Structured around those chance remarks that somehow end up changing the course of a life, this is the heartwarming story of multi-award winning writer, actor and comic, Meera Syal.
From ‘don’t sit with your legs apart!’ (the despairing cry of Meera’s mother and aunties) to ‘an Asian comedy show? Are Asians funny?’ (the depressing response to the idea that would become Goodness Gracious Me), each chapter reveals a different turning point in Meera’s journey – from the serious to the ridiculous.
With her trademark warmth and humour, she shares stories from her grandfather’s attempts to arrange her marriage, to her working life as an actress and writer, to her journey to motherhood and the changing attitudes towards women she has experienced over her career. Syal also delves into her parents’ past, revealing lives deeply affected by the partition of India in 1947 and how that legacy has affected so many of her generation. Touching, compelling and very, very funny, this book shows us the stories that have shaped the life of one of Britain’s best-loved comedy legends.
From ‘don’t sit with your legs apart!’ (the despairing cry of Meera’s mother and aunties) to ‘an Asian comedy show? Are Asians funny?’ (the depressing response to the idea that would become Goodness Gracious Me), each chapter reveals a different turning point in Meera’s journey – from the serious to the ridiculous.
With her trademark warmth and humour, she shares stories from her grandfather’s attempts to arrange her marriage, to her working life as an actress and writer, to her journey to motherhood and the changing attitudes towards women she has experienced over her career. Syal also delves into her parents’ past, revealing lives deeply affected by the partition of India in 1947 and how that legacy has affected so many of her generation. Touching, compelling and very, very funny, this book shows us the stories that have shaped the life of one of Britain’s best-loved comedy legends.
Reviews
Meera is the reason I was ever able to imagine myself in comedy. A sharp, unbeatable, timeless wit
I can't remember the last memoir I enjoyed so much. Hilarious, heartbreaking and inspiring, it is a fearless celebration of finding your voice, breaking the rules, and being liberated to sit, unapologetically, with your legs apart
What a funny, fearless and fascinating story Meera has to tell. I wish I'd been surrounded by a posse of hilarious aunties. This memoir is shot through with wit, intriguing stories and personal history, an absolute joy to read
By sharing her heart-warming and hilarious story Meera has made a generation of us feel like our stories matter and that we exist. She has a brilliant way of making her story feel universal. She's an evil genius who can make you cry whilst wetting your pants with laughter. Anyone who's felt like an outsider, a solo dancer, a misfit and a character part: as long as there is music and Meera, we can face down the aunties and anyone else who comes along
Like a cup of Kashmiri chai, Meera's story is steeped in tradition, resilience, dashed with magic and makes you feel warm all over
An honest witty and compelling memoir from one of the UK's most honest, witty and compelling women
Meera Syal, one of our most celebrated actors, is also one of our most gifted story tellers. This book is a love letter to those Aunties that forged her . . . In Vigilauntie she has taken the memoir form and made it all her own; poignant, puckish and devastatingly funny, this is refreshing as it is nourishing to read
Meera Syal has always known that comedy is the sharpest tool in the drawer. Vigilauntie is the book she was born to write - funny, fierce, and full of the stories that made her. It earns its place alongside Anita and Me as an essential chapter in her extraordinary life's work. Read it. Love it. Cry and laugh
Memoir, history lesson, and delight. Queen of comedy, queen of memoirs - is there nothing Meera Syal can't do?
Once in a while a book comes along that so powerfully finds its way to your very bones that you know it will stay with you forever. Dame Meera Syal's Vigilauntie is that rare book. It is everything you'd hope for in a memoir and then some - tender, funny, riveting, beautiful and deeply vulnerable, all measured with such generosity that you feel held as a reader all the way through a story both hilarious and heartbreaking at once . . . I wish I could make Vigilauntie required reading for everyone. Sumptuous and brilliant, this book is my biggest recommendation this year!
I adore this book. My heart feels full . . . Vigilauntie is a thing of beauty that I will keep turning over in my mind for quite some time to come. An erudite tumble of vivid, life affirming memory that weaves its magic around the soul