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It might be most helpful to start with what this book is not -- it is most certainly not the typical comedian memoir that is common right now. You won't be getting a chronology of Norm's life written humorously. You won't get any insight into his past or his personality, aside from tangentially. You won't even get many true stories.
This book is aimed squarely at those who are fans of Norm's slightly odd brand of comedy; his mixing of fact of fiction, the shaggy-dog quality of many of his jokes and stories, his brilliant and hilarious use of language, and his deadpan refusal to acknowledge when he is joking. Some of it almost relies on outside knowledge -- for instance, his descriptions of Adam Eget probably just come across as confusing and mean if the reader is not familiar with their relationship from Norm's video podcast. Maybe some of that is a bit too "inside baseball", but for me as a huge fan of Norm, it made almost every aspect of this book uproarious.
I believe I can honestly say I laughed more and harder while reading this book than any book I have ever read (including many, many other comedians' books). Without giving too much away, Chapter 5 in particular made me set the book down from laughing so hard. But at the same time, I can easily see others reading it and barely cracking a smile. It is definitely aimed at a very specific sense of humor, but for those of us who share that, it lands beautifully.
Very funny! I was on a flight, sitting between two strangers. The flight was the three of us minding our own business, and trying not to make physical contact in the tight confines of a commercial jet. The quiet scene interrupted repeatedly by what must have appeared to my seat mates as Tourette's-like bursts of cackling by me. I really enjoyed the book. And my seat mates listed even further away from me, because of my random outbursts, so my middle seat on the plane ended up being quite roomy! Well done Norm!
Filled with actual half truths wrapped in Norm's bumbling yet brilliant speaking style. While he wears the mask of a fool, Macdonald will surprise you with references to classic literary works, right before dropping the equivalent of a fart joke. There is a mix of humility and feigned (?) pride throughout. Laugh out loud funny, while giving you confirmation that Norm is exactly the guy you think you always knew...and then some. Poor Adam Eget has found fame, too, by becoming the lackey's lackey. One day I expect to read a murder/suicide headline with both their names attached to the content. Norm, keep looking over your shoulder.
Norm MacDonald has to be one of the most unappreciated comics in modern times. He is so glib, but hilarious. History will prove him to be the Lenny Bruce of our time. He has perfect comic timing...and that can't be taught! Unfortunately for Norm, he is so far ahead of his time that no one can figure out how to place him or how to best utilize his type of comedy. This has to be one of the funniest and most entertaining memoirs I have ever read...even if it is mostly true only in his mind.
Well, leave it to Norm Macdonald to have written the most unusual celeb memoir I have ever read. He does however give you fair warning that not everything in the book is true. Instead it's this weird mix of truth, things that are ridiculously false, and stuff that makes you wonder, is he pulling my leg or is this legit?
I never listen to audiobooks, but this time I wish I had because his humor doesn't translate as well in written form. That's not to say the book isn't funny as there were multiple times while reading this in public at the airport I had to bite my lip from laughing out loud. I just think hearing him read his book would enhance the whole experience because part of why he is so funny is his way of delivering a joke.
I thought the book got off to a rather slow start. I was a good 1/4 of the way into it before it started to get pretty entertaining. I loved him including some of his old Weekend Update jokes as they are still as funny now as they were at the time.
I do have mixed feelings about this book. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it was in the style of a typical celeb memoir. But Norm is anything but typical so I guess I do appreciate the fact he went in a completely opposite direction. I recommend giving this one a chance if you are a fan of his, but get the audiobook instead of reading it in written form.
It helps if you listen to the audiobook; with Norm himself reading it, it's easier to tell which parts are wholly ironic or comedic, and which parts may have a little more truth to them. But one thing I can say, is that it's a fantastically entertaining book. I've often heard it said that Norm is likely the most well read of all of the stand up comedians, especially in Russian literature, and it shows here. Norm's great deception - his comedic schtick - may be that he's sort of a dopey, backwards bumpkin, but in truth, he's anything but. Norm is a very intelligent person, and I've found this book to be surprisingly well-written and entertaining.
I'll admit to a certain amount of bias as I've been a Norm fan since about the early 90's (I'll never forget the first time I heard his now infamous Answering Machine bit on the Caroline 's Comedy Hour...)
I feel this book captures what to me is so appealing about Norm - clever, thoughtful satire which deftly maneuvers from the highbrow to the lowbrow (but mostly lowbrow thankgod - O mean let's face it that's Norm's bread and butter!)
For those readers hoping for a moretraditional, garden-variety read of the author's life and career, you may find yourself feeling a bit letdown. Yet I believe that an attentive reader will come to conclude that this "memoir" does indeed contain a great deal of truth - just perhaps not the Objective truth of the author's life (Hence the title of this book).
(NOTE: some advice for those not overly familiar with Norm, search the web for his WTF podcast appearance and his Conan/Letterman spots - it will greatly enhance your experience of this work).
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![Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir by [Macdonald, Norm]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51YAf2LzdwL._SY346_.jpg)
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