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A Comedian Walks Into A Funeral Home
"A hilarious story with heartfelt honesty, rooted in tragedy. Highly recommend!"
--Jim Gaffigan, Actor, Comedian, New York Times Best Selling Author
"Comedy for the Dead. Talk about a tough comedy crowd ... An intelligent story that shines the light of laughter into the shadows of loss. It grabs you from the start and never let's go."
--Louie Anderson, Comedian, Actor, Author
Vince Locker's life is tragic. His comedy act for the LaughCom competition has just bombed, ruining any chance of the cash prize he desperately needed. His life is in tatters; abandoned by his father as a child, an estranged wife, Jessica, who he seems to disappoint just by his mere existence, and living in his mother's house with his bipolar brother and facing foreclosure. As he stands on Smith Avenue Bridge, suicide seems the only option until he is unexpectedly rescued by an old school mortician named Truss. Vince meets another of Truss's rescues, Winona. Although beyond social norms, the trio seize on a quick cash fix that just might help Vince meet his child support demands--comedic tributes for the dead. The eulogies are hilarious and off the wall, sometimes disastrous and sometimes enlightening. They propel Vince into the dark underworld of the funeral industry, life insurance scams, savage politics, a kidnapping, the murder investigation of a destitute unclaimed young woman and threats to Jessica and his young daughter. As details of the murdered young woman are slowly revealed, Vince realizes that he has many ghosts of his own to put to rest.
--Jim Gaffigan, Actor, Comedian, New York Times Best Selling Author
"Comedy for the Dead. Talk about a tough comedy crowd ... An intelligent story that shines the light of laughter into the shadows of loss. It grabs you from the start and never let's go."
--Louie Anderson, Comedian, Actor, Author
Vince Locker's life is tragic. His comedy act for the LaughCom competition has just bombed, ruining any chance of the cash prize he desperately needed. His life is in tatters; abandoned by his father as a child, an estranged wife, Jessica, who he seems to disappoint just by his mere existence, and living in his mother's house with his bipolar brother and facing foreclosure. As he stands on Smith Avenue Bridge, suicide seems the only option until he is unexpectedly rescued by an old school mortician named Truss. Vince meets another of Truss's rescues, Winona. Although beyond social norms, the trio seize on a quick cash fix that just might help Vince meet his child support demands--comedic tributes for the dead. The eulogies are hilarious and off the wall, sometimes disastrous and sometimes enlightening. They propel Vince into the dark underworld of the funeral industry, life insurance scams, savage politics, a kidnapping, the murder investigation of a destitute unclaimed young woman and threats to Jessica and his young daughter. As details of the murdered young woman are slowly revealed, Vince realizes that he has many ghosts of his own to put to rest.
264 pages, Paperback
Published May 18, 2021
367 people are currently reading
973 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Kelly
3 books10 followersI’m always smiling when I write… aware that mortals make plans and the gods laugh!
I am actively engaged in writing both as a novelist and a mindful writing teacher. My novels are not part of a series but do share a theme. The focus is on character arcs that revolve around ‘twist of fate’. I aim to expose lives, who by chance, have spun out of control, and see where they land. My stories give ‘fortuitous events’ center stage. I also love to infuse humor into my characters – sometimes light and sometimes dark. I believe humor helps us understand and cope with the world. When we see and laugh at characters we care about, who mirror our own flaws and weakness, it reflects on what it is to be human.
As a mindful writing teacher, my focus is to foster creativity, healing, and resilience. Embedded in the mindful writing teaching is my advanced practice of insight meditation and tai chi, for a balanced blend of mind and body awareness. My mindfulness workshops have been conducted for corporate and institutional staffs, classroom students, cancer patients and their caretakers, incarcerated people, at risk youth, seniors, the homeless and the public at large.
