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Drink, Play, F@#k: One Man's Search for Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas, and Thailand
In Drink, Play, F@#k Bob Sullivan, a jilted husband, sets off to explore the world, experience a meaningful connection with the divine, and rediscover his passion.
His travels lead him from his home in New York City to a drinking bender across Ireland, through the glitz and glamour that is Las Vegas, and to the hedonistic pleasure palaces of Thailand.
After a lifetime of playing it safe, Mr. Sullivan finally follows his heart and lives out everyone's deepest fantasies. For who among us hasn't dreamed of standing stark naked, head upturned, and mouth agape beneath a cascading torrent of Guinness Stout?
What could be more exhilarating than losing every penny you have because Charlie Weiss went for a meaningless last-second field goal? And what sensate creature could ever doubt that the greatest pleasure known to man can be found in a leaky bamboo shack filled with glassy-eyed, bruised Asian hookers?
Bob Sullivan has a lot to teach us about life. Let's just pray we have the wisdom to put aside our preconceptions and listen. Because what Bob Sullivan finds isn't at all what he expected.
His travels lead him from his home in New York City to a drinking bender across Ireland, through the glitz and glamour that is Las Vegas, and to the hedonistic pleasure palaces of Thailand.
After a lifetime of playing it safe, Mr. Sullivan finally follows his heart and lives out everyone's deepest fantasies. For who among us hasn't dreamed of standing stark naked, head upturned, and mouth agape beneath a cascading torrent of Guinness Stout?
What could be more exhilarating than losing every penny you have because Charlie Weiss went for a meaningless last-second field goal? And what sensate creature could ever doubt that the greatest pleasure known to man can be found in a leaky bamboo shack filled with glassy-eyed, bruised Asian hookers?
Bob Sullivan has a lot to teach us about life. Let's just pray we have the wisdom to put aside our preconceptions and listen. Because what Bob Sullivan finds isn't at all what he expected.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
February 14, 2009
On the cover of Elizabeth Gilbert's mega-bestselling spiritual travel memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, the word eat is spelled out in pasta, the word play in prayer beads, and the word love in flower petals. On the cover of Andrew Gottlieb's parody send-up of that book, the word drink is spelled out in beer bottle caps, play in poker chips, and f@#k in condoms.
When this suspiciously familiar cover caught my eye at B&N the other day, it immediately put a smile on my face. I liked Gilbert's book a lot, but not so much that I couldn't appreciate a well-done parody. And a well-done parody this is.
Gottlieb's faux memoir is written from the perspective of a man who sounds a lot like an ex-Mr. Gilbert, one whose heart has been broken when his "neurotic, self-obsessed wife" of eight years leaves him and immediately begins shacking up with "some guy named David." To recover from this tragedy, he decides to take a year off to go drinking in Ireland, gambling in Vegas, and getting laid in Thailand.
Given the title and the premise, I thought this book might be a much harsher, crueler attack on Gilbert's book than it actually is. While Gottlieb's character Bob Sullivan makes several pointed jabs at his ex-wife, much of the commentary and criticism on the famous book this one mirrors is woven into the story of Sullivan's journey in a surprisingly profound way. Because despite Bob's embracing of a rather unconventional path of "healing," he's actually a sensitive guy, not seeking the kind of oblivion the title might suggest but rather just trying to recover from a broken heart in the best way he knows how. So the book is actually a real story (albeit a rather fantastical one) with a real character, one that I developed a fair amount of affection for along the way.
I found this book in the humor section. It is a funny book, though more in a smile-on-my-face kind of way than in a laugh-out-loud kind of way. Much of the humor for me came from seeing the places in which this story creatively diverged from the original. That's also where much of my admiration for this book came from, as it actually contains a surprising amount of wisdom within its goofy premise. I found his choice to mirror Gilbert's pursuit of spiritual transformation at an Indian guru's ashram with Bob's discovery of Nirvana in Vegas particularly inspired, and I thought it offered a great deal more in the way of practical spiritual philosophy than Gilbert's book does.
So I would recommend this book, although I haven't the slightest idea as to whom. Those who loved Gilberts' book probably won't appreciate its interwoven criticisms. Those who hated it probably won't find it harsh enough, and those who never read it won't get much of the brilliance of its execution. So maybe if you had enough mixed feelings about EPL to give it 3 stars, this book is for you.
When this suspiciously familiar cover caught my eye at B&N the other day, it immediately put a smile on my face. I liked Gilbert's book a lot, but not so much that I couldn't appreciate a well-done parody. And a well-done parody this is.
Gottlieb's faux memoir is written from the perspective of a man who sounds a lot like an ex-Mr. Gilbert, one whose heart has been broken when his "neurotic, self-obsessed wife" of eight years leaves him and immediately begins shacking up with "some guy named David." To recover from this tragedy, he decides to take a year off to go drinking in Ireland, gambling in Vegas, and getting laid in Thailand.
