Goodbye Jumbo...Hello Cruel World

by Louie Anderson

Louie Anderson, celebrated comedian and author of the bestselling Dear Dad, returns with an inspiring, insightfully funny exploration of his relationship with his mother and of his physical and psychological battle to overcome his addiction to food. Satellite TV tour.

Genres: Humor, Biography

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Louie Perry Anderson (1953-2022) is an American stand-up comedian, actor and television host. Anderson created the cartoon series Life with Louie, has written three books, and was the initial host of the second revival of the game show Family Feud, from 1999 to 2002.

Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Louie Anderson was the second-youngest of 11 children in his family. He went to Johnson Senior High.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea Louie Anderson was still around, let alone that he wrote books! I found this one at the library book sale, and the jacket suggested that it was a book that had to do with Anderson's quest to discover a) why he was fat and b) how he could get healthy. Apparently his first book dealt with the abuse he suffered at the hands of his alcoholic father.

Well, lately I've been on a quest of sorts to figure out my life, how I got to where I am, why I look the way I do, what I am going to do about getting what I want out of life, and so on and so forth. I picked this up along with another book along a similar vein in the hopes that my quest will be furthered by them what went before.

Louie talks about his supposition that fat people are fat because they are hiding from the world. He tells a parallel story along the way of a baby elephant whose mother is killed and who is brought into the circus and is crowned the biggest elephant ever, and then becomes a freak, a sideshow act, all the while searching for the love of his lost mom.

I gave a lot of thought to this, and I'm not sure it necessarily applies to me. I don't know. I never felt like I didn't get a lot of love growing up. My parents both loved me, although admittedly I was a miserable cuss after hitting 6th grade and finally became human again some time in college. This was due in large part to the trials of adolescence and life being split into the cool kids and the nerds of which I was decidedly of the second stripe. I was the first kid with zits, the first kid with braces, shy, and "smart". So, am I fat because of all that and the fall out that came with it? Honestly, I don't know. I could be. I'm still working on it. But I've pretty much crossed my family off the list. I felt loved by my nuclear family, if misunderstood, and my immediate family was very loving towards me--my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins. I had some friends, few, but friends I cherished and still love today... And I was looking at my school yearbook the other day, and thinking how I was one of "the fat kids" and honestly? I think I looked OK. Yes, heavier than the other kids, but I think I looked OK. Everything was just so out of whack, and I've had poor body image my entire life. And now, I can't even tell you the last time I looked at myself, really looked at myself.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

He is creative in choosing a metaphor of a circus train for his childhood. But's all tell and no show. The big revelation is that he eats too much because he doesn't love himself enough. I would have liked more insights into the addiction and recovery process, but I realized at the end that he really isn't into recovery. On the plus side, the chapters are short and give the reader incentive to finish the book.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand up comedian Louie Anderson was successful and rich - and was still trying to fill the deep void in his heart with food. I really appreciated his honesty as he interwove his current eating dilemmas with the story of growing up in a household of eleven children and an alcoholic father. A very touching and sad story from a man who makes his living making people laugh.

[Randee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a humorous book even though it is written by a comedian. This is more like a diary of Louie Anderson trying to get to the core of his weight problem/food addiction. I wish him well with the continuing struggle. I've always liked him and I don't want his 'demons' to win.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. As I was reading this book I felt awkward, as if I was reading something not meant for me. I felt like I was violating Anderson's personal life. The book is raw and Louie is very candid about his struggles. It was so sad in parts, but it was a wonderful experience to read it.

[Jams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insights! Except for some bad language this book is great. It will make you laugh and cry at the same time.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a interesting life. Very open and sometimes raw. Quick read.

[Jolovessnow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad story... written 20 years ago. Does he still have the answer to living?

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vulnerable autobiography. I saw Louie once at the Northrop Auditorium in the early 90s. The Northstars were in the playoffs nad Louie had the game on in the wings while he was doing his show. He would take breaks from his set when a goal was scored and update the audience on the game. It was like we were in his living room visiting him and he brings that same intimacy to his honest reckoning, acceptance, and forgiveness of the story of his trauma. He was compassionate human being.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Louie Anderson comedy. This book is honest and reminded me of his comedy tape we have from like 1989. His material is timeless and easy to relate to. This particular book looks at Louie losing his mom and dealing with his weight and depression.

[Felicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5-3
Not as heartfelt and his first and last books to his parents. I don't think he was quite sure what he wanted to convey, it was not very linear either.

[Cheryl S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book and then juxtapose the celebrity he was. Everything is everything is nothing for ever and always and all at once.