The Real Animal House

By: Chris Miller

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

The creator of Animal House at last tells the real story of the fraternity that inspired the iconic film: a story far more outrageous (and funny!) than any movie could capture.

Animal House, the film adaptation of stories Chris Miller published in National Lampoon about his experiences at a Dartmouth fraternity, is among the most beloved and successful comedies of all time. In fact, its portrayal of college party life is still imitated on campuses across the country: toga party, anyone? Now, nearly 30 years after the movie hit theaters, there are no taboos left, and Chris Miller can finally answer the fans who all want to know one thing: was it really like that? The answer: yes, but much, much more out of control!

Here, for the first time, are the real stories of Alpha Delta Phi, like the one about the frat brother who entertained the house by lighting his hair on fire (not the hair on his head, however). Or about the pledge who trick-or-treated around campus in a very revealing jack-o-lantern costume. Or about initiation night, when a frozen hot dog became very painful for two rushes. Wild and hilarious, The Real Animal House is a must-listen for any fan of the film and anyone who remembers their college days as a blur of great parties and solid friendship.

©2006 Chris Miller (P)2006 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"Billed as a 'wildly exaggerated memoir', this book by the writer whose autobiographical stories for National Lampoon were the basis of the movie Animal House is exactly what you would expect it to be: loud, raucous, infantile, racy, and very funny." (Booklist)

This book makes the movie look tame.

I always liked reading Chris Miller's short stories in National Lampoon during the 1970's and was glad to find this on audible. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times while listening.
This is in no way highbrow stuff; not porn as another reviewer said, just stories about a bunch of guys who were completely out of control (some lucky to be alive) in college. And yes Lampoon fans, the Night of the Seven Fires is in here.
So wait until the family is out of town, grab a six pack and some camels, put on some James Brown (I know you still have that record), and enjoy.

Pretty good for those who lived on a campus in the 1960’s

Do try it. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll remember. I promise. You’ll also be grossed out.

Reality Stranger than Fiction

While not as slapstick as the movie where tales were cherry-picked from frat lore and had rating concerns, Pinto's "real" sophomore year is funny, bizarre, and a good male escape listen.

got old after a while

I'm an old fan of National Lampoon, Chris Miller, and Animal House, and really liked the first few hours of the book, but it got old after a while. Better to spend your time watching Animal House again.

It's really porn but I LAUGHED beginning to end.

Seriously this book is NASTY. :) But darn it, it's how college life worked! Beer, booze, bimbos and barfing...that pretty much sums this book up to me...one of the best credits I ever used.

If you liked the movie....

What made the experience of listening to The Real Animal House the most enjoyable?

I could imagine where Bluto, Otter and D-Day came from in the movie. It makes the movie even funnier knowing that where they came from was more outrageous than the motion picture.

What did you like best about this story?

Trying to understand how these guys graduated with all of the partying and chaos.

Which scene was your favorite?

Roadtrips!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, sometimes it was a little overwhelming and a bit gross.

Any additional comments?

A good listen and especially if you enjoyed the movie.

A hoot....

The character's antics cracked me up and the ending was rather cute as well.

Sophmoric Comedy... FUN!!!

If you could sum up The Real Animal House in three words, what would they be?

Sophmoric, Outdated, FUN!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Real Animal House?

The Seven Fires..

What does Todd McLaren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Tone

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed... Enjoyed the experience

Any additional comments?

Fun book if you are expecting this particular type of humor. Could be offensive if not prepared for humor or content.

99% mysogenist piffle, 1% titillating local tales ... loved it

Don’t recommend this to anyone who’s synapses are not yet fully formed. But if you have any connection to the Upper Valley and a Seven Sisters education (and/or legacy and/or Ivy League legacy and/or education ...)
Oh, god. I hate myself. I’m going to stop writing now and have a beer. Thanks for writing this book. Brings up a lot of unresolved issues.

Fraternity trash

I really wanted to like this book. I recently reconnected with a bunch of my old frat brothers from 30 yrs ago and hoped this book would reconnect me with good, old memories. Unfortunately, it totally strains the bounds of credulity. I'm a physician who has worked in more ERs than I care to remember, and it is very difficult for the human body to function after consuming as much alcohol as the author claims he and his brothers did in single evenings of partying. At least one of them would have wound up in a hospital with acute alcohol poisoning. No beer goes undrunk, no woman goes unscrewed in this book. A waste of a credit.