What do you think?
Rate this book
Laughs Last
Advance Praise for “LAUGHS LAST”
“Laughs Last is a very original work. Not only is it an entertaining book, it has a wonderful punchline!”
– Carl Reiner
Actor, film director, producer, writer and comedian
“Standup comedy is an art...writing a fascinating, entertaining and thoughtful book about it is a miracle. Dylan has done just that with LAUGHS LAST. Read it!”
– Budd Friedman Founder of the Improv comedy clubs
"Unlike other stand-up comics whose books consist entirely of their stage schtick in printed form, Dylan Brody actually tells a story in Laughs Last, cleverly intertwining personal and performance, capturing in that process the hopes and fears of a professional comedian."
– Paul Krassner,
Political satirist, co-founder of the Yippies, and author of WHO’S TO SAY WHAT’S Politics, Culture, and Comedy in America Today
"It reads like a love letter to stand-up comedy."
– Jackie Kashian
Comedian and actress, host of The Dork Forest podcast
There may not be boxes strong enough for the weight of memory, but some books can do the trick. Laughs Last is a rumination on family, legacy, talent, and the fluidity of time, a poignant dream of adulthood coming in fits and starts to our protagonist Damon Blazer. With a quick mind and an instinct to flee (preferably before getting punched, but not before getting in a punchline), Blazer comes from a family whose laughs never mean just one thing. He struggles to glean what lessons he can from his brutish and detached brother, his grieving but understanding mother, and his aloof but proud father, but it’s the inheritance of his grandfather’s lessons that truly form the backbone of Blazer’s biography. In his relationship with the storied comedian and the slow reveal of just what Damon did at his grandfather’s funeral, readers find a gripping narrative that holds our attention from the first page to the last.
The author deftly bobs and weaves through a disjointed timeline that runs like an extended callback, revealing a storyteller who can’t pause for audience reaction because he has something more important to do. By seeing the stages of grief revealed across a lifetime, readers are left to wonder whether memories are enlarged by tunnel vision or by virtue of actual weight. Is that water-colored feeling of nostalgia—available at any age—imparted by the true flow of time, or must we acquiesce to the facts of chronology? Blazer fumbles to avoid feeling foolish, to avoid being a hack, to avoid a lifetime of nothing special. And while he’s at it, we meet a novelist for a new century. Ladies and gentlemen, Dylan Brody.
“Laughs Last is a very original work. Not only is it an entertaining book, it has a wonderful punchline!”
– Carl Reiner
Actor, film director, producer, writer and comedian
“Standup comedy is an art...writing a fascinating, entertaining and thoughtful book about it is a miracle. Dylan has done just that with LAUGHS LAST. Read it!”
– Budd Friedman Founder of the Improv comedy clubs
"Unlike other stand-up comics whose books consist entirely of their stage schtick in printed form, Dylan Brody actually tells a story in Laughs Last, cleverly intertwining personal and performance, capturing in that process the hopes and fears of a professional comedian."
– Paul Krassner,
Political satirist, co-founder of the Yippies, and author of WHO’S TO SAY WHAT’S Politics, Culture, and Comedy in America Today
"It reads like a love letter to stand-up comedy."
– Jackie Kashian
Comedian and actress, host of The Dork Forest podcast
There may not be boxes strong enough for the weight of memory, but some books can do the trick. Laughs Last is a rumination on family, legacy, talent, and the fluidity of time, a poignant dream of adulthood coming in fits and starts to our protagonist Damon Blazer. With a quick mind and an instinct to flee (preferably before getting punched, but not before getting in a punchline), Blazer comes from a family whose laughs never mean just one thing. He struggles to glean what lessons he can from his brutish and detached brother, his grieving but understanding mother, and his aloof but proud father, but it’s the inheritance of his grandfather’s lessons that truly form the backbone of Blazer’s biography. In his relationship with the storied comedian and the slow reveal of just what Damon did at his grandfather’s funeral, readers find a gripping narrative that holds our attention from the first page to the last.
The author deftly bobs and weaves through a disjointed timeline that runs like an extended callback, revealing a storyteller who can’t pause for audience reaction because he has something more important to do. By seeing the stages of grief revealed across a lifetime, readers are left to wonder whether memories are enlarged by tunnel vision or by virtue of actual weight. Is that water-colored feeling of nostalgia—available at any age—imparted by the true flow of time, or must we acquiesce to the facts of chronology? Blazer fumbles to avoid feeling foolish, to avoid being a hack, to avoid a lifetime of nothing special. And while he’s at it, we meet a novelist for a new century. Ladies and gentlemen, Dylan Brody.
ebook
First published June 5, 2013
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 14, 2019
So often when a book jumps between time periods, I find myself getting irritated with the book. You hit on some vital information and then you are off to another time waiting to find out what happens next. That is not the case with this book. The jump is almost seamless. The puzzle pieces of Damon's life come together, all centered around being a stand up comic and his poppa.
I didn't feel as if I was reading a book. I felt as I watching a play. Every time the year changed it was as if the set changed. It was heartwarming and intimate. It's basically a handbook for comedians paired with a family history and humor. I enjoyed it very much.
I didn't feel as if I was reading a book. I felt as I watching a play. Every time the year changed it was as if the set changed. It was heartwarming and intimate. It's basically a handbook for comedians paired with a family history and humor. I enjoyed it very much.
October 17, 2013
"Damon, you have to decide, every time, whether you’re willing to face the consequences when you tell a joke. Every time. A good joke, any good joke, it tells the truth. They’re very powerful and they can hurt people and they can change the world."
I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that this quote encapsulates one of the themes that runs throughout Laughs Last. This was one of the lessons the protagonist, Damon Blazer, learned from his grandfather, who was a comedian, too. His grandfather was also Damon’s mentor and often the only member of his family who understood him.
