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Pure Drivel

steve martin

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'A mix of urbane wit and surreal extrapolations - Douglas Adams meets Flann O'Brien' IndependentWho else but Steve Martin could combine irrefutable evidence that Mars is populated by kittens with a treatise on sledgehammers In this brilliantly witty collection of pieces Steve Martin takes a subversive glimpse at the world and a sideways swipe at the conventional. From memory tips for the over-fifties to his insightful exposition of 'Wittgenstein's Banana', never has 'pure drivel' been so entertaining.

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 16,1998

This edition

Format
144 pages, Paperback
Published
September 4, 2003 by Phoenix (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
ISBN
9780753813959
ASIN
0753813955
Language
English

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About the author

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steve martin

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Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician, and composer. He was raised in Southern California in a Baptist family, where his early influences were working at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and working magic and comedy acts at these and other smaller venues in the area. His ascent to fame picked up when he became a writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later became a frequent guest on the Tonight Show.

In the 1970s, Martin performed his offbeat, absurdist comedy routines before packed houses on national tours. In the 1980s, having branched away from stand-up comedy, he became a successful actor, playwright, and juggler, and eventually earned Emmy, Grammy, and American Comedy awards.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
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39(39%)
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28(28%)
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100 reviews All reviews
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sansensun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Comedian Steve Martin is not only a talented performer on stage and screen but also a highly prolific writer.

His collection of short comedic essays has graced the pages of renowned publications like the New Yorker and many others.

What makes his written work truly unique is that his brand of humor in writing differs significantly from the slapstick movie style that he is also known for.

His pieces, such as "Schrodinger's Cat," are sly, thought-provoking, and sophisticated. They have the remarkable ability to simultaneously amuse the reader and boggle the mind.

Martin's writing takes the reader on a journey through his witty and creative mind, presenting ideas and concepts in a way that is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

Whether you are a fan of his comedic performances or simply appreciate well-written humor, his collection of essays is sure to delight and engage.

It offers a fresh perspective on the world of comedy and showcases Martin's versatility as an artist.

Overall, his written work is a testament to his talent and creativity, and it continues to charm and entertain readers around the world.

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ExoticBankai
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Some reviewers seem to be annoyed by the fact that this book is not simply the King Tut skit. Instead, it is, as you know, really clever writing.

I, on the other hand, liked it very much. In fact, I definitely chuckled out loud on many occasions. And, as is often the case with Steve Martin's writing, I was struck by the surprising tenderness of "Bad Dog".

The book offers a unique blend of humor and depth. It goes beyond the surface-level entertainment of a simple skit and delves into more profound emotions and themes.

Steve Martin's writing style is engaging and witty, making it a pleasure to read. His ability to create characters and situations that are both relatable and entertaining is truly remarkable.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clever writing, humor, and a touch of tenderness. It is a book that will make you laugh out loud and also leave you with something to think about.
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Takano28
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I am not a fan of comedy books written by comedians. They often seem tired and are poorly written. However, "The Pure Drivel" was an exception. It was absolutely hilarious. I truly loved this book. Sadly, I loaned it to a friend who also adored it and then moved away with it.


There isn't a great deal to say about the book other than it is a stream of consciousness by Steve Martin. That fact alone should be enough to sell the book. But if you require more incentive to read it, let's pretend I'm holding your loved one hostage until you do. Of course, I'd never actually do that, but it's a fun pretence. Every day that you don't read the book, I'll only provide your loved one with 3 meals and no desserts. Just think about the suffering you would be subjecting them to.

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Sho0gun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This book is not new.

It has been in existence for a while, yet I just managed to get around to reading it.

I am glad that I waited because I believe it was the perfect moment for me to read a bit of what some might consider drivel.

Surprisingly, this drivel turned out to be a sort of tonic during the last few depressing days.

As I read each essay, I could vividly hear Steve's delivery in my mind.

Admittedly, not all of the essays are absolute winners, but that didn't matter to me at all.

He manages to amuse me a whopping 99% of the time.

Thank goodness for that!

It's truly a blessing to have such a source of entertainment and light-heartedness in the midst of the gloom.

His words have the power to lift my spirits and make me forget about the troubles for a while.

I'm looking forward to seeing what else this book has in store for me.

Maybe there are more hidden gems of humor and wit waiting to be discovered.

Who knows? But one thing is for sure, I'm enjoying this reading experience immensely.

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DScribe492
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The first few essays (or perhaps they could be called articles of drivel?) were truly hilarious. I couldn't help but read them aloud, in their entirety, to my partner. All the while, I was trying my hardest not to burst out laughing.

However, the remainder of the essays did not amuse me to quite the same extent, although they were still rather entertaining. Some of them read like the account of a dream. For instance, Sharon crossing her legs in the middle of having sex with Steve, and then suddenly her publicist is there as well, chiming into a completely tangential conversation.

I am a big fan of Martin's unique brand of silly-but-sharp comedy. I understand that this style of writing will not appeal to everyone's taste. But for me, it provides a welcome escape from the mundane and a chance to have a good laugh.

Overall, I found this collection of essays to be an enjoyable read, despite the fact that not every single one of them was a knockout. It's always refreshing to come across writing that is unafraid to be a little bit absurd and push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or normal.

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hl54321
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Meh.

This particular work is not nearly as funny as Steve Martin's other stuff.

Steve Martin is widely known for his comedic genius and has produced many hilarious works throughout his career.

However, this one seems to fall short in comparison.

It lacks the wit, charm, and unique humor that is characteristic of his other creations.

Perhaps it's because of the subject matter or the way it's presented.

Whatever the reason, it just doesn't have the same impact as his previous works.

Nonetheless, Steve Martin's body of work is still highly regarded, and this one should not overshadow his many other comedic achievements.

Hopefully, he will continue to produce more hilarious content in the future.
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BlueKite
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Witty, dry, and full of ridiculousness, the talented Steve Martin is truly one of a kind!

His unique perspective on the banal aspects of life shines through in all of his works. With a sharp wit and a keen eye for the absurd, he manages to find humor and meaning in the most ordinary of situations.

What sets Martin apart is his ability to deliver a last-second intelligent uppercut, driving home his point with a clever twist or a unexpected punchline. Whether it's through his stand-up comedy, his writing, or his acting, he always manages to leave his audience in stitches and with a newfound appreciation for the world around them.

Steve Martin is definitely an original, and his contributions to the world of entertainment will be remembered for years to come. His work is a testament to the power of humor and the ability to find joy in the simplest of things.
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WaryNiklas
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Pure genius.

Pure funny.

Pure… indeed, it's a word that begins to seem rather strange when repeated numerous times in succession. Pure Pure Pure Pure Pure Pure Pure Pure. It sounds as if you're engaged in playing with a toy spaceship and creating the sounds of a laser gun.

Anyway, this is a truly remarkable book penned by a genuine comic genius.

The author's ability to infuse humor and wit into every page is simply outstanding.

The storylines are engaging, the characters are vivid, and the dialogue is both clever and hilarious.

It's a book that will have you laughing out loud from start to finish.

Whether you're a fan of comedy or simply looking for an entertaining read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

You won't be disappointed.
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