanted to feed him greens, and men lend him money (Falling Towards England) * The Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9781529090765
Author Clive James
Page Count 624
Imprint Picador
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 438g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 132mm * 46mm