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.
roseofoulesfame's review against another edition
3.0
This was one of the books I received in my surprise box of 30 books from the Wigtown Book Festival last summer and definitely not - despite being, oooooh, a signed copy - a book I would have picked out for myself.
It's a weird one - Ince spends the whole thing musing in a sort of gentle, rambling way about life, the universe and everything AKA what makes us tick AKA anxiety, childhood trauma, imposter syndrome, grief, you know, all that famously winning comedic material. It doesn't tell us anything groundbreaking but is a surprisingly cosy read (the bits with Ricky Gervais notwithstanding).
It's a weird one - Ince spends the whole thing musing in a sort of gentle, rambling way about life, the universe and everything AKA what makes us tick AKA anxiety, childhood trauma, imposter syndrome, grief, you know, all that famously winning comedic material. It doesn't tell us anything groundbreaking but is a surprisingly cosy read (the bits with Ricky Gervais notwithstanding).
gotossmycausticsalad's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
books_of_an_evening's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
sanchitrml's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've read this year. Robin Ince manages to stay utterly hilarious and inspiringly profound at the same time, in almost every paragraph. I have developed a newfound respect for comedy and comedians.