November 19, 2012
Jillette (God, No!), renowned stage magic curmudgeon, bares all with a new collection of essays, mixing memoir and cultural observation, in what is mostly a light read, but an undeniably fun one. Those who are primarily fans of Jillette's magic and comedy act will be thrilled by the insight into the origin of his unorthodox and enduring working relationship with his stage partner, Teller, as well as memorable anecdotes of his own early days as a street performer. Even more entertaining are the recollections of his life apart from show business. A reader who might initially find the author a depraved crank may end up rooting for his success and identifying with his unusual morality as he displays a remarkably positive attitude toward the violation of his turkey by a Thanksgiving guest. On balance, the author emerges as a likeable family man, and a soft touch. But that does not diminish the quality of observational pieces like his atheistic analysis of the "I Have a Dream" speech. With all the ground covered, it would be difficult not to find something enjoyable here. B&w photos.
November 1, 2012
Jillette (God, No!, 2011, etc.) nails holidays with sarcasm and sensibility. When the author's opening chapter skewers the Christmas classic "Joy to the World" as a schlocky, joyless yuletide anthem, readers will recognize who and what they're reading. What follows are chapters of mixed-focus essays; some are rambling, some are supremely anecdotal, and others acerbically mock Christian beliefs and steamroll religious politicians. Jillette allows readers a glimpse into his personal life with side chapters on a Houdini-influenced upbringing in Massachusetts, a quirky bath-taking obsession in his 20s, the rise of Penn & Teller from high school buddies to internationally popular stage magicians, and some rather bloated narration about an extortion attempt. Additionally, there's insider commentary of his time on The Celebrity Apprentice ("junior high with a better brand of acne cover up"), an in-depth discussion on his atheistic orientation, lessons learned from an acrimonious interview with Piers Morgan and thoughtful ruminations on gay rights and his two children. Jillette is strongest when poking fun at his own foibles and in a touching, posthumous nod to friendships with author Christopher Hitchens and rock drummer Tommy Ardolino. As an unrepentant nonbeliever in organized religion, Jillette's message may come off as snide and profane, but to the open-minded, his words are funny, dignified and make perfect sense. An outspoken wordsmith offers more intelligent, humorous and against-the-grain perspectives.
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May 15, 2012
Half of Penn & Teller, the world-famous magic act whose long-running Showtime series was nominated for 13 Emmys, Jillette has also flown solo. His latest book gleefully stomps on Christmas carols, Halloween, children's over-the-top birthday parties, and more while recalling the finer moments in life. Wildly funny, but not for the honk-if-you-love-Jesus folks.
Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 15, 2012
Jillette, the taller and more verbose half of Penn & Teller, follows up 2011's God No! with this further exploration of his own atheism. He's dialed back the angry and condescending tone of the earlier book, allowing his intelligence and razor-sharp wit to shine through. He's still aggressive and sometimes crude (plenty of spicy language here), but this time he doesn't give us the impression he thinks we're a bunch of dimwits. The book has some autobiographical elements (Jillette's appearances on The Celebrity Apprentice, for example), but mostly it's a look at various holidays and themed daysChristmas, Halloween, graduation day, the Fourth of July, Easter, April Fool's Day, etc.from the author's delightfully personal angle. He notes, for instance, that Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech doesn't mention religion, or Jesus, or churches, or the word Christian, addressing everyone, not just the devout. This is a much better book than God No! and will surely appeal not only to Penn & Teller fans but also to readers who welcome the opportunity to examine their own deeply held beliefs from a new angle.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)
Starred review from March 25, 2013
Never has anyone so eloquently discussed his passion for the simple pleasures and joys of the everyday as magic man Penn Jillette does in this hilarious and thought-provoking book about atheism and the preposterousness of, well, just about everything. Jillette’s narration is entertaining from the get-go: he’s engaged, active, and witty, commanding listener attention in a way few performers can. His passion for the subject is more than evident, and Jillette shows he is much more than just a magician or a comedian. He’s that rare breed of entertainer who can express himself in a straightforward and honest manner without taking himself too seriously. Jillette’s vigor is contagious and hearing him will make listeners think that the world is not such a bad place after all. A Blue Rider hardcover.