BOOK REVIEW: WHAT HAVE I DONE? By Ben Elton

BOOK REVIEW: WHAT HAVE I DONE? By Ben Elton
Pan McMillan – July 2026
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
82%

Ben Elton – comedian, author, scriptwriter and more – readily admits that people often think he’s a bit of a dick (my word), and I’ll readily admit that I was reluctant to start this book as he does have the tendency to come across as annoyingly twee and over-earnest or maybe even a little priggish – or at least smug – at times.

Imagine my surprise when I did open the pages and find a very interesting story indeed, and instead of skimming through the parts I wanted to know about (The Young Ones, for instance) the entire story was – if not riveting, certainly enough to keep me going from page 1 to page 470!

I mean no disrespect: I wish I had achieved a fraction as much as Elton has. The fact that the book gripped me as tightly as it did despite those preconceptions I brought to it is testament indeed that those preconceptions need reassessing, and it is possible that his awkward relationship with the media (or, more accurately, the British media’s outright dislike of Elton and willingness to slam him at every turn) may have fueled those attitudes.

That reputation for smugness is not turned on its head here. Elton has a tendency to self-aggrandise – there’s a fine line between listing one’s achievements and grudges and going on and on about them, and he repeatedly snipes at Alexei Sayle, Jonathan Ross and the British media for their attempts to cut him down, whilst name dropping left, right and centre at the famous names who choose to compliment him over the years. I see his side of it, and he should be proud of these kind words, but he can go on at times.

That said, WHAT HAVE I DONE? is thorough, covering pretty much every major project Elton has been involved with over his long career, and there is plenty of space devoted to collaborators Rik Mayall (The Young Ones), Richard Curtis (Blackadder), Queen (We Will Rock You), Kenneth Branagh and Denzel Washington (Much Ado About Nothing) and many more, and a very interesting read.

Category: Book Reviews