Press

“Tolstoy was wrong, it appears; a happy family can be utterly distinctive, and Lorin Clarke writes superbly about hers.”

“The book is nearly always funny, apart from when it is suddenly intense, nearly always kind and celebratory, except when it is emotionally ruthless. It dances on the tightrope of tone that memoir demands, and succeeds with vim and lucidity. ”

“Fittingly oblique and conversational in style, Lorin’s narrative builds a kaleidoscopic picture of her childhood and her father, interspersed with key words from the Clarke/English dictionary and other snippets of family lore. Full of tender and wacky anecdotes, Would that be Funny? also subtly teases out John’s fraught relationship with his father, how it shaped his comedy and outlook, and pays tribute to the transformative and anchoring influence of his wife, Helen.”

“What this memoir has achieved is what I would have thought to be impossible. Clarke reveals a great deal about her father, warts and all. She tells us something about herself. She reminisces about her youth and her family life without undue intrusion into her family’s privacy. She recounts episodes from an idyllic childhood without boasting... The book is amusing, witty and honest. 5 stars.”

“This is a memoir to be grateful for. Lorin Clarke is a talented writer. Well, der, look at her parents, you might say, but being the daughter of an almost universally admired writer is daunting and before this memoir she had already forged her own path. ”

“To get the suspense over with, it’s great and you should purchase a copy immediately”

“The kind of clear-eyed, open-hearted writing that’s a privilege to read. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of John Clarke or couldn’t pick him out of a line up, this book is a delight.”

“A generous, intimate and very funny account.’”

““A talented writer herself, she weaves [her story] of a loving and hilarious family with the story of her father’s life in New Zealand, England and Australia.””

“The Fitzroy Diaries is a stellar example of a local audio fiction, or what once would have been called a radio drama.”

“The heavy lifting here comes in the script, which is simply superb”

“Earbuds in, podcast loaded, headphones clamped down, I take off for the paddock down near the creek. You took me back to my hometown of Melbourne; to the inner city streets that I too walked my babies along (albeit, it was the streets of Petersham); it was a wonderful return. Your voice is beautifully melodic; the observations/ language paints wonderful vignettes ( Venetian blind light) I was hooked 1 min in. Keep making , producing, talking, writing because it is wonderful. My paddock now have a few concentric circles (such was your rhythm ) but I came on up to the house a little dusty but happy.”

“The second season of The Fitzroy Diaries follows up an excellent debut by pushing the show’s exceptional writing and colourful performances in a lot of new directions.”

“‘The heart of this scripted fiction remains writer and narrator Lorin Clarke’s lyrical observations on life as an inner-city parent. The mix of inner monologues and overheard conversations has been expanded; we bounce from the thoughts of multiple characters (voiced by an outstanding cast) as the episodes progress”

“Wow! 5 stars. It’s really great!! I thought, man, this sounds boring, but it’s not!!! Very well done and so captivating, I couldn’t turn it off. I’m glad I didn’t listen when it first came out, only because I could binge listen now! Lol”

“Absolutely lovely. Basically a movie for your ears”