Harpo Speaks!: Amazon.ca: Harpo Marx, Rowland Barber: Books

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To Marx Brothers fans who have yet to read this book: Put it off as long as you can, because once you are finished, you will wish you could read it again for the first time. Harpo's life was interesting in itself, but it also frequently intersected with the lives of other fascinating people, most notably his own brothers and drama critic Alexander Woolcott. Marx also was part of the legendary Algonquin Round Table; he's got plenty to say about that. Wait'll you hear about what it means to "throw a Gookie." You'll never be able to watch a Marx Brothers movie again without looking for the Gookie! --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

"This is a riotous story which is reasonably mad and as accurate as a Marx brother can make it. Despite only a year and a half of schooling, Harpo, or perhaps his collaborator, is the best writer of the Marx Brother. Highly recommended." -Library Journal "A funny, affectionate and unpretentious autobiography done with a sharply professional assist from Rowland Barber." -New York Times Book Review --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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First Sentence
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER my life has been a success or a failure. Read the first page

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Concordance

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

59 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (59 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Harpo Speaks... And makes you laugh from Start to Finish, May 22 2012

By

Koopa90 (Cape Breton, NS.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harpo Speaks! (Paperback)

Id never had expected the brother who never spoke a word on stage to have SO MUCH to talk about.
This book... Wow, I dont even know where to start. Harpo Marx is such an inspirational man, after reading this book I just wish he was still around as Id love to meet the man behind this amazing collection of stories, life highs, lows and laughs of living with the Marx family and all the interesting and totally off the wall bonkers friends he made over the years.

I never thought a book could make me laugh out loud... not only that but SO OFTEN.
Harpo Marx and Rowland Barber really did an amazing job on putting this book together.
Highly recommended to any fans of The Marx Brothers. Harpo does a great job of telling the tales of The Marx Family.

Absolutely amazing read. I couldn't possibly tell you anything more without reciting full pages from the book.

Marx Brothers Fan? ... Dont hesitate to buy this. You wont regret it.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unsung Classic, Jun 23 2004

By

Danielle Bennignus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harpo Speaks! (Paperback)

This book is a true must-read for anyone, Marxist or not. Full of good humor, incredible experiences, an amazing childhood, and life in vaudeville, its message is one of warmth and hilarity. I first read it at 18 years of age, and still revisit its pages twelve years later. I hope that's always the case, for each time, I find something new.

As you read through this book, you'll find yourself thinking, "There just aren't people like this guy anymore" - Harpo Marx was the cheerful, resourceful product of turn-of-the-century New York, and vaudeville, at that. His childhood of scrapping out a survival of relative destitution (the jobs he took are hilarious, and fascinating, to read about), in a loving, albeit quirky, family couldn't be found in fiction - it's too wacky to have been invented. And his introduction to life on the stage - well, you'll have to read for yourself.

Harpo Marx's life seems never to have had a dull moment - from a hugely successful life on stage and screen, to his intimate friendships with members of the legendary Algonquin Round Table (the croquet fixation among those folks is a book in itself) - it's practically a life worthy of fairytale status. His stories about Alexander Woollcott are absolutely hysterical, and a great treat by themselves. And don't even get me started on the section about Oscar Levant - just thinking about it makes me laugh out loud. Finally, we read about Harpo's marriage to Susan Fleming, and their adoption of five children. The warmth and humanity that were such a huge part of Harpo can be summed up by the reason he chose to adopt five children - so that when he came home every day, there would be a face in each window to greet him. What a great, great man.

My review only skims the surface of this great book's content - it's a fascinating read, and will definitely open your eyes to a new way of seeing the world. It's worth every penny, and chances are you'll want to hold onto your copy for a good, long time. I sure have.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, July 26 2007

By

Shen "Book/Movie Nut" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harpo Speaks! (Paperback)

I loved this book! He was a very interesting man with a endless supply of great stories. He obviously loved what he did, loved his family and had great friends. A wonderful book for anyone, not just Marx fans.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars How could you NOT love this man?!!!
After reading this book, all I can say is..........AMAZING!!! Harpo led such an unbelieveable life, and I feel so gratified that I could share in it by reading his life story. Read more

Published on April 30 2004 by devotedmarxist

5.0 out of 5 stars "...and in conclusion"
That line use to crack Harpo up! This book is like sitting down and hearing your best friend tell you the story of his life, and WHAT a life! Read more

Published on April 21 2004 by Joyce Ralston