Fans of Jillette’s outspoken sarcasm and indecency will not be disappointed.
Admittedly digressive, tangential collection of random thoughts and observations about life from the perspective of a wise-cracking atheist.
Critically acclaimed magician and comedian Jillette (The Bible of Unspeakable Truths, 2010, etc.) organizes his latest into chapters that replace each of the Ten Commandments with an atheistic suggestion on how to live life. As such, the author creates his own atheist-libertarian manifesto aimed to disgust and enrage any God-loving churchgoer who dares to peruse even a few pages. Many of his stories, however, do not directly preach atheism or criticize organized religion but instead illustrate “how one goofy atheist lives his life in turn-of-the-century America.” Jillette delivers provocative commentary on a variety of controversial topics, such as global warming, 9/11 and airline security. These thoughts are interspersed with personal anecdotes about his outrageous adventures and escapades before and after becoming a celebrity, including sex while scuba-diving, relationships with strippers and a mishap involving a hair dryer and scorched genitals. While Jillette writes with a witty finesse that certainly adds humor to his stories, it is usually masked underneath layers of unbridled profanity and vulgarity. Favoring shock value, the author gives the impression that he would be extremely disappointed if his audience did not find him offensive.
Fans of Jillette’s outspoken sarcasm and indecency will not be disappointed.Pub Date: Aug. 16, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4516-1036-9
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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