I am actively engaged in writing both as a novelist and a mindful writing teacher. My novels are not part of a series but do share a theme. The focus is on character arcs that revolve around ‘twist of fate’. I aim to expose lives, who by chance, have spun out of control, and see where they land. My stories give ‘fortuitous events’ center stage. I also love to infuse humor into my characters – sometimes light and sometimes dark. I believe humor helps us understand and cope with the world. When we see and laugh at characters we care about, who mirror our own flaws and weakness, it reflects on what it is to be human.
As a mindful writing teacher, my focus is to foster creativity, healing, and resilience. Embedded in the mindful writing teaching is my advanced practice of insight meditation and tai chi, for a balanced blend of mind and body awareness. My mindfulness workshops have been conducted for corporate and institutional staffs, classroom students, cancer patients and their caretakers, incarcerated people, at risk youth, seniors, the homeless and the public at large.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
May 30, 2021
Comedy and tragedy go hand in hand in this entertaining look at the life of failed standup comedian Vince Locker. Saved from ending his life by a kind old undertaker in a passing hearse, Vince finds a new lease on life working for the mortician. This may sound morbid to some but his new gig giving heartfelt and often humourous eulogies helps Vince find a new sense of self worth and the confidence to deal with his family troubles.He soon discovers the shadier side of the funeral home business when he tries to solve the mysterious death of an unclaimed young woman brought to the mortuary before her paupers burial. I enjoyed cheering on Vince, his friends at the funeral home and their efforts to solve this mystery and right some wrongs. This book makes you reflect on what is important in life and how the friends you meet along the way enrich and help you appreciate all you have to offer the world.
Available on Kindle Unlimited, a quick and entertaining read for those who enjoy their humour on the dark side.
Available on Kindle Unlimited, a quick and entertaining read for those who enjoy their humour on the dark side.
December 6, 2021
I feel a bit bad rating a book this low but this one really fizzled out for me. It started off well and I was really enjoying the deeper concepts of death explored through the character. But by about 25% through the book the characters journey was pretty much done. Everything just fell into place to drag him to where he needed to be and he was not even appreciative of it.
Then add in the murder mystery aspect and it felt like it had been tacked on to pad out the story. The story couldn't really decide what it wanted to be. The bad guy was like a cardboard cut out and I found myself wanting to put it down and not go back to it. A very promising start, I would have liked to see the character struggle through some of his change a bit more and explore the death aspect that started out as such a promising aspect.
Then add in the murder mystery aspect and it felt like it had been tacked on to pad out the story. The story couldn't really decide what it wanted to be. The bad guy was like a cardboard cut out and I found myself wanting to put it down and not go back to it. A very promising start, I would have liked to see the character struggle through some of his change a bit more and explore the death aspect that started out as such a promising aspect.
February 7, 2022
The premise of this novel sounded amusing and Jim Gaffigan recommended it, so I read it. A guy with an advanced degree in philosophy (and hence, no marketable skills) tries to make it as a stand-up comedian. Failing miserably, he starts a suicide attempt off a bridge and is pulled back by a passing motorist driving a hearse. The hearse has the body of a young woman in the back, but the kindly mortician gives our protagonist the comfort and encouragement he needs as well as a job --- doing eulogies laced with humor for indigents and the friendless who have no one to speak for them at the end.
Vince notes how worthless most obits are: “Life is funny—loss, joy, sickness, broken relationships, failure, success, all the stuff that makes us relatable, but most people are relegated to having their lives reduced to a list.” Vince does not do lists. He doesn’t know the deceased anyway. He says, “When you arrive at that place where you can no longer laugh at yourself, allow others to have the very last laugh on you.” A good thought.
Vince feels a strange sense of connection with the unknown woman with whom he shared the hearse. Her death was classified as natural causes subsequent to a devastating accident, but Vince and the mortuary staff believe she was murdered and he wants to find who did it.
I had to capture a few of the jokes Vince told:
“So the doctor says to the cat, ‘Bad news, it’s curiosity.’”
“Since I’ve never had a meaningful job, I list dead philosophers as my personal references. My last interviewer said, ‘Nietzsche means nothing to me.’ I said, ‘That’s the point.’”
