So Many Steves: Afternoons with Steve Martin

by Steve Martin, Adam Gopnik

Steve Martin is more candid than he’s ever been about his creative life in this engrossing audio-biography centered around a series of conversations recorded over many afternoons at home with his friend and neighbor, writer Adam Gopnik.

Steve Martin met his good friend Adam Gopnik three decades ago, and in that time, Gopnik has always marveled at Martin’s ability to flourish in a wide variety of artforms: magic, comedy, art collecting, writing, and music. In So Many Steves: Afternoons with Steve Martin, New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik creates a new type of profile: a year’s worth of conversations with Martin where Gopnik pulls back the curtain on his friend’s illustrious career.

This audio-biography places you in Martin’s apartment across from Steve and Adam, listening as their conversation flows from Steve’s first job in a magic shop to selling out stadiums as a standup comedian, starring in major motion pictures, writing his first novel, teaching himself to play the banjo, and starting a respected art collection. Through it all you’ll hear clips from Steve Martin’s iconic stand up routines and movies as well as excerpts from his writing and tv appearances, all knit together by an original banjo score created and played by Steve.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Humor, Comedy, Biography Memoir

3 pages, Audiobook

Published May 2, 2023

About the author

Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician, and composer. He was raised in Southern California in a Baptist family, where his early influences were working at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and working magic and comedy acts at these and other smaller venues in the area. His ascent to fame picked up when he became a writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later became a frequent guest on the Tonight Show.

In the 1970s, Martin performed his offbeat, absurdist comedy routines before packed houses on national tours. In the 1980s, having branched away from stand-up comedy, he became a successful actor, playwright, and juggler, and eventually earned Emmy, Grammy, and American Comedy awards.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

This was a short (3 hour) audiobook. It was more of a podcast-like conversation between the author and Steve Martin. If you don’t know much about Steve Martin, you won’t learn much more about him here. This book just touches on some aspects of his creative process and revisits his early character The Great Flydini and ends with some philosophy and his art collection. It was aiiiite.

[Carsten Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! Wished it was longer.

[Kelsey S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in awe of Steve Martin. I used to think of him just as a comedian, but he has made giant impacts in:

- Music (bluegrass specifically)
- Television (not just SNL but also Only Murders in the Building)
- Movies (The JERK!, the three amigos and Shopgirl)
- Broadway (Bright Star)
- Writing (he has written novels as well as autobiographies)

Not to mention his early work in philosophy and his contribution to art collections.

He wears many hats and I don’t think many people even realize it (myself included).

This book is more of a conversation between Steve and his friend, Adam Gopnik, vs a usual autobiography. It felt like sitting down and watching two friends talk about life and art.

I recommend if you are even remotely interested in Steve Martin.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up solely because I adore Steve Martin & always have especially since Father of the Bride (1991)

The format and the concept fell flat for me which made this short audiobook feel extremely long.

[Michael Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The danger of reading a book about a celebrity you really like is equal to the danger of meeting them: you might decide that you don't like them after all. Fortunately, I am happy to report Adam Gopnick's interviews with Steve Martin will only make his fans like him more. I assume this is only available as an audiobook, which is how I enjoyed it.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing to listen to adult intellectual conversations about creating personal growth through the lens of artistic & intellectual pursuits.

The audiobook is well done. Essentially, it’s a series of conversations grown into a podcast that eventually forms a cohesive work as an audiobook.

I learned as much about Steve Martin’s artistic ambitions & intellectual life in this <3 hour audiobook as I did reading (and listening to) his memoir “Born Standing Up.”

A resonant quote (that makes me want to look for and read a biography of Carl Reiner): Steve Martine reflecting on & praising Carl Reiner, the director of his first film, "The Jerk" (and-- from the sound of it-- a great mentor to Seve Martin on how to be more gregarious in public & professional avenues):

"He was not a pushover. Don't mistake him for a pushover. Carl Reiner was one of the kindest men with a backbone I've ever known."

One unexpected delight? Hearing Steve Martin's emotional investment and reaction to E.E. Cumming's poetry and lectures. Now want to listen to Cumming's in his Norton Lectures entitled “Non-Lectures.”

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Road trip audiobook!

Adam Gopnik, a friend of Steve Martin, records conversations with the star in which they talk about his wild and crazy career: magician, comedian, actor, writer, and musician. Martin reflects on why he has frequently changed the focus of his artistic output and also discusses his interest in art collecting. It's not a comprehensive biography, but it's a welcome visit with a very talented and humorous man.

I found this as an audiobook, but the chatty back-and-forth feels like it was maybe meant to be a podcast.

If you're a fan, I also recommend Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces, currently streaming on Apple+.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Many Steves is exactly what the title suggests. Adam Gopnik, a friend of Steve Martin strung together a series of interviews, or rather afternoon conversations, and connected them seamlessly to get to know the comedian further. In the interviews Gopnik dives into every aspect of Martins professional life, and touches base with his personal life. Together they discussed the beginnings of Martins comedy days, how he got into directing and acting, his art collections, his novels, and his music. Through this Audio book you really get to see how many versions of Steve there are and why they came to be.

