Would That Be Funny?

Growing Up with John Clarke

By: Lorin Clarke

Narrated by: Lorin Clarke

When satirist John Clarke died in April 2017, many people mourned his passing as if they had lost a friend or a member of the family. Many of us felt we grew up with him. After all, for the best part of half a century, since he burst into our lives as Fred Dagg in 1974, he was a performer, an actor, a writer, a satirist and a commentator in both Australia and New Zealand.

In this fascinating memoir, Lorin Clarke tells the story of growing up with her famous father, her art historian mother Helen and her little sister Lucia. Much has been written about John Clarke, but this is the insider’s view – of his childhood, his relationship with his parents, his decision to leave New Zealand and live in Australia, and the choices he and Helen made to create a family life that is right out of the box.

Lorin Clarke, author of the celebrated podcast The Fitzroy Diaries brings to life her idyllic, hilarious and deeply nerdy childhood, and in doing so reveals not only the private man behind satirist John Clarke but the sense of love and security that comes from being able to laugh at yourself.

©2023 Lorin Clarke. First published by The Text Publishing Company. (P)2024 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'Builds a kaleidoscopic picture of her childhood and her father… Full of tender and wacky anecdotes.’ (The Age)

‘This beautiful memoir honours love, grief, and riotous fun.’ (Kaz Cooke)

'Luminous…dances on the tightrope of tone that memoir demands, and succeeds with vim and lucidity. The Clarkes’ humour is polished to a fine edge, but it welcomes anyone who wants to laugh with those who dream of a juster and kinder world.' (Inside Story)