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One Consciousness: An Analysis of Bill Hicks' Comedy
- GenresNonfiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 8, 2014
I have nothing to compare this with, having read a total of 0 Bill Hicks biographies. Having said that, I'm having a bit of trouble pinning down my actual feelings about this book.
On the one hand, Mr. Outhwaite does an excellent job of filling in the historical details leading to the genesis of Bill Hicks's material, I especially enjoyed reading his analysis of Richard Pryor's routines, physicality and how it influenced Hicks - and the Texas Outlaw Comics group. The writing is very ornate and quite gorgeous in parts. Denis Leary gets quite a lot of flack in the book for plagiarising Hicks's material. The influence of Sam Kinison on the topics Hicks delved into was also an eye-opener.
On the other hand, after Bill's death, the book still had about a hundred pages to go and felt forced. Yes, Bill Hicks would have had things to say about pretty much anything that happened after 1994, and yes, he'd probably have quite a bit to say about presidents elected after his time, their works, specific wars and reasons/non-reasons for starting / continuing them, and so on, but somehow when Bill died, the book lost the red thread. Your mileage may (and will) vary!
I think the description of the book (the author writes that it might be self-indulgent in parts) is accurate. I could have survived reading about 150 pages less than what this book had on offer. Bill Hicks is described very well, from childhood onwards to his standup days, and I do feel like I got my money's worth.
Totally feel like watching the recordings of his shows yet again. Having finished the book, I'm not sure who to give it to, am not sure I know anyone in my circle who is a rabid fan of Bill Hicks. Because that is what you'd have to be, to get through the book.
I didn't take the time to note the many typos in the book, as what's the point - the book was obviously a labour of love, and should be taken as such.
Overall, great effort and I might be checking out other biographies / compilations on Bill Hicks.
On the one hand, Mr. Outhwaite does an excellent job of filling in the historical details leading to the genesis of Bill Hicks's material, I especially enjoyed reading his analysis of Richard Pryor's routines, physicality and how it influenced Hicks - and the Texas Outlaw Comics group. The writing is very ornate and quite gorgeous in parts. Denis Leary gets quite a lot of flack in the book for plagiarising Hicks's material. The influence of Sam Kinison on the topics Hicks delved into was also an eye-opener.
On the other hand, after Bill's death, the book still had about a hundred pages to go and felt forced. Yes, Bill Hicks would have had things to say about pretty much anything that happened after 1994, and yes, he'd probably have quite a bit to say about presidents elected after his time, their works, specific wars and reasons/non-reasons for starting / continuing them, and so on, but somehow when Bill died, the book lost the red thread. Your mileage may (and will) vary!
I think the description of the book (the author writes that it might be self-indulgent in parts) is accurate. I could have survived reading about 150 pages less than what this book had on offer. Bill Hicks is described very well, from childhood onwards to his standup days, and I do feel like I got my money's worth.
Totally feel like watching the recordings of his shows yet again. Having finished the book, I'm not sure who to give it to, am not sure I know anyone in my circle who is a rabid fan of Bill Hicks. Because that is what you'd have to be, to get through the book.
I didn't take the time to note the many typos in the book, as what's the point - the book was obviously a labour of love, and should be taken as such.
Overall, great effort and I might be checking out other biographies / compilations on Bill Hicks.
December 11, 2015
I would recommend this for some reasons, and with caveats.
It is a difficult read, but a worthwhile one. For the first few pages, I wondered what I was reading . After a few chapters, I began to tune in.
Forget the typos, the seeming non-sequiturs, and the digressions; this is a work of passion.
Only a fan of Bill Hicks could fully appreciate this book, therefore only Bill Hicks fans have ever read it. All fans of comedy should read it.
It is so well researched that it borders on the insane. It is so nakedly a fan-book, that you will be surprised when you read that Bill Hicks was not the best at all things when it came to the art of stand-up comedy. Only a fan of comedy, or just having a laugh, can appreciate that he did get it wrong, sometimes. (To me, that only makes his material richer.) I knew most of his influences, but the parallel with Steve Martin, was a new one to me. Now, you see my point about how thorough Paul Outhwaite has been.
I could go on, but I could not spoil any surpises. This is unique. It is not only a work of individual art, but of passionate love.
It is a difficult read, but a worthwhile one. For the first few pages, I wondered what I was reading . After a few chapters, I began to tune in.
Forget the typos, the seeming non-sequiturs, and the digressions; this is a work of passion.
Only a fan of Bill Hicks could fully appreciate this book, therefore only Bill Hicks fans have ever read it. All fans of comedy should read it.
It is so well researched that it borders on the insane. It is so nakedly a fan-book, that you will be surprised when you read that Bill Hicks was not the best at all things when it came to the art of stand-up comedy. Only a fan of comedy, or just having a laugh, can appreciate that he did get it wrong, sometimes. (To me, that only makes his material richer.) I knew most of his influences, but the parallel with Steve Martin, was a new one to me. Now, you see my point about how thorough Paul Outhwaite has been.
I could go on, but I could not spoil any surpises. This is unique. It is not only a work of individual art, but of passionate love.
December 11, 2015
I would recommend this for some reasons, and with caveats.
It is a difficult read, but a worthwhile one. For the first few pages, I wondered what I was reading . After a few chapters, I began to tune in.
Forget the typos, the seeming non-sequiturs, and the digressions; this is a work of passion.
Only a fan of Bill Hicks could fully appreciate this book, therefore only Bill Hicks fans have ever read it. All fans of comedy should read it.
It is so well researched that it borders on the insane. It is so nakedly a fan-book, that you will be surprised when you read that Bill Hicks was not the best at all things when it came to the art of stand-up comedy. Only a fan of comedy, or just having a laugh, can appreciate that he did get it wrong, sometimes. (To me, that only makes his material richer.) I knew most of his influences, but the parallel with Steve Martin, was a new one to me. Now, you see my point about how thorough Paul Outhwaite has been.
I could go on, but I could not spoil any surpises. This is unique. It is not only a work of individual art, but of passionate love.
It is a difficult read, but a worthwhile one. For the first few pages, I wondered what I was reading . After a few chapters, I began to tune in.
Forget the typos, the seeming non-sequiturs, and the digressions; this is a work of passion.
Only a fan of Bill Hicks could fully appreciate this book, therefore only Bill Hicks fans have ever read it. All fans of comedy should read it.
It is so well researched that it borders on the insane. It is so nakedly a fan-book, that you will be surprised when you read that Bill Hicks was not the best at all things when it came to the art of stand-up comedy. Only a fan of comedy, or just having a laugh, can appreciate that he did get it wrong, sometimes. (To me, that only makes his material richer.) I knew most of his influences, but the parallel with Steve Martin, was a new one to me. Now, you see my point about how thorough Paul Outhwaite has been.
I could go on, but I could not spoil any surpises. This is unique. It is not only a work of individual art, but of passionate love.
June 24, 2013
Waste of money. If you want Bill, get Bill.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews