This is the funniest book I’ve read (actually, listened to) in a long time. You may remember the author, John Hodgman, as an occasional contributor to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and as the “PC” character in those Apple computer commercials. This book is basically him just speaking whatever comes to mind on a wide variety of topics, spinning absurd lies and making wild assumptions. Parts of it, like “Great Rivalries in Dungeons & Dragons” or “History’s Worst Men’s Haircuts” fall flat, but other parts are genuinely laugh out loud funny. I particularly liked the parts on the history of hobos and his discussion of the fifty five dramatic situations to consider when writing a book. When it hits, it hits hard.
Part of the hilarity, I think, is that I listened to the audiobook version of this work. While I missed out on some of the gags in visual and table formats, the fact that Hodgman narrates the book himself more than makes up for those lost opportunities. He’s got a fantastic, deadpan tone that contrasts well with the absurd silliness of the book and he really knows his comedic timing. He also has little asides with his “Troubadour” Johnathan, who occasionally breaks in to sing songs (notably snippets from the official songs of the 51 known US States).
Really great stuff. I look forward to hearing more from Hodgman in the near future.
I just requested the audiobook from my library yesterday. It sounds fantastic.
Let me know what you think. It seems to be kind of a love it or hate it kind of thing. I loved it.