Given the title and the premise, I thought this book might be a much harsher, crueler attack on Gilbert's book than it actually is. While Gottlieb's character Bob Sullivan makes several pointed jabs at his ex-wife, much of the commentary and criticism on the famous book this one mirrors is woven into the story of Sullivan's journey in a surprisingly profound way. Because despite Bob's embracing of a rather unconventional path of "healing," he's actually a sensitive guy, not seeking the kind of oblivion the title might suggest but rather just trying to recover from a broken heart in the best way he knows how. So the book is actually a real story (albeit a rather fantastical one) with a real character, one that I developed a fair amount of affection for along the way.
I found this book in the humor section. It is a funny book, though more in a smile-on-my-face kind of way than in a laugh-out-loud kind of way. Much of the humor for me came from seeing the places in which this story creatively diverged from the original. That's also where much of my admiration for this book came from, as it actually contains a surprising amount of wisdom within its goofy premise. I found his choice to mirror Gilbert's pursuit of spiritual transformation at an Indian guru's ashram with Bob's discovery of Nirvana in Vegas particularly inspired, and I thought it offered a great deal more in the way of practical spiritual philosophy than Gilbert's book does.
So I would recommend this book, although I haven't the slightest idea as to whom. Those who loved Gilberts' book probably won't appreciate its interwoven criticisms. Those who hated it probably won't find it harsh enough, and those who never read it won't get much of the brilliance of its execution. So maybe if you had enough mixed feelings about EPL to give it 3 stars, this book is for you.
April 29, 2009
So I see this book my wife is reading, skim the back cover and think "right up my alley - drinking, golf, gambling..." with stops in Ireland and Vegas. Start reading it with the prologue about a broken marriage that sets the guy on his year long journey and begin with the Ireland pub-hopping that is the first third. Seems like a genius book told pretty hilariously with stories that are plausible but very funny. Then goes to Vegas where he gets a bit more introspective while splitting his time between the tables and golf course, a personal heaven, and while the book is bogging down a bit, still finding it enjoyable.
However, then two things happen that kill it for me - for some reason I take a closer look at the back cover...and discover this is complete fiction. I was under the impression this was a very true story. While telling my wife what a disappointment that was, she alerts me that not only is it fake, it's actually ripped off from a slightly more serious and factual tale from a woman with the same general concept of spending a year finding one-self but with a much softer touch (and title). Between those two, this went from a possibly high recommendation to a "well, it only takes about 2 hours to read - might as well finish".
The final third of the book, based in Thailand, is just a long "and then I had sex and then found my true love and we'll live happily ever after"....
So, the Irish third is a 4 star (5 star with -1 cause it's not real), the Vegas a 3 star, and the Thailand coupled with it being a rip-off fictional book a 2 star, to come to my average rating of 3 stars. Worth reading if you like drinking, golfing and gambling and have a few hours to kill.
However, then two things happen that kill it for me - for some reason I take a closer look at the back cover...and discover this is complete fiction. I was under the impression this was a very true story. While telling my wife what a disappointment that was, she alerts me that not only is it fake, it's actually ripped off from a slightly more serious and factual tale from a woman with the same general concept of spending a year finding one-self but with a much softer touch (and title). Between those two, this went from a possibly high recommendation to a "well, it only takes about 2 hours to read - might as well finish".
The final third of the book, based in Thailand, is just a long "and then I had sex and then found my true love and we'll live happily ever after"....
So, the Irish third is a 4 star (5 star with -1 cause it's not real), the Vegas a 3 star, and the Thailand coupled with it being a rip-off fictional book a 2 star, to come to my average rating of 3 stars. Worth reading if you like drinking, golfing and gambling and have a few hours to kill.
September 2, 2009
Because I loathe whiny and sappy books like "Eat. Pray. Love." I was very curious to read this fictitious alternative. The first part had to do with drinking in Ireland. I laughed so hard during these chapters I thought I would have a brain aneurysm. I thought for sure this would be a four star book.
As I moved to the second part about gambling and golf my four star rating turned into a three star rating. I don't gamble and I don't golf and maybe I shouldn't judge a book because of my own ignorance to the subject.
I was curious about the third section having to do with getting laid. Was the narrator going to be jock obnoxious about going to Thailand to get some tail? No. There was sex but not the flamboyant kind of sexual narrative. I appreciated that.
This was a fun book to read but quite average. My favorite quote from the book is: "The Irish drink the way Americans work and invade sovereign nations. It's what they're about"
As I moved to the second part about gambling and golf my four star rating turned into a three star rating. I don't gamble and I don't golf and maybe I shouldn't judge a book because of my own ignorance to the subject.
