Customer Reviews

Look at My Striped Shirt!: Confessions of the People You Love to Hate

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I read the Phat Phree fairly frequently, and I was a little concerned that this book would be just a collection of stuff I've already read. But it's not. Sure, there are some of the classic pieces like Striped Shirt and Huge Penis, but I was impressed with how good the new pieces are and how much of the book is new.

There are some stand out new pieces, like "I Will Get Off This Plane Before You", "I'm So Glad You Caught Me, Kid", "Damn, My Pencil-Thin Beard is Perfect", and "This Sunoco is Now Open", but the book is really funny from beginning to end. There are also new supplements and photos with a lot of the classics, like "Striped Shirt", that really make them new again.

All in all, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dead on social commentary, and no-holds-barred comedy.

This book is a quick read and then can remain on your shelf as a quick reference to help you identify the various jerks you encounter on a daily basis. Each "person" is described by a title that covers either all or the most ridiculous aspects of their character: "The 'Cool' Teacher" and "I'm the Karaoke Master!" for instance. Each character takes two pages for their own dialog with the reader, exhibiting everything you love to hate about them. This book will provide you many great laughs.

If I was going to be trapped on a desert Island and I could only bring three items with me, I would bring a fully supplied fishing boat, a desalinization plant, and a harem of playboy playmates. I would not bring this book. It just wouldn't be practical.

But that scenario aside, it's a very funny book. Highly recommended if you are a fan of the site. Even if you've never been to the Phat Phree's website this book will not disappoint.

Take it from me (someone who clearly doesn't write for the Phat Phree) this book is great.

'Look at My Striped Shirt' is a well-written, keenly-observed compilation of 'best of' humor taken from the popular web site, The Phat Phree. That site's credo - 'Target. Observe. Ridicule.' - is on great display here. Writers like Mike Polk, Charlie DeMarco, Jesse Lamovsky, Justin Harvey, Chris Queen - these guys are brilliant satirists and writers. It's a quick read, but one you'll be eager to share with friends.

This book applies to two types of people: fans of character sketches and fans of snark. The Phat Phree has delivered both in spades here. From the title character, the stereotypical post-frat boy (i.e. the archetypical douchebag) working out his insecurities by looking down on people around him to the ladybug lady to the clueless boyfriend and many, many other examples of poor character, this book covers many archetypes in a way that would make central casting envious. You might even find yourself in there -- it casts its net that wide.

I want to think more highly of this book, as I haven't bought it but I've flipped through it many times and enjoyed it each time. The concept is excellent, and the majority of the writing is quite good for its purposes. My issue with it is that it too often goes for the easy stereotype, frequently assuming that its clueless characters derive their behaviors from deep insecurities (suicide jokes, while not frequent, show up in a few of the sketches). I do realize that these characters are in and of themselves stereotypes, but such things still come off as lazy.

That said, it's funny, it's pointed, and it betrays a series of authors with a better-than-average understanding of human nature (the section "I am my car" is particularly funny). You'll probably like it, so give it a try. Read it in a bookstore first if you can though.

This is a rare breed of book that can be group activity. If taken as monologues of characters, then it may be read aloud in a circle of friends around a coffee table.
With the proper 'cast', the humor is amplified tenfold. Highly recommended, and completely hysterical.

This book is fantastic.

A synopsis of reality, this book will make many people uncomfortable. The truth is a harsh reality, when confronted pure enlightenment ensues. Give this to anyone you think you know then discuss it. You might just be surrounded by the very subjects contained within.

Highly recommended.

Ever seen a movie trailer and think "That is going to be the greatest movie ever!!!", and when, after waiting for months and months, finally see the movie, you find out that all of the good parts were already shown in the trailer, and you just wasted two hours of your life? That is this book.
I had to force myself to finish it. There are funny parts in it, but the majority of the book (i'd say about 90%) is just boring drivel, rehashing architypes that make almost no sense.
Just like that fabled movie, look at the trailer and be satisfied, because that's all you're really gonna get.

Humor in books can be so hit or miss. And so it is with "Look at My Striped Shirt."

This series of essays skewering many of the most odious stereotypes we encounter (and some I never even knew existed) runs the gamut from laugh-out-loud funny to complete dud. Reading one page you will find others around you staring out you for laughing so loud and then you turn to the next and you hear the literary equivalent of crickets.

Like more and more humor books, this one is based off of the writings of a website, in this case thephatphree.com. You may want to visit the site before buying this if you are unfamiliar with their work and see if you find it at all entertaining.

Definitely worth a skim to see if you might enjoy it. Just don't expect the quality to remain high throughout. Recommended with reservations.

This book is at times dark and warped but I loved it. Very funny stuff. You won't be disappointed if you're like me and enjoy making fun of everything and everyone (including yourself).