The story jumps back and forth in time, which has the potential of being confusing, but isn’t. The logic in this convoluted timeline is explained by the narrator as a lesson Damon’s father had tried to teach him finally sinking in, that “it is only possible to know the meaning of events after some time has passed, when they can be looked back on in context.” The disjointed time line arranges events in a way that helps them make sense.
As advertised, Laughs Last is humorous. However, there is much more to the story than that, with plenty of food for thought about family and taking the unconventional path in life. A great read. If this story is any indication, that cliché about there being a thin line between comedy and tragedy is right on the money.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that this quote encapsulates one of the themes that runs throughout Laughs Last. This was one of the lessons the protagonist, Damon Blazer, learned from his grandfather, who was a comedian, too. His grandfather was also Damon’s mentor and often the only member of his family who understood him.
The story jumps back and forth in time, which has the potential of being confusing, but isn’t. The logic in this convoluted timeline is explained by the narrator as a lesson Damon’s father had tried to teach him finally sinking in, that “it is only possible to know the meaning of events after some time has passed, when they can be looked back on in context.” The disjointed time line arranges events in a way that helps them make sense.
As advertised, Laughs Last is humorous. However, there is much more to the story than that, with plenty of food for thought about family and taking the unconventional path in life. A great read. If this story is any indication, that cliché about there being a thin line between comedy and tragedy is right on the money.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
December 10, 2013
I'm not exactly sure how I stumbled upon this book, but I'm glad I did. The story of Damon Blazer, a stand up comic with a genetic legacy inherited and learned from his grandfather and mentor. The passage of time is rather disjointed, which was initially a bit confusing, but as the story progressed, the timing made perfect sense, like a good joke. As a fan of stand up comics, I found a lot of the 'tricks and tips' Damon learned to be really fascinating. It's a story of family dynamics, love, loss and learning when and how to find the humor in anything.
December 14, 2013
A girlfriend of mine turned me on to this book, and I'm glad she did! It's very funny, at times blunt and at times sly. Enjoyed the time jumps and how they flow together. Dylan Brody's not only funny, but a very enticing writer. Read this in three sittings, and will definitely reread it.
December 2, 2014
Funny. Insightful. Poignant. Of course. I loved this!
December 3, 2013
One of the funniest and most fun books I have read in quite a while.
August 5, 2024
Dylan Brody's "Laughs Last" is like a rollercoaster ride through Damon's life, zigzagging between rollicking giggles and heart-tugging feels. It's as if Dylan is handing you a comedy club ticket and a box of tissues at the same time.
This is one book that will make me climb Everest if dared; you simply cannot drop it after just a couple of chapters. It would be a travesty to do so, and you would miss out on the most humorous book ever written.
In 1982, Damon Blazer faced a difficult task that civilians, and I itsy-bitsy-admit (me before reading), would never understand. Even as a comic, Damon found Poppa’s task incredulous. We are taken through this unbelievable task that doubles as an initial bar mitzvah for Damon and a send-off for Alvie. Each year unveils hidden stories that explain each other, linking yet holding memories of their own, and like a cycle, they include the beginning in order to continue.
When you read chapter one, your mind returns to the title, reminding you that you didn’t get what it meant. Every other chapter then begins to remind you of the earlier one, connecting dots and nodding off lines alongside Dylan. At this pace, you don’t need an editor, but you’ll definitely need to reduce your eye size and not stay too gagged at the lines, lest you remain forever wide-eyed as the next act sinks in and you get the joke. I began to feel more than just a reader or Dylan’s audience; I was now Damon’s. And at this stage, one is leafing through the chapters, expecting the next laugh or reflection.
I say reflection because Dylan has not only written a humorous novel but also a “cookbook” to guide comics and teach civilians about Comedy Tourette’s, hecklers, and the importance of a straight man. This book dives deep into how we remember things and what we leave behind. I agree with Alvie/Poppa or the author that saying the sad stuff will be remembered as hilarious in the future is mostly never possible. It’s always going to be the sad stuff, nothing to laugh about that.
Through Damon’s character, we are given first-row seats for an observation, dissection, or inquisition of a life with Comedy Tourette’s. Have you ever thought you could be a comic? Why did you think so? Are comics just like artists but with less fame and respect? If yes, why? Am I a civilian? These and so many other questions riddled my mind as I read through and eventually understood Dylan’s choice of title. I sighed and then cried for the first time since I laughed at Damon and Matthew’s bicker in chapter one.
This review would not be complete if I did not urge you again to dismiss all thoughts of disengaging from this great piece of art after a few chapters. You have to keep the light on, laugh out loud, and especially scream at Dylan’s bio at the end. Without hesitation, I promise that you will be smiling, and your heart will remember all the jokes Damon made you think of, as well as the new ones you attempted to write in the course of reading, which will last through your book clubs, recommendations, or reviews.
This is one book that will make me climb Everest if dared; you simply cannot drop it after just a couple of chapters. It would be a travesty to do so, and you would miss out on the most humorous book ever written.
In 1982, Damon Blazer faced a difficult task that civilians, and I itsy-bitsy-admit (me before reading), would never understand. Even as a comic, Damon found Poppa’s task incredulous. We are taken through this unbelievable task that doubles as an initial bar mitzvah for Damon and a send-off for Alvie. Each year unveils hidden stories that explain each other, linking yet holding memories of their own, and like a cycle, they include the beginning in order to continue.
When you read chapter one, your mind returns to the title, reminding you that you didn’t get what it meant. Every other chapter then begins to remind you of the earlier one, connecting dots and nodding off lines alongside Dylan. At this pace, you don’t need an editor, but you’ll definitely need to reduce your eye size and not stay too gagged at the lines, lest you remain forever wide-eyed as the next act sinks in and you get the joke. I began to feel more than just a reader or Dylan’s audience; I was now Damon’s. And at this stage, one is leafing through the chapters, expecting the next laugh or reflection.