I was curious about the third section having to do with getting laid. Was the narrator going to be jock obnoxious about going to Thailand to get some tail? No. There was sex but not the flamboyant kind of sexual narrative. I appreciated that.
This was a fun book to read but quite average. My favorite quote from the book is: "The Irish drink the way Americans work and invade sovereign nations. It's what they're about"
May 6, 2015
It was ok. Each of the three sections dragged for the last two chapters and the final section was a bit wanky. Other than that, it was a fast plane-read and quite amusing. I hadn't read the original Eat, Pray, Love as I find worthy, self-improvement books incredibly boring and a waste of time - I need a full body retooling rather than touch-ups on the rusty spots, so I can't tell if this was a good parody or not. Still, like the curate's egg, it was good, in parts.
December 21, 2014
A fast and funny parody of Eat, Pray, Love. I never read the original, but I did see the movie. Wasn't a huge fan of the movie. This book is a cute send off and just as unbelievable. The man's good fortune on his journey is so over the top but still very funny at times. Makes me want to travel none the less, although my journey would be more Eat Drink Eat!!
March 17, 2009
This book is nothing if not a conversation starter -- especially if (like me) you're happy for an excuse to rant about the horrors of the Eat Pray Love Elizabeth Gilbert cult. Oh. But. I never read Eat Pray Love! -- or at least, I hadn't until this delightful spoof of that narcissistic romp fell into my hands. A few pages into Drink Play Fuck, I decided (or rather, was advised by a wise reader peering over my shoulder) that I would be better able to giggle at Drink Play Fuck if I first spent some quality time with the tripe that inspired it. And after spending an afternoon in Barnes and Noble quickly turning Eat Pray Love's pages and pretending to be invisible, I was properly in on the joke: What makes this book fun is that Gottlieb doesn't just mock Gilbert's premise, he studiously snarks her various adventures and platitudes line by line. It's hard to sustain that kind of parody for pages and pages, but to Gottlieb's credit, narrator Bob Sullivan manages to be likeable and entertaining enough to carry the story and do his share of good-humored philosophizing on the gender-trumping predicament of heart-break. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever suspected that boys have a bit more fun than girls do (for all its bravado, Drink Play Fuck reassured me that in fact, they don't, thank you very much).
September 10, 2015
Pretty funny.
I liked it more than the work it parodies, but that's not saying much. Different people will relate to the three parts in personal ways; for me the funniest parts were definitely in the centerpiece, the chapters set in Las Vegas. Altogether the humor was very familiar, like comfort food, like... dare I say... sitcoms? This is typically a bad thing, but at least there's no laugh track for a book.
The serendipity / coincidences at the end were very, very hard to swallow. Just kind of a neat (contrived) way to wrap everything up.
I liked it more than the work it parodies, but that's not saying much. Different people will relate to the three parts in personal ways; for me the funniest parts were definitely in the centerpiece, the chapters set in Las Vegas. Altogether the humor was very familiar, like comfort food, like... dare I say... sitcoms? This is typically a bad thing, but at least there's no laugh track for a book.
The serendipity / coincidences at the end were very, very hard to swallow. Just kind of a neat (contrived) way to wrap everything up.
June 21, 2022
Fun, easy read
January 30, 2011
I read (okay – listened to the unabridged version) of Eat, Pray, Love last year and saw this tagged at Amazon as one of those “you might be interested in” books. I like travel literature. I have traveled quite a bit in Asia (Thailand in particular) so I thought I would buy it and read it. I wasn’t disappointed. It was a quick page turner that I burned through in a week or so of stolen moments of reading. I was struck by the way the book danced on the edge of credibility. The central character was engaged in what were believable pursuits in Ireland and Thailand – but the Vegas part was too coincidental and does anyone without a history in the city really get so much gratis (a suite at the Bellagio) and – where did this guy get all the money to live on?
Part of the problem with the book is that I did not read carefully enough the sales information or realize I was reading a piece of fiction. I thought it was true until I finished the book. Had I known the book was a work of fiction (I thought it as an embellished true account) going in I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much for the extraordinary nature of this man’s journey – the people and circumstances connecting each transition (from Ireland to Vegas to Thailand) would have been lost.
That being said – go ahead and read it. There is enough truth in the fiction to engage your traveling spirit and inspire you too to let go a bit and live. For all of us wanting to cast our jobs off for a year or more to go travel – this is an enjoyable and encouraging tome.
Oh – and it’s well written. The author has a background writing comedy and it shows in the witty word usage in the book and allusions to popular culture sprinkled throughout.
Part of the problem with the book is that I did not read carefully enough the sales information or realize I was reading a piece of fiction. I thought it was true until I finished the book. Had I known the book was a work of fiction (I thought it as an embellished true account) going in I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much for the extraordinary nature of this man’s journey – the people and circumstances connecting each transition (from Ireland to Vegas to Thailand) would have been lost.
