Lenny Bruce: The Comedian As Social Critic and Secular Moralist

by Frank Kofsky

Clean, bright used copy with tight binding. Inscription and date on flyleaf. NEVER a library book./lh

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Jeff Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a biography of Bruce, this ain't it. Kofsky's written a glorified essay on the style of Bruce's comedy and on his influences (jazz culture, Judiasm, the black experience). He uses excerpts from Bruce's stand-up material to show how LB exposed the hypocrisy of late 1950's and early 1960's society.

Not the most well-written book (he uses far too many syllables!) but worth investing the time it takes to get through 113 pages.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great critical investigation of Bruce's material and how it affected the culture and establishment at the time. A real eye opener into who Mr. Bruce pissed off and how. I liked how Kofsky described Bruce as a person who applied rational thought to the establishment and status quo and was taken down for it. Being tried for obscenity on what Bruce said would be unthinkable today and it is because of his sacrifice that so many comedians can talk about serious issues. Kofsky states that before Bruce comedians occupied themselves with trivial subject material, how dull that must have been. That is the first half of the manuscript. The second half starts with a comparison of Bruce to black artists and how they faced similar problems and prejudice and goes on to discuss being Jewish in the post war years. Trying to assimilate and "out-gentilling the gentiles" to fit into American culture. How his Jewishness affected his upbringing. It is refreshing to read and learn about such a great guy, a rational thinker with stellar morals.

[Andre Diehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid introduction to the work of Bruce. Super good preface about how historians are ding-a-lings. Kofsky takes them to task.