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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Essentially a reorganization and retelling of her "This American Life" stories and the famous evening of standup that she did in which she revealed her cancer. But no less meaningful and well told because I have heard these stories before.
I love Tig, but this book was kind of… eh. Reading it made me want to relisten to Live, so… I guess I'll go do that now??
An excellent addition to the memoire-by-a-comedian genre. Notaro keeps the scope narrow and goes deep into the tragic series of events that led up to and informed the breakout show at Largo that made her a household name. She talks openly and frankly about the death of her mother, her struggles with c. diff and cancer, and dealing with the sudden onrush of success. Despite the darkness of the material, her sardonic humor keeps things from being unbearable without lessening their weight. It never feels like she's searching for a joke, only that she's trying to tell her story, and throughout it all, she comes across as warm, optimistic, and genuinely grateful that you're willing to listen.
Quite enjoyed this one, it was more depressing and less funny than I was originally anticipating though.
(Listened to on the way to/from Abbie's party.)
(Listened to on the way to/from Abbie's party.)
Tig is cerebral and pragmatic and brave as f***. I've seen criticisms that this book tells the "same story" she's become famous for -- but it does not.
I really loved this little gem of a book. Though I'm not a huge fan of stand-up, I love Tig Notaro's brand of honest, straightforward dry comedy. Like many, I "discovered" her via THIS AMERICAN LIFE and was captivated by her presence even before the now-famous cancer diagnosis. I picked this book up expecting short, pithy essays that felt a little rushed--that's how a lot of comedians' books feel to me. Imagine my surprise to discover that I'M JUST A PERSON is a very well written, thoughtful, and often tear-jerking memoir about illness, love lost and found, the complicated ways families work, and the risks we take. Tig's fans who've followed her story won't necessarily find any big revelations here, but they will feel like they've gotten to know this fascinating person in a new and wonderful way.
I'd vaguely heard of Tig but hadn't watched any of her shows or really followed her work. Her slow, dry, deadpan humor is totally my cup of tea, and her story is touching. The memoir covers surviving her mother's death, dealing with C. Diff, and surviving cancer, all in one year. Really glad the audiobook was narrated by her. Definitely plan to catch the now famous Largo set.
Raise your hand if Tig is one of your favorite humans on this planet!
(raises hand while positively writhing with excitement)
I came across Tig's existence while listening to one of my favorite podcasts, "2 Dope Queens." (SHOUT OUT TO PHOEBE AND JESSICA, I LOVE YOU AS WELL). She was a guest star and I was completely enamored with her sense of humor and just, the way she seemed so, human. She really seemed like the cat's pajamas. (What?) I was hooked and wanted to learn more, so I picked up her book and fell even more in love.
If you want to be slammed in the face with a story that is genuine, tragic, hilarious, inspiring, etc etc etc, read this. And then listen to her comedy albums. More specifically, "Live." But also all of them.
FAVORITE BITS.
“Why can so many of us only express our true feelings onto a blank slate: a diary page, the sky, an unconscious loved one, a tombstone?”
“While you’re alive, you should feel alive. I thought about how tomorrow or a week from now, or whatever date people tell themselves is the big day—a party, an award show, a holiday—is no more important than the event of today. I thought: “Every day is the day.”
“He declared that he now realized it’s not the child’s responsibility to teach the parent who they are; it’s the parent’s responsibility to learn who their child is.”
“I cannot express how important it is to believe that taking one tiny—and possibly very uncomfortable—step at a time can ultimately add up to a great distance.”
(raises hand while positively writhing with excitement)
I came across Tig's existence while listening to one of my favorite podcasts, "2 Dope Queens." (SHOUT OUT TO PHOEBE AND JESSICA, I LOVE YOU AS WELL). She was a guest star and I was completely enamored with her sense of humor and just, the way she seemed so, human. She really seemed like the cat's pajamas. (What?) I was hooked and wanted to learn more, so I picked up her book and fell even more in love.
If you want to be slammed in the face with a story that is genuine, tragic, hilarious, inspiring, etc etc etc, read this. And then listen to her comedy albums. More specifically, "Live." But also all of them.
FAVORITE BITS.
“Why can so many of us only express our true feelings onto a blank slate: a diary page, the sky, an unconscious loved one, a tombstone?”
“While you’re alive, you should feel alive. I thought about how tomorrow or a week from now, or whatever date people tell themselves is the big day—a party, an award show, a holiday—is no more important than the event of today. I thought: “Every day is the day.”
“He declared that he now realized it’s not the child’s responsibility to teach the parent who they are; it’s the parent’s responsibility to learn who their child is.”
“I cannot express how important it is to believe that taking one tiny—and possibly very uncomfortable—step at a time can ultimately add up to a great distance.”
emotional
reflective
fast-paced