3.5 stars.

I read this particular book because it was conveniently available in our house. At that time, I was in a situation where I needed something short to read. I had placed a hold on Kevin Wilson's latest novel at the library and was waiting for it to become available.

The book is a compilation of short pieces. A significant number of these pieces verge on the absurd, which makes for an interesting and unique reading experience. Interestingly, many of these short works had previously been published in The New Yorker magazine. This gives the collection a certain level of credibility and quality.

Overall, while it may not be a book that I would rave about, it served its purpose well during my waiting period. It provided me with some entertainment and a chance to explore different styles of writing within the short form. I would recommend it to those who enjoy reading short, often strange, stories.

I have always been a huge fan of Steve Martin. I absolutely love his stand-up comedy, which is not only hilarious but also stands the test of time. His movies are equally entertaining, and I always look forward to his appearances on talk shows, award shows, and even the Muppet Show. Additionally, I have really appreciated his books in the past.

However, this particular book left me feeling a bit disappointed. It consists of short, comical essays or articles, but for some reason, it just feels dated. I did manage to chuckle once or twice, and there are a few essays that stand out for their absurd or philosophical humor. For example, one essay had a really unique take on a common topic that made me think.

Overall, though, I wasn't really grabbed by either the comedy or the wit. The humor didn't seem to be sustained throughout the book, and I found myself losing interest after a while. It's a shame, because I had such high expectations. I feel that this is a book that you can probably miss without feeling like you're missing out on something great.

Maybe it's just a matter of personal taste, but for me, this book didn't quite hit the mark. I'll still continue to be a fan of Steve Martin's other work, but I don't think I'll be revisiting this book anytime soon.

I vividly remember that moment. There was nothing but laughter echoing in the air. It was a time when joy seemed to be the only emotion present. I was completely immersed in the experience, loving every single second of it. The laughter was contagious, spreading like wildfire among us. It filled the space and brought a sense of warmth and togetherness. I could feel my heart filled with happiness and contentment. That memory has stayed with me all these years, a precious reminder of a time when life was simple and full of pure joy. I often find myself thinking back to that moment, a smile unconsciously spreading across my face. It was truly a magical and unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever.

The product that I received was not as it was described.

It seems to have some unexpected qualities.

Surprisingly, it contains trace amounts of wit, which gives it a certain charm and humor.

Moreover, there is also seven parts per million of satire in it.

This combination of wit and satire makes the product quite unique and interesting.

However, it is not what I initially expected based on the description.

Nonetheless, it has its own appeal and might even be more engaging than the originally described product.

Perhaps this unexpected twist is what makes it stand out from the rest.

Overall, while it may not be as described, it still has its own merits and qualities that are worth exploring.

I will have to see how this unique combination of wit and satire affects my experience with the product in the long run.

Collection of short pieces. As one would anticipate, it's a diverse assortment.

Some of the entries are short stories, while others resemble comedy sketches more closely.

I had a greater affinity for some than others; in fact, there were a few that I didn't care for much at all.

Nonetheless, when considering the collection as a whole, it's a good one.

Steve Martin himself reads the audio version, which is a significant advantage.

The title truly sums it up.

One has to be in the appropriate mood to relish something like this, and it happened to be just what I needed.

The audio version is merely a couple of hours in length.

I found myself longing for the audio to have a more comprehensive table of contents so that I could easily skip from one story to another.

In life, there is always room for the absurd, and the main feeling for each day is the sense of humor. This is once again confirmed by the collection of stories "Pure Nonsense".

In this book, Steve Martin's humor takes on cosmic proportions. The writer finds the funny in everything, in what can and even cannot be. For example, the reasons for laughter can be: an autobiography and random phone conversations, annotations to medications and instructions for using a slingshot.

Steve Martin achieves particular brilliance in parodies. The author leaves no stone unturned from the restaurant menu, correspondence between readers and the editorial office, popular science reviews and legal tricks. The inventor of CD packaging goes to hell, and the talking horse ponders the topic "Is there a God?". The list of the hundred greatest books read by the author makes one think about the true influence of literature on each of us. But Steve Martin is not satisfied with this either. In one of the stories, the newspaper font announces a lack of dots. Moreover, the story is so exquisitely executed that there is really only one dot in it. And the collection of stories ends with "A Word on Behalf of Words". The word thanks the author for the opportunity to participate in this book.

However, it is thought that in a country where Petrosyan has triumphed and the "Anschlag" show is popular, the humor of Steve Martin's "Pure Nonsense" is elitist and capable of eliciting an adequate reaction from very few... Which is, of course, very bad for the country. "Pure Nonsense" is a sly smile of the intellect, it is humor not even of a style or a phrase (although there are enough phrases for everyday use - I have such an internal indicator - when I start to quote out of the blue). Sometimes it is the humor of letters and punctuation marks. It is a completely different look at the funny, the mastery of playing with meanings, bringing the unassailable truths to absurdity. Not to mention lyricism, tenderness, attention to details and knowledge of human nature...

