lakecake's review against another edition
2.0
There were some interesting bits in here, but also a lot of pointless stuff and kind of disgusting stuff that managed to not be funny. I read this as a bathroom book, for which it's pretty perfect--lots of little stories woven into one big book.
cluckingbell's review against another edition
2.0
I've read or heard so many pithy, one-sentence George Carlin lines---not what I would call jokes, because they always seemed too substantive to be classified that simply---that I thought now that I'm older I'd have a good chance at really appreciating his humor. And it's very possible that I would still enjoy his stand-up. But I did not enjoy this book.
It started off a little hit or miss, so I thought it just needed to build up its momentum, but by the third disc (of six) it was just dull, repetitive, and neither funny nor interesting, without even a redeeming hint of substance. None of the recurring themes/subjects reached a satisfying conclusion, and some of the material felt so tired that I was continually surprised when he referred to something relatively contemporary.
This may have been more palatable as a bedtime read consumed in small portions over a long time, instead of listened to in several-hour chunks on a long road trip. I haven't given up on liking Carlin's work, but I may not bother with the (audio)books in the future.
It started off a little hit or miss, so I thought it just needed to build up its momentum, but by the third disc (of six) it was just dull, repetitive, and neither funny nor interesting, without even a redeeming hint of substance. None of the recurring themes/subjects reached a satisfying conclusion, and some of the material felt so tired that I was continually surprised when he referred to something relatively contemporary.
This may have been more palatable as a bedtime read consumed in small portions over a long time, instead of listened to in several-hour chunks on a long road trip. I haven't given up on liking Carlin's work, but I may not bother with the (audio)books in the future.
thisfishlikestoread's review against another edition
4.0
Cynical,sarcastic,humorous,to the point,real and hit's you hard... if this book were a drink I'd say it would be absinthe.What more can you ask?
eb00kie's review
funny
medium-paced
5.0
I am prejudiced, I'll admit, the title&cover just about made my day. Even if you ignore the fact that it insults the three biggest religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism), the anachronistic cranky mug of author himself in the middle of "Last Supper" truly gets the message across.
Two stars, this book stars at at two stars plus.
I am thoroughly prejudiced, indeed... but then again, I am in college.
Star number three: get the audiobook.
George Carlin (RIP) was a stand-up comedian and there is no one better suited to give us his book the way he himself reads it. This is better than some routines and worse than others, but it is still longer than all of them and who can pass 7h 30 of George Carlin?
Star number four: The author.
For those of you who didn't hear, didn't read or didn't hear of George Carlin, he's the guy who defined "politically incorrect" (no Bill Mahler nonsense, please), broadcasting since the '60's. He's the guy who never got old, who talked about anything, everything. He never seemed to hold anything sacred, including the sacred itself.
He described life in the US as "a front-row seat to the freak show" and had the power and charisma to make you see it.
Star number five: CONTENT. Finally...
This book is a collection of some materials from his shows and a certainly darker approach to the other themes. Carlin has always seen life very differently, and let me put it like this, I'd as soon label it humor as horror. While lacking some of Kurt Vonnegut's style, Carlin paints it no less grotesque.
Two stars, this book stars at at two stars plus.
I am thoroughly prejudiced, indeed... but then again, I am in college.
Star number three: get the audiobook.
George Carlin (RIP) was a stand-up comedian and there is no one better suited to give us his book the way he himself reads it. This is better than some routines and worse than others, but it is still longer than all of them and who can pass 7h 30 of George Carlin?
Star number four: The author.
For those of you who didn't hear, didn't read or didn't hear of George Carlin, he's the guy who defined "politically incorrect" (no Bill Mahler nonsense, please), broadcasting since the '60's. He's the guy who never got old, who talked about anything, everything. He never seemed to hold anything sacred, including the sacred itself.
He described life in the US as "a front-row seat to the freak show" and had the power and charisma to make you see it.
Star number five: CONTENT. Finally...
This book is a collection of some materials from his shows and a certainly darker approach to the other themes. Carlin has always seen life very differently, and let me put it like this, I'd as soon label it humor as horror. While lacking some of Kurt Vonnegut's style, Carlin paints it no less grotesque.
jemmania's review against another edition
3.0
Carlin's book (written in 2005) shares his quips, stories, & observations about politically correct language & an overly sensitive new generation that read as cute & nostalgic in the year 2023. Would've loved to have seen what he would have said about the youth today, he died three short years after this was published.
urikastov's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointed. While still entertaining at times, most of the book seems to be mean-spirited bitching, not all of it funny. More of a crotchety aging man complaining than the wit I was hoping for.
unsecuredstation's review against another edition
2.0
It's entertaining to read his writings almost just as it is entertaining to watch his comedy shows. He uses a lot of counterintuitive ways of looking at things and talking about stuff. I see that mostly as a good thing to try to break static views and shift paradigms. The book does get boring at many instances though. Like I would be scanning pages because I just want to get over with that page or section. So it's not all enjoyable. Also, you can't read it for too long at one time because too much of George Carlin can be annoying sometimes.
jemmania's review
funny
medium-paced
2.75
Carlin's book (written in 2005) shares his quips, stories, & observations about politically correct language & an overly sensitive new generation that read as cute & nostalgic in the year 2023. Would've loved to have seen what he would have said about the youth today, he died three short years after this was published.
meg_leigh's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't *quite* as funny as I wanted it to be, but Carlin was a genius and it's still an enjoyable read.