I say reflection because Dylan has not only written a humorous novel but also a “cookbook” to guide comics and teach civilians about Comedy Tourette’s, hecklers, and the importance of a straight man. This book dives deep into how we remember things and what we leave behind. I agree with Alvie/Poppa or the author that saying the sad stuff will be remembered as hilarious in the future is mostly never possible. It’s always going to be the sad stuff, nothing to laugh about that.
Through Damon’s character, we are given first-row seats for an observation, dissection, or inquisition of a life with Comedy Tourette’s. Have you ever thought you could be a comic? Why did you think so? Are comics just like artists but with less fame and respect? If yes, why? Am I a civilian? These and so many other questions riddled my mind as I read through and eventually understood Dylan’s choice of title. I sighed and then cried for the first time since I laughed at Damon and Matthew’s bicker in chapter one.
This review would not be complete if I did not urge you again to dismiss all thoughts of disengaging from this great piece of art after a few chapters. You have to keep the light on, laugh out loud, and especially scream at Dylan’s bio at the end. Without hesitation, I promise that you will be smiling, and your heart will remember all the jokes Damon made you think of, as well as the new ones you attempted to write in the course of reading, which will last through your book clubs, recommendations, or reviews.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2020
The Last Laugh is a novel about Damon Blaze, the grandson of the legendary comedian, Alvie Grunman. Mentored and acknowledged by his grandfather, Damon pursued a stand-up career despite the objections of his English professor father, mother and brother. Starting to perform around clubs when he was a 17-year-old, he finally hit big when The Letterman Show called. When he finally settled into his career and personal life in his forties, Damon remembered how the death of his father and his role model, Alvie, had shaped him into a man he is today.
The story told in shuffled timelines focused on the late 1970s, early 1980s (ending in the year 1985 of Alvie Grunman's death), 1994 (the year Simon Blaze, the father, died), 1996, 2004, and ending in 2009. In the beginning, the reader may be disoriented by this way of storytelling but I understand the author's intent devising this to advance the plot. As a result, however, it has an uneven distribution of writing qualities between earlier and later chapters. I feel as if the best part of the book is in Chapter 19, the Steve Allen in the Friar Club remembering Alvie. I can feel the emotional gravity of this novel; that is the story of long lost forgotten talent of the 1950s comics, why they were so great and different from the current comedians.
Additionally, I did not feel that the author did justices in providing the readers proofs that Damon is naturally a gifted and talented comedian as he himself and people around him believed he was. I did not believe that even Damon could deliver a stand up act because every time he was described doing stand up, there was no actual originality or funny set-ups. The scene where Damon performed in the Letterman Show, the author only wrote the opening line about Ragnarok, NJ being the town where Norse gods trying to kill themselves. And the fact that Odin had one eye joke. There was a lost opportunity that if the author had opened the novel with Damon performing a stand-up act detailed with what he tried to do a set up and ended with a punchline, it would be more successful in setting up the plot of the novel.
In term of writing, the author is successful when creating conversations among characters but feel like a debut novelist when describing a room, a person, a character trait, etc. There are some superficial vocabularies chosen. I wish the author as a comedian himself write as direct as possible because there are so much sentimental/philosophical musings in this book that sometimes bog the story. I also felt that Leonard, Damon's brother, was stereotypically drawn, and Simon, Damon's father, was frivolously unreal, an English professor who creative, cultured, and smart yet could not understand the art of comics.
The bottom line, the book is an easy read. I have never put it down. I wished it was funnier. Much funnier. The Steve Allen and the Flu vs the Cold jokes are gems inside this novel.
The story told in shuffled timelines focused on the late 1970s, early 1980s (ending in the year 1985 of Alvie Grunman's death), 1994 (the year Simon Blaze, the father, died), 1996, 2004, and ending in 2009. In the beginning, the reader may be disoriented by this way of storytelling but I understand the author's intent devising this to advance the plot. As a result, however, it has an uneven distribution of writing qualities between earlier and later chapters. I feel as if the best part of the book is in Chapter 19, the Steve Allen in the Friar Club remembering Alvie. I can feel the emotional gravity of this novel; that is the story of long lost forgotten talent of the 1950s comics, why they were so great and different from the current comedians.
Additionally, I did not feel that the author did justices in providing the readers proofs that Damon is naturally a gifted and talented comedian as he himself and people around him believed he was. I did not believe that even Damon could deliver a stand up act because every time he was described doing stand up, there was no actual originality or funny set-ups. The scene where Damon performed in the Letterman Show, the author only wrote the opening line about Ragnarok, NJ being the town where Norse gods trying to kill themselves. And the fact that Odin had one eye joke. There was a lost opportunity that if the author had opened the novel with Damon performing a stand-up act detailed with what he tried to do a set up and ended with a punchline, it would be more successful in setting up the plot of the novel.
In term of writing, the author is successful when creating conversations among characters but feel like a debut novelist when describing a room, a person, a character trait, etc. There are some superficial vocabularies chosen. I wish the author as a comedian himself write as direct as possible because there are so much sentimental/philosophical musings in this book that sometimes bog the story. I also felt that Leonard, Damon's brother, was stereotypically drawn, and Simon, Damon's father, was frivolously unreal, an English professor who creative, cultured, and smart yet could not understand the art of comics.
The bottom line, the book is an easy read. I have never put it down. I wished it was funnier. Much funnier. The Steve Allen and the Flu vs the Cold jokes are gems inside this novel.
