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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
A book true to Norm Macdonald
Much like his comedy was, Norm Macdonald’s narrative is utterly unique. This tale gets delightfully weird, but still has nuggets of what must be real stories. It doesn’t matter in the end. Norm is saying something more important; a lesson to learn from. He is the salt of the Earth and he will be missed. Seemed like, judging from this book, he was well prepared to go.
Much like his comedy was, Norm Macdonald’s narrative is utterly unique. This tale gets delightfully weird, but still has nuggets of what must be real stories. It doesn’t matter in the end. Norm is saying something more important; a lesson to learn from. He is the salt of the Earth and he will be missed. Seemed like, judging from this book, he was well prepared to go.
Holy shit, what a stroke of genius. Only Norm Macdonald could write a book like this. In fact, I'm pretty sure only Norm would think anyone *should*.
Based on a True Story by Norm Macdonald
Norm Macdonald had a book. E-I-E-I-O.
I always essentially liked Norm Macdonald. I never said he was my favorite SNL alum, but his dry delivery always got me.
But, Based on a True Story wasn't a hit for me. Though I recognize it as an ambitious piece, I never could quite grasp what it was. The fiction and non-fiction seemed to flow together in a way that never let me know which was which. Here are some stories in the book, and whether or not they seemed true:
Was his audition at SNL really Norm just giving Loren Michaels drugs? Probably not?
Did Norm have a huge crush on Sarah Silverman? Seems Plausible.
Did he really gamble and lose a million dollars with the plan of killing himself? Probably not, right.
Were the SNL stories about handsome male actors thinking their funny true? I think so.
Were the dozens of Weekend Update jokes he listed he wrote real? Yes.
So how do all of these things go in the same book? I felt like I was constantly trying to find my footing, how to enjoy this book. Ultimately, I feel like Norm was just spinning a yarn, but it's so absurd and confusing, that it's not fun to read. Some of the jokes made me laugh, but not many. I still have a lot of respect for Norm Macdonald, but this book didn't do it for me.
Maybe should have given up on this book and not finished it, but I figured I might as well see it through. My first read of 2018 turned out to be disappointing, but more to come.
Posted at http://blog.stephenperlstein.com/based-on-a-true-story-by-norm-macdonald/
Norm Macdonald had a book. E-I-E-I-O.
I always essentially liked Norm Macdonald. I never said he was my favorite SNL alum, but his dry delivery always got me.
But, Based on a True Story wasn't a hit for me. Though I recognize it as an ambitious piece, I never could quite grasp what it was. The fiction and non-fiction seemed to flow together in a way that never let me know which was which. Here are some stories in the book, and whether or not they seemed true:
Was his audition at SNL really Norm just giving Loren Michaels drugs? Probably not?
Did Norm have a huge crush on Sarah Silverman? Seems Plausible.
Did he really gamble and lose a million dollars with the plan of killing himself? Probably not, right.
Were the SNL stories about handsome male actors thinking their funny true? I think so.
Were the dozens of Weekend Update jokes he listed he wrote real? Yes.
So how do all of these things go in the same book? I felt like I was constantly trying to find my footing, how to enjoy this book. Ultimately, I feel like Norm was just spinning a yarn, but it's so absurd and confusing, that it's not fun to read. Some of the jokes made me laugh, but not many. I still have a lot of respect for Norm Macdonald, but this book didn't do it for me.
Maybe should have given up on this book and not finished it, but I figured I might as well see it through. My first read of 2018 turned out to be disappointing, but more to come.
Posted at http://blog.stephenperlstein.com/based-on-a-true-story-by-norm-macdonald/
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As an unashamed Norm fan, I loved it. In fact, I had to stop reading it while I was in bed, because my shuddering laughter kept waking up my wife.
funny
reflective
fast-paced
dark
funny
fast-paced
Chapter 5: 8 Years Old to 13 Years Old
“I forget”
Words can not express how much I miss Norm.
“I forget”
Words can not express how much I miss Norm.
This book is genuinely bad. The second star is only because I like Norm MacDonald. I think I'm done attempting to read books by comedians.
Most books by comedians feel like someone just transcribed their act so Norm Macdonald (or his ghost writer Keane) deserves credit for a book that feels more like a Hunter Thompson adventure