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Failure Is an Option: An Attempted Memoir
H. Jon Benjamin--the lead voice behind
Archer
and
Bob's Burgers
--helps us all feel a little better about our own failures by sharing his own in a hilarious memoir-ish chronicle of failure.
Most people would consider H. Jon Benjamin a comedy show business success. But he'd like to remind everyone that as great as success can be, failure is also an option. And maybe the best option. In this book, he tells stories from his own life, from his early days ("wherein I'm unable to deliver a sizzling fajita") to family ("wherein a trip to P.F. Chang's fractures a family") to career ("how I failed to sell a pilot").
As Jon himself says, breaking down one's natural ability to succeed is not an easy task, but also not an insurmountable one. Society as we know it is, sadly, failure averse. But more acceptance of failure, as Jon sees it, will go a long way to making this world a different place . . . a kinder, gentler place, where gardens are overgrown and most people stay home with their pets. A vision of failure, but also a vision of freedom.
With stories, examples of artistic and literary failure, and a powerful can't-do attitude, Failure Is an Option is the book the world doesn't need right now but will get regardless.
Most people would consider H. Jon Benjamin a comedy show business success. But he'd like to remind everyone that as great as success can be, failure is also an option. And maybe the best option. In this book, he tells stories from his own life, from his early days ("wherein I'm unable to deliver a sizzling fajita") to family ("wherein a trip to P.F. Chang's fractures a family") to career ("how I failed to sell a pilot").
As Jon himself says, breaking down one's natural ability to succeed is not an easy task, but also not an insurmountable one. Society as we know it is, sadly, failure averse. But more acceptance of failure, as Jon sees it, will go a long way to making this world a different place . . . a kinder, gentler place, where gardens are overgrown and most people stay home with their pets. A vision of failure, but also a vision of freedom.
With stories, examples of artistic and literary failure, and a powerful can't-do attitude, Failure Is an Option is the book the world doesn't need right now but will get regardless.
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2018
About the author
H. Jon Benjamin
8 books87 followersHarry Jon Benjamin is an American actor, voice actor and comedian best known for voicing characters, such as Sterling Archer in the animated sitcom Archer; Bob Belcher in the animated sitcom Bob's Burgers.
The Emmy-nominated voice actor describes Failure Is An Option as his “attempted” memoir. His memoir retells his life events through the lens of failure. His personal and professional setbacks eventually led to his current achievements.
The Emmy-nominated voice actor describes Failure Is An Option as his “attempted” memoir. His memoir retells his life events through the lens of failure. His personal and professional setbacks eventually led to his current achievements.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 997 reviews
May 10, 2018
Chapter 21 - How I Failed My Rental Car
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 8, 2019
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Have you been looking for a book that will leave you asking . . . .
One that will have you saying . . . .
And potentially cringey-cry-laughing while driving . . . .
Have you been missing a memoir that teaches valuable things like . . . .
Or just generally makes you feel . . . .
If so, look no further becauseCoach McGuirk I mean Archer I mean Bob DAMMIT! I mean H. Jon Benjamin has written just the thing for you. Go read Jason’s review because that’s how I even heard of this in the first place, take both of our advice and seek it out on audio – after all, dude does make his dollars for his silky smooth vocal stylings, and save Chapter 21 for when you have either had the worst day ever or are anticipating the worst day ever because it is all about . . . .
Shitting your pants stories. They never get old.
Have you been looking for a book that will leave you asking . . . .
One that will have you saying . . . .
And potentially cringey-cry-laughing while driving . . . .
Have you been missing a memoir that teaches valuable things like . . . .
Or just generally makes you feel . . . .
If so, look no further because
Shitting your pants stories. They never get old.
January 25, 2019
By no means perfect, but any book that can make me snort-laugh on multiple occasions will get a thumbs up from me!
Most know him as the voice of Archer. I'm going to be pretentious and say that I read this because I've been a fan of his since he voiced "Ben" the lazy, good-for-nothing son of the main character from the tv show Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. I loved that show and every time I've heard Benjamin's voice pop up in something new since then, I've been happy for his success. When I found out he'd written a book, I knew I'd be reading it.
I've listed this as an autobiography, but it's really a memoir, as stated in the subtitle. Sure, it does take you through Benjamin's life from childhood to now, but he purposefully plucks moments from his life to further illustrate his failure at said life.
