Steve Martin, backstage at a gig in the height of his stand up career, had Elvis Presley turn to him and say: “Son, you have an ob-leek sense of humor.”

I sat in departures in Dublin airport a few weeks ago now and compared what reading I was bringing on holidays with one of the group I was travelling with. While he had brought a door stopper of a book on the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, he look flummoxed as to why I had chosen to bring Steve Martins autobiography of his time as a stand up and more understanding as to me choosing some Ernest Hemingway, Havana being our destination. Through reading Empire, dipping into the New Yorker and generally through whatever else I may have picked up to read over the last few years there was a recurring references to the excellent autobiography Steve Martin had written, it being one of a number of books the man has published. Now I read little to no non – fiction, this year I’m reading some books on the Palestinian Israeli conflict, the first time I’ve strayed from the internet as my source on the conflict since I researched the topic for the 1st time back in college. The only autobiography I’ve read is that of Richard Harris, a 21st present. Nevertheless, I found myself in Waterstones, poring over guide books and on arriving at the counter asked without thinking about Steve Martins autobiography. Three days later it was in my carry on luggage and 2 weeks later it was covered in sand on a beach in Cuba, the pages loosening as the wax binding the pages melted in the sweltering sun.

It’s a lovely read – clearly written, with a beautifully measured approach to his writing, so that all events, whether they be highlights or dark days are relayed with a hindsight that shows self awareness, maturity and very obviously a keen sense of humour. He manages to include brief snippets of the style of his humour and gags that saw him become the biggest stand up comedian in the world at the time and these are a treat, but it’s in re – telling the events of his rags to riches life that there is the most charm and wit. An intelligent, insightful character emerges – certainly proving a wake up call to me, knowing him almost solely for very standard comedies of the 90’s and lesser comedies in the 00’s. I will commit another post to the humour of his routine, as pleasant surprises go though, to drop into this part of Martin’s life proves a winner.