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Pure Drivel
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Pure Drivel
Author: Steve Martin

Book Information
Publisher: Hyperion
Book Type: Hardcover
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780786864676 - ISBN-10: 0786864672
Publication Date: 9/16/1998
Pages: 112


Other Versions of this Book: Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD, Hardcover, Paperback

Book Description:

Steve Martin's talent has always defied definition: an actor who's kept us riveted for over 25 years, a razor-sharp screenwriter, an acclaimed playwright. In this ingeniously funny collection of humorous riffs, those who thought Martin's gifts were confined to the screen will discover what readers of The New Yorker magazine already know: that Martin is a master of the written word.

Hilariously funny and intelligent in their skewering of the topic at hand, the audiobook's pieces, some of which first appeared in The New Yorker, feature Martin at his finest.

With a playwright's ear for dialogue, a sense of irony only Steve Martin could muster, and a first-class comic ability to perfectly time the punch line, Pure Drivel will have listeners crying with laughter, and marveling at the fact that in addition to all of his many talents, Steve Martin is also a superb writer.


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Top Member Book Reviews

Toni B. (Twintoni) wrote on 7/22/2005...

5 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Amara R. (maramayhem) wrote on 5/29/2008...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Kelly P. wrote on 2/19/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Short stories/random thoughts by comedian Steve Martin

Nancy T. (SouthernMT) - Minden, LA wrote on 11/7/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is a hilariously funny book that only someone with Steve Martin's wit could write.

Rick M. (giebeman) wrote on 12/7/2005...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book is a great respite after a day of turmoil. Or maybe will add some turmoil after a great day?

Rebekah H. wrote on 2/9/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This was a lot funnier than i expected.

Nora S. (biblegirl06) wrote on 4/30/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Steve Martin's talent has always deifed defintion: an actor who's kept us riveted for over 25 years, a razor-sharp screenwriter, an acclained playwright. In this ingeniously funny collection of humorus riffs, those who thought Martin's gifts were confined to the screen will discover what readings of The New Yorker magazine already know: that Martin is a master of the written world.

Rachel B. wrote on 4/29/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Actor and comedian Steve Martin authors this hilarious collection of essays.

Meredith S. (meredith) wrote on 2/22/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Very amusing.

Lori U. (oneangel) wrote on 6/17/2005...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Jeanne H. (penguinmama) wrote on 4/11/2007...


I love anything by Steve Martin

Linda J. wrote on 12/6/2006...


This book does not have the jacket cover, otherwise in good condition

Michelle D. wrote on 11/24/2006...


Very Fuuny

Chris J. wrote on 8/19/2006...


I love Steve Martin - but this book was not as funny as the actual man.

Suzanne R. (Suzanne60637) wrote on 11/21/2005...


Funny!

Auliya B. (auliya) wrote on 10/29/2005...


OMG... So f'ing clever... I was DYING. So good!

Lara P. wrote on 10/29/2005...


I love steve martin. Very funny book


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