May 2, 2019
The world of standup comedians has always fascinated me. I grew up listening to many standup albums and I’ve always been curious about the fraternity. “Laughs Last,” Dylan Brody’s semi-autobiographical (I assume) story about a young standup comedian, comes through on that end. But it also weaves a sometimes touching, sometimes awkward tale of family dynamics. Damon, the book’s main character, is an aspiring standup guy, inspired by his grandfather, who had been a successful comedian. The rest of his family, especially lunkhead older brother Leonard, aren’t always terribly supportive of his jokes and decisions, but he soldiers on, eventually landing a dream slot on David Letterman’s late-night show. The book bounces back and forth between four decades, but it vacillates smoothly. Every transition makes sense, with the sudden journey backward or forward in time helping to fill in details about what you just read. In a way, it’s structured a bit like a comedian’s set, jumping all over the place chronologically but working stylistically and rhythmically, hitting the marks at just the right time. Interspersed with the storyline are tidbits about the profession: round-based mic stands are much preferable to tripods; a not-insignificant percentage of set mainstays start out as ad libs; and the way in which an MC introduces a comedian is of the utmost importance — if it’s done incorrectly, the comedian needs to use precious time to dig himself out of the hole. The characters and situations in "Laughs Last" are memorable, especially the relationship between Damon and his grandfather (Poppa). Their camaraderie is responsible for the book's main incident — a prank Poppa insisted Damon pull off at his funeral, resulting in strong reactions from his parents and a pummeling from his brother. The book hints at the event until it’s finally revealed at the end, punctuated with a punchline in its final words. There are laugh-out-loud moments in “Laughs Last,” but there are many more segments pregnant with emotional resonance — like, for example, a pregnancy and all that goes along with it. Highly recommended.
May 28, 2023
3.5 ⭐
“Damon, you have to decide, every time, whether you’re willing to face the consequences when you tell a joke. Every time. A good joke, any good joke, it tells the truth. They’re very powerful and they can hurt people and they can change the world.”
╰┈➤ “Sometimes, the only thing they really own in the world is their jokes and the only thing they’ll leave behind is the laughs. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
I've read reviews that asserted the frequent shifts in time periods weren't confusing, but in my experience, that wasn't the case at all. Almost every chapter was set in another time frame, and I had to keep turning the pages to fully comprehend what was happening. Aside from that, I think some situations would have been more intriguing if the author had seen or written them differently, as I observed the frequent use of commas and a few extra words that made the sentences longer than they needed to be.
From the beginning, I would've loved it if there was more detail in the context of the chapters since they kind of lacked the information necessary for the reader to digest what was happening, making it more confusing and making the time frames more unclear.
Overall, though, I thought it was a fantastic book that brilliantly captured the cycle of human nature through the life of Damon Blazer. We try, fall short, stumble, and then get back up. We learn from reading about Poppa and Damon's typical teacher-student relationship that the advice we receive from individuals we look up to does not always imply that it is sound. Additionally, we learn to love family—develop a relationship with them, get to know them, and hold them tenderly. We also learn to never take things for granted, to appreciate even the smallest moments and opportunities, and to value life. A narrative of love, grief, and discovering the importance of comedy would be a good way to describe this book.
“Damon, you have to decide, every time, whether you’re willing to face the consequences when you tell a joke. Every time. A good joke, any good joke, it tells the truth. They’re very powerful and they can hurt people and they can change the world.”
╰┈➤ “Sometimes, the only thing they really own in the world is their jokes and the only thing they’ll leave behind is the laughs. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
I've read reviews that asserted the frequent shifts in time periods weren't confusing, but in my experience, that wasn't the case at all. Almost every chapter was set in another time frame, and I had to keep turning the pages to fully comprehend what was happening. Aside from that, I think some situations would have been more intriguing if the author had seen or written them differently, as I observed the frequent use of commas and a few extra words that made the sentences longer than they needed to be.
From the beginning, I would've loved it if there was more detail in the context of the chapters since they kind of lacked the information necessary for the reader to digest what was happening, making it more confusing and making the time frames more unclear.
Overall, though, I thought it was a fantastic book that brilliantly captured the cycle of human nature through the life of Damon Blazer. We try, fall short, stumble, and then get back up. We learn from reading about Poppa and Damon's typical teacher-student relationship that the advice we receive from individuals we look up to does not always imply that it is sound. Additionally, we learn to love family—develop a relationship with them, get to know them, and hold them tenderly. We also learn to never take things for granted, to appreciate even the smallest moments and opportunities, and to value life. A narrative of love, grief, and discovering the importance of comedy would be a good way to describe this book.
May 3, 2023
BOOK:-LAUGH LAST BY DYLAN BRODY
BOOK REVIEWER-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS
A book with lessons on both the positives and negatives of laughter from the life example of Cynthia,Damon,and Damon's parents.The book makes high use of flash back as it looks at the difference between a laugh and a chuckle;confronting pain;the enduring effect of the results of humour impact on humans; different types of laughter from a loud sounding to a hissing one and a prolonged one;an act being funny(for nee) and it's lasti g nature;infectious laugh that could instigate the laughter in others;comments that exude conversational laughs;wit and it's attraction of admiration;laugh evoked by amusing honesty;the striking power of a scolding laugh;laughter and it's habit passing across and lasting over generations; bringing to an end of laughter and humour by rendering it humourless and silent;jokes working to invoke laughter and not working for some reason ( pronounced ri for eat in Ikwerre language-so-on);a perfect "for"; addiction to laughter that could be hurtful and appear as lack of care;laughter when it's hurting and mocking especially in a funeral(pronounced fu for death in ijaw or depth-air-al);people remembering the way people look down on them in laughter overtime;laughter evoked by sealed jokes that roll over;the dangerous nature of comedy( come-air-di) and getting ones identity back by being funny( for nee);the lasting nature of horror,atrocities and injustice just like humour amo gst the Jews as they are also hilarious (pronounced hi-la for go in Ikwerre language-ri for eat in Ikwerre language-us for 'United States' or HE for His Excellency -la for go in Ikwerre or "a" in French-ri-us) ; amongst others.It raises questions whether jokes to be funny should be seen as funny by all persons or the whole world.
