TRAVELLING TO WORK: Diaries 1988 – 1998 is the third volume of former Monty Python member Michael Palin’s witty and insightful diaries. As in Palin’s previous diaries, The Python Years and Halfway to Hollywood, this new volume contains a decade’s worth of unedited, unabridged diary entries from this multi-talented funnyman. In TRAVELLING TO WORK, the former Python documents his experiences hosting a series of BBC travel documentaries even as he continues to develop new dimensions as a writer and actor.
Python faithful will love Palin’s candid comments and wry wit even as they are awed by his dogged work ethic and myriad accomplishments. From his work for the BBC, which takes him on travel adventures around the world, to his success as an actor, screenwriter, playwright and novelist, these pages display a true modern day Renaissance Man. Included are behind the scenes stories from the making of Fierce Creatures, the tumultuous follow-up to A Fish Called Wanda, and Palin’s adventures on book tours to promote his first novel, Hemingway’s Chair, and several of his travel books. Palin’s reflections on dealings with his manager, fellow actors, editors and publishers feature enough insider information to please any show business enthusiast. In short, TRAVELLING TO WORK is a roller-coaster ride driven by Palin’s hallmark curiosity, sense of adventure and unflappable cool even in the most outrageous situations. The ten years covered in this latest volume offer Palin’s legion of fans another fascinating and entertaining look at this remarkably talented man as his already prolific career takes an unexpected turn towards travel, which will shape his working life for years to come.
ABOUT MICHAEL PALIN
Michael Palin is a scriptwriter, comedian, novelist, television presenter, actor, and playwright. He established his reputation with Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Ripping Yarns. His work also includes several films with Monty Python, as well as The Missionary, A Private Function, A Fish Called Wanda, American Friends, and Fierce Creatures. His television credits include two films for the BBC’s Great Railway Journeys, the plays East of Ipswich and Number 27, and Alan Bleasdale’s GBH.
In 2006 the first volume of his diaries, 1969-1979: The Python Years, was published. The second volume, Halfway to Hollywood: Diaries 1980-1988, was published in 2009. He has also written books to accompany his very successful travel series. He is the author of a number of children’s stories, the play The Weekend and the novels Hemingway’s Chair and The Truth.