That being said – go ahead and read it. There is enough truth in the fiction to engage your traveling spirit and inspire you too to let go a bit and live. For all of us wanting to cast our jobs off for a year or more to go travel – this is an enjoyable and encouraging tome.
Oh – and it’s well written. The author has a background writing comedy and it shows in the witty word usage in the book and allusions to popular culture sprinkled throughout.
December 3, 2022
"Se você não der uma arejada, tomar uma cerveja e jogar um carteado de vez em quando, vai acabar ficando louco. E se estiver louco, vai acabar tomando as decisões erradas a respeito das coisas importantes."
Depois de ler Comer, rezar, amar eu não poderia estar mais curioso para ler este livro do Andrew Gottlied. E olha, ele deu "check" em todas as coisas que eu achei que daria:
- Livro extremamente fácil de ler
- Envelheceu MUITO mal do início dos anos 2000 pra cá (sinceramente, até pra época já era ruim)
- RECHEADO de exemplos de masculinidade frágil (e alguns de tóxica também)
- Passagens tão heterossexuais que eu estava até com medo de levar uma lampadada do livro
Agora, uma coisa que eu não achei que aconteceria, mas aconteceu, é que a história dele é diretamente ligada com a do livro de Elizabeth Gilbert. Aqui, temos a perspectiva do marido da autora que é abandonado depois de oito anos de casado e resolve sair de uma jornada envolvendo bebida, jogatina e sexo. Inclusive algumas passagens são IGUAIS ao do livro original, só adaptadas para um personagem masculino.
Amei? Não.
Odiei? Também não.
Achei problemático? Muito.
Me manteve entretido? Mais do que eu gostaria.
Leia se você:
- For muito machão e quiser ler uma história para machões
- Não tiver nada pra fazer e só quiser uma coisa fácil de ler
- Já tiver lido o livro original. Vale a experiência
Depois de ler Comer, rezar, amar eu não poderia estar mais curioso para ler este livro do Andrew Gottlied. E olha, ele deu "check" em todas as coisas que eu achei que daria:
- Livro extremamente fácil de ler
- Envelheceu MUITO mal do início dos anos 2000 pra cá (sinceramente, até pra época já era ruim)
- RECHEADO de exemplos de masculinidade frágil (e alguns de tóxica também)
- Passagens tão heterossexuais que eu estava até com medo de levar uma lampadada do livro
Agora, uma coisa que eu não achei que aconteceria, mas aconteceu, é que a história dele é diretamente ligada com a do livro de Elizabeth Gilbert. Aqui, temos a perspectiva do marido da autora que é abandonado depois de oito anos de casado e resolve sair de uma jornada envolvendo bebida, jogatina e sexo. Inclusive algumas passagens são IGUAIS ao do livro original, só adaptadas para um personagem masculino.
Amei? Não.
Odiei? Também não.
Achei problemático? Muito.
Me manteve entretido? Mais do que eu gostaria.
Leia se você:
- For muito machão e quiser ler uma história para machões
- Não tiver nada pra fazer e só quiser uma coisa fácil de ler
- Já tiver lido o livro original. Vale a experiência
April 20, 2021
To say I wasn't a fan of this would be a huge understatement.
I thought this was terrible in every sense of the word, misleading and a complete and utter waste of my time.
Yes let's make a love story out of what should have been the best anti-love story of all time! You wife completely fucks you over after 8 years of marriage.. (apparently travels the world and writes an amazing best selling novel about it too) and you ... what.. get drunk, gamble, get laid.. and then... FALL IN LOVE?!?! Are you fucking kidding me???
This book is like 12 pages long (way to ruin my page quota for 2021) and every single word is dreadful.. well I guess he did use the words "Dublin" and "chip" ok, and even in the correct context and everything.
this book was not funny, not amusing it was barely even readable.. it's only saving grace was the fact that it was like 12 pages long.. otherwise I would have thrown this book against a wall and scream, Fuck you Bobby Sullivan.. you unfunny, alcoholic, women hating (and then loving), piece of shit, no wonder your wife left you!
I'm only being dramatic.. this book was ok, still kind of bad tho... (if that pissed you off, now you know how this book made me feel)
I thought this was terrible in every sense of the word, misleading and a complete and utter waste of my time.
Yes let's make a love story out of what should have been the best anti-love story of all time! You wife completely fucks you over after 8 years of marriage.. (apparently travels the world and writes an amazing best selling novel about it too) and you ... what.. get drunk, gamble, get laid.. and then... FALL IN LOVE?!?! Are you fucking kidding me???
