Click to order on Amazon
Amy Poehler is naturally funny. In this memoir of her life as a comedian, you learn about her as a person. She suffered the hard road to success and makes it clear that it isn’t easy. But, her desire to do what she loved outweighed roaches in her apartment or no heat in the winter. She gave up a lot and managed to make it to the top. Not everyone can do that nor has the talent as well as the passion to do so. Her story gives budding actors a bit of hope but it also demonstrates that the path is not for the feint heart.
I underlined a lot of things in this book because she nails so much. She doesn’t hold back. She tells you what she thinks, right or wrong, good or bad. Here are a few things she said about writing:
Everyone lies about writing. They lie about how easy it is or how hard it was. The truth is writing is this: hard and boring and occasionally great but usually not.
She quoted
This book not only describes Amy’s career, but she also talks about herself. She shares her innermost thoughts and insecurities. I thought it was interesting that such a public person could describe herself with “social anxiety.” When she talks about her appearance, she points out all her negatives and gives credit for knowing those things through the little voice that never goes away in her head. That voice we all share.
Amy came from a rather normal family background. She has good parents and a very supportive relationship with her younger brother. She doesn’t carry baggage from that world.
If you can get through the four-letter words and the rather length descriptions of scenes and events from SNL and Parks and Recreation, you will enjoy this book. I ended up having to skim a great deal. Nonetheless the writing full of funny, spot-on metaphors kept me reading.
My four stars are really 3.5.
Leave a Reply