Reviews

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin

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nashiraprime's review against another edition

4.0

Una vida que vale la pena ser contada
El recorrido de Steve Martin por las calles, clubes y escenarios merece la pena ser contado e inmortalizado. Hay publicadas muchas memorias de buenos y buenas comediantes, pero sus memorias no son relevantes o esclarecedoras. Son memorias sueltas, casi anécdotas reinterpretadas y resignificados. No hay una linealidad, no hay biografía. La ventaja de Martin al escribir sus memorias es que el tiempo no es solo un indicador de la dirección de la historia, sino una capa más de sentido. Es como una dimensión sin la cual no se puede comprender la profundidad de su paso en la comedia ni en la cultura popular. El tiempo, además, es un recurso que empuja a Martin a ser honesto, a romper esa intimidad que tanto protege, pues el tiempo te obliga a cambiar, a reinventarte, a morir y renacer y en ese proceso nunca eres el mismo: no tiene sentido erigir una muralla cada vez que cambias de piel o de camino. Una vida larga y productiva no necesita ser interpretada y agrandada, no necesita apoyarse en los halagos de otros, sino solo en lo que ha sido, lo que ha sembrado. Martin nos deja la tarea de juzgar su trabajo y su persona a nosotros, y nos muestra cómo hacerlo: con honestidad, con una mirada interior, con compasión y aceptación. Un libro hermoso, nostálgico, un libro que nos hace sentir gratitud por poder escuchar con su propia voz, en sus propias palabras, con todo lo bueno y malo, a una leyenda. Se lo recomiendo a todos aquellos que quieran conocer un poco la historia de Steve Martin, de SNL, del standup y de la industria del entretenimiento en los EE.UU. Y en particular, a todos quienes quieran trabajar con la palabra creadora: escritores, comediantes, guionistas, actores.

jpetrevski's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.25

elizcait's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

erinrae's review against another edition

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3.0

I love Steve Martin and am a huge fan of his writing and acting. [b:Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life|773858|Born Standing Up A Comic's Life|Steve Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348034328l/773858._SY75_.jpg|3315115] is a detailed account of Martin's rise to fame, starting with working at Disneyland through his role in the film The Jerk. He describes how diligently he worked on his act, gathering ideas from his jobs at Disney, Knott's Berry Farm, and, later, other comedians on the comedy club circuit. Martin's is a slow track to stardom, which increased my appreciation for his work.

This book does not talk about Martin's work in film other than a bit about The Jerk. If you're expecting to hear anything about The Three Amigos, Planes Trains and Automobiles, or Father of the Bride, you will be disappointed (I was). [b:Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life|773858|Born Standing Up A Comic's Life|Steve Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348034328l/773858._SY75_.jpg|3315115] is truly a chronicle of Martin's experience doing what the title promises– stand-up comedy. Because Martin's stand-up work is so performative, there wasn't much humor in the book. With Martin's comedy, you just kinda have to be in the room to "get it" which is why some of the book fell flat for me.

I finished this book hungry to hear about his experience in film, and lo and behold I learned he has written one which was just published in November! I'll be picking up [b:Number One Is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions|59808205|Number One Is Walking My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions|Steve Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647803815l/59808205._SX50_.jpg|94199725] as soon as I can!