Helpful Score: 5
Steve Martin is much funnier when seen in a movie or a comedy skit on TV. While this is an amusing read it does not reflect Martin's humor completely.
Helpful Score: 3
I love Steve Martin, but will stick to watching his movies.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a hilariously funny book that only someone with Steve Martin's wit could write.
Helpful Score: 2
Uneven. Some of the pieces are downright hilarious, you will spill milk from you nose. Others, no so much.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is a great respite after a day of turmoil. Or maybe will add some turmoil after a great day?
Helpful Score: 1
Quick, amusing read. His novels are better, but these pieces digest fast, like "Shouts & Murmurs" in _The New Yorker_ (which some of these pieces were).
Helpful Score: 1
Pure Steve Martin. Okay book but his humor is better just straight-out. Good for light reading.
I didn't find this book to be as unbelievably good as his other two, but it's okay if you are really into Steve Martin.
Summary:
Steve Martin has always been one of the most intelligent of comedians (you won't find Adam Sandler writing a play about Einstein and Picasso anytime soon), but this intelligence is manifested in gymnastically absurdist flights of fancy, rather than the politically informed riffs typical of performers like Lenny Bruce. Pure Drivel is a collection of pieces, most of them written for the New Yorker, that demonstrate Martin's playful way with words and his unerring ability to create a feeling of serendipitous improvisation even on the printed page. Here's a passage from a piece that announces a shortage of periods in the Times Roman font:
"Most vulnerable are writers who work in short, choppy sentences," said a spokesperson for Times Roman, who continued, "We are trying to remedy the situation and have suggested alternatives, like umlauts, since we have plenty of umlauts--and, in fact, have more umlauts than we could possibly use in a lifetime! Don't forget, umlauts can really spice up a page with their delicate symmetry--resting often midway in a word, letters spilling on either side--and not only indicate the pronunciation of a word but also contribute to a writer's greater glory because they're fancy, not to mention that they even look like periods, indeed, are indistinguishable from periods, and will lead casual readers to believe that the article actually contains periods!"
Although some of these pieces flirted with topicality when they first appeared, Martin is most successful when he leaves the real world behind and gives his wit free rein. This collection preserves the best (so far) of his glorious improvisations. --Simon Leake
Summary:
Steve Martin has always been one of the most intelligent of comedians (you won't find Adam Sandler writing a play about Einstein and Picasso anytime soon), but this intelligence is manifested in gymnastically absurdist flights of fancy, rather than the politically informed riffs typical of performers like Lenny Bruce. Pure Drivel is a collection of pieces, most of them written for the New Yorker, that demonstrate Martin's playful way with words and his unerring ability to create a feeling of serendipitous improvisation even on the printed page. Here's a passage from a piece that announces a shortage of periods in the Times Roman font:
"Most vulnerable are writers who work in short, choppy sentences," said a spokesperson for Times Roman, who continued, "We are trying to remedy the situation and have suggested alternatives, like umlauts, since we have plenty of umlauts--and, in fact, have more umlauts than we could possibly use in a lifetime! Don't forget, umlauts can really spice up a page with their delicate symmetry--resting often midway in a word, letters spilling on either side--and not only indicate the pronunciation of a word but also contribute to a writer's greater glory because they're fancy, not to mention that they even look like periods, indeed, are indistinguishable from periods, and will lead casual readers to believe that the article actually contains periods!"
Although some of these pieces flirted with topicality when they first appeared, Martin is most successful when he leaves the real world behind and gives his wit free rein. This collection preserves the best (so far) of his glorious improvisations. --Simon Leake
Uneven collection of short snippets, ranging from the utterly silly to the slyly ironic. Can't decide whether my favorite is "Hissy Fit", about a pretentious New York writer journeying to LaLaLand to interview a pretentious film producer, or the nonsensical essay about a shortage of periods in Times New Roman font. (The joke here is that the book is set in one of the Goudy typefaces...)
This collection of essays did not make much sense to me. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood?? I've read one of his novels which was ok. This book didn't do it for me.
"Pure Drivel" describes it well. I was not amused much less entertained. Didn't finish it.
Light hearted, interesting, quick read.
I loved this funny stories from a funny man!!!
Insightful and hilarious essays by the great comedian. Yes, he can write too!
Unfortunately, the title says it all.
Very funny and enjoyable to listen to!
This was drivel. I love Steve Martin but this is not one of his best.
Short stories/random thoughts by comedian Steve Martin
This was a lot funnier than i expected.
Very amusing.
I love steve martin. Very funny book
I love anything by Steve Martin
I love Steve Martin - but this book was not as funny as the actual man.
Actor and comedian Steve Martin authors this hilarious collection of essays.
OMG... So f'ing clever... I was DYING. So good!
This book does not have the jacket cover, otherwise in good condition
Look, I hate Steve Martin and I bought this book because it was a dollar and I'll buy just about anything if it costs a dollar. But if you are a fan it will appeal to you so please take if off my hands so I can get something by someone who doesn't anoy the crap out of me.