“A man goes for his yearly check-up and is told he only has one day to live. He rushes home, explains his condition to his wife and says, ‘I want us to spend my last night having wild, crazy sex.’ His wife says, ‘Well, that’s easy for you to say. You don’t have to get up in the morning!’”—
One day my ex-wife, out of the blue, asked me, ‘If you could know how and when you were going to die, would you want to know?’ I said, ‘No.’ She said, ‘Okay, forget it.’”
Vince notes how worthless most obits are: “Life is funny—loss, joy, sickness, broken relationships, failure, success, all the stuff that makes us relatable, but most people are relegated to having their lives reduced to a list.” Vince does not do lists. He doesn’t know the deceased anyway. He says, “When you arrive at that place where you can no longer laugh at yourself, allow others to have the very last laugh on you.” A good thought.
Vince feels a strange sense of connection with the unknown woman with whom he shared the hearse. Her death was classified as natural causes subsequent to a devastating accident, but Vince and the mortuary staff believe she was murdered and he wants to find who did it.
I had to capture a few of the jokes Vince told:
“So the doctor says to the cat, ‘Bad news, it’s curiosity.’”
“Since I’ve never had a meaningful job, I list dead philosophers as my personal references. My last interviewer said, ‘Nietzsche means nothing to me.’ I said, ‘That’s the point.’”
“A man goes for his yearly check-up and is told he only has one day to live. He rushes home, explains his condition to his wife and says, ‘I want us to spend my last night having wild, crazy sex.’ His wife says, ‘Well, that’s easy for you to say. You don’t have to get up in the morning!’”—
One day my ex-wife, out of the blue, asked me, ‘If you could know how and when you were going to die, would you want to know?’ I said, ‘No.’ She said, ‘Okay, forget it.’”
December 7, 2021
He was driven in actually.
A pretty good book. It covers the stress and depression that is so common, but overlooked, in many persons lives that people approach suicide as the only option. The main character is at this stage when he is rescued by a man in a hearse. The main character then proceeds to drag himself from the bottom to the top by using his comical skills to benefit himself, deceased love ones and the funeral parlour.
The jokes themselves are outdated and local, however, but they're not the real point of the story. It's the journey a dialogue as he reaches for the top that is humorous.
Recommended light-hearted read.
A pretty good book. It covers the stress and depression that is so common, but overlooked, in many persons lives that people approach suicide as the only option. The main character is at this stage when he is rescued by a man in a hearse. The main character then proceeds to drag himself from the bottom to the top by using his comical skills to benefit himself, deceased love ones and the funeral parlour.
The jokes themselves are outdated and local, however, but they're not the real point of the story. It's the journey a dialogue as he reaches for the top that is humorous.
Recommended light-hearted read.
April 15, 2023
The last laugh
For some reason, I was in the midst of reading this book when my husband died. I was horrified. Was I wrong in the head? No, it was the next book up and it was holding my interest.
So I picked it up again and found the idea of comedy to honor the dearly departed wasn't blasphemous after all. In fact, it was rather comforting. And my own dearly departed would have enjoyed the laugh for he had a wonderful sense of humor.
41
For some reason, I was in the midst of reading this book when my husband died. I was horrified. Was I wrong in the head? No, it was the next book up and it was holding my interest.
So I picked it up again and found the idea of comedy to honor the dearly departed wasn't blasphemous after all. In fact, it was rather comforting. And my own dearly departed would have enjoyed the laugh for he had a wonderful sense of humor.
41
February 6, 2022
Good read
Good read,, even though it was funny in some areas, I just could not stay interested in this story. Sorry.
Good read,, even though it was funny in some areas, I just could not stay interested in this story. Sorry.
February 24, 2022
DNF for now (40%)
This book is not bad actually. It has the kind of easy writing that makes for a no-effort read, and a quirky premise to recommend it. For the portion I completed, I was mildly amused, but I never felt compelled to pick it back up. Could probably use a good editor.