There are some funny stories here that are told hilariously. As with almost all memoirs/bios by comedians, I suggest listening to them perform the audiobook version. Benjamin is a voice actor. This is what he does. There were scenes/scenarios within his stories that would have simply come off as heart-wrenching if you didn't have the benefit of his inflection.
If you know who H. Jon Benjamin is, if you like Archer or Bob's Burger or Dr Katz or Coach McGuirk from Home Movies or...you get the picture...I have a hunch you're going to enjoy this.
Most know him as the voice of Archer. I'm going to be pretentious and say that I read this because I've been a fan of his since he voiced "Ben" the lazy, good-for-nothing son of the main character from the tv show Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. I loved that show and every time I've heard Benjamin's voice pop up in something new since then, I've been happy for his success. When I found out he'd written a book, I knew I'd be reading it.
I've listed this as an autobiography, but it's really a memoir, as stated in the subtitle. Sure, it does take you through Benjamin's life from childhood to now, but he purposefully plucks moments from his life to further illustrate his failure at said life.
There are some funny stories here that are told hilariously. As with almost all memoirs/bios by comedians, I suggest listening to them perform the audiobook version. Benjamin is a voice actor. This is what he does. There were scenes/scenarios within his stories that would have simply come off as heart-wrenching if you didn't have the benefit of his inflection.
If you know who H. Jon Benjamin is, if you like Archer or Bob's Burger or Dr Katz or Coach McGuirk from Home Movies or...you get the picture...I have a hunch you're going to enjoy this.
May 21, 2018
So admittedly I only opened this book because Coach McGuirk is my all-time favorite animated TV character & I honestly thought this would be interesting. (Another tale of curiosity killing the cat.) But this was just 200+ pages filled with trite, shallow ramblings, which made it even more frustrating because Benjamin is clearly more intelligent than he lets on.
Highlights include: way too many shit jokes, being dickish to his partner & parents, the time he & David Cross got horrible seats to a Red Sox game, an entire chapter on failed sexual positions (with drawings! 🤦♂️) & of course, plenty of reasons on why failing can be a good thing.
Unfortunately, this falls in the pile with all the other celeb memoirs whom I feel only wrote something because they were getting too big for their britches & not actually because they had something substantial to offer. Maybe I went into this looking for the wrong thing, but if he actually focused more on what he failed at instead of letting his child eat (human? dog?) poop, it'd be a much better tale. It's possible to get a chuckle at this if you squint really hard & disregard the text.
Next time, please just stick to your day job.
Highlights include: way too many shit jokes, being dickish to his partner & parents, the time he & David Cross got horrible seats to a Red Sox game, an entire chapter on failed sexual positions (with drawings! 🤦♂️) & of course, plenty of reasons on why failing can be a good thing.
Unfortunately, this falls in the pile with all the other celeb memoirs whom I feel only wrote something because they were getting too big for their britches & not actually because they had something substantial to offer. Maybe I went into this looking for the wrong thing, but if he actually focused more on what he failed at instead of letting his child eat (human? dog?) poop, it'd be a much better tale. It's possible to get a chuckle at this if you squint really hard & disregard the text.
Next time, please just stick to your day job.
May 5, 2018
I cackled in public. Jon Benjamin is smart and funny and probably so hard to be friends with. But so smart. And so funny. I’ll probably read this again, for the solidarity of people with stomach problems and anxiety, if nothing else.
September 21, 2018
A pretty funny memoir that fans of H. Jon Benjamin (The voice of Archer and Bob from Bob's Burgers, among other things) will likely get the most out of.
The basic idea behind the book is a bit flawed coming from Benjamin, however. The idea is that he failed his way into success, but "Luck is an Option" seems to be a better title for the book. How do you get into voice acting (the thing he is most known for)? According to Benjamin, "You do something else until someone holds auditions nearby and asks you to audition".
Also, the little comedy bits in the middle of the memoir-like "failed presidential pets" and "failed business ideas"-got a little old and was largely unnecessary because his actual real-life stories were far more entertaining than his schtick.
Still, if you like comedy memoirs and/or you like H. Jon Benjamin, you will probably get a kick out of this.
The basic idea behind the book is a bit flawed coming from Benjamin, however. The idea is that he failed his way into success, but "Luck is an Option" seems to be a better title for the book. How do you get into voice acting (the thing he is most known for)? According to Benjamin, "You do something else until someone holds auditions nearby and asks you to audition".
Also, the little comedy bits in the middle of the memoir-like "failed presidential pets" and "failed business ideas"-got a little old and was largely unnecessary because his actual real-life stories were far more entertaining than his schtick.