BOOK REVIEWER-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS
A book with lessons on both the positives and negatives of laughter from the life example of Cynthia,Damon,and Damon's parents.The book makes high use of flash back as it looks at the difference between a laugh and a chuckle;confronting pain;the enduring effect of the results of humour impact on humans; different types of laughter from a loud sounding to a hissing one and a prolonged one;an act being funny(for nee) and it's lasti g nature;infectious laugh that could instigate the laughter in others;comments that exude conversational laughs;wit and it's attraction of admiration;laugh evoked by amusing honesty;the striking power of a scolding laugh;laughter and it's habit passing across and lasting over generations; bringing to an end of laughter and humour by rendering it humourless and silent;jokes working to invoke laughter and not working for some reason ( pronounced ri for eat in Ikwerre language-so-on);a perfect "for"; addiction to laughter that could be hurtful and appear as lack of care;laughter when it's hurting and mocking especially in a funeral(pronounced fu for death in ijaw or depth-air-al);people remembering the way people look down on them in laughter overtime;laughter evoked by sealed jokes that roll over;the dangerous nature of comedy( come-air-di) and getting ones identity back by being funny( for nee);the lasting nature of horror,atrocities and injustice just like humour amo gst the Jews as they are also hilarious (pronounced hi-la for go in Ikwerre language-ri for eat in Ikwerre language-us for 'United States' or HE for His Excellency -la for go in Ikwerre or "a" in French-ri-us) ; amongst others.It raises questions whether jokes to be funny should be seen as funny by all persons or the whole world.
April 24, 2024
“Laughs Last” by Dylan Brody is a poignant exploration of family, legacy, talent, and the fluidity of time. Set against the backdrop of a disjointed timeline, the novel follows the life of our protagonist, Damon Blazer. Here are the key elements that make this book unique:
The Weight of Memory:
There may not be boxes strong enough for the weight of memory, but some books can bear it. “Laughs Last” is one such book.
Damon Blazer’s journey into adulthood unfolds in fits and starts, revealing layers of complexity. His quick mind and instinct to flee (preferably before getting punched) shape his experiences.
Family Lessons:
Blazer’s family laughs never mean just one thing. From his brutish and detached brother to his grieving but understanding mother, each family member imparts lessons.
However, it’s the inheritance of his grandfather’s wisdom that truly forms the backbone of Blazer’s biography.
The Storied Comedian:
Damon’s relationship with a storied comedian adds intrigue. The slow reveal of what happened at his grandfather’s funeral keeps readers engaged.
The disjointed timeline runs like an extended callback, emphasizing the urgency of storytelling.
Stages of Grief Across a Lifetime:
As Damon navigates life, we witness the stages of grief revealed across decades. Memories enlarge through tunnel vision or the actual weight of time.
Is nostalgia a water-colored feeling available at any age, or does it flow with the facts of chronology?
Avoiding Foolishness and Hacks:
Blazer fumbles to avoid feeling foolish, being a hack, and living a lifetime of mediocrity.
In this journey, we meet a novelist for a new century—Dylan Brody.
In “Laughs Last,” Brody deftly weaves humor, vulnerability, and introspection. The novel invites readers to ponder the enduring impact of laughter, the weight of memories, and the passage of time.
The Weight of Memory:
There may not be boxes strong enough for the weight of memory, but some books can bear it. “Laughs Last” is one such book.
Damon Blazer’s journey into adulthood unfolds in fits and starts, revealing layers of complexity. His quick mind and instinct to flee (preferably before getting punched) shape his experiences.
Family Lessons:
Blazer’s family laughs never mean just one thing. From his brutish and detached brother to his grieving but understanding mother, each family member imparts lessons.
However, it’s the inheritance of his grandfather’s wisdom that truly forms the backbone of Blazer’s biography.
The Storied Comedian:
Damon’s relationship with a storied comedian adds intrigue. The slow reveal of what happened at his grandfather’s funeral keeps readers engaged.
The disjointed timeline runs like an extended callback, emphasizing the urgency of storytelling.
Stages of Grief Across a Lifetime:
As Damon navigates life, we witness the stages of grief revealed across decades. Memories enlarge through tunnel vision or the actual weight of time.
Is nostalgia a water-colored feeling available at any age, or does it flow with the facts of chronology?
Avoiding Foolishness and Hacks:
Blazer fumbles to avoid feeling foolish, being a hack, and living a lifetime of mediocrity.
In this journey, we meet a novelist for a new century—Dylan Brody.
In “Laughs Last,” Brody deftly weaves humor, vulnerability, and introspection. The novel invites readers to ponder the enduring impact of laughter, the weight of memories, and the passage of time.
May 3, 2019
I just simply loved this book. The story line is super interesting but also realistic and emotional. The characters are witty, and complex and most importantly (for me) human. It shows their good side and bad side, and you feel like you created a connection with each one of them, especially Damon, the main character.
How the plot develops took a little to understand. It hops through the timeline, going from present to past, to way past, then back to the past, before going back to the present. It could have been hard to follow, but the author does an excellent job in placing you and informing you where exactly you are in regards to the story. I have never seen anything like this, and I certainly enjoyed it.
I also loved how I was given a glimpse to the life of a comic. I love to laugh and truly enjoy going to stand-up comedy shows for a good time. To be able to see what they go through, how they have to prepare, how it is seen through their eyes is mind opener. I enjoyed the development of Damon as a comic and as a person, the lessons he learns from his Poppa as well as with life, and how that made him who he is. The book is delightful, entertaining, and you will certainly go out with a laugh.
How the plot develops took a little to understand. It hops through the timeline, going from present to past, to way past, then back to the past, before going back to the present. It could have been hard to follow, but the author does an excellent job in placing you and informing you where exactly you are in regards to the story. I have never seen anything like this, and I certainly enjoyed it.
