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Based on a True Story  By  cover art

Based on a True Story

By: Norm Macdonald
Narrated by: Norm Macdonald, Tim O'Halloran
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Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Driving, wild and hilarious” (The Washington Post), here is the incredible “memoir” of the legendary actor, gambler, raconteur, and Saturday Night Live veteran.

When Norm Macdonald, one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time, was approached to write a celebrity memoir, he flatly refused, calling the genre “one step below instruction manuals.” Norm then promptly took a two-year hiatus from stand-up comedy to live on a farm in northern Canada. When he emerged he had under his arm a manuscript, a genre-smashing book about comedy, tragedy, love, loss, war, and redemption. When asked if this was the celebrity memoir, Norm replied, “Call it anything you damn like.”

©2016 Norm Macdonald (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A driving, wild and hilarious ramble of a book, what might have happened had Hunter S. Thompson embedded himself in a network studio.”The Washington Post

“Dostoyevsky by way of 30 Rockefeller Center . . . the best new book I’ve read this year or last.”The Wall Street Journal

“This book is absurd fiction. . . . Scathing and funny.”The New York Times

Editor's Pick

An incredible experience
"There's a reason why Norm MacDonald is revered by so many other comedians, and it's not just because he is a truly hilarious and original comedic voice. It’s because he is, above all else, an incredible storyteller whose love for language and knowledge thereof allows him to do comic cartwheels around his peers. This is a memoir that somehow manages to blur fact and fiction (although, I'm sure MacDonald would take issue with this point) and blends some of the best, most lyrical writing (no joke) with some of the funniest writing I've ever come across. To hear him tell it is an incredible experience."
Doug P., Audible Editor

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Narrator

What listeners say about Based on a True Story

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Crazy. But also great.

Would you listen to Based on a True Story again? Why?

I expect I will listen to it again in a year or so. It was excellent and I am blessed with a short memory.

What did you like best about this story?

I know MacDonald's career fairly well, so it is fun to try to pick to truth from the silliness.

Have you listened to any of Norm Macdonald’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Norm is fantastic.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

In a world...

Any additional comments?

Top notch.

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23 people found this helpful

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NORM!!!

God I love NORM and this book as well. Way to go NORM! You did it!!

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15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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RIP to the goat

I didn't expect his writing skills to be so great. this reads like a Foster Wallace novel. incredible concept

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best ever

You never know how much people mean to you until they are gone. Thanks for all the laughs Norm.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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this one hurts to hear after his passing.

so happy he narrated it himself. if you're a fan, you won't be disappointed. what a gift.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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my favorite comedian! wish he had more books out.

enjoyed the book and will recommend to friends. don't have anymore words to describe it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

Enjoyed every minute of Norm's story. Pure Norman Macdonald through and through. Had to write at least fifteen words.

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  • AS
  • 02-01-17

Weird, wild and unbelievable

It was a wild and unbelievable ride ... and it was hilarious! Only Norm Macdonald could pull off such an incredible story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Classic Norm

So thankful for any new content from Norm and loved the harrowing tale of his life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Mostly Fictional, Entirely Hilarious

This book is a must for Norm fans. His blend of wit and absurdity is delightful.

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