Still, if you like comedy memoirs and/or you like H. Jon Benjamin, you will probably get a kick out of this.
April 29, 2018
Welp. H. Jon Benjamin's book was a little bit disappointing. I'd call it mildly amusing at best. There were some funny anecdotes, and he's certainly led an odd life, but it wasn't laugh-out-loud funny. I think my standards for celebrity memoirs are a bit too high after Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood and Yes Please. Nothing else really compares.
HJB's book makes me glad I'm not his partner, given how much of a jackass he is to his longtime girlfriend, Amy. Also, there were a lot of poop jokes. Too many poop jokes.
The whole thing just felt like "oh. huh. I should write a book" with the theme of failure loosely mapped over a memoir. I don't think the book needed to be written. You might get a laugh or two out of it, but it won't be a revelation.
HJB's book makes me glad I'm not his partner, given how much of a jackass he is to his longtime girlfriend, Amy. Also, there were a lot of poop jokes. Too many poop jokes.
The whole thing just felt like "oh. huh. I should write a book" with the theme of failure loosely mapped over a memoir. I don't think the book needed to be written. You might get a laugh or two out of it, but it won't be a revelation.
June 6, 2018
This is my kind of humor.
I just really like being able to laugh at the terrible parts of life and this is an entire collection of everything that went wrong for H. Jon Benjamin. No doubt, he has had a good life - success in the entertainment business, a family, whatnot - but every person has had failure and misfortune and he celebrates his.
At the same time, I read the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, a man on his deathbed that was using his own tales of success to encourage others to push hard towards their dreams. I'll take H. Jon Benjamin's invitation to fail instead, please.
I just really like being able to laugh at the terrible parts of life and this is an entire collection of everything that went wrong for H. Jon Benjamin. No doubt, he has had a good life - success in the entertainment business, a family, whatnot - but every person has had failure and misfortune and he celebrates his.
At the same time, I read the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, a man on his deathbed that was using his own tales of success to encourage others to push hard towards their dreams. I'll take H. Jon Benjamin's invitation to fail instead, please.
November 7, 2019
I've been a fan of H. Jon Benjamin since his Home Movies days. His deadpan voice is hilarious, and he's since become a mainstay of adult humor animation all over.
The guy is very funny. However, I can't say his memoir is among the best of those comedy books...
It's certainly worth listening to the audiobook version, as any good comedian/performer's books should go. With his distinctive voice, it's a lot of fun hearing him tell the stories.
But mostly the book isn't that outstanding. Which is, I admit, kind of the point. It's about lame stories of failure, and there's nothing that uplifting or heartfelt herein.
It is also surprisingly hardcore. I didn't realize H. Jon could be at that level of X-rated. Betwixt the mundane childhood tales and improv backstories, there's public masturbation and a silly Holocaust report and a particularly gross analysis of how to hire gay prostitution for a show's prank involving
live sex acts.
This is of course some very enjoyable stuff. Fans will get it. Just can't say it's a top-tier book is all.
The guy is very funny. However, I can't say his memoir is among the best of those comedy books...
It's certainly worth listening to the audiobook version, as any good comedian/performer's books should go. With his distinctive voice, it's a lot of fun hearing him tell the stories.
But mostly the book isn't that outstanding. Which is, I admit, kind of the point. It's about lame stories of failure, and there's nothing that uplifting or heartfelt herein.
It is also surprisingly hardcore. I didn't realize H. Jon could be at that level of X-rated. Betwixt the mundane childhood tales and improv backstories, there's public masturbation and a silly Holocaust report and a particularly gross analysis of how to hire gay prostitution for a show's prank involving
live sex acts.
This is of course some very enjoyable stuff. Fans will get it. Just can't say it's a top-tier book is all.
June 1, 2018
Pleasantly offbeat. I wish that I had waited to listen to this on audiobook, but I often had Benjamin's voice reading aloud in the back of my mind. For the most part, the bits between the personal experiences of each chapter aren't particularly funny and feel like filler, plus I would have preferred more content devoted to Benjamin's experiences in showbiz. However, I liked getting a glimpse into his childhood and personal life, and admired the overall book's theme that failure is an essential part of any successful life. Benjamin's horrific and incredibly detailed experience with his rental car on the way to Pasadena had me simultaneously cringing in secondhand embarrassment and laughing out loud, and I love his bald acknowledgment that the voices that he does for Bob Belcher and Sterling Archer are exactly the same. Not the best celebrity memoir that I've ever read, yet it has its moments.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title.
