This is an older book that lacks timelessness.

The name itself gives a good indication of its nature.

While there are a few funny moments scattered throughout, overall, I found it to be rather dry and unengaging.

Some of the author's references might be considered offensive in today's politically correct climate.

I have typically enjoyed his storytelling, but this particular book was just too random and disjointed for my personal taste.

It seemed to lack a clear focus or direction, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the narrative.

Perhaps those with a more eclectic or open-minded reading preference might find more to enjoy in this book, but for me, it simply didn't hit the mark.

Despite its age, I had hoped for a more engaging and thought-provoking read, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.

Nobody moves from serious to silly and back again with the quicksilver grace of Steve Martin.

You expect it if you know his work, and yet he still manages to surprise you. This collection of essays, mostly written for the New Yorker magazine and New York Times Magazine in the 1990s, represents Martin's attempts to reconnect with his original love of comedy after decades of arduous work and remarkable success.

He was on a self-imposed hiatus to rejuvenate, but ended up creating a substantial body of work during that time.

A few of the essays are a bit dated, falling into the you-had-to-be-there category. Some made me smile, while others made me laugh out loud. However, I believe my personal reaction should not serve as a guide for anyone else because Martin's work will resonate differently with everyone, at different times, much like touching different keys on a piano.

Sometimes the silliness hits you in just the right spot, sometimes his irony makes you think deeply, and sometimes he simply makes you feel glad to be alive, especially when watching him dance with Lily Tomlin. Pure Drivel is a happy, thoughtful, sarcastic, and delightful collection, just like the man who penned it.

Plenty of funny material is presented here, although there are a few less amusing pieces as well.

Favorites include "Dear Amanda", which is a story told in letters. Then there is "The Nature of Matter and Its Antecedents", where Hollywood A-listers are also scientists. "Lolita at Fifty" is another interesting one, yes, referring to the Nabokov character. And "Closure" rounds out the list.

Kundera was just too wordy. Sometimes, the delete key truly is your greatest friend. As stated in "Writing Is Easy!".

Many very fine writers get intimidated when they have to write the way people really talk. But actually, it's quite easy. Simply lower your IQ by fifty and start typing! Also from "Writing Is Easy!".

Finally, there is the bosomy sexuality of Times Roman, as described in "Times Roman Font Announces Shortage of Periods".

I was listening to the audio in the car. It was so hilarious that I couldn't stop laughing. As a result, there were several near accidents. I was completely immersed in the entertainment provided by the audio, not realizing the potential danger on the road. The moments when I was on the verge of crashing due to my laughter were truly terrifying. It made me realize that while having fun is important, safety should always come first. From now on, I will be more cautious when listening to audio in the car and make sure not to let my emotions affect my driving. I need to focus on the road and be responsible for my own safety and the safety of others.

Martin has always been a bit of a mixed bag for me.

I absolutely adored The Pleasure of My Company. It was a captivating read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

However, when it came to Shopgirl, I was left feeling rather indifferent. It just didn't have the same charm or appeal for me.

This latest offering from Martin is even more of a disappointment. It's a step below the "meh" level, and I would definitely place it in the "blech" category.

On the plus side, at least the title is appropriate. It accurately reflects my feelings towards the book.

Going to the library to find Mark Twain's travel books, I was directed to the humor section. There I came across the three thin volumes that form the basis of this triple review. Generally speaking, it's probably not fair to the authors to compare their respective works, but I'll exercise the prerogative anyway because these are all so similar (and who's gonna stop me). Each of these books weighs in at a squidge over 100 pages, with about 20 short essays that achieve absurdity mostly by putting banal material in exotic contexts, or vice-versa.

Steve Martin's Pure Drivel is the funniest. Martin writes mostly as his Jerk character, a hyper-arrogant naïf whose self-assurance is wholly unjustified by his intelligence. The first three chapters are: (1) A Public Apology, about a politician prepping for his latest campaign by publicly acknowledging his past gaffes from prison; (2) Writing is Easy!, a hack's quid erat demonstrandum; and (3) Yes, in My Own Backyard, in which the author explains how he came to conclude that his birdbath was a sculpture by Raphael. Drivel is driven by wordplay, showing Martin's appreciation of language for both its sound and its function as a logic machine. There's a great chapter on introducing the sledgehammer to the beginner, with hilarious definitions of words like "thunk" and "clanker". The logic machine is used throughout, like in Writing is Easy! and the closing essay, which is a salutation from the words of the book as dictated by "Underpants".

