Book info

• Title Who Am I, Again?
• Author Lenny Henry
• Year 2019
• Genre Memoir

In 1975, a gangly black sixteen-year-old apprentice factory worker from Dudley appeared on our TV screens for the first time. He had no idea he would go on to become a national treasure. Here at last, Sir Lenny Henry tells the revealing and very funny story of his rise to fame. Surviving a tough family upbringing, along with the trauma of finding out the truth about his father at a young age, Lenny beat the odds. With a riotous warmth and his trademark energy, in Who Am I, Again? he tells the heart-breakingly honest and inspirational story of his youth.

Thoughts

This is such a lovely book. I listened to the audiobook so I could have Lenny’s dulcet tones tell me his story in own voice and it was a wonderful experience. It’s not a ‘first-I-was-born-then’ memoir, but it does focus on Lenny’s experiences growing up and his very early career. The whole way through it sounds as though that’s a deliberate act and we may or may not get a part two with some of his later exploits as well.

It’s a great story, with a lot of introspective insights into dealing with racism then and now, how his ‘just ignore it/deal with it’ attitude that was so prevalent in the 70s/80s doesn’t sit so comfortably now and he’s constantly revising his own opinions. There’s also a lot of family love and warmth, and arguing and strictness, but it’s a book that brings you right to the centre of a family full of heart.

Rating: 5 / 5