I also loved how I was given a glimpse to the life of a comic. I love to laugh and truly enjoy going to stand-up comedy shows for a good time. To be able to see what they go through, how they have to prepare, how it is seen through their eyes is mind opener. I enjoyed the development of Damon as a comic and as a person, the lessons he learns from his Poppa as well as with life, and how that made him who he is. The book is delightful, entertaining, and you will certainly go out with a laugh.
April 17, 2024
Last Laugh took me on an unexpected journey into the world of stand-up comedy, a realm I never thought I'd explore. Despite my initial skepticism, I found myself strangely drawn to Damon Blaze's story, perhaps because of its raw humanity.
As someone who struggles to keep up with complex timelines, I admit I was initially bewildered by the narrative's jumps through time. However, as I delved deeper, I discovered the beauty in its unconventional structure, like finding the punchline in a joke that initially fell flat.
Damon's evolution as a comic and a person resonated with me on a personal level. His struggles with family dynamics and the weight of legacy hit close to home, reminding me of my own journey of self-discovery. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at the missed opportunities to fully showcase Damon's comedic brilliance on stage.
Despite its flaws, Last Laugh left a lasting impression on me. It's not just a novel about comedy; it's a reflection on life's absurdities and the power of laughter to navigate them. While I may not be rushing to attend a stand-up show anytime soon, this book has given me a newfound appreciation for the art form and the resilience of the human spirit.
As someone who struggles to keep up with complex timelines, I admit I was initially bewildered by the narrative's jumps through time. However, as I delved deeper, I discovered the beauty in its unconventional structure, like finding the punchline in a joke that initially fell flat.
Damon's evolution as a comic and a person resonated with me on a personal level. His struggles with family dynamics and the weight of legacy hit close to home, reminding me of my own journey of self-discovery. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at the missed opportunities to fully showcase Damon's comedic brilliance on stage.
Despite its flaws, Last Laugh left a lasting impression on me. It's not just a novel about comedy; it's a reflection on life's absurdities and the power of laughter to navigate them. While I may not be rushing to attend a stand-up show anytime soon, this book has given me a newfound appreciation for the art form and the resilience of the human spirit.
April 18, 2019
“My point is, the times you look back at and laugh are the times you laughed, not the other times.”
From your life, you remember the times you laughed. A point well made, maybe the central point of the story, but there is so much more in this book. I have to admit straightaway, I loved reading it. The main character is Damon, a clever stand-up comedian who is also clever and funny when he is not on stage. In fact, he finds it hard to not make jokes – potentially a problem. Damon takes us on a journey through his life, dipping in and out of the past, to witness his defining moments. The narrative flows and the scenes are built up from essential details. More than anything, we get to live these moments with Damon, feel his emotions and fears.
Yet Laughs Last is not only about one character. It is about family relationships, about ambition, about growing older and about life. And a masterclass in stand-up comedy – who doesn’t need to read that?
From your life, you remember the times you laughed. A point well made, maybe the central point of the story, but there is so much more in this book. I have to admit straightaway, I loved reading it. The main character is Damon, a clever stand-up comedian who is also clever and funny when he is not on stage. In fact, he finds it hard to not make jokes – potentially a problem. Damon takes us on a journey through his life, dipping in and out of the past, to witness his defining moments. The narrative flows and the scenes are built up from essential details. More than anything, we get to live these moments with Damon, feel his emotions and fears.
Yet Laughs Last is not only about one character. It is about family relationships, about ambition, about growing older and about life. And a masterclass in stand-up comedy – who doesn’t need to read that?
October 19, 2020
Since the excellence of this work is well-documented in multiple reviews, I’ll adopt a personal approach. The story is so well-conceived, and creates a personal, almost intimate, environment very quickly - right from the first page. My reader’s intuition says the book is at least semi-autographical, as things flow so well. For once, the device of Time Shifting actually benefits the narrative, by creating subtle levels of irony, humor and substance.
After reading “Laughs Last,” I immediately decided to “follow” and research the writer. I’m looking forward to new experiences with a master-storyteller guiding the way! Rather than gushing out a torrent of approbative adjectives (see what we did, there?), I’ll simply state that this book is an accomplishment that should be enjoyed by those who like humor, warmth, romance, drama, devotion, or most everything else about the human condition!
After reading “Laughs Last,” I immediately decided to “follow” and research the writer. I’m looking forward to new experiences with a master-storyteller guiding the way! Rather than gushing out a torrent of approbative adjectives (see what we did, there?), I’ll simply state that this book is an accomplishment that should be enjoyed by those who like humor, warmth, romance, drama, devotion, or most everything else about the human condition!
May 31, 2024
The initial chapters of Dylan Brody's Laughs Last were challenging for me to enjoy due to the abrupt time jumps, which made it difficult to follow. However, as the story progressed, it became more engaging. The time jumps between pages served as answers to questions raised in previous chapters, and Dylan skillfully weaves together pivotal moments in Damon's life. Damon's world, as a comic, is vastly different from that of "civilians" (a term he and his grandfather, Alvie Grunman, use to refer to non-comics).
It tells a story of how the things we do can affect those around us and how nothing is as it seems.
Chapter 14 stands out to me the most. comedy is not just his lifestyle, but it is his way of coping with the world. What's striking is the way Damon expresses joy in his tender moments with his partner, Cynthia, (unlike other chapters)and in the way he whispers his gratitude to the emcee.
Despite its brevity, Laughs Last takes readers on a meaningful journey.
It tells a story of how the things we do can affect those around us and how nothing is as it seems.
Chapter 14 stands out to me the most. comedy is not just his lifestyle, but it is his way of coping with the world. What's striking is the way Damon expresses joy in his tender moments with his partner, Cynthia, (unlike other chapters)and in the way he whispers his gratitude to the emcee.
