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Pure Drivel  By  cover art

Pure Drivel

By: Steve Martin
Narrated by: Steve Martin
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Publisher's summary

In this ingeniously funny collection of humorous riffs, those who thought Steve Martin's gifts were confined to the screen will discover what readers of The New Yorker already know: that Martin is a master of the written word. Hilariously funny and intelligent in their skewering of the topic at hand, these pieces, some of which first appeared in The New Yorker, feature Martin at his finest. With a playwright's ear for dialogue, a sense of irony only Martin could muster, and a first-class comic ability to perfectly time the punch line, Pure Drivel will have listeners crying with laughter, and marveling at the fact that in addition to all of his many talents, Steve Martin is also a superb writer.
Don't miss Steve Martin, Christopher Buckley, and other humorists discussing their craft at the New Yorker Festival.
©1998 40 Share Productions, Inc. (P)1998 Simon & Schuster Audio, All Rights Reserved, AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"...humor raised to the abstract." (The New York Times)

What listeners say about Pure Drivel

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

May be dangerous to people with stitches

This book is ths funniest thing written since Woody Allen's Without Feathers. It can make a good claim to be slightly funnier (though not as subtle) as The Hitchiker's Guide. Brilliant timing, inspired wordplay, new inventive comedic concepts, are all utilized to make this an unparalleled lethal combination of humourous innovations. BEWARE: Sid effects may include, laugh generated hernias, rapid humour induced tear expulsion, and peeing yourself. Do not stand on high tension power lines while listening to this audiobook.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Moments of sheer brilliance

I loved just about everything here. Great stuff.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

only a few funny ones

Would you try another book from Steve Martin and/or Steve Martin?

yes

What do you think your next listen will be?

don't know

How did the narrator detract from the book?

not that funny in this one

What character would you cut from Pure Drivel?

don't know

Any additional comments?

would not recommend. The funniest one is the free one Dear Amanda.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Really? Only 2 hours and 14 minutes?

Seemed longer.

I wanted to like it based on the excerpt from the book which was the free download for joining Audible.com. I thought that was wonderful.

The rest of the book -- not so much.

Very forgettable.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Read as only Steve Martin Can

A laugh-out loud read by Steve Martin. Wonderful use of language and some sophisticated humor. The stories aren't all on the same level, but the book was enjoyable.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

This should be a stage act - not an audiobook

Even though I LOVE Steve Martin, one of the best comedians ever and creative as one can possibly be, this is a mix of short stories or pieces with no connecting line of which some are nice however most are boring. I think my opinion may have been different if I was seeing it as a stage act.

My first non-finished audio-book.. Sorry Steve, you are great but this one is not.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Boring Drivel

I would rate this as 1/2 start or no star if I could. Based on what other reviewers said about this being funny I thought I would get this one. This is anything but funny; it's down right boring drivel.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite audio books. Thank you.

This book and its author are at the pinnacle of "straight-faced" humour. I adore this audio book. Thank you, Mr. Martin, for bringing such brilliant frivolity into our lives.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Can I get my money back?

"Pure drivel", precisely. I didn't even bother listening to the whole thing. Sorry, Steve. Just too boring.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What I hoped it would be.

There no false advertising with the title. This book humorous and brings me down to earth in a world filled with worry. It's fun, smart, and simple. I wish there were more books like this.

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1 person found this helpful