The Dangerous Animals Club

By: Stephen Tobolowsky

Narrated by: Stephen Tobolowsky

Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

If you ran into Stephen Tobolowsky on the street, you would not be mistaken: Yes, you’ve seen him before. A childhood dentist? A former geometry teacher? Your local florist? Tobolowsky is a character actor, one of the most prolific screen and stage presences of our time, having appeared in productions that range from Deadwood to Glee, from Mississippi Burning to Groundhog Day.

But Stephen Tobolowsky, it turns out, is not just an actor; he is also a dazzlingly talented storyteller and writer. He has earned a devoted base of fans for his original stories, told in front of live audiences as well as in a popular podcast. Now, for the first time, he has assembled those stories here. The result is creative mitzvah, a work of art, and a narrative feat that combines biography and essay, ranging in tone from the hilarious to the introspective.

To read these pages is to enter an astonishing world that, like all art, is universal yet individual, familiar yet disquieting. A dangerous world, indeed.

©2012 Stephen Tobolowsky (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Stephen Tobolowsky has found his true calling as a storyteller. He is candid, insightful, often profound, and very, very funny, especially when he recounts his adventures in show business. By blending sharp memories of his childhood with astute, adult observations of the world around him, he weaves a spell not unlike Jean Shepherd or Garrison Keillor… but he has a voice all his own, and I love it." (Leonard Maltin, film critic and author)

"I LOVE THIS!" (Sarah Silverman)

"Great storytelling, beautiful stuff." (Rian Johnson, director of The Brothers Bloom and Brick)

Story Teller

That's it. One of the most brilliant story tellers I have ever heard and I must had a brilliant inquisitive mind. It also provides a very particular insight to Hollywood and an actors life but it's much more than this. I found this book on a list of com

A Fun Listen

Would you listen to The Dangerous Animals Club again? Why?

No, one time through is enough

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dangerous Animals Club?

When I heard that Stephen played Stu, Marcie's husband on Californication it increased my level of enjoyment. It struck me as one of those "close to home" characters.

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

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are several moving moments in the book

Any additional comments?

Stephen comes across as a very clever and talented guy and an excellent story teller.

Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

Stephen Tobolowsky’s “The Dangerous Animals Club” is a charming, insightful, and often funny memoir delivered in the form of non-chronological stories that somehow make perfect sense in their seemingly random sequence. As to be expected, some stories are better than others, but the really good ones are so captivating that I had to stop everything else I was doing and just listen in awe. The not-so-good ones were still okay. And while I was bored by his many bible references, they were short enough to be bearable.

Stephen’s performance was funny and flawless.

I read this book with glee

If you could sum up The Dangerous Animals Club in three words, what would they be?

An Artists life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dangerous Animals Club?

The stories of his life are woven in such a way in and out of time. The life lessons and universal themes were enlightening.

Which character – as performed by Stephen Tobolowsky – was your favorite?

He is the storyteller of his own life as an actor. As good an actor as he is he is a greater storyteller.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Pooch.

Both hilarious and profound

An unexpected gem of a book. Some wonderful stories. Tobolowsky is a true mensch!

Tobolosky is fantastic!

Stephen Tobolosky is amazing. His stories are funny, insightful, philasophical, gripping and fun. His warm tones and downhome way make you feel like your listening to an old friend. I lost myself in his yarns and feel like I have lived along with him.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It's a fun journey that also leaves you with some amazing personal discoveries about people and life.

Near Perfection.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Dangerous Animals Club to be better than the print version?

YES! I imagine it reads very well, but what makes the book so incredibly powerful is hearing it in Tobolowsky's own voice. There are many personal moments, some uplifting, some heartbreaking, and to hear Tobolowsky tell the tale with such passion and emotion made the book for me. Needless to say that is lost in the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

The way Tobolowsky can make you laugh and cry and then laugh again, all in the space of a few minutes.

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

This is one of the few audiobooks that I listened to again within days after finishing it. Considering it is nearly 12 hours long, that is high praise indeed!

I just didn't want to be done with those stories.

The things you never expected to like.....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes.
Fun, funny, touching. I like this guy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dangerous Animals Club?

A kid twirling a venomous snake around his head .

What about Stephen Tobolowsky’s performance did you like?

He puts you into his shoes and walks you through the most touching, curious, hilarious and sad moments of his life.

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

I laughed out loud several times and smiled like an idiot .

Any additional comments?

Now I have to go back and watch the movies that the author has been in.

Hang in there it is good

Any additional comments?

Was ready to delete it after the first 30 min. but glad that I didn't it was very good until the last word. The only thing I had against it was the time line of the stories, keep me confused at times.

God tier story teller

This is much more of a series of stories than it is a memoir. It often feels like the story comes first and the truth is a distant second. With storytelling this good though I can hardly complain. Infinitely engaging. The only part which I did not feel was exaggerated for effect were the theater department stories. Having survived prolonged exposure to collegiate drama culture I can assure you there is no such thing as hyperbole which exceeds the literal, including what's represented in The Dangerous Animals Club.