Customer Reviews

True Story: A Novel

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you like to laugh get this book. Otherwise, just move on, and go back to your copy of Great Irish Love Songs. "True Story: A Comedy Novel," by Bill Maher, is a tale about five young comics who are trying to make it on the stand-up circuit, back in 1979. It is also a total riot.

From stories about playing ping-pong in the nude, to acid induced conversations with God, Maher keeps the reader laughing and waiting for the all important next joke. While it may never considered to be a literary masterpiece, Maher has written a book that just plain and simple fun to read, and an absolute must for those who have dreams of becoming a stand-up comic.

As far as literature goes, it's not the best. But this book is _the_ most cynical thing I have ever read. Bill Maher makes Machiavelli look like Timothy Leary by comparison. Bill Maher actually manages to think that the world is a bit worse than it actually is -- and I didn't know that was possible. The most cynical thing in this book is of course then ending, where he drops the cynicism for a second in order to give it the kind of ending the reader is dying to see. Bill Maher elevates cynicism to an artform!

This book is a difficult read... It has an interesting premise, but the characters are so disinteresting and the plot so convoluted that turning pages becomes a chore.

Mr. Maher, thanks for the yuks and the glance into your past, but word of advice: don't quit your night job.

Being a working comedian for about 7 years now, I might well be biased, but I found the book not just very funny, but also interesting because it so obviously draws on personal experience gathered by Maher in the time preceding the comedy boom - hey! it IS after all a "True Story", isn't it? And the book is actually also quite poignant in places.

Looking for a healthy share of laughs and a pretty good story, too? You could spend your money a lot worse than this.

Read this and liked it? Might want to try "The Gobbler" by Adrian Edmonson.

There is very little contemporary comedy in literary form. This ranks among the best (along with everything by Woody Allen and Daddy's Boy by Chris Elliott). A novel that combines both great jokes, great stories and even a story. You don't know how funny (and smart) Bill Maher truly is until you read this book

This was quite a book, certainly different than anything I've ever read before. A thinly disguised autobiography by the host of a TV talk show "Politically Incorrect", which was on late at night. Maher presents himself and his fellow comedians as being unbelievably shallow human beings, more consumed with getting into a woman's pants than practically anything else in life. And these are men in their 20s, not teenagers. The language he used you couldn't even put in a movie these days. And that's going some. (Well, with the exception of "The Aristocrats".) However, it was well written (even if the author kept throwing in what I'm sure he thought were very erudite words just to make him appear smart) and I enjoyed it. It was alternately crisp, funny, bitter, and even at times very wise. About stand-up comedy.

Maher taps into a scene few would have the gumption and uber-wit to tackle. Most readers will be grateful after gliding through this very readable, entertaining book. You know Maher's been there (and beyond) and his perspective of the comic's life is truthful. Maher is known as "the intelligent comic," now I know him as a damn fine writer as well.

I thought that Bill Maher's novel, "True Story" was very perceptive and gave a fascinating look at a group of characters. The world of comedy is fascinating, and he has some insights into human nature in general. I hope he writes more novels.

I also thought that the focus on multiple characters instead of one central protaganist was very effective, and his style of writing was very entertaining, elegent, and literate. I especially enjoyed the excerpts of comedy acts that he worked into the narrative.

Bill Maher knew what he was talking about when he wrote this outrageously funny book! He captured the comedy scene with a scence of brilliant arrogence like no other comedian could. Read this book then read it again in a year then read it a year after that, its gets better with every read. You will feel like you've lived the comedy uprising, from the small numbers of hard working dedicated comidens to the funny guy in your group of friends who thinks he can get up on stage and make it big because you "say hes funny". I recomend this book to anyone who enjoys smart comedy and/or likes the comedy club scene and would like to understand what the "Host" for the evening is thinking.