Ian Frazier's Coyote v. Acme is also very funny. Most of Frazier's chapters spin off established conventions, like Coyote, which presents the plaintiff's product liability complaint against the Acme company for Wile E.'s injuries. Line 46a is the IRS FAQ sheet about the new regulation requiring taxpayers to choose between death and life as an assassin, and Have You Ever is a questionnaire for prospective policyholders of an insurer who services soap opera characters. Coyote's level of funny is up there with Martin's, but its mimicry can also be a flaw. At some point, reading rip-offs of tedious genres gets tiresome. But I have to quote one of Frazier's literal takes on the comment, "she had a laugh that was like brandy by firelight": "Slivovitz Old Plum. Lit match in the stuff between subway rails. 'A-hilk a-hilk a har har har hilk hilk hilk hilk hilk hilk hilk hilk.'". So classy.
Woody Allen's Mere Anarchy comes up last and is very disappointing. As a fan of his other work, I was let down by the narcissism in this book. Like Martin and Frazier, Allen loves wordplay, but in his case, it seems more about showing off his erudition than having fun with language. In an otherwise good fish-out-of-water scenario, the constant obfuscating banter detracts from the humor. The verbal tics are everywhere, and by page 63, I'd had enough. Nonsense is great when it has a sense of logic, like in Lewis Carroll's work, but here Woody's too busy using his Thesaurus and loses the juice. Woody Allen could be as funny as Frazier if he let his ego get out of the way. If he added a bit of Steve Martin's humility to his work, it would be even better. After all, the first rule of comedy is to be able to laugh at yourself. Seriously.

This book is precisely what it claims to be. It is pure drivel.

Many of these essays had a hit-or-miss quality. In my opinion, the first half was definitely superior.

However, the second half completely deteriorated into such absolute nonsense that I was unable to follow anything.

It is without a doubt amusing, and no one can dispute that Steve Martin is an outstanding writer.

His unique style and sense of humor shine through in these pages, even if some of the content may seem a bit far-fetched or absurd at times.

Overall, while this book may not be everyone's cup of tea, it does offer some entertaining and thought-provoking moments that are worth exploring.

Aptly titled!

Just like a significant portion of his absurdist humor, this particular piece has its share of both successes and failures. It's a bit of a mixed bag, really. However, within this collection of comical offerings, there are undoubtedly a few genuine gems to be discovered.

Some of the jokes and scenarios presented here are truly laugh-out-loud moments that manage to capture the essence of absurdity in the most delightful way. They have a certain charm and wit that can bring a smile to one's face. On the other hand, there are also some parts that might not quite land as well, perhaps due to being a bit too far-fetched or not quite hitting the right comical note.

Nonetheless, overall, it's an interesting exploration of the author's unique brand of absurdist humor, with enough standout moments to make it worth a read or a watch for those who enjoy this particular style of comedy.

For all you readers,

I would like to wholeheartedly recommend two books that I believe you will find truly captivating. The first one is "Lolita at 50," which offers a unique perspective and exploration of this classic novel. It delves into the various aspects and interpretations that have emerged over the years, making it a fascinating read for both new and old fans of "Lolita."

The second book on my recommendation list is "The Hundred Greatest Books That I've Read." As the title suggests, it presents a curated selection of what the author deems as the most significant and influential books. This collection not only provides a great source of inspiration for your own reading journey but also offers interesting insights and commentaries on each book.

Both of these books are written with the typical weird and humorous style that Steve Martin is known for. His wit and charm shine through on every page, making the reading experience not only enjoyable but also highly entertaining. I would rate these books 3.5 stars, as they offer a great combination of engaging content and Steve Martin's unique brand of humour. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of these books and embark on a literary adventure today!

Not my type of humor. I couldn't finish it. To be honest, Martin is more goofy than funny as far as I am concerned. His actions and words seem rather absurd and lack the kind of wit and intelligence that I usually find in humorous content. It's as if he is trying too hard to be funny, but instead, it just comes across as silly and forced. Maybe some people might find his antics entertaining, but for me, it's just not hitting the mark. I prefer a more sophisticated and clever brand of humor that makes me think and laugh at the same time. Martin's style is just too juvenile and unrefined for my taste.

This book is truly hilarious!

However, it's important to note that I have a particular affinity for Steve Martin. His unique brand of humor always manages to tickle my funny bone.

Among all the wonderful parts in the book, my absolute favorite has to be "Sledgehammer." It's a segment that is filled with Martin's trademark wit and charm.

The way he presents the story and the characters is both entertaining and engaging. I find myself laughing out loud every time I read this part.

Overall, this book is a great read, especially for fans of Steve Martin. It's a collection of his comical musings and stories that are sure to brighten up your day.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh and a lighthearted read.

Pure Drivel by Steve Martin (Hyperion 1998)(818). This particular work is a compilation of the driest essays that have ever emerged from the highly fertile mind of Steve Martin. It's quite evident that he was having an off day when he put pen to paper and composed this collection. Although they are labeled as essays, they lack the humor and comedic elements that one might expect from a writer of Martin's caliber. In my opinion, it's an average piece of work. I would rate it a 6 out of 10. I completed reading it in the year 2000. Despite its shortcomings, there are still some aspects of the book that managed to hold my attention. However, overall, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.