Despite its brevity, Laughs Last takes readers on a meaningful journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2019
This is a story of connection. The connection between a man and his beloved trade. It is about the connection between a man and his kin. The story is also about the importance of humour.
The narration is a sequence of different, yet connecting, tales from different times in the life of Damon Blazer. This back and forth narration could have easily been confusing if not for Dylan’s incredible writing style. He made every scene memorable, gripping, and simple.
This is my first time of reading a novel with a comic lead character, and I can say Dylan didn’t disappoint in exposing me to what it takes to be a comic. Laughs Last introduce me to insights of comedic lifestyle.
This book is interesting. I smiled, laughed, and felt while reading it. In its beauty and subtle sadness, is one vital message: Laughs last.
The narration is a sequence of different, yet connecting, tales from different times in the life of Damon Blazer. This back and forth narration could have easily been confusing if not for Dylan’s incredible writing style. He made every scene memorable, gripping, and simple.
This is my first time of reading a novel with a comic lead character, and I can say Dylan didn’t disappoint in exposing me to what it takes to be a comic. Laughs Last introduce me to insights of comedic lifestyle.
This book is interesting. I smiled, laughed, and felt while reading it. In its beauty and subtle sadness, is one vital message: Laughs last.
July 16, 2019
In this book we find a really interesting story that makes you get immerse on it and keep reading. The way Dylan Brody brings us this story is different than the stories we use to read. We will be jumping from flashbacks to flashforward and vice versa so you have to link all those story to understand the behaviour of this character.
The characters development is a bit difficult to understand because it's not a lineal story, you go to the past and then back to the future so you may have difficulty on seeing the evolution of his behaviour but it's quite interesting to discover as the time it tells you how Damon discovers that he can't copy others joke because other people would know it.
However, it's a recommended reading so that's why I'm giving 4 out 5 stars.
The characters development is a bit difficult to understand because it's not a lineal story, you go to the past and then back to the future so you may have difficulty on seeing the evolution of his behaviour but it's quite interesting to discover as the time it tells you how Damon discovers that he can't copy others joke because other people would know it.
However, it's a recommended reading so that's why I'm giving 4 out 5 stars.
January 29, 2021
***3.5***
Reading this book kinda feels like I'm reading pieces of detailed memories, it's quite fun though! The story is great, i found it witty and interesting but for me, the time frames or just how the story shuffle back and forth was rather confusing probably because it's my first time with this writing style, still it's creative! Nevertheless, it's worth to start and keep reading it because somehow you'll slowly connect the story dots and that's when you'll start getting attached with a book!
Reading this book kinda feels like I'm reading pieces of detailed memories, it's quite fun though! The story is great, i found it witty and interesting but for me, the time frames or just how the story shuffle back and forth was rather confusing probably because it's my first time with this writing style, still it's creative! Nevertheless, it's worth to start and keep reading it because somehow you'll slowly connect the story dots and that's when you'll start getting attached with a book!
March 21, 2018
Out with a Laugh
Just finished reading Laughs Last. Reading Dylan Brody’s semi-autobiographical novel, I was held in suspense, wondering what Damon’s grandfather asked him to do. Having reached the book’s end and the last laugh, I wanted more. Guess I have to buy another of Brody’s books, watch his standup, or buy his audio works. Really enjoyed learning about the craft of standup comedy.
Just finished reading Laughs Last. Reading Dylan Brody’s semi-autobiographical novel, I was held in suspense, wondering what Damon’s grandfather asked him to do. Having reached the book’s end and the last laugh, I wanted more. Guess I have to buy another of Brody’s books, watch his standup, or buy his audio works. Really enjoyed learning about the craft of standup comedy.
May 29, 2019
When I opened the first page, before eventually realising the book was switching between time periods, I didn't know what to expect, and since it was my first encounter with its kind, I was like, "let's see how he pulls this off." In the end, I can say that the execution is quite great, and with it comes a story that is a near life experience and challenges that anyone could go through on his way to his dreams. 👍
December 22, 2019
This is a book dead serious about jokes. It's also beautifully written and grabs hold of you until the story is told, leaving something wonderful behind. It's about growing up and finding your place, a perfect connection and going out on a laugh.
It's a book to keep you smiling for a long time and I can't recommend it enough.
It's a book to keep you smiling for a long time and I can't recommend it enough.
December 24, 2019
This is a book dead serious about jokes. It's also beautifully written and grabs hold of you until the story is told, leaving something wonderful behind. It's about growing up and finding your place, a perfect connection and going out on a laugh.
It's a book to keep you smiling for a long time and I can't recommend it enough.
It's a book to keep you smiling for a long time and I can't recommend it enough.
May 29, 2021
My 2nd read for Dylan Brody beautifully written about growing up and finding your peace.
Comedy books! loved the way the author writes his books.
I always like stories with flashbacks or changes in the time where you can feel you're watching it in front of your eyes. the time changing is not annoying me at all, it's getting you evolved in a beautiful way.
Comedy books! loved the way the author writes his books.
I always like stories with flashbacks or changes in the time where you can feel you're watching it in front of your eyes. the time changing is not annoying me at all, it's getting you evolved in a beautiful way.
August 31, 2017
I started this a while ago and I decided that I'd block off sections of time to read it. Unfortunately I've got it as an eBook and I don't read e-books after 9 pm. I don't want to wait till I go on vacation and have nothing to do but relax. And that unfortunately might be reality.
July 29, 2020
A lovely read with a beautiful story line and seamless switch of sequence.. Almost like jumping through time lines while still piecing the story together.. I enjoyed it.
October 25, 2023
Really the best novel ever written about standup comedy. Dylan Brody is not a civilian.