[Olivia Eckstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 perf little audio book if u are in a crunch to meet ur reading goal 👀 can’t imagine reading it bc it was a conversation format, but it was interesting and easy to listen to while running around hehe

[Emma Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun podcast-style listen in which the reader learns about the various types of art that Steve Martin has dabbled in throughout his life. He seems like such a cool guy.

[Jason Laipply · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and insightful dive into the thoughts, motivations, philosophies, and career history of one of the entertainment industry’s modern homo universalis . . . Mr. Steve Martin.

Overall a sprawling series of personal talks and interviews, the author and Martin examine his work and success as a comedian, actor, author, playwright, musician, and art collector. Fascinating insights and several surprisingly touching moments…definitely worth seeking out and completing.

[Amy Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep telling myself I shouldn’t meet him, because meeting your idols diminishes them. This audio book proves he is who I think he is….a renaissance man, dabbling in his interests. I feel like I’ve seen many of these Steve’s throughout my life…and have been lucky enough to glimpse in on his process.

L.A. Story is still my all time favorite movie.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two fascinating people having an amazing discussion on creativity.

[Alex Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Martin is interviewed about the different phases of his career. Funny & thoughtful if a bit slight. It feels more like an extended segment on This American Life than a (audio) book.

[Lormac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my attention because I really enjoy Adam Gopnik's writing - both his books and his articles - and I have always enjoyed watching Steve Martin. Gopnik is a wonderful writer with insights that surprise me (one of my favorite books to recommend is "Paris to the Moon"), and Steven Martin is such an accessible comedian and artist - I never feel like he is playing down to the audience. So, of course, I would like this book!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. I knew Steve Martin was more serious than he appeared but he’s a very engaging, sympathetic storyteller. This makes me like him even more. It’s not a vanity project, it’s just a man talking to his friend and I really enjoyed it.

[Brianna Abbate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3 and 4. This was a very pleasant listen! Not sure why it’s considered an audiobook? It felt more like a podcast. 3 hours was the perfect length.

[Miranda Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook was 10/10. Could have listened for 10 hours straight.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little audio book. Just trying to reach my reading goal by cheating and listening to short audio books…

[Susan Twiehaus]

If you enjoy a podcast-style audiobook and Steve Martin, this might be the audiobook for you! :)

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovely. The first couple of chapters focused on his early comedy being influenced by E.E. Cummings, philosophy, and logic are pure joy. I would listen to these chapters on repeat.

[Claire Dillashaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Martin is magic.
(This is more of a documentary podcast than audiobook.)

[Arvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great audiobook. Except when Adam Gopnik pronounces “selves” as “cells”.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two smart and thoughtful men talk about Steve Martin's life in comedy, film, writing, music and art. Highly recommend sticking with the audio book.

[Jennifer Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Martin seems like a delightful guy—more charming and thoughtful than wild and crazy—and he's certainly had an intriguing creative life. The book's organized by his friend and conversation partner Adam Gopnik around different pursuits and passions of Martin's, and there have been many. I especially enjoyed the early chapters when Gopnik interviews his friend about his youthful days as a magician, philosophy student, banjo player, and stand-up comedian. Some of the later chapters (like the one on Martin as art collector) veer uncomfortably close to celebrity-profile territory, but I wasn't bored. A short, easy listen.

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a clever look into the many facets of Steve Martin's career: comedian, actor, screenwriter, playwright, novelist, musician, art collector, etc. He is a great example of a modern day polymath in the wake of fraudulent capitalists masquerading as men of the world (*ahem*Musk*ahem*). I love the conversational format of these Pushkin books. It worked really well in Miracle and Wonder with Paul Simon, and it works really well here. It is a memoir, but an investigation as well. I really enjoyed this brief listen, and I hope Pushkin continues to produce books like it.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slight in length, and maybe not a book in the strictest sense, this audio collection of interviews/conversations with Steve Martin is, nevertheless, plenty enjoyable. There's much here that fans will already be aware of, but I still loved the breezy tour through the various phases of Steve's life and career, from magician to stand-up comic, his acting career, his music career (and genuine love of the banjo), art collecting, and his forays into writing movies, novels, plays, and a musical. The guy's a national treasure: funny, insightful, and humble. I could listen to him talk all day long.

[Carroll Nelson Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook, which seems to be the original form. Entertaining and interesting biographical conversations by Steve Martin with New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik about Steve's creative life pursuits, in magic, comedy, movie acting, writing, music, and art collecting. Full of anecdotes, clips from performances, readings, etc.

[Amy Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially just a series of conversations with Steve Martin recorded by his friend, but it was so interesting. I love Steve’s explanation of the similarities between philosophy and comedy and of course loved all the details on his banjo playing. There is so much examination of the creative life in this book, and I wish it were much longer.

[Veronica Liew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight to listen to and discover what type of person Steve Martin really is, in conversation with a favorite writer of mine, Adam Gopnik. Who knew they are such good friends! An illuminating conversation about art, mastery, philosophy and life.