But to understand all this, the reader needs very little: attention and a working brain... Which in the country of the "Crooked Mirror" and the benefits of Maxim Galkin's maxims is a stumbling block. Digesting crooked old (sometimes not so) people is somehow considered normal, while laughing at the "Problem of 3000" is not. It's a pity...

Martin seems to be practically pleading with a reviewer to offer a critique of his book, perhaps hoping for a clever barb that incorporates the title in a witty way. There's this strong urge within me to do just that, but I must resist. It's almost too easy! Phew.

Thankfully, that crisis has passed. Now, let's talk about the book itself. The essays that make up the entire volume are as inventive and clever as one would anticipate from this great comic writer. For instance, writing about a fake shortage of a certain font's periods while deliberately avoiding using any periods in the article is the kind of amusing, yet not entirely ground-breaking work that you'll come across within these pages. However, even in this relatively short book, I found the whole thing to be a bit tedious by the two-thirds mark. It gives the impression of being a simple money-grab to me. It's a shame really, as there is some genuine talent here, but it just doesn't quite sustain my interest throughout the entire read.

Even though I had a great affection for Steve Martin's memoir titled "Born Standing Up",

truth be told, I have never been an overly enthusiastic fan of his stand-up comedy.

Most of the pieces within this work seemed to possess that same characteristic, that kind of random silliness.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all in favor of silliness as long as it serves a purpose.

And among the pieces in this collection, the ones I liked the most, namely "Bad Dog" and "Hissy Fit" (which were my absolute favorites),

employed that silliness effectively for satirical purposes.

They managed to bring out the absurdities and idiosyncrasies of various aspects of life in a humorous and thought-provoking way.

It was through this combination of silliness and satire that these particular pieces truly stood out and left a lasting impression on me.

Overall, while I may not have been a die-hard fan of Steve Martin's stand-up, these select pieces in his work showed his ability to use silliness to great effect in creating engaging and entertaining satire.

The humor presented here is truly absurd, yet it is also very clever, silly, and incredibly creative.

At times, one can't help but marvel at the inner workings of Steve Martin's brain, which seems to be a wellspring of so many strange and nonsensical ideas.

The piece about the shortage of periods for punctuation was particularly impressive. It shows a unique and imaginative take on a rather mundane topic.

After reading this book, it becomes abundantly clear that Steve Martin is an incredibly gifted writer. He has a certain charm and quirkiness that sets him apart.

He is, in a sense, a mad genius, able to create works that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Without a doubt, after delving into his drivel, I have developed a newfound appreciation for Steve Martin and his creative talents.

His ability to blend humor and absurdity in such a seamless way is truly remarkable.

It makes one wonder what other strange and wonderful ideas he has yet to share with the world.

Overall, this book is a testament to his creativity and his ability to think outside the box.

It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a unique perspective on life.

I have long been a fan of Steve Martin, having thoroughly enjoyed his performances on screen, whether it be on television or in movies. I am also well aware of his remarkable talents in writing and music.

While he has a wonderful voice and did a decent job narrating this collection, I find that I would have likely appreciated the content more had I read it, taking one story at a time.

Unfortunately, when I "binge-listened" to the audio CD (which consists of only two discs) in my car, one story seamlessly blended into the next, resulting in few of them leaving a lasting impression.

In particular, the Schrodinger's cat essay made me feel rather daft. I simply could not follow it at all, although I admit that this may be more my fault than anything else.

Overall, this collection gave the impression of being rushed out by an editor with the sole intention of capitalizing on the Christmas gift market.

It seems to lack the depth and attention to detail that one would expect from a work by Steve Martin.

Perhaps if I had read it instead of listening to it, I would have been able to better appreciate the nuances and subtleties of each story.

As it stands, however, I cannot say that this audio collection was a particularly satisfying experience.

Pure Drivel was exactly what its title suggested. Just by looking at the title, one could expect nothing more. It was an ideal book to have on while cleaning, as you could easily step out of the room and not worry about missing anything crucial. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't outstanding either. It firmly belonged to the meh category.

Steve Martin, who is a great reader and a hilarious person - undoubtedly one of my favorite actors - added some charm to the book and made it somewhat enjoyable. There were a few funny moments here and there, but overall, it was rather forgettable.

It's a good choice for a quick read (or listen, as in my case). So, if you're in the mood for something light and not too substantial, this book might be just what you're looking for. It won't blow your mind, but it can provide a bit of entertainment for a short period.

The audiobook is a curious mixture of Dada and old-school humor, with a few really good parts.

It is produced in a rather sloppy manner. Sometimes, the tracklist on the case doesn't match the tracks on the CD.

It is possible that at least one chapter is missing.

At times, Eckart Dux doesn't speak the chapter headings, and then a completely different voice suddenly chimes in.

This inconsistent production quality detracts from what could have been a more enjoyable listening experience.

However, despite these flaws, there are still some moments in the audiobook that manage to shine through and provide some entertainment.

It's a bit of a hit-or-miss affair, but for those who are willing to overlook the production issues, there may be something here to enjoy.

Overall, it's a unique and somewhat flawed audiobook that may appeal to a niche audience.