Believe Me

April 24, 2017
Beloved comedian, actor, and writer Izzard, known partly for being an “out” transvestite who sometimes wears dresses, heels, and lipstick on stage, shares intimate details about his life and is emotionally transparent throughout this splendid memoir. Born in Yemen to English parents, Izzard moved with his family back to the U.K. when he was young. There he had a happy childhood until his beloved mother died of cancer when he was six. This trauma, Izzard explains, pushed him, with the magical thinking that it would somehow bring his mother back, relentlessly toward a successful career in show business. He writes about coming to terms with his gender identity and recognizing that he was transgender at a young age, but told no one for nearly two decades. As his star began to rise, Izzard grew confident enough to dress as a woman on stage. Whether recounting his boarding-school shenanigans, his struggles with dyslexia, or his work with Sports Relief U.K. over the years (including last year when he ran 27 marathons in 27 days), the book is both funny and painful, and ultimately uplifting.

July 31, 2017
British comedian and actor Izzard—whose numerous awards include two Emmys for the cable television special Dressed to Kill in 2000—brings his unique stream-of-consciousness performance style to the audio edition of his new autobiography. The narrative traces Izzard’s evolution from street performer to stand-up headliner and also his personal life; he explores his transgender identity, his dyslexia, and his transformation from carb addict to marathon runner. Izzard builds on the frequent footnotes and asides already in the text to also include “real-time” clarifications for the audio edition, adding impromptu updates to several of the book’s anecdotes. Izzard’s acting chops manage to shine through quite nicely in his characterizations and imitations, and he possesses a special gift for American accents. Those not previously immersed in Izzard’s comedic work may find themselves scratching their heads at the frequent interjections, but fans will appreciate his knack for defying convention to deliver a distinct listening experience. A Blue Rider hardcover.