Smithereens

by Shaun Micallef

Feel that War and Peace went on a bit? Wish there were more laughs in Catcher in the Rye? Very cross that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo had no references to three-time world hotdog-eating champion, Joey Chestnut? Then Smithereens is for you. At only 300 pages you can knock it off during one of the ad breaks on Shaun's hit show, Talkin' 'bout Your Generation. And laughs? What about them? Well, does it have any? Of course it does – it's written by one of Australia's funniest men. Oh, John Clarke? No, not John Clarke. I like John Clarke. So do I, but this is written by Shaun Micallef. And as for references to three-time hotdog eating-champion Joey Chestnut, I'm afraid the only mention of him appears on this back cover. Still, it's one more than Stieg Larsson could manage and he's written three books. Yes, the popular Australian classic Smithereens is back. Updated and revised, with more commas than ever before, several umlauts and featuring brand-new material never before published in bookular form. Join multi-Logie winning and much-loved TV star Shaun Micallef as he buys a call centre in India; rides the Governor-General's bicycle; lifts the lid on the Rothschild's mass murder of frogs; has dinner in Canada with the late Norman Wisdom; and provides a cure-all for the global economic crisis. Smithereens Nothing you'd normally ask for in a book, and more

Genres: Humor, Comedy

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Shaun Micallef has starred in television, films, stage shows, radio and several books. He also has won four Logies, an ARIA and an AFI but, admirably, hasn’t let any of this go to his head.

Reviews

[Linda Burnham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book, published in 2004 (reissued and updated since then), is a bit of a hit and miss affair. It's a collection of pieces written for newspaper and TV, some previously published, some not, some laugh out loud, some not. After being underwhelmed by the first couple of pieces I decided to persevere and it was worth it; my husband banned me from reading the book in bed after my writhing in fits of hysterics kept him from falling asleep. I finished it in the daytime and was glad I did. It is quintessential Shaun and as such, a lot of fun.

[Glen Cowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a slog. I love Shaun’s offbeat comedy, but pages after pages of obscure references, double entendres and countless vanity pieces was something I could approach one story at a time. I got some genuine belly laughs out of it, but there was a lot of fluff as well.

[Ronnie Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a splendid selection of humo(ur)ous words placed together in the funniest of order. A must read for anyone who enjoys funny and clever.

[Sam Still Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smithereens was originally published in 2004 and has been re-released this year. As a long time Micallef fan (from Full Frontal to The Micallef P(r)ogram(me) to Micallef Tonight), I am reviewing the original edition. The new edition does contain some changes though, noted by Micallef himself as well as some sections missing (such as the letter allegedly written by Jonathan Shier – wonder if anyone remembers him?)

Shaun Micallef is a former lawyer turned comedian and self-proclaimed ‘Renaissance man’. (I say that tongue in cheek). I am a big fan of his dry, subtle humour; especially his play on words which I worry sometimes goes over the heads of those watching Talking ‘Bout Your Generation (humourous Australian game show). He is also the creator of such characters as Fabio, the most beautiful man in the cosmos; Nobby Doldrums, Milo Kerrigan, David McGahan, Roger Explosion (played by David McGahan), Dr Miracle and District Attorney Ferguson (also played by David McGahan) and Il Est Myron. He can also write too.

This book contains short works by Shaun, ranging from diary entries on the sets of his shows, to topics such as Sherlock Holmes and Australian painters. He has a brilliant knowledge and each word must be savoured so that you find all the double meanings. It also comes with a page of non-adhesive stickers. (When you think about it, the world is full of non-adhesive stickers).

My words alone will not to justice to this excellent collection and I resist the temptation to include the words ‘goaty creatures’ or ‘STAT!’. I am looking forward to his novel Preincarnate (available at a bookstore or Kobo eBooks – Micallef goodness must be shared).

[Rich Gamble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shaun Micallef is one of my favourite Australian personalities. This book is a mix of his articles from the Age, tv scripts, poems and more - most only 4 to 5 pages long. As the title may evoke its a bit hit and miss - at its best its laugh out loud high brow humour and at its worst a jumble of big words that goes nowhere. A lot of the jokes are already dated (this was printed in 2004) but an updated version is now available. There is more good than bad for sure but even in small doses it gets a bit samey, especially after 200 pages. Comedy just doesn't work well in book form but this is probably one of the better examples out there..

[Kym Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book when it first came out snatching it from the shelves and reading it with instant vigor. It turned out that my anticipation perhaps ruined the book for me.

As a Micallef fan I did find this book to be fun and very much 'him' at times, while it was also some what disjointed and very much a hit and miss affair.

The book certainly does have the charm and intellectual wit that Micallef is known for, it also, for me was very lacking in some parts.

A must for Micallef fans but certainly not a book for everyone.

45%

[Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series of columns and articles written for other publications. You may need a thesaurus to read this one. Or, do as I do, and read it every few months, to pick up on the obscure references to philsophers, zoology, history and popular culture. That said, you do get free stickers - printed on paper, that is.

[bigmuzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this months ago but there wasn't a profile for it: nice to see someone has added it (i was just about to, because i finally learned how) :P



very absurd and funny stories from a very absurd and funny man. anyone who is a fan on shaun micallef should know what to expect, and will love it. read it...STAT!

[Lachlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully funny. Some great surrealist comedy. Micallef's brain should be donated to science - when he's finished with it - because it ain't normal

[Benryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't really think books could be funny but this is definitely hilarious. I have read it several times - Sean Micallef is the funniest australian comedian out there.

[Dale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally a massive Micallef fan!