No Encore for the Donkey

By: Doug Stanhope

Narrated by: Doug Stanhope

Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

Misanthrope. Iconoclast. Apostate. Drunk. Many words have been used to describe Doug Stanhope, but rarely has “hopeful” been one of them. However, heading into 2016, Stanhope peered through the apocalyptic fog and saw a forecast that was more rainbows than acid rain: His first book was set for release, his new stand-up special was in the can, and he was about to film a television pilot with his friend and confidant Johnny Depp. The sharks of Hollywood were circling, and Stanhope’s pockets were filled with chum. The only thing that could stop Doug was himself, and that’s exactly what he did.

First came the booze, then came the pills, then came the stripper, and then, Doug came. A tryst aboard a cruise ship leaves him literally and figuratively adrift when his scorned wife, Bingo, reveals she is in love with another man: a jug-sippin’, guitar-pickin’ hobo. A simple, black-out fling turns out to be a pebble tossed into the lake of you-know-what named 2016, and in No Encore for the Donkey, Stanhope traces the resulting rings.

Written and performed by Stanhope, his third memoir follows the veteran comedian on a quest to save his marriage, his wife, and eventually his wife’s life. Our hero's journey finds Stanhope cuddling with Johnny Depp in his Los Angeles mansion, receiving some much-needed TLC from Marilyn Manson, and - most daunting - building a new hour of comedy in the rusted-out hellscapes of post-industrial America.

Equal parts love letter, road romp, and harrowing condemnation of the failures of America’s mental health care system, No Encore for the Donkey is a hilarious and heartbreaking account of a man balancing on the edge of damnation. With Bingo in a coma and Trump about to be elected, Stanhope sifts through the ruins of his own personal cataclysm in order to answer the big questions: What does it mean to love someone when you can’t love yourself? What is the point of success if you have no one to share it with? And is the end of the world BYOB?  

- Sam Tallent, August 2020 

©2020 Doug Stanhope (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Wow.

After having a daughter who spent months in ICU, this book brought a rush of so many emotions, including the good ones that are difficult to remember years later, while keeping me on the edge of my seat. This is one of my favorite books of all time.

Incredible Read. A thesaurus was put to shame!

This is an incredible read. A breakthrough as a author. Stanhope eloquently writes and reads this book. Honesty pours out of his heart and his words grip the soul twisting it as you listen. I am proud of Stanhope.

I lived 2016 with Doug...

I'm only to chapter 10, but had to stop to review the book. I expect it to only be better from here, and I already know how it ends.

I used to spend a lot of time depressed, drunk, in pain, in my basement, and in my own head wondering what I had worth living for. Most times Doug and his twisted, overlapping, knot filled circle of friends were my only companions. I was a podcast listener almost from the start. These were/are my only friends.

2016 was spent climbing out of that pit. Again, with Doug at my side. I followed my only friends as they trudged through & escaped their own pits. Like them, I think I made it through stronger and wiser.

Now reliving it all inside Doug's head brings it all back with new perspective. This book is golden. The best one yet. Doug's writing has improved immensely even if his ability to read out loud hasn't kept pace. I'm joking but he would agree.

Doug's ability to heap praise on those he loves tells far more about his character than his brand of humor would suggest. I can't recommend this book more. Absolutely beautiful.
Termites for life.

Fabulous

This book is proof of surrounding yourself with good people pays off. Well done Audible team.

Hindsight is 2016

No one should have to endure a year like Doug did. He tells a story that can only make you want to give him a probably too long hug at the merch booth. His openness and humility is the reason we all would give our left arm to watch football at the funhouse just once. With that being said this is a story that will touch your heart and make you think of upping your Patreon monthly contribution. Don’t think do it. You can’t put a price on the content Doug provides.

Not at all what i expected but glad i got it

as a decades long fan this was not at all what i thought id get. but im so incredibly happy i got it. finished it in almost one session. ill probably start again from the beginning monday. some of his best work

A Rare Occasion

Out of the haze and melancholic debauchery that was 2016 for Douglas Stanhope, the coal of his soul and memory is pressured with hindsight and empathy to create a diamond of a book.

A tale of personal failure, compassion, interconnectedness, and the failures of our health care system, this book will leave the reader with a deeper understanding of not only the Stanhope Clan - but of themselves.

His best book yet.

Genius in a vintage leisure suit.

Stanhope never disappoints! Fearless honesty. Comedic rockstar.
The person you really want to trip with!

So Excited

Oh my god. Thank you. The new Stanhope’s here! The new Stanhope’s here! Things are going to start happening to me now.

Enjoyed it!

Very well
written and very entertaining, really enjoyed it! Great Bingo song at the end.

Emotionally raw christ I wish I didn't have to wri

To write f i f t e e n words for this Re view x

not as good as the others

pretty much a rework of podcast episodes..loved the first two books but unfortunately found this got boring and won't be in a hurry to finish it..shame as was looking forward to some new doug

an incredibly deep dive in the shallow waters

i didn't pause it,i bought it,played it,and its 8 AM in the morning after,what a great book

exciting life = good stories

although having an exciting life comes at a cost it makes for 6 hours of a brilliant stories. loved this book, Stanhope is an amazing story teller and an accomplished writer.

Awesome

Huge fan of Doug and the gang. The story filled in so beautifully the background story that was hidden behind the podcasts themselves

Didn't expect it to go where it went!

After listening to Digging Up Mother I was worried this wouldn't live up to my high hopes. I needn't have worried, although the start is a little weaker as it doesn't at first appear to have the over-arching story of the first book (ie. His mother), however, when shit goes down, it *seriously* goes down.

Meatwig send regards funny and tragic

Stanhope has been one of my favourite comedians for years and this work doesn’t disappoint

Brilliant

I've had this title in my library for ages and can't remember why or how I picked it, but it's absolutely hilarious and I shall be listening to more Doug Stanhope!

Stanhope is a genius

any time reading reviews rather than listening to this book is time wasted. crack on.

great fun listen but also heartrending

I loved hearing the background of the AH hoax but the Bingo stories really show true love. Her song at the end gets into you.