Customer Reviews

Was This Man a Genius?: Talks with Andy Kaufman

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

 

 

Julie Hecht followed Kaufman around sporadically over a couple of years, trying to nail down some facts about his inspiration, his life, for Harper's.

Kaufman did appear to have some affinity for Hecht, in contrast to her report of another press interview she witnessed, hanging around for her own time with the performer.

This stripped-down book is almost the word-for-word transcripts of those furtive interviews. Sitting down with Hecht at diners, grabbing a taxi together, Andy let down his guard just enough times to offer up interesting facets of who he was. The interview Julie has with Kaufman's mother is creepily illuminating. Many revelations for the careful reader.

I found it engrossing. Perhaps best enjoyed by readers willing to set aside everything else they've read, concluded about the man.

This short book is worth reading if you want to "hear" Andy converse. Don't expect any analysis or insight from the author. The title is provocative, but not very germane to the book. It should have been edited for punctuation and spelling. Also, I don't think Kaufman needs to be spelled phonetically ("Kawfman") in dialog.

I came away somewhat disliking the interviewer. She did not appear to appreciate Andy's unique performances and talents; rather than displaying the enthusiasm and curiosity of a fan or a scientist, she displayed the boredom of a high school student doing an unwanted assignment. In addition to mundane questions, her various negative comments rubbed me the wrong way, including those against The Twilight Zone and Saturday Night Live, and referring to Andy as an ex-jerk.

That said, I enjoyed seeing a little behind the curtain, such as learning that he would be flattered if you called him an absurdist or surrealist. I do appreciate the author's persistence in trying to get an interview, and he didn't make it easy. We have to make-do with whatever was gathered now that Andy is gone. (I have Zmuda's and Zehme's much more complete books on Andy; I haven't read much in them yet, but they appear good. I also recommend the movie "Man on the Moon." I'm a fan of Jim Carrey, and he did a great impersonation, but Newsweek is wrong in saying that Carrey "may be a better Andy Kaufman than Andy Kaufman." If you compare performances, Jim was somewhat flat, lacking the color and energy of Andy's originals.)

Look, those of us who have read "Do the Windows Open" and "The Unprofessionals" know that Julie Hecht is a fabulous talent whose wit and wisdom is both as ideosyncratic and as it is humane. Knowing her body of work helps a great deal here. What we get is vignettes of two very interesting people who bicker quite a bit--but have kinship--and a shared vision. In my opinion they both see the world as an absurd place--Andy Kaufman chose to make a big deal out of this--let everyone in on the secret. Hecht seems more inclined to let the readers come to her. Those readers who suggest that Kaufman did not like Hecht miss the point of the book--He got from her some one who wasn't in on the game--but had caring for him as a person.

Readers will enjoy the relationship, and the book for what it is--a passing of like visions in different personalities.

I believe the savage reviews here are unjustified. Several state that the author was not an admirer of Andy's work. Not true! She mentions 3 or 4 times that she (and her husband)were devoted fans of his comedy. Nor does she attempt to portray herself as a witty "sidekick". Did these folks READ the book? As for the book, it recounts many experiences between the author and Andy which were very, very funny.

is how anyone could manage to sell a book that is written so dryly and with so little flare about a man who was all about flare.

This book, while it's interesting to read about real Andy experiences, does not do the artist any service. It's text-book dull, though fortunately not nearly as long.

I believe this is a valuable book. However, it could have been executed SO much better by the author.

I bought this book expecting some laughs and insight into Andy Kaufman. What I got was a self-serving book by a very annoying author who basically has nothing worthwhile to say. Andy Kaufman blew the author off for years, presumably because she was (1) annoying and (2) boring. Then, years later after he's dead, she writes a book basically setting herself up as some kind of witty side kick who gave Andy all these wonderful straight lines. No. Actually you bored Andy, were about as much fun as a wet disrag, and will bore anyone foolish enough to but this book. What a wasted opportunity. Hey Andy: you were right in not wasting too much time on the interview.

This book made me very sad. Sad for the author, Julie Hecht, who had the most amazing access to Andy Kaufman for well over a year, at one of the peak times in his life, and did absolutely nothing with it. She didn't understand him, she didn't appreciate him and she certainly didn't think he was very funny. Hecht manages to record a lot of banal conversations with Kaufman - but very little of it is interesting, new or enlightening. The fact that it took her over 20 years to even publish what was supposed to be a short story for a magazine, illustrates how little she understood or appreciated Andy (or Bob Zmuda). Most likely this book was whipped up upon the release and success of Man On The Moon. Ms. Hecht is in dire need of a sense of humor, this book is not worth the time of anyone who already appreciates Andy Kaufman.

This book is the best ever! To see the real Andy what a gift. Julie has written a wonderfully insightful book. Thank you so much Julie.