Customer Reviews

Red Diaper Baby: Three Comic Monologues

5 star:		(7)
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What a fun book. I heard "The Mathematics of Change" live and bought this book. My only complaint is that his style would be better live. Has anyone thought of a book on tape? Especially since this is basically a tape on book. Nonetheless, I recomend this book and wait for the audiotape.

If you grew up with poltically active parents of any sort, the first the three monologues in this book will resonate strongly. In that monologue, Kornbluth gives a hilarious explanation of the dynamics of his relationship with his parents. He discusses how his parents influenced childhood goals (to lead the worldwide Communist revolution) and the various odd but amusing habits they -- especially his father -- exhibited.

Kornbluth's writing style is clearly influenced by the standup origins of the work; it reads quickly and yet slightly awkwardly, as a transcibed monologue generally will. But despite the slightly different writing style, you will find yourself laughing out loud more often than not.

I teach playwriting, and whenever one of my students undertakes a solo piece, I recommend RED DIAPER BABY for study. It is one of the two or three best-written solo shows I've ever had the pleasure of seeing (and I've seen dozens) -- a beautifully-judged balance of characterization, novelistic detail, social and political satire, and raunchiness. The other pieces in this collection are damn good, too. This is work to enjoy and from which to learn.

An ancectdote about this book-- it was given to me by a friend and I read it on a cross country flight last winter. I laughed out loud so much the man across the aisle finally had to ask what it was. I finished it before we landed and handed it to him. Not only did he take it gladly, he mailed it back to me weeks later with a note saying he'd enjoyed it so much he'd bought copies for everyone on his gift list that year. I've since seen Kornbluth live, as well, and look forward to hearing much, much more from this hilarious, heartfelt, instantly loveable character. I highly recommend the book and the author to every thinking person with a sense of humor.

Only reason I didn't give this book a 10 is that I don't want to be accused of hyperbole. I, my wife, my dad, and my friends have all read and thoroughly enjoyed this book. The three stories make you laugh, cause you to reflect, and bring the author's world to vivid life. Enjoy!!

Light, entertaining memoir from the maker of Haiku Tunnel. If you enjoyed the movie you will enjoy this book. I laughed out loud over and over.

This book was absolutely hilarious in every sense. The humor was crude, so fans of this type of writing will be impressed. I was never bored.