Harpo Speaks! - Harpo Marx & Rowland Barber

Harpo Speaks!

By Harpo Marx & Rowland Barber

  • Release Date: 2017-03-17
  • Genre: Film
4 Score: 4 (From 55 Ratings)

Description

First published in 1961, this is the autobiography of Harpo Marx, the silent comedian of The Marx Brothers fame.

Writing of his life before, during, and after becoming famous by incorporating lovely and humorous stories and anecdotes, Harp Marx tells of growing up in a rough neighborhood and being poor, being bullied and dropping out of school, teaching himself to read, write, tell time, and to play the piano and harp.

He speaks of his close relationships with his family members, particularly his mother and brother Leonard (Chico), who would become his partner-in-crime on screen, and the profound effect that the death of his parents Sam and Minnie had on him.

Filled with insider tales of his antics on and off stage, and the hard graft he and his brothers put into reaching their level of success, the reader becomes privy to a rare glimpse into Marx’ thoughts on everything and everyone he had the privilege of working with.

The book reveals the friendships he forged and the blows he was dealt in show-business, and of his marriage to his wife, actress Susan Fleming, with whom he adopted four children and built a ranch on which they lived happily ever after, along with numerous animals.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

“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 is a racy autobiography by the mute Marx Brother with the rolling eyes, oversized pants and red wig who could send a glissando reeling over his harp.[…] It is enjoyable reading and polished writing...”—Kirkus Review

Reviews

  • Wonderful book… when it’s printed correctly.

    3
    By IRW
    Harpo Speaks is one of my favorite books, such that I thought having a digital copy would be handy. Unfortunately, whoever and however this copy was made, it was made very, very badly. The photos pop up in random clusters, but the real issue is the typos. Ye gods, so many typos! They all can be traced to visual similarities between the words in the original and the words we got. The stand-out example was repeated at least three times, when Harpo referred to “the other gays” if you believe the Pickle Partners Publishing edition found here. I dunno what algorithm can’t distinguish between a U and an A but it needs updating. Yeah, it makes it an interesting experience, to be sure, but I’d really rather read the hooks as it was written. Harpo went to the trouble of getting someone to correct his spelling, for this?
  • Now for something completely different.

    5
    By cantthinkofaname
    Tired of 21st century politics, vitriol and narcissism? Here’s a view of another world that will keep your interest, teach most of us important history, make most of us laugh and give you a front row seat to the beginnings of Hollywood. How can you not read this for $3.99?!? Cheapest mental vacation you can take. Funny, interesting, engaging and full of insights.
  • A delight

    5
    By Suzanna Blackmoore
    One of the most delightful, funny and charming books I’ve ever read.
  • Things you never knew, about a star who never spoke!

    5
    By Skyholder001
    Who knew that the man in the film, who never uttered a word, had a life so full of laughter? When I first picked up this book... okay “downloaded,” I was captivated from the start. The wisdom that came from the streets of old New York City... The exuberance that sprang from stages crisscrossing America... and of course the heartwarming stories of growing up along side brothers who would become comedians know all over the world. That is what Harpo Marx, the writer, brings to life. A wonderful story that leaves you feeling you know this artist, as a member of your family. Don’t skip a page. It’s truly a marvelous narrative, that will touch you, as it touched me.
  • A refreshing and detailed look into his life

    5
    By Joseph_Joseph
    I enjoyed the book a lot. It recounts many parts of important history, as he tells his story of his life. He easily recounts in everyday words, his struggles, as he grew up and the very enthusiastic, almost beyond belief, of his, and his brothers’s, exuberant and wild stories and troubles that they got into. I learned of his efforts to rise in fame and his start in Hollywood, and his saga of being the first American to perform in Russia. What I thought was bigger than life anecdotes were truly bigger than life and full of zeal. His and his brothers strong betting/gambling are almost alarming. I got an inside picture of what the big-life was like at the Hearst Castle and at the French Riviera. I always had wondered about the family’s story, having seen bits and pieces in my lifetime, of an era that was before my birth time of 1955. His work was humor and he gave it to our nation. He worked hard and had a meaningful life that we all can enjoy reading and attempt to go beyond our comfort zone and try to live life to the fullest, as he spoke to us.
  • Great words. Horrible proofing

    3
    By dkat1043
    Harpo's story is fascinating. I read this book 30 years ago, and decided it was worth buying it to read again. I'm not sure if this was a Google scan, but the number of typos is unbelievable. You can usually figure out what the correct word is, but in some parts of the book you really have to work much harder than you should just to get through a chapter. I'm guessing no one actually proofed this thing.
  • Harpo Speaks!

    5
    By Bob ( the other)
    I knew the general bio of Harpo, but this book introduced me to the real man. And what a wonderful man he was. This book is a treasure. I’m sorry it’s over.
  • A great read

    5
    By Jaycanchu
    To be honest, I was looking for something a bit more in depth, but was pleasantly surprised with this light reader. It was very fast paced, and I couldn't wait to read and see what he was going to do next in his career. It was a great insight to how life was in an era before mine. From his youth filled with poverty, to his later years, it was great to get a peek into the different lives he lead.

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