Maybe I'll get back to it one day.
This book is not bad actually. It has the kind of easy writing that makes for a no-effort read, and a quirky premise to recommend it. For the portion I completed, I was mildly amused, but I never felt compelled to pick it back up. Could probably use a good editor.
Maybe I'll get back to it one day.
February 4, 2022
Wasnt very funny for me . Some just dumb stuff. Sorry
December 29, 2021
I like strong mystery thriller stories and this was neither. With the solid 5 star reviews including heavy comedic approval from big comedians, I thought an interesting read. Very wrong. I try to finish everything and should have stopped at the 50% mark with no mystery, no thriller and just a tepid story unless you are fixated on the funeral industry. The primary had the jokes and self control of maybe a high school freshman. Come on, guy, show something more than self absorbed outlashes and whining.
Grab threads from middle of the road TV shows and you have the structure of the thriller thrown in as the book moves along, including the over the top things to sensationalize and wrap up blank areas. Bad guy temporarily buried alive, good guy escaping a car crusher, family entanglements, and coincidences are a few of the story signposts.
I've wasted time reading other books beyond their expired interest date. I feel I'm being hard on this book, but everything seemed to have a commitment to a "have to turn in something" level of genius. Just almost up to the level of an after school special.
Grab threads from middle of the road TV shows and you have the structure of the thriller thrown in as the book moves along, including the over the top things to sensationalize and wrap up blank areas. Bad guy temporarily buried alive, good guy escaping a car crusher, family entanglements, and coincidences are a few of the story signposts.
I've wasted time reading other books beyond their expired interest date. I feel I'm being hard on this book, but everything seemed to have a commitment to a "have to turn in something" level of genius. Just almost up to the level of an after school special.
November 9, 2021
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Words not your thing? Odd you are on goodreads then. No judgement, check out my picture book on this new hip site called 'Instagram'.
September 8, 2021
Not very funny
Picked this book because it got a lot of stars. Couldn't wait for this book to end. Shallow character development, unrealistic plot lines, not even remotely funny
Picked this book because it got a lot of stars. Couldn't wait for this book to end. Shallow character development, unrealistic plot lines, not even remotely funny
October 16, 2021
I thought the premise of the book sounded promising, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I abandoned the book about 30% in.
July 25, 2023
Interesting
Not one bit funny, but a lovely story filled with quirky characters with redeeming qualities. A little on the sad side.
Not one bit funny, but a lovely story filled with quirky characters with redeeming qualities. A little on the sad side.
December 16, 2021
Actual Rating- 3.5
It was a very promising premise, in fact it was the plot line that made me download the book on Kindle Unlimited and start reading it on the same day. I mean, how often do you hear of a book about a failed comedian, attempting suicide and who gets pulled off the bridge by an undertaker and then the aforementioned comedian gets into the business of an eulogist who helps the grieving relatives and friends to smile and remember their lost ones. Sounds like an interesting plot, right.
But the problem was there were too many things that were mish mashed into this. For one thing, the comedian, Vince Locker is obsessed with finding the truth about Riva O'Malley, an unclaimed for dead body at Truss Mortuary. Truss was the mortician who saved Vince's life and Vince makes the journey back from the bridge accompanied by a woman- in red painted toes and in a clear plastic body bag. At the mortuary he meets another of Truss's rescue, Winona who encourages Vince to write and deliver eulogies as part of the funeral services. We also come to know ,in parallel ,that Truss Mortuary is in danger of getting overtaken by a bigger funeral home run by a goon called Ross Dalton who doesn't think twice before using illegal ways to bring down Truss Mortuary.
The last quarter of a book things get interesting, when Vince gets a tip about Riva's real identity. But there's too many co-incidences for my liking, things just falling into place for the ending to be wrapped up neatly and everything to fit perfectly in the end. I guess I would recommend only if you are looking to read something quick and easy and moderately funny.