August 7, 2018
Quirky, sometimes in a bad way. As a huge Bob's Burgers fan, I was eagerly anticipating H. Jon Benjamin's memoir. I listened to the audiobook, which was the saving grace, really. Turns out I really like Bob, not necessarily H. Jon Benjamin. (An important distinction.) He had a couple of fun stories to tell, but the material was a little lackluster coming from an actual comedian. There is the obligatory diarrhea disaster, inopportune boners, weed stuff... this could be the memoir of any middle-aged man, really. I did enjoy the bits about his voice-acting career, but the rest was merely mediocre. A few of the stories - like tricking comedy show attendants into watching a gay sex show - fell flat for me. Luckily he has a great voice and the audiobook was short.
May 28, 2026
Fairly disappointing material (probably in keeping with Benjamin's theme here), and only tolerable as an audiobook because then it at least felt like taking a long car ride with either Archer or Bob Belcher...since among all the other failures discussed in this book is his failure — as a successful voice actor, mind you — is to be able to do more than one voice; and so he does in fact uses the exact same voice for both characters. Indeed, the best bit in all of "Archer" was when the main character, suffering from amnesia, gives up the spy life and takes on the identity of, well, Bob — you can watch all three minutes of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvi93.... (The second best bit is when Archer is injured and undergoes plastic surgery, later waking up and — to his horror — looking like H. Jon Benjamin!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wbDO...).
Sadly, however, Benjamin doesn't even mention these shows until the penultimate chapter, which then very quickly deteriorates into a long and detailed tale of having diarrhea in a rental car while going to a promotional event to meet the other "Archer" cast members for the very first time, (NOTE: for the first year of "Archer," all the actors recorded their parts separately).
Anyway, mildly diverting as a road trip companion, especially if you're looking for something that doesn't require any concentration...2.5 stars AT BEST, but rounding up because, y'know, Archer. (And did that REALLY just end in Dec 2023?? It seems so long ago...)
Sadly, however, Benjamin doesn't even mention these shows until the penultimate chapter, which then very quickly deteriorates into a long and detailed tale of having diarrhea in a rental car while going to a promotional event to meet the other "Archer" cast members for the very first time, (NOTE: for the first year of "Archer," all the actors recorded their parts separately).
Anyway, mildly diverting as a road trip companion, especially if you're looking for something that doesn't require any concentration...2.5 stars AT BEST, but rounding up because, y'know, Archer. (And did that REALLY just end in Dec 2023?? It seems so long ago...)
May 12, 2018
I got the opportunity earlier this month to attend a “talk” w/ H. Jon Benjamin at Bard College feat. Eugene Mirman, followed by a book signing of this book which was pretty awesome. I cried laughing at many of these stories in here, and that rarely happens for me while reading. So so good. I will also add that anyone going into this book thinking it’s going to be a deep, profound, groundbreaking memoir of his life are clearly not familiar enough with H. Jon Benjamin, and I’ll let you know beforehand that’s not really what he was aiming for. (Keep in mind, this is the guy who recorded his own jazz album without ever having experience playing an instrument... he doesn’t give a shit about writing a “serious” memoir)
February 26, 2019
If you enjoy Bob's Burgers or Archer, or if you enjoyed the poorly animated Dr. Katz back in the day, you should like this audio memoir.
There were a few points in this book where I just laughed my ass off. Most especially the scenes where Jon was trying to build a bookshelf with a prison inmate, Jon's threesome encounter, and the pinnacle of humor: diarrhea from first class airline food.
This audio was hilarious, entertaining, and I learned a little about the voice behind some of my favorite shows. I recommend it!
*I downloaded this audio from my local library. Libraries RULE!*
There were a few points in this book where I just laughed my ass off. Most especially the scenes where Jon was trying to build a bookshelf with a prison inmate, Jon's threesome encounter, and the pinnacle of humor: diarrhea from first class airline food.
This audio was hilarious, entertaining, and I learned a little about the voice behind some of my favorite shows. I recommend it!
*I downloaded this audio from my local library. Libraries RULE!*
July 23, 2018
The memoir from everyone's favorite voice actor who openly talks about how being lazy has prevented him from having even more roles than he does is appropriately hilarious and absurd. Do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook.
October 25, 2019
🚨Total audio chocolate alert!🚨
Are you a fan of Archer and/or Bob's Burgers? Then you will love this book—if you listen to it!