October 31, 2023
i can't really say anything bad about this book in terms of writing style, except perhaps the non-chronological structuring was a bit confusing. the plot however? i have a lot to say about that. i feel like if you are interested in comedy, laughs last could be nice read. however, i am what they call a "civilian," and i just... don't care. i think partly this is my fault for seeking out this book when i am so indifferent to its main topic, but it is also the author's job to pull a reader in, regardless of how they feel about the subject, is it not?
i just think this book was overdramatic about a lot of things, maybe because i don't care about comedy. half the time i was reading, i was wondering if anything was as remotely as deep as damon and poppa made it out to be. i can somewhat understand them when comedy becomes damon's livelihood, but their dialogue and interactions in damon's childhood made me ask why poppa wasn't in a straightjacket, which i don't think was brody's intention.
this scene especially was so???
"Without looking up from the food, Damon said, “You know what’s an oxymoron? Jumbo shrimp. Al- so, Military intelligence.” Poppa laughed aloud. Mom laughed a hissing little laugh. Dad looked up from the puzzle sharply and said, “That’s not yours.” “How do you know?” Damon asked. “Simon,” Poppa scolded. “You don’t accuse someone of—” but Dad cut him off. “You’re nine, Damon. Do you know what ‘oxymo- ron’ means?” “It means—um—” Damon squirmed, trying to find the meaning that would make sense of the laugh he had heard the joke get. Before he could get there, Poppa stepped in. He had never heard his grandfather sound so worried, so angry. “Is that true, Damon? Where did you get that joke?”
truly the strangest family dynamic i've ever read. a nine year old making a joke and everyone going "you stole that!! how dare you??" like who cares. perhaps i take things a bit too literally.
and when we find out that the insane oh-so-significant thing that damon did at poppa's funeral was... gluing a fake nose on him?? what. this was being pushed as a huge thing, something violently evil, or an award winning emmy skit, depending on which character you asked. apparently damon's father and brother never forgave him. over gluing a fake nose on a corpse. all this waffling over a fake nose, like i genuinely don't get it. it comes across as prank by an 8 year old—damon was supposedly a grown man at the time, but who knows, really—neither funny, nor particularly evil boundary pushing. again, my reaction was who cares? this was such an anticlimactic reveal; i was actually excited to know what he did, and he did this. like okay, i guess. i'm sorry, i just hated poppa's character—i wanted damon to actually do something horrific to him and turn it into a joke.
i think i just can't care about male characters unless reading from a female pov, or in scifi/fantasy, and unfortunately, this happens to be contemporary literary fiction. i loved the cynthia character though, and her relationship with damon was nicely written.
2 stars. thank you to booktasters for sending me a copy.
i just think this book was overdramatic about a lot of things, maybe because i don't care about comedy. half the time i was reading, i was wondering if anything was as remotely as deep as damon and poppa made it out to be. i can somewhat understand them when comedy becomes damon's livelihood, but their dialogue and interactions in damon's childhood made me ask why poppa wasn't in a straightjacket, which i don't think was brody's intention.
this scene especially was so???
"Without looking up from the food, Damon said, “You know what’s an oxymoron? Jumbo shrimp. Al- so, Military intelligence.” Poppa laughed aloud. Mom laughed a hissing little laugh. Dad looked up from the puzzle sharply and said, “That’s not yours.” “How do you know?” Damon asked. “Simon,” Poppa scolded. “You don’t accuse someone of—” but Dad cut him off. “You’re nine, Damon. Do you know what ‘oxymo- ron’ means?” “It means—um—” Damon squirmed, trying to find the meaning that would make sense of the laugh he had heard the joke get. Before he could get there, Poppa stepped in. He had never heard his grandfather sound so worried, so angry. “Is that true, Damon? Where did you get that joke?”
truly the strangest family dynamic i've ever read. a nine year old making a joke and everyone going "you stole that!! how dare you??" like who cares. perhaps i take things a bit too literally.
and when we find out that the insane oh-so-significant thing that damon did at poppa's funeral was... gluing a fake nose on him?? what. this was being pushed as a huge thing, something violently evil, or an award winning emmy skit, depending on which character you asked. apparently damon's father and brother never forgave him. over gluing a fake nose on a corpse. all this waffling over a fake nose, like i genuinely don't get it. it comes across as prank by an 8 year old—damon was supposedly a grown man at the time, but who knows, really—neither funny, nor particularly evil boundary pushing. again, my reaction was who cares? this was such an anticlimactic reveal; i was actually excited to know what he did, and he did this. like okay, i guess. i'm sorry, i just hated poppa's character—i wanted damon to actually do something horrific to him and turn it into a joke.
i think i just can't care about male characters unless reading from a female pov, or in scifi/fantasy, and unfortunately, this happens to be contemporary literary fiction. i loved the cynthia character though, and her relationship with damon was nicely written.
2 stars. thank you to booktasters for sending me a copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2023
Well deserved 4 stars book.
I must thank Booktasters that offered my the opportunity to read this book and discover a new author.
As they say, never judge a book by its cover.
As for the book, there are many timelines, hard to relate with at first, but the more you read, the more you perceive their function.
Moreover, I appreciated the elephant in the room, represented by what really happened during Damon's granfather funeral, the pivotal moment of the story.
It's ecplained towards the end, when the reader is almost ready for something powerful, but maybe not so powerful.
I've never read of the stand-up comedy world before, but it's been pretty amusing.
I must thank Booktasters that offered my the opportunity to read this book and discover a new author.
As they say, never judge a book by its cover.
As for the book, there are many timelines, hard to relate with at first, but the more you read, the more you perceive their function.
Moreover, I appreciated the elephant in the room, represented by what really happened during Damon's granfather funeral, the pivotal moment of the story.
It's ecplained towards the end, when the reader is almost ready for something powerful, but maybe not so powerful.
I've never read of the stand-up comedy world before, but it's been pretty amusing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews