The autobiography of Ben Elton. What have I done?is the kind of book you pick up expecting a lighthearted celebrity memoir and ends with a 470-page deep history lesson on the last four decades of British comedy and culture. It's an absolute must-read, a fireworks display of wit, insight, and just the right amount of glorious self-justification that makes it feel completely authentic.

What becomes immediately clear is that Ben Elton, the author, is as acerbic, brilliant and politically charged as the comedian and writer we've seen for years. He's a multi-award-winning machine: novelist, playwright, lyricist, director, and the guy who essentially gave birth to the “alternative comedy” revolution with Saturday live.

This is not a meek retrospective look; is a frank, direct and energetic account of a massive professional career. He is clearly a writer who lives and breathes his work, and that passion oozes from every page. You get the feeling of a mind that is constantly full of ideas, occasionally missing the mark, but always, always committed to making people laugh, think and, yes, light some fuses in the process.

• The young people: He gets right into the creative friction and collaboration with Rik Mayall—a relationship that was clearly fundamental, but not without complex tensions, particularly around credit and the final product. He talks honestly about characters, like Mike, who just didn't “fly.”

• Black viper: Ideas about your writing partnership with Richard Curtis and the development of one of the greatest sitcoms of all time are gold. Understanding how those historical, though hilariously anachronistic, scripts came together is fascinating.

• we will Rock You: Talks about the surprising and sustained success of the Queen musical, an experience that critics frequently attacked but audiences adored. He makes no apologies for his work here and offers an excellent insight into the world of major West End productions.

• The 'broken dishes': Equally compelling are the sections on projects that never came to fruition. This offers a refreshing perspective on the grit and resilience required for a life in a creative industry: not everything turns to gold.

One particularly poignant aspect is the way he writes about the death of his friend and colleague, Rik Mayall. The book begins with this somber reflection, grounding the entire memoir in a real sense of loss and the value of those creative bonds.

Reading this book is like sitting down with Ben Elton himself to have a gloriously opinionated and continuous four-hour conversation over several pints. It's fast-paced, fun and absolutely compelling. Sir Lenny Henry's description is apt: “like being on a surfboard attached to a roller coaster.”

I'm not going to lie though: it's not always an easy journey. Elton has been heavily criticized and does not shy away from addressing it. This sometimes gives the writing a self-defensive flavor, even a touch of presumption. He is happy to list his famous admirers (as the humility section shows) and is hurt by critics who turned against his later work.

But honestly? That's what makes him feel human, not AI. It is not a sanitized version of events. The lessons learned have to do with resilience and conviction. He teaches you that creating something truly original often means irritating people, being misunderstood, and facing constant rejection. This man's output over 40 years is astonishing, and the real lesson is that you have to back yourself, even when everyone else is throwing bricks.

after finishing What have I done?the overarching sentiment is one of immense respect for the sheer volume and cultural impact of the man's work. Yes, the book occasionally sinks into critical snubs, and the pacing is a little “loose” at times (as one reviewer said, it doesn't leave anything out!). But the enduring truth is that Ben Elton has been an absolute titan of British comedy and a vital chronicler of the era, both in his stand-up comedy and his writing.

The book is a comprehensive and essential record of a life lived right at the nexus of art and politics. It's an idea of ​​where the great comedy is. In fact comes from: talent, hard work, and a stubborn refusal to shut up.

Final verdict: Go buy it. You don't have to agree with everything he says, but you will certainly feel entertained, enlightened, and with a new appreciation for how much a person can really achieve.