Chapter 21: How I Failed At Differentiating My Two Characters Of Bob And Archer
"I did the same voice. The end."
I can't really imagine reading this book, as one of my favorite things about Archer is his amazing voice (i.e., H. Jon Benjamin). Although it is an entertaining book, it's probably more of a 3 star read bumped up because of the soothing, scintillating, and often hilarious vocal range of Benjamin.
There are some insightful nuggets here among funny anecdotes and the wild experiences of H. Jon.
Quick, fun, and very easy on the ears. Two thumbs up!
“To be clear, this is a polemic in favor of failure. It’s an assertion that failure is an option and even, at times, a viable prescription for a better life, despite its long-standing stigmatization. Failure can be incredibly freeing and an end in itself, not just that tired platitude that it is a necessary step on the road to success. Despite my own success, I maintain that failure is my prevailing life force and my success has been a parallel and unrelated condition, not a consequence of my failure(s).”
Are you a fan of Archer and/or Bob's Burgers? Then you will love this book—if you listen to it!
Chapter 21: How I Failed At Differentiating My Two Characters Of Bob And Archer
"I did the same voice. The end."
I can't really imagine reading this book, as one of my favorite things about Archer is his amazing voice (i.e., H. Jon Benjamin). Although it is an entertaining book, it's probably more of a 3 star read bumped up because of the soothing, scintillating, and often hilarious vocal range of Benjamin.
There are some insightful nuggets here among funny anecdotes and the wild experiences of H. Jon.
Quick, fun, and very easy on the ears. Two thumbs up!
“To be clear, this is a polemic in favor of failure. It’s an assertion that failure is an option and even, at times, a viable prescription for a better life, despite its long-standing stigmatization. Failure can be incredibly freeing and an end in itself, not just that tired platitude that it is a necessary step on the road to success. Despite my own success, I maintain that failure is my prevailing life force and my success has been a parallel and unrelated condition, not a consequence of my failure(s).”
September 28, 2018
I actually laughed until I cried. H. Jon Benjamin, much beloved voice actor, has carefully chosen episodes of his life's formative failures. The result is a lot of fun.
Frankly, though, the book is a bit of a mess. Intermittent joke chapters miss the mark a little bit, and the introduction is a worthless ramble. (Seriously, skip the introduction.) Still, the autobiographical vignettes are masterful.
Frankly, though, the book is a bit of a mess. Intermittent joke chapters miss the mark a little bit, and the introduction is a worthless ramble. (Seriously, skip the introduction.) Still, the autobiographical vignettes are masterful.
December 27, 2024
A quick, fun read full of goofy anecdotes about H. Jon Benjamin's life, with a little to much potty humor and youthful ignorance for my taste. But of course, very funny.
June 9, 2019
Not the most optimistic book, and of course it wasn’t supposed to be. This is a small book that offers big laughs. I think that most people that will give this book a chance will find something enjoyable in here. Each chapter is a different type of humor. Odd kids stories- check, weard sex- check, tolet humor- double cheek. Jon comes off as a kind and funny person that knows how to take the good and the bad.
August 15, 2021
"In our hearts we are failing all the time, in so many ways.."
I love H. Jon Benjamin, this amazingly silly and lovely attempted memoir only solidifies how much I love him. Failure is a part of everyone's lives, a part of life we may be resentful of, or ashamed of... but this book celebrates that which we shy away from and will make you laugh your ass off along the way!
I love H. Jon Benjamin, this amazingly silly and lovely attempted memoir only solidifies how much I love him. Failure is a part of everyone's lives, a part of life we may be resentful of, or ashamed of... but this book celebrates that which we shy away from and will make you laugh your ass off along the way!
January 22, 2019
Went with the audiobook version of this one, of course.
June 2, 2024
In my quest for good audiobooks to listen to, selecting a book written and performed by a voiceover artist seemed like a no-brainer. I would consider myself a fan of H. Jon Benjamin from his work on ‘Bob’s Burgers’, ‘Archer’, and the short-lived ‘Jon Benjamin Has a Van’ (though it’s been ages since I’ve watched that one). I figured that his semi-memoir FAILURE IS AN OPTION would be at least moderately entertaining. And guess what, buddy: I was right! That is to say, it is moderately entertaining.
