Pure Drivel

Rating:
Summary: Love it or hate it
Review: Boy, this book gets either 1 or 5 from people. This book is hilarious if you are smart (i.e., not IQ 131 or below and "slow on the uptake"). Get this book. The chapter on memory problems over 50 is worth the price alone.

Rating:
Summary: It really was Pure Drivel!
Review: Though this book had some extremely funny bits in it, I think it could use some work. Steve Martin's stories were awkward and some just didn't make any sense. A good example of that is the chapter 'Taping My Friends'. I can see why they call this book Pure Drivel!!!

Rating:
Summary: Much better than Cruel Shoes
Review: It seems like the previous reviews have been fairly polarized. The fans of Father of the Bride don't get it and the people who understand wit do. I like to think of myself in the latter category. "Times Roman Font Announces Shortage of Periods," is just about the most clever thing I have read the whole year of 1998. I love how Mr. Martin just obsessess every stupid thing he hears in his life. For instance, "In Search of the Wily Filipino" is an hilarious rant motivated by a simple stupid throwaway comment Marlon Brando made in his infamous Larry King interview. A couple of the pieces are disappointments, but then there would be a good piece coming up right afterwards. Let's hope Steve will write another one of these before making Father of the Bride III.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book! Unintelligent people mat disagree.
Review: This is by far the funniest book I have ever read. Steve Martin wit is so sharp. Anyone who didn't like it either didn't get it or is used to stupid comedy like Adam Sandler, who although very funny, requires no intelligence from his fans. Steve Martin's sophisticated wit is lost on the less intelligent. This book had me crying I was laughing so hard.

Rating:
Summary: WOW! ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW!
Review: I knew Steve Martin could act but I didn't know he could write. 'Wild and Crazy' maybe, but intelligent and witty, definately. He knows what he's doing and I hope he continues to write more. I haven't enjoyed reading so much and I'm serious! I can't see how some of you don't "get it" ;) It's unique, funny, modern and this 20 year gal gives it the thumbs up!

Carly

Rating:
Summary: He's Shakespeare's Brother....
Review: I love this book, and recommend it to all my intelligent and witty cronies. To all the the people who trashed this book ...NO CAN DO. tee hee. I love you, Steve Martin...you intoxicate me in the best sense of the word. Love is a beautiful thing and this book is proof..er, ugh, whatever!

Rating:
Summary: Is there anything he can't do?
Review: I've always admired Steve Martin as an actor, comedian, and even as a musician (have you seen him pluck a banjo?). Now, I can add the word "writer" to my list. Steve is the thinking man's comedian. He has this incredible gift of being able to see the humor in everything, even bird baths. This is obviously a man who loves what he does and, consequently, we love him for it. Why should you buy this book? Three reasons: (1) It's hilarious, (2) You'll not want to put it down, and (3) It's hilarious.

Rating:
Summary: The cover is the funniest part of the book
Review: As others have mentioned, I always thought Steve was the funniest man on earth growing up. I've chuckled at his pieces for The New Yorker at times, but this book just wasn't that funny, even the ones that I thought were hilarious the first time I read them (e.g. "Side Effects"). So it's either a) I've gotten older, b) I wasn't in the right mood when I read the book (quickly, in one day), or c) it isn't funny.

I was thinking that the audio might be better, as you'd have the benefit of Mr. Martin's wonderful delivery, ala Carlin.

Rating:
Summary: Pure Drivel Indeed!
Review: I love Steve Martin, particularly his wonderful comedy albums like "Let's Get Small," and others, all of which are now available on CD. Get them, not this fluffy book that's only remarkable characteristic is that it has no misspellings. This lightweight book is overpriced for its 104 pages, and is so far from the bathos and substance that Martin had in his early years. In a recent interview on Charlie Rose, Martin said this book is the real him. I think not, and hope not. The comic genius he once was has become anesthetized in this book, and I hope one day to see it reawaken. Fame may have been the worst thing that has happened to Steve Martin. He is a fine comic actor, but he has delusions of adequacy if he thinks he can cut is as a comic essayist. Is success the reason he now turns out these inert books? Perhaps. We miss you, Steve!

Rating:
Summary: Pure Drivel
Review: I will go to any movie with Steve Martin in it, but I'll never again read a book by him. This is a weak book, the drivel is very rarely funny, and this is a shadow of the Steve Martin humor.