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Chasing Drew Hastings: a memoir
When Drew Hastings was seven years old, his father, also named Drew Hastings, left the family, remarried, and had another son, named Drew Hastings. "Suddenly there were three Drew Hastings," Hastings writes, "me, the one who left me, and the one who replaced me." And so begins a life-long pursuit of a name, and one long, slow skid toward the realization that we're all just making it up as we go along.
The son of a single mother, Hastings picks his way through suburban and urban Ohio, obsessed with proving himself against the backdrop of the counterculture of the Sixties and Seventies. He opens a paper shredding business, tries his hand as a rug salesman, even dabbles in muskrat trapping. Most enterprises end in disaster and nothing lasts long. Finally someone suggests standup comedy-friends always said he was funny, plus the idea of 'Drew Hastings' on marquees all over the country is too much to pass up. He moves to Hollywood where he flirts with fame but can't quite bring himself to grovel long enough. And just as a dark depression takes hold, he finally bolts, buys a farm in rural Appalachian Ohio, and at the age of fifty, starts over, breeding cattle, developing real estate, and yes, becoming the mayor of Hillsboro, Ohio.
Refreshingly honest and darkly funny, Chasing Drew Hastings is a wide-ranging memoir of a life ruled by misadventure and coincidence, growing up a confused kid and striving to find out what it means to be a man. Drawing on everything from small town politics to the ambition and malaise of show biz, Drew Hastings reckons with American masculinity, fatherhood, and inheritance head on. Unlikely, irreverent, and wholly original, the result is endlessly entertaining, and perhaps even inadvertently revelatory.
The son of a single mother, Hastings picks his way through suburban and urban Ohio, obsessed with proving himself against the backdrop of the counterculture of the Sixties and Seventies. He opens a paper shredding business, tries his hand as a rug salesman, even dabbles in muskrat trapping. Most enterprises end in disaster and nothing lasts long. Finally someone suggests standup comedy-friends always said he was funny, plus the idea of 'Drew Hastings' on marquees all over the country is too much to pass up. He moves to Hollywood where he flirts with fame but can't quite bring himself to grovel long enough. And just as a dark depression takes hold, he finally bolts, buys a farm in rural Appalachian Ohio, and at the age of fifty, starts over, breeding cattle, developing real estate, and yes, becoming the mayor of Hillsboro, Ohio.
Refreshingly honest and darkly funny, Chasing Drew Hastings is a wide-ranging memoir of a life ruled by misadventure and coincidence, growing up a confused kid and striving to find out what it means to be a man. Drawing on everything from small town politics to the ambition and malaise of show biz, Drew Hastings reckons with American masculinity, fatherhood, and inheritance head on. Unlikely, irreverent, and wholly original, the result is endlessly entertaining, and perhaps even inadvertently revelatory.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 29, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 31, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had never heard of Drew Hastings before but the description of the book sounded interesting. I enjoyed this memoir a lot more than I expected once I knew he was a comedian. I hate to say I was expecting something kind of shallow and silly. I was definitely wrong about that! There's actually a lot of introspection. And the wide variety of jobs and experiences he has had over the years really made for an interesting story. From carpet salesman, Hollywood tryouts, farmer, and mayor, it's quite the ride.
I had never heard of Drew Hastings before but the description of the book sounded interesting. I enjoyed this memoir a lot more than I expected once I knew he was a comedian. I hate to say I was expecting something kind of shallow and silly. I was definitely wrong about that! There's actually a lot of introspection. And the wide variety of jobs and experiences he has had over the years really made for an interesting story. From carpet salesman, Hollywood tryouts, farmer, and mayor, it's quite the ride.
February 6, 2022
I have been a fan on Drew Hastings from his appearances on The Bob and Tom Show. This book is so much more than a comedians take on their life. It is filled with wisdom and life lessons sprinkled with humor and genuine emotions which left me wanting to read more. Thank you Drew and the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. It was a genuine pleasure to read.
February 1, 2022
This book is a page turner, takes you everywhere life can take you in 240 pages. Inspiring, funny, adventurous, suspenseful and feelings of highs & lows and oh so relatable!
Fastest read in a long time!
Fastest read in a long time!
September 12, 2022
Being a resident and former constituent of the small Ohio town in which Hastings, the author was previously mayor was a motivating factor in my decision to read this book. Hastings’ backstory as a comedian became a point of intrigue and fascination for a lot of people in our community and reading the actual, printed backstory in the form of this memoir was something that was eagerly awaited by many.
Geographical biases aside, as a memoir, it is vivid, deep, and rich with both imagery and insight.
Hastings talks about his peripatetic childhood, his series of stop and start jobs, and how these all intertwined to propel him into the comedy career for which he is most publicly well known.
Woven throughout the book is the unfortunately relatable theme of parental abandonment.
Hastings manages to succinctly tell an engulfing story that covers a wide swath of his personal and professional life without becoming meandering, and neatly wraps up the narrative with understanding and reconciliation.
Geographical biases aside, as a memoir, it is vivid, deep, and rich with both imagery and insight.
Hastings talks about his peripatetic childhood, his series of stop and start jobs, and how these all intertwined to propel him into the comedy career for which he is most publicly well known.
Woven throughout the book is the unfortunately relatable theme of parental abandonment.
Hastings manages to succinctly tell an engulfing story that covers a wide swath of his personal and professional life without becoming meandering, and neatly wraps up the narrative with understanding and reconciliation.
February 17, 2022
Hastings' journey through life is rewarding, enlightening, and perhaps most important - bitingly funny. Followers of Hastings from his Bob and Tom days will delight in a peek behind the curtain of their favorite success guru.
April 25, 2022
Fun and insightful
Very interesting look into the life of one of my favorite comedians. And I find myself liking Drew Hastings even more after reading his book. Thanks Mr. Hastings, you will be remembered.
Very interesting look into the life of one of my favorite comedians. And I find myself liking Drew Hastings even more after reading his book. Thanks Mr. Hastings, you will be remembered.
July 28, 2022
I don’t normally read memoirs but I enjoyed this one! We’re reading it for next month’s bookclub meeting with Drew Hastings as our special guest. Interesting story of comedian-turned-mayor of Hillsboro, OH (for two terms) and how his life turned out the it did.
September 13, 2022
I think you have to be a fan of Drew Hastings to really appreciate this book, but I found it very interesting and enlightening.
November 22, 2022
Quirky dude with a interesting life story. Enjoyed and laughed.
February 6, 2022
Interesting read
April 23, 2024
I saw that I originally gave this three stars & immediately thought why didn't I give it two stars? Yet, I hadn't written a review... and when I just tried to remember the book, anything, I realized that I pretty much remember nothing about this book. I decided to go with my gut reaction of why didn't I rate this a two and change it to reflect that feeling.
Okay, I just reread the synopsis & vaguely remember the story... comfortable with leaving it as a two-star rating.
Okay, I just reread the synopsis & vaguely remember the story... comfortable with leaving it as a two-star rating.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews