Review: Still Foolin' Em by Billy Crystal

Genre: Memoir, Humour
Publication: 10/09/10 by Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 288 pages
Source: Library Audiobook
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Billy Crystal is turning 65, and he's not happy about it. With his trademark wit and heart, he outlines the absurdities and challenges that come with growing old, from insomnia to memory loss to leaving dinners with half your meal on your shirt. In humorous chapters like "Buying the Plot" and "Nodding Off," Crystal not only catalogues his physical gripes, but offers a road map to his 77 million fellow baby boomers who are arriving at this milestone age with him. He also looks back at the most powerful and memorable moments of his long and storied life, from entertaining his relatives as a kid in Long Beach, Long Island, his years doing stand-up in the Village, up through his legendary stint at "Saturday Night Live," "When Harry Met Sally," and his long run as host of the Academy Awards. Readers get a front-row seat to his one-day career with the New York Yankees (he was the first player to ever "test positive for Maalox"), his love affair with Sophia Loren, and his enduring friendships with several of his idols, including Mickey Mantle and Muhammad Ali. He lends a light touch to more serious topics like religion ("the aging friends I know have turned to the Holy Trinity: Advil, bourbon, and Prozac"), grandparenting, and, of course, dentistry. As wise and poignant as they are funny, Crystal's reflections are an unforgettable look at an extraordinary life well lived.

My Thoughts: 
I love Billy Crystal. When Harry Met Sally is my all time favourite movie ever so I had to pick up him memoir. I listened to this one on audiobook, which is awesome because Billy Crystal narrates the story which is my absolute favourite way to listen to memoirs. I love hearing the author actually read their story, I feel like you get a fuller picture. 

This book is set up in essay format like a lot of memoirs. Billy talks about different life experiences and gives you some of his life insights. This books was hilarious when it wanted to be and it was endearing when it wanted to be as well. I even teared up a little during certain spots. The only thing about this book that didn't entertain me as much was the parts about Billy being old. Don't get me wrong, they were still funny parts but I'm 22 and at this point in my life I can't really relate. 

My favourite parts of this memoir was the behind the scene stories about The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally. The book pretty much started off with a Princess Bride quote so I was so excited. I love hearing about how these got made and how things came together behind the scenes which is awesome for any serious movie fan.
 Conclusions: If you love Billy Crystal, check this out. Billy is funny and this is an interesting memoir. If you have the opportunity, pick up the audiobook. Have fun storming the castle!

No comments :

Post a Comment