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patrickwreed's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely the best book on stand-up comedy I have ever read, that not only cements Stewart Lee in my mind as one of the most important comedy figures of his generation, but has given me reason to look at a wide variety of comics that I have previously overlooked or misinterpreted from a different angle, as well as helping me find the context and justification for my feelings on other comic acts. I don't think you could find anyone with a more obvious love of, and dedication to, the stand-up genre, and the possibilities of what it could stand for.
Probably the best book I've read this year so far.
Probably the best book I've read this year so far.
steveinfact's review against another edition
5.0
Insightful, surprisingly honest, and so funny I almost did a wee out of my cock.
danm93's review against another edition
5.0
A really inspirational, self-effacing and genuinely heartfelt insight into the world of stand-up comedy and the work of Stewart Lee. Lee also at times talks very philosophically about art and the nature of art, which I found/find fascinating, but this isn't obviously everyone's cup of tea. The annotations go into immense detail too, which can make this a bit difficult, but, like Lee's comedy, if you persist with it, it's very rewarding. A must read!*
*Or some other such vague journalistic appraisal.
*Or some other such vague journalistic appraisal.
tommooney's review against another edition
3.0
I love Stewart Lee and this book provides an interesting insight into what goes into producing stand-up comedy. You see a guy performing comedy - especially someone like Lee who uses so much apparent improvisation - and think, 'he's a naturally funny person'.
But this book shows just how much painstaking work goes into every joke, every pretend improvisation, every aspect of the show. Told in the form of transcripts of Lee's comeback shows in the early 2000s, it includes annotations about the source of each joke as well as essays on his mental state at the time.
But this book shows just how much painstaking work goes into every joke, every pretend improvisation, every aspect of the show. Told in the form of transcripts of Lee's comeback shows in the early 2000s, it includes annotations about the source of each joke as well as essays on his mental state at the time.