Hodder & Stoughton
'It's not like other comedians' memoirs. It's funny.' GUARDIAN
The Sayles might not have been the only Jewish atheist communist family in Liverpool, but Alexei knew from an early age that they were one of the more eccentric.
Born on the day egg rationing came to an end, Alexei was the only child of Joe, an affable trade unionist who led the family on railway expeditions across eastern Europe, and Molly, a hot-tempered red-head who terrified teachers and insisted Alexei see the Red Army Choir instead of the Beatles.
Perceptive and hilarious, this is a portrait of a family, a city, a country and a continent going through enormous changes.
It's not like other comedians' memoirs. It's funny. - Guardian
As strange and fascinating as any fiction . . . This would be excellent even if it weren't by someone famous - The Times
Fascinating and hugely entertaining - Telegraph
Sayle's book has charm and substance, both as memoir and history. - Times Literary Supplement
A great memoir of a strange childhood. "Just let me read you this bit" funny. - Frank Cottrell Boyce
The brilliant satires on modern life of Alexei Sayle (the only comedian worth his salt as a novelist) are contemporary gems. - Tim Lott, Independent
This touching, elegantly written memoir stands out... He looks back on his unconventional youth with comic bewilderment - Independent on Sunday
A fascinating and entertaining memoir about growing up with parents who were staunch communists - Daily Telegraph
Alexei Sayle is a comedian, actor, presenter and writer. His television work as a writer and performer includes The Young Ones, Alexei Sayle's Stuff, and The All New Alexei Sayle Show and Alexei Sayle's Liverpool for BBC 2. He has written for many newspapers and magazines and appeared in numerous films, from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to Gorky Park. He is currently writing his memoir, STALIN ATE MY HOMEWORK, which will be published by Sceptre in 2010.