I’ve only read a couple of comedians’ memoirs that I can recall—COMEDY COMEDY COMEDY DRAMA by Bob Odenkirk and I WANT TO BE WHERE THE NORMAL PEOPLE ARE by Rachel Bloom. Jon Benjamin’s is more or less of the same quality as those two, which leads me to believe that this is just endemic to comedians’ memoirs as a general matter. First, let’s just cut straight to it: the book is only fitfully funny. There’s the occasional amusing anecdote, but then there’s whole chapters where the author presents some awful sketch, such as a section making puns regarding imagined pets of U.S. Presidents or a chapter showing drawings of absurd sexual positions. I only learned this latter chapter exists from reading another Goodreads review, incidentally: the audiobook elides it completely! I checked out an e-book copy to see what I had missed and, yeah, it wasn’t much. Twice, Benjamin share what I assume is an invented exchange with a history professor who he has asked to provide examples of historical failures and the lame back and forth between him and the professor arguing about whether their research can be included in the book whole cloth or if it is unethical is… just tiresome. I genuinely do not understand how it is that comedians, people whose whole identity is about making audiences laugh, so often write the most half-hearted, unfunny stuff in their semi-memoirs.
This leads to the second major point I want to make, which is that Benjamin speaks about writing the book as a chore. Those two chapters with the presumably invented professor all hinge on his not wanting to have to write his contractually obligated X-number of words and wishing for somebody else to take the reins for him. Odenkirk in his book made jokey references to the idea that his book was just a cash-grab. It doesn’t feel like either Odenkirk or Benjamin are just being silly; rather, it genuinely feels like they aren’t trying that hard. There are moments early on when Benjamin does suggest that he’s going to take the project seriously, that this book is a serious paean to the virtue of failure, and in those moments he comes across as an intelligent, thoughtful guy. I kind of wanted to read/listen to that book! But then, it fizzles. Yes, there are some humorous bits – I’m not saying there aren’t, and those bits which are funny are probably heightened to some degree by hearing Benjamin’s voice. I’m thinking in particular of a late chapter where his parents plan to take him to a Chinese restaurant in Tucson, a real “gem in the rough”. But he doesn’t commit to making a philosophical argument in favor of failure, and so often doesn’t seem to have much in particular to say. As a result, the majority of the book is kind of all over the place without any real sense of organization or narrative momentum. Because I listen to audiobooks in brief spurts when driving on errands, I often find myself stopping in the middle of a story or a paragraph. I found that often when I came back to this book, I wasn’t clear on what story was being told. I sometimes wondered if the book had continued playing without me listening. A few times I rewound a bit to get the context but often I just accepted the brief displacement. I didn’t feel like I was missing much.
Ultimately, though, if it makes you feel better you can call this review 2.5-stars instead of just two. It’s certainly not that I have any strong feelings of revulsion; it’s just the seeming lack of commitment to the project that disappoints. Some of the anecdotes he shares about his life are somewhat charming, but overall it doesn’t amount to much. Just “okay”, but after three “just okay” comedians’ memoirs I’m growing weary. Also, I feel like I have to say this… if the argument is that, being a book about failure, the failure of this book to achieve more than it does makes it, in a sense, a secret success! Ah-ha! See what Jon Benjamin did there? Wink wink!, my response to that is: No. That sort of cutesy rejiggering of what words mean doesn’t fly in this household, sorry. I’m not sure that’s really the argument that H. J.B. would offer, but it’s easy to imagine that some might.
Anyway. I’m not trying to talk you out of reading it or listening to it. Go ahead and do it! It’s fine! And being fine is fine, I guess. I just wanted something more.
I’ve only read a couple of comedians’ memoirs that I can recall—COMEDY COMEDY COMEDY DRAMA by Bob Odenkirk and I WANT TO BE WHERE THE NORMAL PEOPLE ARE by Rachel Bloom. Jon Benjamin’s is more or less of the same quality as those two, which leads me to believe that this is just endemic to comedians’ memoirs as a general matter. First, let’s just cut straight to it: the book is only fitfully funny. There’s the occasional amusing anecdote, but then there’s whole chapters where the author presents some awful sketch, such as a section making puns regarding imagined pets of U.S. Presidents or a chapter showing drawings of absurd sexual positions. I only learned this latter chapter exists from reading another Goodreads review, incidentally: the audiobook elides it completely! I checked out an e-book copy to see what I had missed and, yeah, it wasn’t much. Twice, Benjamin share what I assume is an invented exchange with a history professor who he has asked to provide examples of historical failures and the lame back and forth between him and the professor arguing about whether their research can be included in the book whole cloth or if it is unethical is… just tiresome. I genuinely do not understand how it is that comedians, people whose whole identity is about making audiences laugh, so often write the most half-hearted, unfunny stuff in their semi-memoirs.