This book is like 12 pages long (way to ruin my page quota for 2021) and every single word is dreadful.. well I guess he did use the words "Dublin" and "chip" ok, and even in the correct context and everything.
this book was not funny, not amusing it was barely even readable.. it's only saving grace was the fact that it was like 12 pages long.. otherwise I would have thrown this book against a wall and scream, Fuck you Bobby Sullivan.. you unfunny, alcoholic, women hating (and then loving), piece of shit, no wonder your wife left you!
I'm only being dramatic.. this book was ok, still kind of bad tho... (if that pissed you off, now you know how this book made me feel)
January 3, 2025
A fairly enthralling book, which is meant to riff off of the famed Eat, Pray, Love. But halfway through, I decided to look at the back cover, and realized that it's a faux memoir, a constructed parody, not real! It seemed real enough, and plausible enough, but it wasn't. This changed my opinion of the book; if it really was a satire of the original, then it should have been more ridiculous, funnier, and in general more absurd.
January 1, 2024
Quick read, a little predictable and underwhelming, but some new inventive ways on life lessons and travel opportunities
March 27, 2010
I enjoyed this book so much I'm giving it 4 stars!. Yes, that's four stars with an exclamation mark. Or maybe four gold stars and a silver. Or 4.9 stars, which don't round up to 5. I'd have given it 5 stars if I hadn't just given Holocaust 5 stars, although not because reading that one made me happy, obviously. And there's no reason to lament, again, the Goodreads 5-star system, so I'll just explain now what I love so much about this book.
The main character, Robert Sullivan, is ridiculously likable. Even when you know that if anyone else was saying the stuff he's saying, you would think he might be a bit of an ass. Bobby isn't an ass, even when he calls himself a douche. I laughed out loud, smiled the whole time I was reading it, and I want to pass it on to everyone I know who doesn't mind reading about drinking, playing, and f@#cking. Not that this book is the least bit raunchy. It's like reading The Hangover (which, for the record, I don't consider a raunchy movie, so if you do, this book is probably not for you): just as preposterous, slightly less rib-cracking hilarious (probably only because it's not visual), and sadly without Bradley Cooper's aviators or stolen tiger hijinks. Is it weird to say this book is kind of like chick-lit for dudes? Because that's sort of how I think about it.
Anyhow, this book is totally fun and now one of my absolute favorites to make me feel happy, which is the whole point. Thank you, Andrew Gottlieb.
The main character, Robert Sullivan, is ridiculously likable. Even when you know that if anyone else was saying the stuff he's saying, you would think he might be a bit of an ass. Bobby isn't an ass, even when he calls himself a douche. I laughed out loud, smiled the whole time I was reading it, and I want to pass it on to everyone I know who doesn't mind reading about drinking, playing, and f@#cking. Not that this book is the least bit raunchy. It's like reading The Hangover (which, for the record, I don't consider a raunchy movie, so if you do, this book is probably not for you): just as preposterous, slightly less rib-cracking hilarious (probably only because it's not visual), and sadly without Bradley Cooper's aviators or stolen tiger hijinks. Is it weird to say this book is kind of like chick-lit for dudes? Because that's sort of how I think about it.
Anyhow, this book is totally fun and now one of my absolute favorites to make me feel happy, which is the whole point. Thank you, Andrew Gottlieb.
March 29, 2010
I picked up this book because I thought it might be fun to read a sattire based on "Eat, Pray, Love", which I have just finished reading. This book is basically the male version. It started out pretty funny and I was able to forgive the poking fun at a book I loved, but as the book progressed, I just got bored. He was following the formula, but it just wasn't exciting or insightful. It didn't make you think or do anything. I was just reading the words and hoping to get to something interesting until I just had to give up toward the end of Las Vegas. I love Las Vegas, but he made it boring. I tried to skip forward to Thailand hoping that would be more interesting, but it wasn't. So, I just stopped. I had to put it down. I hate to not finish books or movies, but this was one I just couldn't trudge through. I do not reccomend this one at all.
November 26, 2010
Parody of the bestselling book 'Eat, Pray, Love' which, according to the hype, everybody has read although I can't name a single person I know who has. Bob Sullivan is a man on a mission and that's to have as much fun as possible. His wife of eight years has left him so he decides to re-evaluate his life and take a year out to get up to as much irresponsible activity as he can. He goes on a drinking bender in Ireland, gambles several thousand dollars away in Las Vegas then heads to Thailand for what men usually go to Thailand for. It was very funny, sometimes in a laugh out loud way, and at less than two hundred pages was a light whizz through book. I think I may have enjoyed it more if I'd read the book it's making fun of but it was still good enough to hold my attention.
August 27, 2016
Это что-то новенькое! Мужской вызов "Ешь молись люби". Хочу отметить, что вначале лучше прочитать женскую версию, тогда весь юмор, сарказм и модель повествования станет более понятной. Только тогда можно будет действительно насладиться "Пей, играй и ххх".
