Handling Edna

The Unauthorised Biography

By: Barry Humphries

Narrated by: Barry Humphries

Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The real story behind Dame Edna, the international superstar!

Written by the legendary Barry Humphries himself.

'I'm suing!!' Dame Edna Everage

'Humphries is Australia's John Betjeman' Mail on Sunday

In this unauthorised biography of Dame Edna Everage, acquired for an unprecedented advance and in spectacular secrecy, her long-time manager and the man who was there from the very beginning, Barry Humphries, takes a behind-the-scenes, no-holds-barred look at an icon of our times.

Superstar, swami, confidante and advisor to royalty, Hollywood stars and international political leaders, Dame Edna's life has catapulted her from her humble Moonee Ponds beginnings as a suburban housewife to the most elite social and artistic circles in the world. Who would have thought that this modest Australian woman could achieve so much from London to Louisiana to New York to Tokyo? Who could have anticipated her global fame? Barry Humphries certainly didn't.

Dame Edna will not like this book but Barry knows everything - the who, the why and the where - and in this much-anticipated work he will, for the first time, reveal all. This exhaustively researched account of Edna's roller-coaster life will surely dominate the bestsellers lists. Essential reading for scholars, female achievers, fans of Dame Edna and those who feel that behind the fairytale career lies a darker and more sinister story.

©2010 Barry Humphries (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group

Hysterical! - I love Dame Edna!

Because The Act is so good, the best way to read a book of Dame Edna MUST be in an audio format. Without the iconic voice and tone I don’t think it can be as funny. I loved this book and my only complaint is that is was abridged. I WANTED MORE!

“The Dame Edna Experience” is easily one of my favourite TV memories;”The badge, Madge!” I can recall one particularly humorous entrance when Edna revealed her latest over-the-top evening dress: a sequined design of eyes with clever stings down the sides that when she pulled on would make the eyes blink. “For years you’ve been eyeing my frocks, and now my frock is eyeing you!” Classic.

“Dame Edna’s Neighbourhood Watch” was another side-splitting funny show that had me laughing out loud every time without fail; “Say your prayers, cuz we’re going up your stairs!!!”

In 2004 (ish) I saw her live and it’s a miracle I didn’t pee my seat! Absolutely hilarious! I am so sad to hear she is retiring from the world stage… I guess being a mega star really is exhausting!

Edna, our emancipated Diva

Barry Humphries is well placed to tell the story of Dame Edna,
as a former manager of this dowager of Australian theatre and television.
His insightful biography gives us a glimpse into the hidden Edna,
a charming and often complex person capable of using
her feminine wiles to achieve desired ends.
That she was a woman with a "past"was known to many,
but this rendition of her life gives further insight
into a mysterious episode of her life not always remembered
by people who see only her glitz and glamour.
Sadly, Barry's telling of her story sometimes
degenerates into self pity, as he wrestles
with the problems of being the manager
of a megastar who for reasons of snobbishness
(apparently understood by those living in the "better"
suburbs of Melbourne), initially felt the superiority
of his class and station in life towards her.
This situation changes when Edna comes to
outshine him professionally, and one cannot but sense a frisson of barely disguised
jealousy toward his subject, by this now jaded man.
The story is a brilliant psychological study as well as a biography,
which I enjoyed enormously.