It was a very promising premise, in fact it was the plot line that made me download the book on Kindle Unlimited and start reading it on the same day. I mean, how often do you hear of a book about a failed comedian, attempting suicide and who gets pulled off the bridge by an undertaker and then the aforementioned comedian gets into the business of an eulogist who helps the grieving relatives and friends to smile and remember their lost ones. Sounds like an interesting plot, right.
But the problem was there were too many things that were mish mashed into this. For one thing, the comedian, Vince Locker is obsessed with finding the truth about Riva O'Malley, an unclaimed for dead body at Truss Mortuary. Truss was the mortician who saved Vince's life and Vince makes the journey back from the bridge accompanied by a woman- in red painted toes and in a clear plastic body bag. At the mortuary he meets another of Truss's rescue, Winona who encourages Vince to write and deliver eulogies as part of the funeral services. We also come to know ,in parallel ,that Truss Mortuary is in danger of getting overtaken by a bigger funeral home run by a goon called Ross Dalton who doesn't think twice before using illegal ways to bring down Truss Mortuary.
The last quarter of a book things get interesting, when Vince gets a tip about Riva's real identity. But there's too many co-incidences for my liking, things just falling into place for the ending to be wrapped up neatly and everything to fit perfectly in the end. I guess I would recommend only if you are looking to read something quick and easy and moderately funny.
March 21, 2022
I was enticed to read this, mostly because of the rave reviews received from comedians like Mr. Gaffigan - this seemed like a great dark humor read, but not all of the reviews reflect that opinion. This is definitely a short read; This is the first book by Dennis Kelly that I have read, so I am unsure of his usual writing style, and in my opinion, this reads more like the tale you overhear someone talking about at the bar than it does a book. I don't mind that at all! But it does take some initiative to push past that and actually get into the story.
This book is 100% dark humor. Comedy and tragedy walk hand in hand while following the story of a failed standup comedian. A strange turn of events saves his life from attempted suicide - this begins your story: the battle with depression, managing loss, and ultimately finding your self-worth and confidence. Without giving too much away, this story is an unexpected story. It doesn't necessarily hold you on the edge of your seat, and there are points that you can get easily distracted, but I promise you will love it if you can get through it.
The main character, Vince, was well written in my opinion. After his suicide attempt is ruined, everything that transpires from that point is a darkly humorous spiral of shenanigans. Funeral Homes, family and marital problems, and just the right amount of murderous mystery will keep you questioning all the characters as you work towards the end.
I would definitely recommend this book - just be patient in the beginning while the story establishes itself, and I promise you won't regret it.
This book is 100% dark humor. Comedy and tragedy walk hand in hand while following the story of a failed standup comedian. A strange turn of events saves his life from attempted suicide - this begins your story: the battle with depression, managing loss, and ultimately finding your self-worth and confidence. Without giving too much away, this story is an unexpected story. It doesn't necessarily hold you on the edge of your seat, and there are points that you can get easily distracted, but I promise you will love it if you can get through it.
The main character, Vince, was well written in my opinion. After his suicide attempt is ruined, everything that transpires from that point is a darkly humorous spiral of shenanigans. Funeral Homes, family and marital problems, and just the right amount of murderous mystery will keep you questioning all the characters as you work towards the end.
I would definitely recommend this book - just be patient in the beginning while the story establishes itself, and I promise you won't regret it.
September 12, 2021
This is a book that could have been really depressing, but is very funny if you have a twisted sense of humor. The comedian in the story is in a competition to get on a TV show for comedians and when he gets to the round right before the TV tapings, he crashes and burns before a club audience. He does not advance. He is late on child support payments to his ex, and only has a really crummy day job that he is on the verge of being fired from. He feels that the best option might be to just cash out and jump from the Brooklyn Bridge. But he can't do that right either. He finds a new career doing comedy at funerals for those who have no assets for a real service. He just makes really bad jokes about the lives of those who have passed away in rest homes or pauper cemeteries. He is really good at this and feels that he is finally making a difference. This book is better than I have made it sound and is not mean at all about those that have passed. Give it a shot.
