Customer Reviews
Harpo Speaks..and when he does it's pure genius! - By: Meryl M. Heasman, 09 Apr 2008 
If you are interestedin show business & like a funny, interesting, exciting, sad, & well written book, this one is for you. I absolutely loved it, & I think it's one of the best I have ever read.
I liked the Marx Brothers, of course, & loved Harpo, their genuis is a momentin time that will live forever. Harpo never spoke on film, butin this book you will realise that he also had a great flair for writing! Go on treat yourself or a friend to a great piece of entertaining literature.
Meryl Heasman Catflap Music.
NOT SO DUMB AFTER ALL! - By: M. Drake, 08 Dec 2007 Groucho may get all the best lines, but now we know what an intelligent, caring & witty man Harpo really was. We get a fascinating look into the world of the Marx brothers before & after they became famous- Harpo`s accounts of his anticsin New York & Hollwood are worth the entry price alone - a wonderful book for all Marx brothers fans!
Mick Drake author of the comic novel All`s Well at Wellwithoute.
Harpo Speaks - brilliantly! - By: Royale, 12 May 2006 I've watched the Marx bros. I've read the Marx bros, but for some reason I've only just got around to reading Harpo Speaks. It was worth the wait because not only is it a riveting read of the lives of an insane institution called the Marx Bros, but as a document it is an insight of the infancy of modern America. This is the early days before Americans werein any way fully unified - of Jews & Italians & Germans & Irish whose parents still carried the accents of their homeland. Harpo & co were first generation pure Americans, & it is wonderful to share the opportunities their new country gave them to develop their natural talents, & such a long, long time before the Big Apple turned sour to the core... A must-read book for any fan of life, hope & humour...
move over Groucho and Me, this is the true masterpiece!! - By: , 25 Jan 2005 After having read Groucho & Me & enjoying it immensely, I approached Harpo's autobiography with somewhat lesser expectations. After all, he spent most of his life as a mute who loved to chase women. HOW FOOLISH I WAS! Not only does this autobigraphy detail of his fantastic life, but one gets the distinct impression that this man was the backbone of the Marx Bros, playing an irreplacable rolein the genius trio. From reading this wonderful tale, it seems as though Harpo sought to lead a life full of fun & laughter. He accomplished this for the most part, & what's more he managed to bring laughter into many other peoples lives as well. For a man as compassionate & caring as Harpo, I think he would have seen this as his real achievement. This book is a tribute to a true legend of comedy; one of whom we shall never see the likes of again.
Utterly fascinating autobiography - By: L O'connor, 29 Mar 2004 Harpo's story, toldin his own words, is absolutely enthralling. His account of his poverty-stricken childhoodin 1890s New York is particularly fascinating, & a very timely read for anyone inclined to wax sentimental about the 'good old days'. There are no good old days here, just a grim struggle for survivalin a shoddy tenement building. The Marx parents are vivivdly described, the father, gentle Frenchie, a lousy tailor but a wonderful cook, & Minnie, his burningly ambitious mother, without whose drive & vision there would have been no Marx Brothers (a thought too awful to contemplate). Harpo tells of the brothers' early strugglesin showbusiness, & the awfulness of touring, stayingin horrible boarding houses & eating vile food. It is a relief to get to the part where they begin to be a success, & finally arrive on Broadway. Of central importance to Harpo was his friendship with critic & radio personality Alexander Woolcott, who features prominentlyin the middle part of the book. The later part of the book, which is mainly about his marriage & family life with his wife Susan is perhaps less fascinating than the rest of the book, but overally this is a memorable & enthralling read.
