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yates9's review against another edition
3.0
The book is not funny enough, not scientific enough, not journalistic enough... but an ok mix of all three. While it offers a warm perspective and strong concept it doesn’t quite do its job.
The science needed more science, the comedy more humour, the meeting with other conedians more interviews.
The last part of the book is much more interesting and comes with valuable insight and deep consideration.
The science needed more science, the comedy more humour, the meeting with other conedians more interviews.
The last part of the book is much more interesting and comes with valuable insight and deep consideration.
didactylos's review against another edition
5.0
A deep exploration about the human condition disguised as a book about stand up. Very honest and very moving. Thank you.
briangal's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this. I'm a fan of Robin's wittering anyway, but this gave me a dose of 'it's not just me, then' in relation to what goes on in the human mind.
saccalai's review against another edition
2.0
This book took me quite a few attempts to get into it and actually stick with it. It just wasn't as absorbing as I expected or hoped, which was really disappointing. In the end I listened to the audiobook at a pretty high speed and enjoyed it a little bit more that way.
There were some interesting sections and I liked finding out about the science and psychology behind people's need for performing and hearing comedy. I also enjoyed the parts involving some of my other favourite comedians or scientists. There were some relatable anecdotes too. Overall though, I found it a bit of a mish mash of chapters that didn't necessarily have any kind of flow through the book. I'm not sure what I was supposed to get out of it either, as a conclusion.
Of course it was also full of Robin Ince's trademark ramblings and humour which made it a little easier to read.
There were some interesting sections and I liked finding out about the science and psychology behind people's need for performing and hearing comedy. I also enjoyed the parts involving some of my other favourite comedians or scientists. There were some relatable anecdotes too. Overall though, I found it a bit of a mish mash of chapters that didn't necessarily have any kind of flow through the book. I'm not sure what I was supposed to get out of it either, as a conclusion.
Of course it was also full of Robin Ince's trademark ramblings and humour which made it a little easier to read.
saarahn's review against another edition
5.0
More than fascinating...
Robin Ince wrote this book to figure out if the world could learn anything from the life and experience of a comedian. His other motivation was to see whether everyone is equallly mad: so that we can embrace our 'hidden eccentricities, safe in the knowledge that many other minds contain absurd trains of thought.'[pg 7-8]
This is a comedian's glance into psychology and then, psychological stances on the art of comedy and comedians, themselves. Ince interviews a number of psychologists, asking questions in relation to his past and his career as a stand-up. There's a lot to be gained from reading this book, you get a sort-of inside look into the lives of multiple popular comedians.
These days nearly everyone is a psychology expert, we are all drawn to books that aspire to help us understand ourselves and others we know. But, for me, this was the first time I've read such a book by a comedian. And it seems so very fitting- if not a psychologist, why not a comedian? The latter would at least keep you entertained!
Ince discusses having personas which I thought to be fascinating. These "other selves" who change through life, sometimes we don't notice this creation but with comedians, the persona is the act. They craft and alter it until it only reflects what they want to be seen. Quite manipulative, I thought but there are also instances, as Ince describes, when the persona and real self become so melded it is difficult to distinguish between them.
Ince writes in a storyteller's prose, with deep reflections and personal insights cropping up all the while. It is not so much a frantic scribbling down of ideas but a thoughtful look at an art form. It's a journey towards a better understanding of comedy and the people behind it. Ince reads as a humorous but also anxious and over-thinking individual, and I think that makes him the best person to have written on this subject. I especially enjoyed reading his take on internal voices/inner monologues!
Ince, closer to the end concludes that comedy is the only thing comedians take seriously. But that it's used to help make sense of the world, the past and that which remains unknown or uncertain. This, I suppose, sustains it and why most of us agree it's a source of comfort. And why, I think we all should take it a little bit more seriously: Ince compassionately discusses the role of comedy in times of grief and anxiety.
This book is a valuable, thoughtful resource- I recommend.
I received this book from the publisher for review consideration.
Robin Ince wrote this book to figure out if the world could learn anything from the life and experience of a comedian. His other motivation was to see whether everyone is equallly mad: so that we can embrace our 'hidden eccentricities, safe in the knowledge that many other minds contain absurd trains of thought.'[pg 7-8]
This is a comedian's glance into psychology and then, psychological stances on the art of comedy and comedians, themselves. Ince interviews a number of psychologists, asking questions in relation to his past and his career as a stand-up. There's a lot to be gained from reading this book, you get a sort-of inside look into the lives of multiple popular comedians.
These days nearly everyone is a psychology expert, we are all drawn to books that aspire to help us understand ourselves and others we know. But, for me, this was the first time I've read such a book by a comedian. And it seems so very fitting- if not a psychologist, why not a comedian? The latter would at least keep you entertained!
Ince discusses having personas which I thought to be fascinating. These "other selves" who change through life, sometimes we don't notice this creation but with comedians, the persona is the act. They craft and alter it until it only reflects what they want to be seen. Quite manipulative, I thought but there are also instances, as Ince describes, when the persona and real self become so melded it is difficult to distinguish between them.
Ince writes in a storyteller's prose, with deep reflections and personal insights cropping up all the while. It is not so much a frantic scribbling down of ideas but a thoughtful look at an art form. It's a journey towards a better understanding of comedy and the people behind it. Ince reads as a humorous but also anxious and over-thinking individual, and I think that makes him the best person to have written on this subject. I especially enjoyed reading his take on internal voices/inner monologues!
Ince, closer to the end concludes that comedy is the only thing comedians take seriously. But that it's used to help make sense of the world, the past and that which remains unknown or uncertain. This, I suppose, sustains it and why most of us agree it's a source of comfort. And why, I think we all should take it a little bit more seriously: Ince compassionately discusses the role of comedy in times of grief and anxiety.
This book is a valuable, thoughtful resource- I recommend.
I received this book from the publisher for review consideration.
rworrall78's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
If I was a comedy nerd this would be a full 5 stars but as this is a recommendations app I've rated it based on how much it reached into my mind and heart. The Robin's turn of phrase is wonderful. The psychological and science bits as well as the real life stories were really interesting. The creative mind and the comedy geek stuff I can only really look at as an outsider. I like the idea of there not being creative and non-creative people but my creativity doesn't come with such restless insistence.
clarajp5's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed 'I'm a Joke and so are You' due to its truthfulness and the pure sincerity it was written with. I felt intrigued by the ideas and thought processes of Robin Ince, and I thought that the imagery and anecdotes used were relatable and accessible to any reader. There was an extreme lack of pomposity, even when the points or ideas written about were scientific or analytical; this is something that writers of this genre often struggle with. There was a beautiful balance between the writer's own experiences, discussions with other comedians and factual knowledge, which led to a truly interesting read. There was a clear message behind the book, which I found important to today's society, and relevant to many of our lives. The references to comedians who have recently passed were stunningly touching.