Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens by Eddie Izzard

Eddie Izzard’s wide-ranging and moving memoir opens with memories of his idyllic childhood in rural Wales, a peaceful existence full of love and laughter. As a child he was fascinated by spirituality and the magical kingdom of a long-forgotten past, yet his life quickly changed profoundly when his mother’s illness forced him and his family to move to London where his journey to adulthood began.

In Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens, Izzard recalls his childhood in both painful and comical detail, learning what it means to be a teenager in the city and how to cope with his mother’s illness and death. He recounts his journey of self-discovery, professionally and personally, from his absurdly comedic early days as a street performer to his eventual rise to comedy super-stardom. Along the way, he shares anecdotes he shared with the late, great Gregory Hines, telling of the unexpected meeting that left him starstruck and full of admiration.

Throughout Believe Me, there is a resounding sense of joy and heartache that permeates Izzard's writing. His words bring to life the vivid sceneries in which he finds himself—from the vibrancy of London's West End to the vast openness of the American desert—showing us the world through Izzard’s singular perspective which is both groundling and transcendent.

Izzard has an inimitable ability to express himself through poetry, storytelling, and comedy—and these insights come through clearly in Believe Me. We see his struggles to make sense of his mother’s death and its effect on both Izzard and his family. There is a rare humility and aplomb in his writing as he pieces together his life as an adult and reflects upon his transgressions, romantic heartbreaks, and his journey to becoming a political activist.

The title of the memoir, Believe Me, is no accident. Izzard undergoes a monumental transformation to become the man he is today, and in the process, endures heartbreak and joy. His journey invites us to believe in ourselves and follow our own paths even when it’s hard to recognize our own power. He leaves readers with a newfound appreciation for life and an appreciation for how both success and failure can shape an individual’s goals and dreams.

Izzard’s masterful storytelling in Believe Me takes us on an unforgettable journey, one of wild highs and devastating lows. It’s a self-portrait that invites readers of all ages and backgrounds to find themselves in it and to take something away with them. Whether it’s a newfound appreciation for poetry, a reminder to believe in our own power, or a personal exploration into the perplexities of life, Believe Me is a must-read for anyone looking to better understand and find solace in the vicissitudes of life.