Week 12 Prompt
Title: I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons
Author: Kevin Hart
Publication Date: June 6, 2017
Number of Pages: 400
Geographic Setting: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Los
Angeles, California
Time Period: 1979-2017
Subject Headings:
Hart, Kevin,
1979-Comedians; Biography; African American comedians; Motion picture actors
and actresses; HUMOR; SELF-HELP; Motivational & Inspirational.
Type: Biography/ Memoir
Series Notes: Stand-alone
Book Summary:
A book of
life lessons that is simultaneously hilarious and very honest, open with
quality advice. Growing up in North Philadelphia
with a cheating, drug and alcohol abusing father and mother that did everything
she could to hold the family together, Hart turns to comedy and laughter when
he has nothing else. Upon graduating an entering community college for a brief
stint, he dropped out and started working at a shoe store with aspirations of
working for Nike.
Having found
a passion of making his shoe customers laugh, Hart begins to preform at small
clubs. Throughout the next 10 years of his life, Hart experiences the lowest
lows and the highest highs with trying to get in with the big-name comedians,
trying to star in movies and tv shows, and performing wherever he could. Constant
struggles with personal relationships, money, and his career plague this biography.
This is far
from an easy read, Hart lays it all down for his readers, but where he defers
from other comedian biographies is that he does everything he can to allow his
readers to learn from his numerous mistakes and to have hope just as he did.
Reading Elements:
Characterization: Hart is not afraid to be real and
admit his own faults. He skillfully introduces his readers to those in his life
without adding to much of his own bias.
Writing Style: Comedic, chatty, punchy
Pacing: Very fast paced, even when he was telling
side stories, something just propels you forward in-explicitly. His story is
captivating and makes readers want to just keep reading, even if it is longer
than most memoirs.
Tone/Mood: Honest, up-front, genuine,
inspirational, emotional
Annotation:
Brutally
honest and laugh out loud funny, Kevin Hart tells us the story of his success
16-years in the making. Featuring a rough start to life and big dreams, Hart outlines
the pivotal moments of his career and the teachable moments he learned along
the way. Truly inspirational and completely open and honest.
Similar Works:
- Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
- Bossypants by Tina Fey
- The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer
Name of Annotator: Andrea Chronister
I think I might enjoy reading this book, there is just one question: is there much foul language? I can handle small amounts of it, but not too much and I notice with some comedians there seems to be more foul language than I can handle.
ReplyDeleteI'll be very honest, there are no holds barred with this book, including some pretty heavy profanity. I would not recommend it if you tend to shy away from profanity.
DeleteOk, I'm pretty excited about this book. I did not know it existed. Actually, because apparently I live in a cave, I did not know who this person was until I went and saw Jumanji with my kids. In any case, he was utterly hilarious. I read Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher last summer and it was that similar, no-holds-barred kind of writing that you discuss here. I'm glad to see Bossypants on your read-alikes-that one had been on my list for a while now. This is a great annotation!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll have to check this one out, because he is super funny. It will be nice to see a more serious side of him and hear his background story.
ReplyDeleteI love Kevin Hart's comedy! He is so...what would you call it? Spunky? Intense? I don't know, but he's hilarious. It sounds like his book is somewhat inspirational as well. When you say it's not an easy read, I assume he had a pretty bad childhood? I can see that. It's probably what made him so intense. Anyway, great post! I will definitely think about reading this one.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Full points!
ReplyDelete