Читается ещё легче и быстрее, а главное — интересно, как "восстанавливаются" мужчины после развода? Смешно, глупо и немного типично. Вот моё мнение. Хотя, это было очень приятное чтиво, не скрою. Хотя бы для того, чтобы поднять настроение, уже стоит взять эту книгу в руки.
Читается ещё легче и быстрее, а главное — интересно, как "восстанавливаются" мужчины после развода? Смешно, глупо и немного типично. Вот моё мнение. Хотя, это было очень приятное чтиво, не скрою. Хотя бы для того, чтобы поднять настроение, уже стоит взять эту книгу в руки.
March 11, 2009
a hilarious alternative to the popular East, Love, Pray only from the perspective of a man whose wife walked out on him after several years of marriage. Not too deep but not as shallow as you might expect. Lots of guy's thoughts/impressions. Serious and as emotional as an average saddened man will allow himself to be. Light, bubblegum but definitely worth the read! :)
May 6, 2009
Was ok, like literally just ''ok''
Nowhere near as deep or as long for that matter as the wives version but that could be a male / female thing OR that that could be because she was a writer and he was not ?
Anyhow .. made for a quick light read, some interesting thoughts expressed along with glimpses of insight into the male mind.
Nowhere near as deep or as long for that matter as the wives version but that could be a male / female thing OR that that could be because she was a writer and he was not ?
Anyhow .. made for a quick light read, some interesting thoughts expressed along with glimpses of insight into the male mind.
July 24, 2010
I think Cynthia would get a kick out of this one;-) My dd's reading Eat Pray Love so when I saw this in a bookstore today in Golden BC, I couldn't resist.
No, fugedaboudit. Reall, really, REALLY dumb!!!
No, fugedaboudit. Reall, really, REALLY dumb!!!
May 19, 2010
Of similar pseudo-lit as Augusten Burroughs or Tucker Max. Casual, metaphor-laden writing saved only by occasionally humorous anecdotes and imagery. It's not a complete waste of time as it's short. Take it to the beach or take it on a plane and finish it there.
November 2, 2024
Бях приятно изненадана, доста духовита книга, накара ме да се засмея. Въпреки леко скандалното заглавие, в крайна сметка в книгата има засегнати сериозни теми по един хумористичен и леко глуповат начин с приятна нотка на самоирония.
May 21, 2010
Started strong with the humour then got a bit too hollywood chick flick for my tastes. Not a bad read but not nearly what it could have been.
November 2, 2010
An easy read if you are looking for something mindless. The main character, Bobby, can get a bit annoying at times. There are better things out there to spend your time doing.
June 21, 2023
"Drink, Play, F@#k" is an extremely cleverly written parody of Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia" (Penguin, 2006).
While the events that Elizabeth Gilbert recounts in her 2006 memoir which was adapted into a movie in 2010 are undoubtedly true, the manner in which she wrote about the events is based on a very simple formula: select three (3) different locations, describe three (3) different experiences, and viola: you've crafted a memoir which is about a series of growth experiences, and the story is perfectly paced for creating a book which will sell well !!
The administrators who work at Penguin are quite obviously very familiar with this formula, they know that this formula will create a book which will sell very well. The formula of describing three different experiences which the narrator/ protagonist had experienced in three different locations works to create a book which will sell very well because this creates a story which is not excessively simple and concurrently not excessively complicated, which makes for a book which is very easy for bookstores to promote.
For those who are not familiar with "Eat, Pray, Love," the story is about Elizabeth Gilbert's decision to leave her life in the U.S. and travel to three different countries, and prior to embarking on her journey, she divorced her husband. Again, for those who are familiar with the publishing industry: while the events that Elizabeth Gilbert recounts are true, the manner in which she describes the events is clearly intended to fit into a formula which publishers are very familiar with. Many people throughout the U.S. (and throughout numerous other countries, no doubt) occasionally wonder what it would be like to leave the life that they're living behind and proceed to travel- and Elizabeth Gilbert not only thought about this, she actually proceeded to do this- thus, creating a memoir which was destined to sell very well in the 2000's.
When you read "Eat, Pray Love," you don't find out what happens to Elizabeth Gilbert's husband.
So, Andrew Gottlieb decided to write a story about a man whose wife suddenly announces that she feels the need to leave her life in the suburbs in the U.K. behind and embark on a journey which will involve traveling and spiritual growth. So, the newly divorced husband begins to travel too. And his journey is .... ..... .... well, it's something, but I don't think that "spirituality" factors in to his journey terribly much.
note: On its own, "Drink, Play, F@*k: One Man's Search For Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas and Thailand" is a humorous book, but I recommend that you read "Eat, Pray, Love" before you read "Drink, Play, F@*k" so that you can fully appreciate the humor in the parody.