December 26, 2021
A Comedian Walks Into A Funeral Home by Dennis Kelly is comedy with an unusual plot that engages your interest from the first chapter.
The main character Vince; his Masters in Philosophy highlights how he analyzes and overthinks each situation and his constant negative inner dialogue. The dialogue is sharp and perfectly highlights the personalities of the characters. This exchange was superb: “If you were dead, lying in a casket, what would you want people to say about you?” “That’s easy. ‘He’s still moving.’”
There is plenty of action, drama, and many personal obstacles for Vince to overcome which brings fantastic tension and layers to the story.
The twist towards the end that connects Vince's family history with the corpse is a surprise - much like a Hindi film!!
There is also a compelling exploration into grief, death, and the afterlife which I found extremely comforting; with thought-provoking clever humor around usually dark issues of death and grief.
The main character Vince; his Masters in Philosophy highlights how he analyzes and overthinks each situation and his constant negative inner dialogue. The dialogue is sharp and perfectly highlights the personalities of the characters. This exchange was superb: “If you were dead, lying in a casket, what would you want people to say about you?” “That’s easy. ‘He’s still moving.’”
There is plenty of action, drama, and many personal obstacles for Vince to overcome which brings fantastic tension and layers to the story.
The twist towards the end that connects Vince's family history with the corpse is a surprise - much like a Hindi film!!
There is also a compelling exploration into grief, death, and the afterlife which I found extremely comforting; with thought-provoking clever humor around usually dark issues of death and grief.
May 19, 2024
Vince's life is getting simply unbearable and after the last mega-flop in a comedy show, he doesn't feel the energy and strength to carry on and jumping of a bridge really seems a wonderful idea. But Vince is such a loser that he can even kill himself and gets saved by Truss, the old town mortician. At the funeral parlor he meets Winona, another lost soul that Truss saved and decides to give life a second opportunity, working for Truss, giving comic eulogies for the recent departed (that's a fantastic idea btw!) and working with Winona, investigating a mysterious death.
This was a quick and very funny read and I strongly recommend it to every person with a twisted and dark humor (I've finished it in less than a week, more that 2 months ago, and totally forgot to review it) - I'll be looking forward for more books by Dennis Kelly, it's really well written and Vince's character is amazing.
This was a quick and very funny read and I strongly recommend it to every person with a twisted and dark humor (I've finished it in less than a week, more that 2 months ago, and totally forgot to review it) - I'll be looking forward for more books by Dennis Kelly, it's really well written and Vince's character is amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2022
unexpectedly good
When I considered buying this book I feared it would be one of those “Cable Guy” type laugh at the stupid dude tales. But I took a chance on it and am glad I did. I’m not sure I’d call this story particularly humorous. It offers a unique approach to thinking about and working through emotions related to loss, yet without the pervading cloud of sadness that books aimed at helping people process and deal with the pain of loss so often have. The messages in this story offer solid, healthy, unanticipated and, yes, humor-centered ways to work through pain. This wasn’t the light-hearted escape I was seeking—it was so much more and gave me new ways to think about the losses on my own life that I didn’t even know I needed. This will be one I remember for the wisdom it contains.
When I considered buying this book I feared it would be one of those “Cable Guy” type laugh at the stupid dude tales. But I took a chance on it and am glad I did. I’m not sure I’d call this story particularly humorous. It offers a unique approach to thinking about and working through emotions related to loss, yet without the pervading cloud of sadness that books aimed at helping people process and deal with the pain of loss so often have. The messages in this story offer solid, healthy, unanticipated and, yes, humor-centered ways to work through pain. This wasn’t the light-hearted escape I was seeking—it was so much more and gave me new ways to think about the losses on my own life that I didn’t even know I needed. This will be one I remember for the wisdom it contains.
