Scan barcode
andiepie's review against another edition
4.0
Absurd and utterly Ayoade. It's as much a memoir as it is a masterful film dissection. If you love his stuff, you'll love this book :)
fizzicks's review against another edition
4.0
I have never seen View From the Top, and I can say for sure that it wasn't necessary to enjoy this book. This is a masterful parody of film criticism, interwoven with fun stories from Ayoade's life. A very enjoyable read!
thematinee's review against another edition
4.0
Truly - a book I never knew I needed about a movie I’d almost forgot existed.
elliebeadle's review against another edition
4.0
I usually find books by comedians to actually be a bit of a mixed bag (especially men) because they're just a bit egocentric but this was a delight! This was about what sounds like the worst film in the world, early noughties romcom A View from the Top, starring Gwenyth Paltrow and Mark Ruffalo. I will probably never watch this film, it sounds so bad. But Ayoade's descriptions and critiques of it actually had me in stitches, and you don't need to have seen it to read this. Don't watch the movie, do read the book.
I listened to it on audible which I can highly rec!!!!
I listened to it on audible which I can highly rec!!!!
foxtrotmadly's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve never seen “View from the Top,” the 2003 rom-com journey of a flight attendant rising from lower to upper middle-class. I can’t give you my honest opinion of the film, but one thing I can say with utter sincerity is that Richard Ayoade absolutely loves it.
“Ayoade on Top” is an absurd book. The fact that it even exists is insane. Written in a deeply analytical style usually reserved for academia level deconstruction, Ayoade breaks down what is widely considered to be a mediocre to bad Gwyneth Paltrow vehicle like it’s “Citizen Kane.” It’s beyond unnecessary, but in that lies the genius of it all.
Ayoade’s humor doesn’t resonate with everyone. Best known for his role as Maurice Moss on the British TV comedy “The IT Crowd,” Ayoade’s style of comedy is very silly and dry even by British standards. Ayoade is a very self-aware comedian and seems to know that his specific brand of comedy has limited appeal. Regardless, he forgoes all interest with trying to be appealing for a large audience, seemingly preferring to make himself chuckle. It’s a boldness one might consider reckless when your entire career hinges on attracting as many eyes to your work as possible, but it takes fearlessness to be remembered.
It's hard to gauge his sincerity while reading “Ayoade on Top” but if you take it on it’s face, Ayoade’s admiration for the film seems genuine. I think everyone has a guilty pleasure film they won’t admit their love for when pressed, but Ayoade doesn’t care if you agree with him or not. Deep diving into one of the dumbest topics imaginable, Ayoade manages to create a very readable text explaining and deconstructing a film that barely deserves the viewers’ attention with comedic flair.
If you’re a fan of “View from the Top” or just really enjoy Richard Ayoade’s style of comedy I would recommend this read. It’s light and breezy, and it has enough laughs in it to justify its existence, despite what Ayoade’s publishers think (Ayoade claims they described the book as a “betrayal” while weeping). It’s not for everyone, but it’s the kind of sincere silliness that makes it endearing.
“Ayoade on Top” is an absurd book. The fact that it even exists is insane. Written in a deeply analytical style usually reserved for academia level deconstruction, Ayoade breaks down what is widely considered to be a mediocre to bad Gwyneth Paltrow vehicle like it’s “Citizen Kane.” It’s beyond unnecessary, but in that lies the genius of it all.
Ayoade’s humor doesn’t resonate with everyone. Best known for his role as Maurice Moss on the British TV comedy “The IT Crowd,” Ayoade’s style of comedy is very silly and dry even by British standards. Ayoade is a very self-aware comedian and seems to know that his specific brand of comedy has limited appeal. Regardless, he forgoes all interest with trying to be appealing for a large audience, seemingly preferring to make himself chuckle. It’s a boldness one might consider reckless when your entire career hinges on attracting as many eyes to your work as possible, but it takes fearlessness to be remembered.
It's hard to gauge his sincerity while reading “Ayoade on Top” but if you take it on it’s face, Ayoade’s admiration for the film seems genuine. I think everyone has a guilty pleasure film they won’t admit their love for when pressed, but Ayoade doesn’t care if you agree with him or not. Deep diving into one of the dumbest topics imaginable, Ayoade manages to create a very readable text explaining and deconstructing a film that barely deserves the viewers’ attention with comedic flair.
If you’re a fan of “View from the Top” or just really enjoy Richard Ayoade’s style of comedy I would recommend this read. It’s light and breezy, and it has enough laughs in it to justify its existence, despite what Ayoade’s publishers think (Ayoade claims they described the book as a “betrayal” while weeping). It’s not for everyone, but it’s the kind of sincere silliness that makes it endearing.
coryaitchison's review against another edition
2.0
A very silly book that analyses the 2003 Gwyneth Paltrow movie A View from the Top, an objectively terrible film, as if it were a cinematic masterpiece. It was funny, but ultimately, just like the movie it is taking to task, a bit pointless!
waypastokay's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
I want to be Richard Ayoade when I grow up. This book is smart and funny, but not as smart or as funny as we know he can be. Worth reading, but I wanted more.