"Eat, Pray, Love" is a book which I'd ordinarily never read, and I purchased a copy of "Eat, Pray, Love" and I read it specifically and only so that I'd appreciate the humor in Andrew Gottlieb's parody.
While the events that Elizabeth Gilbert recounts in her 2006 memoir which was adapted into a movie in 2010 are undoubtedly true, the manner in which she wrote about the events is based on a very simple formula: select three (3) different locations, describe three (3) different experiences, and viola: you've crafted a memoir which is about a series of growth experiences, and the story is perfectly paced for creating a book which will sell well !!
The administrators who work at Penguin are quite obviously very familiar with this formula, they know that this formula will create a book which will sell very well. The formula of describing three different experiences which the narrator/ protagonist had experienced in three different locations works to create a book which will sell very well because this creates a story which is not excessively simple and concurrently not excessively complicated, which makes for a book which is very easy for bookstores to promote.
For those who are not familiar with "Eat, Pray, Love," the story is about Elizabeth Gilbert's decision to leave her life in the U.S. and travel to three different countries, and prior to embarking on her journey, she divorced her husband. Again, for those who are familiar with the publishing industry: while the events that Elizabeth Gilbert recounts are true, the manner in which she describes the events is clearly intended to fit into a formula which publishers are very familiar with. Many people throughout the U.S. (and throughout numerous other countries, no doubt) occasionally wonder what it would be like to leave the life that they're living behind and proceed to travel- and Elizabeth Gilbert not only thought about this, she actually proceeded to do this- thus, creating a memoir which was destined to sell very well in the 2000's.
When you read "Eat, Pray Love," you don't find out what happens to Elizabeth Gilbert's husband.
So, Andrew Gottlieb decided to write a story about a man whose wife suddenly announces that she feels the need to leave her life in the suburbs in the U.K. behind and embark on a journey which will involve traveling and spiritual growth. So, the newly divorced husband begins to travel too. And his journey is .... ..... .... well, it's something, but I don't think that "spirituality" factors in to his journey terribly much.
note: On its own, "Drink, Play, F@*k: One Man's Search For Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas and Thailand" is a humorous book, but I recommend that you read "Eat, Pray, Love" before you read "Drink, Play, F@*k" so that you can fully appreciate the humor in the parody.
"Eat, Pray, Love" is a book which I'd ordinarily never read, and I purchased a copy of "Eat, Pray, Love" and I read it specifically and only so that I'd appreciate the humor in Andrew Gottlieb's parody.
September 14, 2017
Still not sure what to make of this book, even after reading other reviews.
Yes, I get it is a satire of Eat, Prey, Love. I've not read the book but have seen the film. This is the male equivalent.
I get that Andrew Gottlieb is the author and the story is about Bob Sullivan but written in 1st person. I think this means its totally fictional, rather than a alternative "find yourself" self help book.
So, Bob, splits up from his wife, who has been sleeping with David. We know this, as we are reminded every other sentence. He is gutted, so quits his job and goes on a 1 year bender.
Stage 1 - drinking like a loon and living in Temple Bar in Dublin.
Stage 2 - living as a professional gambler in Las Vegas.
Stage 3 - getting his leg over in Thailand.
So its funny in a way that Americans think they are. Light enough to get some chuckles but monotonous.
Not sure how much I am meant to take it as a story but he makes friends far too easy (mostly life changing friendships whilst waiting for a bags in an Airport). He has older friends that can put him up in a suite in Vegas indefinitely at no cost. There's a twist at the end that is beyond belief, even when explained.
What really peed me off is none of the things on the back page (pour me four fingers of whiskey and don't stop till you need someone elses hands, or miming to a Thai pharmacist on Condoms) actually are within the story. These seemingly are the best jokes.
Quick, non taxing read with some chucklesome moments, but nothing of substance.
Yes, I get it is a satire of Eat, Prey, Love. I've not read the book but have seen the film. This is the male equivalent.
I get that Andrew Gottlieb is the author and the story is about Bob Sullivan but written in 1st person. I think this means its totally fictional, rather than a alternative "find yourself" self help book.
So, Bob, splits up from his wife, who has been sleeping with David. We know this, as we are reminded every other sentence. He is gutted, so quits his job and goes on a 1 year bender.
Stage 1 - drinking like a loon and living in Temple Bar in Dublin.
Stage 2 - living as a professional gambler in Las Vegas.
Stage 3 - getting his leg over in Thailand.
So its funny in a way that Americans think they are. Light enough to get some chuckles but monotonous.
Not sure how much I am meant to take it as a story but he makes friends far too easy (mostly life changing friendships whilst waiting for a bags in an Airport). He has older friends that can put him up in a suite in Vegas indefinitely at no cost. There's a twist at the end that is beyond belief, even when explained.