This leads to the second major point I want to make, which is that Benjamin speaks about writing the book as a chore. Those two chapters with the presumably invented professor all hinge on his not wanting to have to write his contractually obligated X-number of words and wishing for somebody else to take the reins for him. Odenkirk in his book made jokey references to the idea that his book was just a cash-grab. It doesn’t feel like either Odenkirk or Benjamin are just being silly; rather, it genuinely feels like they aren’t trying that hard. There are moments early on when Benjamin does suggest that he’s going to take the project seriously, that this book is a serious paean to the virtue of failure, and in those moments he comes across as an intelligent, thoughtful guy. I kind of wanted to read/listen to that book! But then, it fizzles. Yes, there are some humorous bits – I’m not saying there aren’t, and those bits which are funny are probably heightened to some degree by hearing Benjamin’s voice. I’m thinking in particular of a late chapter where his parents plan to take him to a Chinese restaurant in Tucson, a real “gem in the rough”. But he doesn’t commit to making a philosophical argument in favor of failure, and so often doesn’t seem to have much in particular to say. As a result, the majority of the book is kind of all over the place without any real sense of organization or narrative momentum. Because I listen to audiobooks in brief spurts when driving on errands, I often find myself stopping in the middle of a story or a paragraph. I found that often when I came back to this book, I wasn’t clear on what story was being told. I sometimes wondered if the book had continued playing without me listening. A few times I rewound a bit to get the context but often I just accepted the brief displacement. I didn’t feel like I was missing much.
Ultimately, though, if it makes you feel better you can call this review 2.5-stars instead of just two. It’s certainly not that I have any strong feelings of revulsion; it’s just the seeming lack of commitment to the project that disappoints. Some of the anecdotes he shares about his life are somewhat charming, but overall it doesn’t amount to much. Just “okay”, but after three “just okay” comedians’ memoirs I’m growing weary. Also, I feel like I have to say this… if the argument is that, being a book about failure, the failure of this book to achieve more than it does makes it, in a sense, a secret success! Ah-ha! See what Jon Benjamin did there? Wink wink!, my response to that is: No. That sort of cutesy rejiggering of what words mean doesn’t fly in this household, sorry. I’m not sure that’s really the argument that H. J.B. would offer, but it’s easy to imagine that some might.
Anyway. I’m not trying to talk you out of reading it or listening to it. Go ahead and do it! It’s fine! And being fine is fine, I guess. I just wanted something more.
February 11, 2025
No book that made me laugh, giggle, snort, and spit-take can be considered a failure.
May 25, 2026
This was super funny. The anecdotes were all great and delivered in Benjamin's wonderfully deadpan style. Had a great time with this book.
June 2, 2018
I'm genuinely of two minds when it comes to this book. On the one hand? Some of the essays were genuinely funny. The kind of funny where you're cackling loudly in a quiet room (like the one where you're waiting to see if you're called for jury duty or not) and people are staring at you, and possibly moving away from where you are sitting. Some, however, were deeply infuriating. When I was reading about Benjamin's childhood or teen/college years or any time a failure was simply a result of bad luck, Benjamin's writing style and dark humor made for an engaging read.
However.
I am not about to be charmed by essays in which an obviously privileged white man squandered and exploited his privilege and STILL managed to come out successful. There were a collection of essays in here where Benjamin had tons of opportunities performers I know would KILL for (chances to pitch pilots, host shows, perform) but squandered them out of laziness or because he thought that such bratty behavior was "funny" somehow. Those were the moments where I wanted to reach into the book and deliver some deep, hard slaps. Because fuck you, dude. If there was a point to be made that you really should have tried to achieve something instead of fucking around, make it. Don't just sit back and assume you deserved both the chances to squander and the next chance that came! There could have been some more contrition on his part for this behavior, which would have helped to save this, making it a five star rave instead of a three-star meh.
I did appreciate his epilogue in which he encourages others to view failure as an opportunity to try and try again, but the sheer myopia he has that everyone has the same opportunities to try and to fail left a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth.
However.