March 27, 2022
The title hooked me. The premise is good. I give the author an A for idea and premise and a C for execution. I enjoyed reading this book, but I could easily have enjoyed it more. To me, this is a good start for a book, but it is not, in my opinion, a finished product. It is as though he has drawn the blueprints, built the house but did not complete the finishings. This book could use about 30 more pages of development. There are characters who have a good foundation but are hollow. There are relationships that are made but have weak connections. There are a couple of key moments that seem to need a segue that is missing. I am not a spoiler so I will not give the moments or scenes. The book is a quick read and a fun read and a book worth picking up, but I wish it had been a better read for the above reasons.
October 10, 2021
A quick read that’s part reality check and part quirky mystery. Plus it takes place in St. Paul, and I love reading about local landmarks!
Vince is a down-on-his-luck comedian trying to stay friendly with his ex-wife and daughter. When he’s pulled off the Smith Ave high bridge by a mortician (before he jumps), he has a change of heart and the opportunity to eulogize a few people using humor.
One deceased person sticks with him, a young woman with no family and a suspicious death. While Vince and his coworkers Winona and Mr. Truss start digging a bit deeper (no pun intended), the pressure to keep the death covered up intensifies and Vince finds himself in a few scary situations.
In the end, we all hope we go out of this world on a high note!
Vince is a down-on-his-luck comedian trying to stay friendly with his ex-wife and daughter. When he’s pulled off the Smith Ave high bridge by a mortician (before he jumps), he has a change of heart and the opportunity to eulogize a few people using humor.
One deceased person sticks with him, a young woman with no family and a suspicious death. While Vince and his coworkers Winona and Mr. Truss start digging a bit deeper (no pun intended), the pressure to keep the death covered up intensifies and Vince finds himself in a few scary situations.
In the end, we all hope we go out of this world on a high note!
March 18, 2022
This wasn't my usual sort of book, but I read the blurb and liked the idea. Also, it was on a free Bookbub offer....
I thought A Comedian Walks Into A Funeral Home was well written, and I decided it would be worth 4 stars while I was reading and enjoying it. There are plot jumps which seemed to me to be a bit of a stretch, but I can forgive that given the novelty of the scenario.
In the end, I gave the book a 5-star rating. I was pleased that it didn't disappoint me in the ending, there was nothing more I didn't like, so it didn't drop points.
For anyone thinking of this picking this up I'll say it's a book about a comedian, it's not comedic, so don't expect belly laughs. It was well worth my investment though...
I thought A Comedian Walks Into A Funeral Home was well written, and I decided it would be worth 4 stars while I was reading and enjoying it. There are plot jumps which seemed to me to be a bit of a stretch, but I can forgive that given the novelty of the scenario.
In the end, I gave the book a 5-star rating. I was pleased that it didn't disappoint me in the ending, there was nothing more I didn't like, so it didn't drop points.
For anyone thinking of this picking this up I'll say it's a book about a comedian, it's not comedic, so don't expect belly laughs. It was well worth my investment though...
December 6, 2021
Not what I expected at all. Fun, surprising, quirky characters. Just what you want in a story. It hooks you in. Unfortunately, it lost a star in the end. Too many authors, having resolved the main conflict of the book, rush to end without really finishing the story. Side characters matter too, especially when they are the protagonist’s mom, brother, and house or someone accused of murder. What happened to Madelyn Dalton? Did Vince make peace with his mom? Is his brother still living in the house? They weren’t the main characters, but if you bothered to make them part of the story, you need to resolve their plots also.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2022
There was a lot of stuff going on in this story about a comedian that starts working with a funeral home after he almost commits suicide. It took me a long time to figure out that Winona wasn’t some gray-haired eccentric because her name sounds so old. After she screwed Vince I decided to imagine her as a young Native American. If that’s the wrong word, I’m sorry. Vince’s wife hates him and is going to take their daughter away, Dalton wants Truss funeral business and is snaking people’s life insurance, Riva O’Malley is dead. That’s just a few things but it seems like there are, at least, seventeen other things happening. It was mostly interesting and I don’t regret reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2022
Down but not out.
