
Not That I'm Bitter
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Narrated by:
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Helen Lederer
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By:
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Helen Lederer
About this listen
Updated with new chapters for 2025!
‘Helen Lederer is the third funniest woman in the world’–Dawn French
What was it like as one of a handful of women at the heart of the right-on alternative comedy scene in the 1980s? Piece of cake? Bit of a laugh? Well, yes, and no. It had its ups–but also its downs. Helen Lederer was a regular on the stand-up circuit and new-wave sketch shows in the decade that launched the careers of today’s comedy household names and national treasures.
She shared stages with comedy pioneers like Ben Elton and John Hegley, and TV screens with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Harry Enfield, and many others. From the iconic Absolutely Fabulous, to Bottom, Happy Families, Naked Video, French and Saunders and Girls on Top, it is difficult to think of a comedy show that Helen wasn’t a part of. From writing radio shows, to performing on the West End, her wry, witty perspectives, and her face, are unforgettable. So, plain sailing then? Well, not really.
Not That I’m Bitter, her powerful, frank, moving and characteristically funny memoir, reveals exactly how choppy the waters could be. Even in those ground-breaking, anti-Thatcher days, there was only room at top for so many women. For the rest, it was as much a struggle to be seen and heard in the world of comedy as in any boardroom or workplace, and just as difficult to avoid the predators. This is more than the story of one decade, however. The child of a Jewish-Czech wartime refugee, Helen Lederer was never part of the mainstream. How do you make humour from a lifelong battle against problems with weight and low-self-esteem? Where are the jokes in addictions to diet-pills and steroid injections? How can laughter defeat the darker moments, like a child’s anorexia or PTSD? How do you cope with constant self-sabotage when, despite enormous success, you still feel like a failure? Helen raises an important and open discussion around mental health alongside the evolved attitudes to women today. There’s something in Helen Lederer’s life-story that everyone can relate to.
A genuinely funny memoir with lots of heart (and just the right amount of bitterness!), she pulls no punches, but every blow is wrapped in a laugh of recognition. Revealing, and moving, Not That I’m Bitter is sweet, sour, laugh out loud, and addictive.
See Helen on TV in BBC’s The Pilgrimage!
©2024 Helen Lederer (P)2024 W.F.Howes LtdShe’s so honest I found her very brave.
Would have loved to have seen more of her on the tv more regularly over the years, but as she says herself, she was usually ahead of the trend, and perhaps her face didn’t always fit.
Would 100% recommend this.
May listen again!
Loved it
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An unexpected insight into almost fame
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Brutally funny
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funny!
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I was really impressed by the many stories of how her lesser qualities shall we say,have impeded her, she is keen to admit to some unfortunate behaviour, but she owns it throughout and it is clear she knows exactly who she is and is unapologetic for it, it’s just who she is.
Lots of lovely stories and although I have always liked her on TV, it made me want to really see her do so well and brighten our screens with her great skills. Very self effacing, i found she is too hard on herself though at times, she is clearly talented and likeable, loving and funny. I will enjoy listening to this again, it’s well worth it, don’t hesitate. It’s a BRILLIANT, INTERESTING and TRUTHFUL read! A wonderfully funny, bright and razor sharp British woman!
Brutally honest, very entertaining, superb.
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Helen’s honesty about her successes, misses and self-sabotage are wonderfully entertaining with plenty of laugh out loud moments (apologies to the lady buying haslet in Lincoln).
Also inspiring - how she’s managed to wrap everything together to create an organisation which continues to grow and succeed. I had no idea.
A fabulous, fabulous autobiography.
Fabulously honest mayhem.
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Brutally honest
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Brutally honest biography.
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An interesting life told by an engaging actor
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Helen Lederer’s memoir Not That I’m Bitter is brilliant. So brilliant that most memoirists will probably be bitter that their own books aren’t as good.
Helen leaves no stones unturned, as she details the adventures of her life (some voluntary, others very much not) in an honest, self-deprecating, often hilarious, sometimes moving way.
I laughed frequently, while at other times I wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug. Helen narrated the book, which makes it even funnier and more poignant.
By writing this memoir, Helen has cemented her role as one of the UK’s finest female comedians. She’s hilarious, humble, human and one hell of a cheerleader for other witty women. I LOVED this book and I love Helen too.
The wittiest memoir I've ever listed to!
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