I am not about to be charmed by essays in which an obviously privileged white man squandered and exploited his privilege and STILL managed to come out successful. There were a collection of essays in here where Benjamin had tons of opportunities performers I know would KILL for (chances to pitch pilots, host shows, perform) but squandered them out of laziness or because he thought that such bratty behavior was "funny" somehow. Those were the moments where I wanted to reach into the book and deliver some deep, hard slaps. Because fuck you, dude. If there was a point to be made that you really should have tried to achieve something instead of fucking around, make it. Don't just sit back and assume you deserved both the chances to squander and the next chance that came! There could have been some more contrition on his part for this behavior, which would have helped to save this, making it a five star rave instead of a three-star meh.
I did appreciate his epilogue in which he encourages others to view failure as an opportunity to try and try again, but the sheer myopia he has that everyone has the same opportunities to try and to fail left a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth.
June 24, 2018
I absolutely love, love, LOVE, H. John Benjamin. He is the voice of Bob Belcher from my all-time favourite TV show, Bob's Burgers and also the voice of Sterling Archer in the TV show, Archer, which I also love. So when I found out he had written and released a book, I was SO excited! However, I was a little bit disappointed which sucks because I think he's great.
The book was a collection of stories about his failures in life and some of the stories were very funny. Like when he told the story of how he literally had diarrhea all over himself right before meeting the cast of Archer for the first time! However, the overall structure of the book was very 'start and stop'. The chapters didn't really flow very well. The book didn't captivate me. The thing I love most about reading is when you're reading a really good story and you're so captivated that you can't put it down. I didn't get that with this one unfortunately. I would have enjoyed it more if he spoke about Bob's Burgers and Archer more.
I think the overall concept of the book was good.
You can't have success without failure. Don't beat yourself up when you do fail because it usually leads to bigger and better things. That's something I truly believe in.
The book was a collection of stories about his failures in life and some of the stories were very funny. Like when he told the story of how he literally had diarrhea all over himself right before meeting the cast of Archer for the first time! However, the overall structure of the book was very 'start and stop'. The chapters didn't really flow very well. The book didn't captivate me. The thing I love most about reading is when you're reading a really good story and you're so captivated that you can't put it down. I didn't get that with this one unfortunately. I would have enjoyed it more if he spoke about Bob's Burgers and Archer more.
I think the overall concept of the book was good.
You can't have success without failure. Don't beat yourself up when you do fail because it usually leads to bigger and better things. That's something I truly believe in.
January 19, 2020
3.5*
This was fun! A loosely strung together memoir that focuses on the many ways Benjamin has failed, with plenty of fun anecdotes and some excellent narration*. I learnt more about Benjamin -- possibly more than I wanted to know, and some stuff that was a little too toilet-themed for me but was still funny enough to get a pass.
I kind of wish there had been more from his career. The chapter about Bob's Burgers and Archer (other than the interesting tidbit about the recording differences) is basically 3 sentences long, but I'm interested in that part of his life.
A very lightweight, easy read, enjoyable but not groundbreaking.
* Pretty much the entire reason I picked this book up was because I love his voice, so this is no surprise.
This was fun! A loosely strung together memoir that focuses on the many ways Benjamin has failed, with plenty of fun anecdotes and some excellent narration*. I learnt more about Benjamin -- possibly more than I wanted to know, and some stuff that was a little too toilet-themed for me but was still funny enough to get a pass.
I kind of wish there had been more from his career. The chapter about Bob's Burgers and Archer (other than the interesting tidbit about the recording differences) is basically 3 sentences long, but I'm interested in that part of his life.
A very lightweight, easy read, enjoyable but not groundbreaking.
* Pretty much the entire reason I picked this book up was because I love his voice, so this is no surprise.
July 8, 2018
H. Jon Benjamin has the type of voice (literal and metaphorical) that somehow always makes me giggle. Yet this book was a self-declared mish-mash, and I often found myself losing the thread of the stories. It’s a pity since, again, he’s so darn funny.
Yes, please narrate more audiobooks. No, maybe don’t write another book until you have a thorough plan for one.
Yes, please narrate more audiobooks. No, maybe don’t write another book until you have a thorough plan for one.
August 5, 2019
If you like Archer / Bob's Burgers, this book is for you. H. Jon Benjamin is hilarious. His stories of failure are laugh out loud funny and I found myself chuckling so hard that people were looking at me funny. Loved this book. Read and listened to the audiobook which is narrated by the author. No wrong way to enjoy this book.
May 29, 2019
This was a joyful binge listen. I love H. Jon Benjamin so much. This is at times sweet, raunchy, disgusting and hilarious. If you’re a fan, the only way to read is on audio as he narrates it himself. So so good!
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