I must tell you that initially, there were many times when I struggled to turn the page because I just could not appreciate the story. However, I felt a sense of obligation to the author not to dismiss what he had spent so many hours creating so I continued to turn the page and read. I am glad that I did, because the reverse happened I could not stop turning the pages as I became better acquainted with the twist and turns of Vince, Winona, Truss and Riva's story.
It turned out to be well worth the effort it took to go through the initial chapters.
Go ahead, try it, you might share my experience.
I must tell you that initially, there were many times when I struggled to turn the page because I just could not appreciate the story. However, I felt a sense of obligation to the author not to dismiss what he had spent so many hours creating so I continued to turn the page and read. I am glad that I did, because the reverse happened I could not stop turning the pages as I became better acquainted with the twist and turns of Vince, Winona, Truss and Riva's story.
It turned out to be well worth the effort it took to go through the initial chapters.
Go ahead, try it, you might share my experience.
January 20, 2022
What can I say! It was slightly different from what I thought the story line would be and if I had read all the blurb about it, I would have been ready for the drama.
Despite my shaky beginning I absolutely loved it and I would say that by the time I was 30% through, I couldn't put it down.
If you like 'dark' humour you will love this book and if you ever want to have a very happy party, invite the local funeral company along, they definitely know how to enjoy themselves.
I should know, I was a Funeral Director for 28 years.
Despite my shaky beginning I absolutely loved it and I would say that by the time I was 30% through, I couldn't put it down.
If you like 'dark' humour you will love this book and if you ever want to have a very happy party, invite the local funeral company along, they definitely know how to enjoy themselves.
I should know, I was a Funeral Director for 28 years.
March 16, 2022
The book really held me in, though at times I felt like it was dragged out. I caught on to the plot extremely early on, but this didn't really deter me from wanting to finish because the book had several twists and turns that kept me wondering what will come up next. I didn't find it to be nearly as funny as I found it to be captivating. It made you want to know more about the characters, which I feel like the author didn't put much time in to building them up. It was short and to the point for some of them. But overall, it was a good read that I enjoyed.
January 18, 2023
Unexpected
I wasn't sure when I started reading, if this book was going to be a struggle to read. I always try to finish a book, no matter how bad it is. But this particular read was a bit of a revelation. We certainly don't talk about death very much; not our own, anyway. The author deals with that, winding it through a tale of murder, fraud, corruption, scandal and sundry other pastimes that might leave someone dead. Add in family loss and you will find a rather witty, intelligent and entertaining story.
I wasn't sure when I started reading, if this book was going to be a struggle to read. I always try to finish a book, no matter how bad it is. But this particular read was a bit of a revelation. We certainly don't talk about death very much; not our own, anyway. The author deals with that, winding it through a tale of murder, fraud, corruption, scandal and sundry other pastimes that might leave someone dead. Add in family loss and you will find a rather witty, intelligent and entertaining story.
November 3, 2024
When I first started this book, I didn't like it, but the more I read, the more I got into it. I remember going to funerals where the wife was throwing herself into the casket, sobbing loudly, which made everyone else cry. Everyone was so wrung out the next day, they could hardly keep moving.
As I aged, people were gradually bringing some humor into the wake and it was such a relief. A little humor is never wrong; it relieves tension and makes everyone feel better.
Having a job as a eulogy comedian sounds bizarre and it was, but so funny and so well received.
Good book.
As I aged, people were gradually bringing some humor into the wake and it was such a relief. A little humor is never wrong; it relieves tension and makes everyone feel better.
Having a job as a eulogy comedian sounds bizarre and it was, but so funny and so well received.
Good book.
May 25, 2021
A unique premise – a comedic take on death – pulled off with a great cast of characters. From the bomb of his life leaving him contemplating suicide to the solving of an unnatural death of a comatose patient. This book keeps your interest start to finish, with the realization sometimes you have to embrace what you have, as opposed to what you think you are missing, to live your life to the fullest.
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