Born Standing Up

Just finished Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life, by Steve Martin. He traces the development of his comedy from his childhood through about 1981, when he quit doing stand-up comedy. As I was reading it, I appreciated the insight into his place in the history of comedy, but as I finished it, it suddenly struck me that Steve Martin had a pretty powerful influence on me. I guess it’s because he was becoming a superstar just as my adolescent brain was waking up. It’s odd that that influence has remained dormant and unnoticed for so many years … It’s probably because stand-up comedy is more ephemeral than, say, sketch comedy, so Monty Python and Saturday Night Live are influences that I’m more aware of.

Anyway, the book is a fun, quick read, and full of celebrity sightings (obviously, famous people know more famous people, but it’s still surprising in some ways) and keen observations on the nature of creativity, relationships, and life. And I’m guessing that if you were in your teens or 20s in the late 70s, you’ll really like it.

Ian, Young Adults’ Services Librarian (and Steve Martin fan)