Rating: 
Summary: Awesome book... More detailed than Zmuda's
Review: I loved this book! Was far more detailed a life story than Zmuda's book. Would recommend even if you are not a Kaufman Fan.
Rating: 
Summary: More than informative enough, but not definitive
Review: Since this is the only book to date to go through the entire story of Andy Kaufman, it's probably going to wind up the "definitive" version of his story. And that's kind of a shame.It's not that there isn't illuminating detail here, and it's not that it doesn't look into everything. But Zehme has made some fatal flaws here in telling a truly fascinating story. Some of the other reviewers here have made some complaints that I'm inclined to agree with. For starters, I was already kind of frustrated that there was no index - but realizing from other reviews that he didn't credit sources either is even worse! Now I'm suspicious... Next is definitely the flaw that is grating people here the most - Zehme's really, really pretentious writing style. I agree that it's annoying after a while. This book purports to be the definitive true story of him, but his specualtion left me genuinely confused at times trying to figure out the story - not a good sign. And the "cleverness" of a lot of his writing gives the book a cynicalness that it doesn't need. But probably the biggest, most personal, reason I couldn't like this more than I did - though I do think it's an essential read for Kaufman fans - was that it is a very cold, kind of clinical, book. Zehme, I don't think, gets that much closer to the "true" Andy than anyone else has to date. And in trying to get into Andy's head, Zehme tends to overlook Andy's heart. There's not enough *joy* here, and there were moments of great joy, love, etc. in Andy's life - and even when Zehme goes into them his "clever" writing sours it all for no good reason. Admittedly Andy's life was full of dichotomies, but Zehme doesn't give them all equal weight - which ruins the portrait. "Lost in the Funhouse" is ultimately a story of a man who died, rather than a man who lived. I read the Zmuda book, and although it does have its own flaws (it really took a while to get going) at least it tried to provide a more balanced portrait (and it did have an index). And while the film "Man on the Moon" did have to adapt and alter many events/people for the limitations of filmmaking, at least it came across (for me) as more alive, rounded, and heartfelt. Perhaps someday someone will come up with a biography on Andy that's as informative as "Lost in the Funhouse", but provides more equal emphasis on the various parts of his being and presents it all straightforwardly as in a traditional biography (perhaps taking a clue from Brian Momchilov's wonderful Andy webpages). THEN we would have the definitive Andy book.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly researched and written bio of the man!
Review: Already being an enormous andy Kaufman fan, I still found myself with much to learn about this man while reading this book. Scrupulously researched, it details Andy's entire life, from birth through death(?). Reading this book gives on a true insight into the reasons for both the madness and the genius. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the fascinating psyche of the mad genius himself!
Rating: 
Summary: Choppy writing style takes away from content
Review: This is a self-consciously written book; the "look at how smugly I write" style overwhelms the content throughout the first half of the book. I realize Zehme may be trying to capture and therefore write using Andy Kaufman's style of thinking, but it definitely obstructs any insights that the reader could have gained about Kaufman's personality. There are several humorous descriptions of his comedy, but overall the book is a slow, plodding read. I look forward to reading Bob Zmuda's book now.
Rating:
Summary: PURE GENIUS
Review: Zehme is a visionary. His magazine journalism only hinted at the magnificence contained herein. Biography has never been so good and if you're put off by the writing style, it's only because you're not ready for it. READ THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: A life worth reading about.
Review: Andy Kaufman, is my hero. Iam 55 years old and I am Andy Kaufman's biggest fan. Iam going to be famous one day and Andy will be the first person i thank at the podieum. This book is very long yet highly detailed story of the life of the song and dance man himself, Andy Kaufman. I recommend this book to the people who understand and can relate to this genious. NOT FOR THE CLOSED MINDED! Well see you on the walk of fame
Rating:
Summary: Writing Genius, A New Form
Review: What a carnival ride of masterful prose! Books like this give non-fiction new life. Zehme has taken hold of Andy's own writing style (what a pleasure to know he had one!) and elaborated on it so that we feel both the purity and the loopiness of the subject's very unique sensibility. (If only the movie had taken us on a more unconventional journey like this one!) The only other biography that this recalls is Nick Tosches's extraordinary "Dino" (about Dean Martin)--another reinvention of the stodgy form. Zehme and Tosches are the future, believe me. "Funhouse" is so aptly named; I'm planning on getting re-Lost in those magical pages again and again. This is about writing as much as about dear Andy, who must be flattered that someone cared enough to really get inside of him! Fabulous!. No really!
Rating:
Summary: KAUFMAN
Review: I thought this book was very difficult to follow. The first few chapters have you all over the place. If you are a DIE HARD ANDY KAUFMAN FAN, this book is worth reading. If you are a casual reader then this book probably isn't for you. "Lost in the Funhouse" I thinks falls short of Zmuda's book. I enjoyed what Bob wrote a lot more and it was more of an easy-read.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disjointed writing style--my attention span wavered
Review: I am a huge Andy Kaufman fan, and although I am learning facts about him here that I never knew before, this is an extremely annoying book to read. I believe the author tries to "talk" and "think" like Andy; yet, it comes across as juvenile, intelligence-insulting, and very hard to follow. I think he tries too hard to NOT follow a general writing style, but he fails. While I appreciate the facts contained in this book, it's rough wading through all the other junk to get to them.
Rating: 
Summary: Lost in the Funhouse: The Life and Mind of Andy Kaufman
Review: Bill Zehme, one of America's more unique journalists, has created an enjoyable and easy to read journey into the mind of one of the greatest performance artists of all time--Andy Kaufman. It is a uniquely written chronicle of Andys life, weaving together Zehmes sometimes un-polished but always original writing, quotes and stories from Andys myriad of family and friends(the most interesting of which ranks as George Shapiro's recorded journals regarding his career as Andys agent and "big brother", presenting a great love and renown that George felt towards his amazing friend), and, Andys brilliant own original writing, which consists of everything from Beat-esque poetry to a bizarre one act play. Andy, it turns out, aside from being the most unique performer to come from a mysterious island near the Caspian Sea and beyond, is also an extremely talented writer. Andy, as a maginicent writer with an appreciation for literature (starting with his vast appreciation for beat writing, specifically Kerouac and his masterpiece "On the Road" as a teenager), would certainly enjoy reading this book about his fascinating life, dead or alive, where ever the hell the madman is.
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