Narrator: Amy Schumer
Release Date: August 16, 2016
Publisher: Gallery Books
Length: 8h 6m
Source: Borrowed via Overdrive
Genre: Memoir | Humor
The Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, writer, and star of Inside Amy Schumer and the acclaimed film Trainwreck has taken the entertainment world by storm with her winning blend of smart, satirical humor. Now, Amy Schumer has written a refreshingly candid and uproariously funny collection of (extremely) personal and observational essays.
In The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, Amy mines her past for stories about her teenage years, her family, relationships, and sex and shares the experiences that have shaped who she is - a woman with the courage to bare her soul to stand up for what she believes in, all while making us laugh.
Ranging from the raucous to the romantic, the heartfelt to the harrowing, this highly entertaining and universally appealing collection is the literary equivalent of a night out with your best friends - an unforgettable and fun adventure that you wish could last forever. Whether she's experiencing lust-at-first-sight while in the airport security line, sharing her own views on love and marriage, admitting to being an introvert, or discovering her cross-fit instructor's secret bad habit, Amy Schumer proves to be a bighearted, brave, and thoughtful storyteller that will leave you nodding your head in recognition, laughing out loud, and sobbing uncontrollably - but only because it's over.
I'm not an Amy Schumer fan. I don't find her stand-up particularly funny, but I do admire her spunk and attitude towards her celebrity fame. And it's this dichotomy of passive admiration that I have for her that pushed me to read her memoir.
Yup, it seems I developed a habit of listening to celebrity memoirs. I admit, curiosity was my main motivation. The day I borrowed the book, my IG feed was bombarded by THE GIRL WITH THE LOWER BACK TATTOO posts and I caved in and started listening. Surprisingly enough, ASchumer's book is worth every minute.
I was expecting the usual: snarky hyperbolic childhood memories followed by ridiculous sexcapades, outrageous celebrity anecdotes, her success story, etc. Granted I got all of those, what I didn't expect was how much of an intellectual ASchumer is! I mean a lot of us are very much acquainted with her comedy, but it's the serious side of ASchumer that won me over. Her view and understanding of situations and people have me impressed because of her humility and sincerity towards whatever it is she's sharing. I didn't realize how much she cares whether it's about bullying, feminism, gun violence, et al, ASchumer is an advocate for the disadvantaged. And despite her snark and fearless clap backs on her critics, she's very generous and kind. Sure, one can say that THE GIRL WITH THE LOWER BACK TATTOO is yet another manufactured publicity stunt, and maybe it is to an extent, but hers conversational pieces on things that mattered is what made a fan out of me.
I'm not sure if I'm still the right audience for her comedy, what I'm sure of is ASchumer just became accessible to me in some way. We probably won't be hobnobbing in this lifetime, but it's nice to know that an influential person cares about the stuff we ordinary people do and that not all celebrities are airhead divas who are more concerned with their paparazzi photos than using their platform for something worthwhile.
Yup, it seems I developed a habit of listening to celebrity memoirs. I admit, curiosity was my main motivation. The day I borrowed the book, my IG feed was bombarded by THE GIRL WITH THE LOWER BACK TATTOO posts and I caved in and started listening. Surprisingly enough, ASchumer's book is worth every minute.
I was expecting the usual: snarky hyperbolic childhood memories followed by ridiculous sexcapades, outrageous celebrity anecdotes, her success story, etc. Granted I got all of those, what I didn't expect was how much of an intellectual ASchumer is! I mean a lot of us are very much acquainted with her comedy, but it's the serious side of ASchumer that won me over. Her view and understanding of situations and people have me impressed because of her humility and sincerity towards whatever it is she's sharing. I didn't realize how much she cares whether it's about bullying, feminism, gun violence, et al, ASchumer is an advocate for the disadvantaged. And despite her snark and fearless clap backs on her critics, she's very generous and kind. Sure, one can say that THE GIRL WITH THE LOWER BACK TATTOO is yet another manufactured publicity stunt, and maybe it is to an extent, but hers conversational pieces on things that mattered is what made a fan out of me.
I'm not sure if I'm still the right audience for her comedy, what I'm sure of is ASchumer just became accessible to me in some way. We probably won't be hobnobbing in this lifetime, but it's nice to know that an influential person cares about the stuff we ordinary people do and that not all celebrities are airhead divas who are more concerned with their paparazzi photos than using their platform for something worthwhile.
I don't really read memoirs I confess but it could be interesting. Well I did because I had one book once about a French TV animator but well. I'm glad you had a nice time
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this. I'm going to see if my library has it in.
ReplyDeletehmmm I'm not a fan of hers either and would never have even considered this read without your review. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of hers either but I am going to listen to this someday. She is fascinating :)
ReplyDeleteI do like Amy - though I've never watched her show - so I really want to read this one. I'm glad that you, as someone who doesn't like her comedy, still really loved it though.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.letsgetbeyondtolerance.blogspot.com
I don't read a lot of memoirs but sometimes one calls to me...for whatever reason. I watch her off and on and it sounds like this is one that I may want to add to my reading list. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I've heard this was really good and I think it even won a Goodreads award this year didn't it? Either way, glad you loved it!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the last time I read a memoir or autobiography.
ReplyDeleteI've been curious about this one, but I'm not a huge fan of her work (mainly because I haven't seen/heard it) lol I'll have to see if my library has this :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see the book worked for you. I struggle with stand up comedians but I do, like you, like her spunk.
ReplyDeleteHa! I was in the bookstore today and seriously considered getting this one. But now that I've read your review, I think I may give it a listen rather than a read. I don't know a lot about Schumer since I don't watch tv but I like what you had to say about her after listening to her story. I like that she seemingly cares about some of the same things I do. And I'd like to get to know the intellectual in her. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've seen this one around a few times, but didn't realize it was a memoir. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteI really like her :D
ReplyDeleteI can't say I'm a hardcore fan, but every time I see her on a program or on Ellen, she's super funny. I also loved her in Trainwrecked that had me laughing out loud. I'm definitely going to grab this from the library,and loved your review! Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you liked this one. I do love books like this that grab your attention and make you laugh along the way.
ReplyDeleteDon't laugh, but I had no idea who she was until I saw a book cover. Glad you enjoyed this one Braine.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like her stand up but I do love her show and have been meaning to read this.
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
I was intrigued by this book so hearing you enjoyed it definitely makes me want it more. Maybe I'll grab the audio. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOh this is another one I was hoping someone I knew would review! I totally want to read this one. I'm not a fan of hers either, I don't find her particularly funny but I do appreciate her blunt attitude and the way she faces things head on and without sugar coating it. I'm definitely going to try and get my hands on this one soon.
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