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raemelle's review against another edition
4.0
This reads like a long journal rant, but I agree with enough of his thoughts and theories that I gave it four stars. I laughed out loud at some points, and internally rolled my eyes at some other attempts at humor. But I enjoyed the book. I appreciated seeing theories I'd already considered, and theories that were new to me. It's kind of messy. There is a raw talent that doesn't seem to have been harnessed by a good enough editor. It's almost like he couldn't make up his mind as to what this book would really be about, so he just threw in whatever he felt when the spirit moved him. Which I didn't mind, but could be a bit disconcerting at times. Some passages left me wondering, What was the point of THAT?
But I liked reading it. I liked the ghost stories. I liked his conjectures on religion and spirit. I don't know if I've ever even heard a Slip Knot song. Maybe I have, but I just didn't know it. So I don't think you have to be a music fan (at least of his genre) in order to appreciate this book.
But I liked reading it. I liked the ghost stories. I liked his conjectures on religion and spirit. I don't know if I've ever even heard a Slip Knot song. Maybe I have, but I just didn't know it. So I don't think you have to be a music fan (at least of his genre) in order to appreciate this book.
bouncydulce's review
funny
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
The ghost stories were great but the pseudoscience ruined it for me, he took it too far.
zombxing's review against another edition
4.0
big fan of slipknot (grew up listening to them) and ghost stories so of course i had to read this. i like the scientific backing for the paranormal though i did have to take breaks sometimes from reading because i felt like i was in a lecture. 4 stars tho
old_tim's review against another edition
2.0
Sometimes a book turns out to be very different than your expectations. A Funny Thing Happened is an example of this phenomenon. The press for the book describes it as Taylor “journeys through various ghostbusting groups”. That’s not exactly what happens here. What happens is that Taylor discusses some odd ghostly occurrences that he has experienced, including one adhoc investigation performed by Taylor and some friends.
At this point, I should probably mention that I come to this book as neither a metal fan nor a true believer in the supernatural. I do, however, have an open mind, and am fascinated with the phenomenon of paranormal investigation groups. I was hoping that A Funny Thing Happened would provide an interesting view into this subculture.
What did I get? At the core of A Funny Thing Happened is Taylor’s account of his own personal experiences. For the most part, these stories are great. Taylor is a gifted natural storyteller and the casual tone of his writing makes it feel like you’re having a beer with the guy while he tells you some crazy stories. Yes, the stories are weird and creepy, just like the best ghost stories always are.
Unfortunately, too much of the book is devoted to Taylor’s theories about the nature of supernatural entities and subpar rock & roll stories. Now Taylor comes off as a more intelligent guy than you might expect, but I really have no interest in his own pet theories. Think back to the guy telling ghost stories around the campfire – do you care about his theories? Or do you just want to hear more spooky stories? I’m firmly in the last camp.
On the whole I’d say that this book is really for fans only. Taylor puts so much of his own personality and personal life into the book that those who are looking for more will be disappointed.
At this point, I should probably mention that I come to this book as neither a metal fan nor a true believer in the supernatural. I do, however, have an open mind, and am fascinated with the phenomenon of paranormal investigation groups. I was hoping that A Funny Thing Happened would provide an interesting view into this subculture.
What did I get? At the core of A Funny Thing Happened is Taylor’s account of his own personal experiences. For the most part, these stories are great. Taylor is a gifted natural storyteller and the casual tone of his writing makes it feel like you’re having a beer with the guy while he tells you some crazy stories. Yes, the stories are weird and creepy, just like the best ghost stories always are.
Unfortunately, too much of the book is devoted to Taylor’s theories about the nature of supernatural entities and subpar rock & roll stories. Now Taylor comes off as a more intelligent guy than you might expect, but I really have no interest in his own pet theories. Think back to the guy telling ghost stories around the campfire – do you care about his theories? Or do you just want to hear more spooky stories? I’m firmly in the last camp.
On the whole I’d say that this book is really for fans only. Taylor puts so much of his own personality and personal life into the book that those who are looking for more will be disappointed.
potaytaspages's review against another edition
4.0
Corey Taylor is seriously a genius. Everything he touches turns to gold.
This book was scary and funny at the same time.
I would be reading this at night and I would get so scared but then I would crack up so I would be okay to sleep.
I would always run up to my mom and tell her so many quotes haha.
This book was scary and funny at the same time.
I would be reading this at night and I would get so scared but then I would crack up so I would be okay to sleep.
Spoiler
I loved when he got pushed down the stairs. I was terrified and I could just picture him getting so angryI would always run up to my mom and tell her so many quotes haha.
janel_bernotas's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it!! Cover to cover great read. Corey writes in a down to earth, friend telling you a story kind of way.
katieb801's review against another edition
5.0
I loves every minute of this book. I'm a huge fan of Slipknot & Stone Sour and this book allowed me to see another side of Corey that isn't revealed. It's a hilarious read. My favorite part being about the farting that got recorded. (I know, how immature.) I overall enjoyed this book very much & hope to see more from Corey in the future.
toxiclight's review against another edition
5.0
Corey Taylor, lead singer for Stone Sour and Slipknot, shows his talent in another area. This is not the first book he's written, but it's the first I've read. He is not your typical metal head rocker. The writing tone is conversational...I could picture sitting in a small diner with a pot of coffee and discussing the tales he tells here and the ideas he has. I could picture sitting around a campfire, but considering he is expounding on ghost stories, that may not be the most comfortable place to be if you want to sleep.
Corey has some brilliant ideas about Intelligent Energy and the formation of ghosts. He has hunted down haunted locations and sought out paranormal experiences, and laid them out in colorful but logical fashion. This is clearly something he's pondered deeply and feels passionately about, and he invites us to share that passion with him. He does apologize several times (in a sorry/not sorry manner) for trying to educate his readers. I will admit that some of the science theories were a little over my head, but that's okay. The theory may have been deep, but he explained it well enough and with enough detail that it was easy to follow along.
I'm very much looking forward to reading his other books now. I know they're not ghost stories, but if they are an equal glimpse into this complex and fascinating mind, I'm sold.
Corey has some brilliant ideas about Intelligent Energy and the formation of ghosts. He has hunted down haunted locations and sought out paranormal experiences, and laid them out in colorful but logical fashion. This is clearly something he's pondered deeply and feels passionately about, and he invites us to share that passion with him. He does apologize several times (in a sorry/not sorry manner) for trying to educate his readers. I will admit that some of the science theories were a little over my head, but that's okay. The theory may have been deep, but he explained it well enough and with enough detail that it was easy to follow along.
I'm very much looking forward to reading his other books now. I know they're not ghost stories, but if they are an equal glimpse into this complex and fascinating mind, I'm sold.