What really peed me off is none of the things on the back page (pour me four fingers of whiskey and don't stop till you need someone elses hands, or miming to a Thai pharmacist on Condoms) actually are within the story. These seemingly are the best jokes.
Quick, non taxing read with some chucklesome moments, but nothing of substance.
December 18, 2023
Um livro leve e engraçado, daqueles para ler quando não se está a fim de algo mais "pensante". Apesar das quase 300 páginas, a fonte é grande e os capítulos são curtos, de maneira que a leitura flui muito rápido. Alerto, contudo, que é diversão nível "PG-13", ou seja: não espere grandes putarias ou detalhes escatológicos das desventuras do narrador. A coisa toda é bem inocente, e o próprio personagem principal por várias vezes nos alerta de que é, digamos, um banana. As partes de Vegas e, especialmente, da Irlanda, são as melhores do livro. Apesar de seu pensamento "reducionista", o personagem consegue nos trazer de maneira convincente a atmosfera desses lugares, a cultura, etc. A relação do povo irlandês com o álcool, por exemplo, é explicada de maneira bem interessante e divertida. A decepção fica por conta da parte final (Tailândia). Com tanta coisa sensacional e louca para falar desse país tão especial onde rolam tantas experiências únicas, o autor nos entrega uma ambientação sem sal, que poderia se passar em qualquer lugar do mundo, dando a entender que só conhece a Tailândia pela wikipedia - e olhe lá! Apesar disso, essa escorregada não tira os méritos do livro, que é bom naquilo a que - despretensiosamente - se propõe.
October 28, 2020
This book was SO BORING. I'll admit I haven't read Eat, Pray, Love so it's quite possible a lot of funny(?) parts just flew over my head but I couldn't get into the mood at. all.
This forty-something dude decides to go on a one-year Trip of Fun after his (cheating) wife divorces him. He consistently badmouths his wife (why were you married for 8 years if she was such a terrible person??), reminds us what a great guy he is, and somehow has hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of savings that he now decides to blow on booze and gambling. I understand this book is supposed to be a parody but I just couldn't get into the right mindset. There was literally nothing I could relate to, I didn't like the narrator and, as I said, I hadn't read the work it's meant to parody so there wasn't even that. It wasn't terrible enough for me to refuse to read it (it's my book club's pick of the month, which is how this ended up on my reading list in the first place) but I just found it completely uninteresting.
This forty-something dude decides to go on a one-year Trip of Fun after his (cheating) wife divorces him. He consistently badmouths his wife (why were you married for 8 years if she was such a terrible person??), reminds us what a great guy he is, and somehow has hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of savings that he now decides to blow on booze and gambling. I understand this book is supposed to be a parody but I just couldn't get into the right mindset. There was literally nothing I could relate to, I didn't like the narrator and, as I said, I hadn't read the work it's meant to parody so there wasn't even that. It wasn't terrible enough for me to refuse to read it (it's my book club's pick of the month, which is how this ended up on my reading list in the first place) but I just found it completely uninteresting.
November 26, 2024
I don't recall how I got this book in my TBR (To Be Read) pile but this is about as memorable as a glass of tepid water that I drank sometime in summer in the mid 80's. It had some amusing moments and some anecdotes that were entertaining, but the premise of telling it as a true story whilst somehow 'protecting' identities and short sheeting a number of possible stories with the contrivance of a "it's a story for another time/it's all a blur", just gives me as the reader a shortage of opportunities.
My first impression was the resemblance to the 'Fratire' genre writing of Tucker Max but with less mansplaining and sexual debauchery involved. Now THOSE are extremely wrong and gratuitously funny in a "CANCEL ME NOW" story telling, conversational tone of writing.
I realise that this is meant as a satire on 'Eat, Pray, Love' but there are so many elements of missed opportunity here. There is a true sense of Holden Caulfield but lacking any self awareness (which is saying something, believe me!) in the main character that you find him lacking as a whole.
My first impression was the resemblance to the 'Fratire' genre writing of Tucker Max but with less mansplaining and sexual debauchery involved. Now THOSE are extremely wrong and gratuitously funny in a "CANCEL ME NOW" story telling, conversational tone of writing.
I realise that this is meant as a satire on 'Eat, Pray, Love' but there are so many elements of missed opportunity here. There is a true sense of Holden Caulfield but lacking any self awareness (which is saying something, believe me!) in the main character that you find him lacking as a whole.
October 10, 2023
Even though it is clear from reading the backcover that this is a made-up story, the entire book feels forced. The protagonist is not likelable.. and in the first few chapters, it is easy to dislike him. I don't feel like I am rooting for him, or that I even care about his "journey". It is a quick read however, and I did hold out to find out if it had a happy ending, but it is not a book I would recommend to someone.
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