Stalin Ate My Homework

The Sayles might not have been the only Jewish atheist communist family in Liverpool, but Alexei knew from an early age that they were one of the more eccentric.

Born on the day egg rationing came to an end, Alexei was the only child of Joe, an affable trade unionist who led the family on railway expeditions across eastern Europe, and Molly, a hot-tempered red-head who terrified teachers and insisted Alexei see the Red Army Choir instead of the Beatles.

Perceptive and hilarious, this is a portrait of a family, a city, a country and a continent going through enormous changes.

“'This touching, elegantly written memoir stands out... He looks back on his unconventional youth with comic bewilderment'”

It's not like other comedians' memoirs. It's funny. - Guardian

As strange and fascinating as any fiction . . . This would be excellent even if it weren't by someone famous - The Times

Fascinating and hugely entertaining - Telegraph

Sayle's book has charm and substance, both as memoir and history. - Times Literary Supplement

A great memoir of a strange childhood. "Just let me read you this bit" funny. - Frank Cottrell Boyce

The brilliant satires on modern life of Alexei Sayle (the only comedian worth his salt as a novelist) are contemporary gems. - Tim Lott, Independent

This touching, elegantly written memoir stands out... He looks back on his unconventional youth with comic bewilderment - Independent on Sunday

A fascinating and entertaining memoir about growing up with parents who were staunch communists - Daily Telegraph

Born in Liverpool, the only child of Communist parents, Alexei moved to London in 1971 to attend Chelsea Art School. He became the first MC of the Comedy Store and later the Comic Strip. After years of stand-up, television, sitcoms, films and even a hit single, he published his first highly acclaimed collection of short stories. BARCELONA PLATES was followed by THE DOG CATCHER, two novels: OVERTAKEN and THE WEEPING WOMEN HOTEL and a novella, MISTER ROBERTS. This is his first work of non-fiction.

The Sayles might not have been the only Jewish atheist communist family in Liverpool, but Alexei knew from an early age that they were one of the more eccentric.Born on the day egg rationing came to an end, Alexei was the only child of Joe, an affable trade unionist who led the family on railway expeditions across eastern Europe, and Molly, a hot-tempered red-head who terrified teachers and insisted Alexei see the Red Army Choir instead of the Beatles.Perceptive and hilarious, this is a portrait of a family, a city, a country and a continent going through enormous changes.

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