More Fool Me: A Memoir

“There is nothing very appealing about show business memoirs,” comedian Fry writes in the first sentence of this new installment of his autobiography, which picks up where The Fry Chronicles left off. With canny accuracy, Fry illustrates his point in what is ultimately a meandering, pedantic memoir that covers about a decade of his life. Fry found himself at the height of his success as a comedian and actor in his early 30s, rushing from party to party, diving into cocaine addiction and sex. In one lucid moment, however, Fry comes to himself and recognizes the line between wisdom and folly: “When I started taking coke my life was more or less perfect. I had enjoyed preposterous success.” Fry does veer off his path momentarily to recall his meeting with Princess Diana, who revealed her secret love of a particularly naughty television show, as well as to introduce his sister, Jo, who became his superlative personal assistant. Looking back over his diaries, Fry wonders about his folly as a young man and where his life might have led if he had not partied so heavily. In the end, though, Fry imparts little wisdom about himself. (May)